Vipergen, a leading provider of small-molecule drug discovery services based on DNA-encoded library (DEL) technologies, announced the signing of a drug discovery agreement with Theseus Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on improving the lives of cancer patients through the discovery, development, and commercialization of transformative targeted therapies. Under the terms of the agreement, Vipergen will apply its in-living-cell DNA-encoded library (DEL) screening platform to discover novel small-molecule compounds that bind to a selected Theseus kinase target. Theseus will select hits for potential development into targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and will retain exclusive rights to globally commercialize any products resulting from the collaboration. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

"Screening small-molecule libraries inside living cells—in a physiologically relevant context—is particularly important for success in developing cancer therapeutics," said Nils Hansen, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Vipergen. "We are excited to apply our in-living-cell DEL screening technology to Theseus' efforts to develop next-generation kinase inhibitors to transform the way cancer is treated."