Researchers have developed novel compounds with the potential to be drug treatments for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. This work also proves that replacing easily broken-down 'amide' bonds with more stable 'thioamide' bonds is a viable strategy in drug development to increase the biological stability of a compound. The ongoing development of these compounds will be key in increasing the available drug repertoire for COVID-19 treatment.