Brazilian researchers have found that a molecule in the venom of a big local snake inhibited coronavirus reproduction in monkey cells. The breakthrough holds the potential of developing a medicine to fight COVID-19.

A study published in the scientific journal Molecules this month found that the molecule produced by the jararacussu pit viper inhibited the virus's ability to multiply in monkey cells by 75%.

"We were able to show this component of snake venom was able to inhibit a very important protein from the virus," a Reuters report cited Rafael Guido, a University of Sao Paulo professor and an author of the study.

The molecule is a peptide, or chain of amino acids, that can connect to an enzyme of the coronavirus called PLPro, which is vital to reproduction of the virus, without hurting other cells.

Already known for its antibacterial qualities, the peptide can be synthesized in the laboratory, Guido said in an interview, making the capture or raising of the snakes unnecessary.

Researchers will now evaluate the efficiency of different doses of the molecule and whether it is able to prevent the virus from entering cells in the first place, according to a statement from the State University of Sao Paulo,  which was also involved in the research.

The statement said the substance would also be tested for its effect in human cells but did not mention any time schedule for carrying out the trials.

The jararacussu is one of the largest snakes in Brazil, measuring up to 6 feet in length. It lives in the coastal Atlantic Forest and is also found in Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina.