Viral proteases are enzymes produced by viruses that play a crucial role in the replication and maturation of the virus. These proteases are involved in cleaving viral polyproteins into functional proteins that are necessary for viral replication and assembly. Due to their essential role in the viral life cycle, viral proteases are attractive targets for antiviral drug development. Inhibiting viral proteases can block viral replication and prevent the spread of infection. Research in this area focuses on understanding the structure and function of viral proteases, developing inhibitors to target these enzymes, and finding new strategies to disrupt their activity and block viral replication.