Syanature Discovery, a leading integrated drug discovery contract research organisation (CRO), has established a formal collaboration with X-Chem, a pioneer in DNA-encoded library (DEL) technology, to support the delivery of DEL screening within its integrated drug discovery programs.

DEL screening has long formed part of Sygnature's broader hit-finding strategy. 

This collaboration  formalises access to X-Chem’s DEL platform and its expertise in selection science and data analysis, complementing Sygnature’s established suite of hit-finding technologies and capabilities in protein science, biology, medicinal chemistry and integrated drug discovery. 

Through this collaboration, DEL screening can be integrated into Sygnature-led projects, supporting programs from target protein production through screening, hit validation and optimization, with X-Chem providing its DEL platform, screening expertise, and data analysis. 

Customers will benefit from one integrated program, reducing the need to manage multiple providers and making it simpler to access the best solution for their needs. 

DEL screening is particularly useful for certain target classes and situations where access to large and diverse compound collections may be advantageous. DEL screening allows billions of DNA-tagged small molecules to be evaluated simultaneously against a biological target.

Compounds retained during selection are detected by sequencing their DNA tags, generating rich datasets that reveal patterns of enrichment across related chemical structures. Combined with thoughtful library design, rigorous selection science and expert data analysis, these patterns can identify promising chemical starting points and help guide what happens next. 

Rick Davies, Director of Protein Sciences and Structural Biology at Sygnature Discovery said, “We are continually looking to tailor our hit-finding strategies to the specific needs of each target and ensure our customers can access the most appropriate technologies for their programs. I have seen firsthand the difference DEL screening can make when the fit is right for a project.”

Matt Clark, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at X-Chem, commented: “From the beginning, our focus at X-Chem has been on making DEL data useful in drug discovery. Through this collaboration, those insights can directly inform the validation and chemistry work within Sygnature-led programs, helping teams move promising molecules forward faster.”