Broad-spectrum therapeutics: A new antimicrobial class

There are currently no emergency treatments for pandemics, yet drug repositioning has emerged as the foremost treatment development strategy for COVID-19, with an aim to identify successful antiviral therapeutics from safe, non-antiviral candidates. These therapeutics include antibiotics such as azithromycin and the antiparasitic nitazoxanide, both of which exhibit antiviral activity. Broad-spectrum therapeutics (BSTs) are a class of antimicrobials active against multiple pathogen types. Establishment of a developmental framework for BSTs will markedly improve global preparedness for future health emergencies.