BOSTON : Two existing drugs inhibit SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, from infecting human cells in the lab, a study has found.According to the study, published in the journal PNAS, both drugs, vacuolin-1 and apilimod, originally developed years ago, target a large enzyme called PIKfyve kinase.Before this study, little was known about this enzyme's role in COVID-19 infection, the researchers said.The work, which will need to be replicated in human trials, suggests a potential new target for COVID-19 therapies, they said."Our findings show that targeting this kinase through a small-molecule antiviral against SARS-CoV-2 may be an effective strategy to lessen the progression or seriousness of COVID-19," said study co-senior author.