SARS-CoV-2, EBOV and emerging RNA viruses are amongst the most important global health threats; yet clinically approved antiviral drugs are available for only 10 of the more than 220 viruses known to infect humans.

Over the centuries, microbial secondary metabolites have played a central role in the treatment of human diseases and have revolutionised the pharmaceutical industry.

An overview of enzymatic tools for generation of carbon–halogen bonds and their use in enabling selective C–H functionalisation through combination of enzyme and chemo catalysis.