Treating a Global Health Crisis with a Dose of Synthetic Chemistry

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has prompted scientists from many disciplines to work collaboratively toward an effective response. As academic synthetic chemists, we examine how best to contribute to this ongoing effort. The current pandemic draws comparisons to past global health crises where synthetic chemists have made significant translational contributions through fundamental research. In the context of manufacturing compounds like remdesivir, several research areas are outlined herein which require further development and creativity from chemists in order to drive advances in antiviral research during this time of need. As a community, driving future innovations in synthetic chemistry will be imperative if we are to tackle global health threats such as COVID-19.