VE607 (26) was identified among 50 240 structurally diverse small molecules to specifically inhibit SARS‐CoV‐1 entry into cells using a phenotype‐based screening. Its EC50 value was reported at 3.0 µM and it inhibited SARS‐CoV‐1 plaque formation with an EC50 of 1.6 µM. 119  Cathepsin inhibitor E‐64‐D (27) blocked MERS‐CoV and SARS‐CoV‐1 infection as well. 120 ,  121