SARS-CoV-2 has caused an extensive pandemic of COVID-19 all around the world. Key viral enzymes are suitable molecular targets for the development of new antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 which could represent potential treatments of the corresponding disease. With respect to its essential role in the replication of viral RNA, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is one of the prime targets. HeE1-2Tyr and related derivatives were originally discovered as inhibitors of the RdRp of flaviviruses. Here, we present that these pyridobenzothiazole derivatives also significantly inhibit SARS-CoV-2 RdRp, as demonstrated using both polymerase- and cell-based antiviral assays.

Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Veterinary Sciences Brno Palackého tř 1946 1 612 42 Brno Czech Republic

Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry Czech Academy of Sciences Flemingovo náměstí 542 2 160 00 Praha Czech Republic

Institute of Parasitology Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences Branišovská 1160 31 370 05 České Budějovice Czech Republic

Veterinary Research Institute Emerging Viral Diseases Hudcova 296 70 621 00 Brno Czech Republic

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