One of the problems in the field of technology analysis and innovation management is how new technologies origin and evolve in the presence of environmental threats. The goal of this study is to analyze evolution of innovations to cope with new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that is generating health and economic concerns worldwide. In the theoretical framework of the technological exaptation, this study analyzes, with a narrative approach, innovative drugs that ended up treating COVID-19 even though they were born to treat other diseases, such as the antiviral drug Remdesivir and the anti-Rheumatoid Arthritis drug Tocilizumab. Results reveal that technological exaptation is one of the sources of innovation to cope with COVID-19 pandemic crisis in the short term and in general of environmental threats. New results here are the departure for creating new models of the origin and evolution of innovation during crises and environmental threats.