The Coronavirus pandemic is forcing us all to confront the relative lack of anti-viral treatments that humanity has in its armamentarium. At the Weizmann Institute of Science, we confront this situation by harnessing innovative basic research for the development of novel technologies for the benefit of society. Together with Weizmann scientists, YEDA Ltd, the Institute's commercialization arm, is transforming academic research into drugs and public health technologies that may prevent future viral threats from causing upheaval similar to the disruption that our world is facing today. Below are a few inspiring examples from a variety of research fields.