- Charles River Laboratories has formed a strategic collaboration with X-Chem, giving clients access to X-Chem’s DNA-encoded library (DEL) platform of over 15 billion compounds.
- The partnership integrates Charles River’s hit identification and assay capabilities with X-Chem’s DEL technology to accelerate early-stage drug discovery and Hit-to-Lead optimisation.
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. has announced a strategic collaboration with X-Chem, Inc., a pioneer in DNA-encoded library (DEL) technology and data-driven drug discovery. The partnership is designed to enhance Charles River’s hit identification (Hit ID) services and accelerate the discovery of novel therapeutics.
Under the collaboration, Charles River clients will gain access to X-Chem’s DEL platform, which comprises over 15 billion high-quality, lead-like compounds. The platform supports hundreds of discovery programmes across multiple target classes and integrates advanced selection methods with data analytics to deliver interpretable early discovery results.
The partnership combines Charles River’s in-house protein production, downstream assay development, and decades of Hit ID expertise with X-Chem’s DEL screening capabilities. This creates a seamless workflow from initial hit identification through Hit-to-Lead optimisation, offering clients greater flexibility in early-stage drug discovery.
“X-Chem’s DEL technology is a powerful addition to our Hit ID Toolbox. By combining our deep expertise in early drug discovery and existing hit ID suite of capabilities with X-Chem’s innovative screening platform, we can offer our clients even more flexibility in their hit-finding strategies, shaping this important first-step in their discovery programs.”
Chris Barnes, Executive Director & Head, Small Molecule Drug Discovery at Charles River
X-Chem’s President and CSO, Matt Clark, added that the collaboration extends the reach of their DEL platform to more research teams worldwide, supporting data-driven decision-making in early discovery. Together, the companies aim to provide a scalable solution for biotech and pharmaceutical organisations looking to accelerate drug discovery programs.
