“A movement to reposition drugs has been initiated in recent years. In this strategy, it is important to use drugs that have been proven to be harmless and whose pharmacokinetics and optimal dosage are well known. In the current episode of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) emergence, we find a spectacular ex- ample of possible repositioning of drugs, particularly chloroquine. We had 20 years ago proposed to systematically test chloroquine in viral infections because it had been shown to be effective in vitro against a broad range of viruses . This drug has multiple activities, one of which is to alkalise the phagolysosome, which hampers the low-pH-dependent steps of viral replication, including fusion and uncoating. Other mechanisms of antiviral activity are poorly explained.”

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