The specialised CRO ZoBio has announced the launch of its comprehensive DNA-Encoded Library (DEL) hit discovery service, which it says has been designed to deliver progressible hits for exploratory drug discovery programmes targeting novel and challenging drugs.
The new, integrated offering combines structure-grade protein production, quantitative biophysics, DEL screening, off-DNA hit validation and X-ray crystallography into a single workflow.
ZoBio added that it will enable clients to move beyond hit identification toward high-confidence starting points for drug discovery programmes.
Compared with traditional transactional DEL screening methods, which primarily focus on generating hits, the new platform is designed to provide biologically relevant hit materials that are structurally characterised and have clear potential for further development.
ZoBio said the service is particularly effective for exploratory and challenging targets, including protein-protein interactions (PPIs) and targets with poorly defined binding pockets, where conventional screening methods often fall short.
"Drug discovery teams today are increasingly focused on highly validated but technically challenging targets, where traditional screening approaches can struggle to deliver meaningful starting points," said Gregg Siegal, CEO at ZoBio.
Our approach combines DEL technology with the structural biology, biophysics and assay expertise needed to generate hits that clients can confidently progress.
"We are not simply delivering hit matter, we are delivering validated, progressible starting points backed by mechanistic understanding."
The new DEL service from ZoBio is also library-agnostic, enabling clients to access commercially available DEL collections or apply ZoBio's workflow to proprietary client-owned libraries.
The integrated platform includes the following:
- structure-grade protein production and characterisation
- quantitative biophysical assay development using techniques such as SPR
- biophysically informed DEL selection design
- interactive DEL data analysis and hit prioritisation
- off-DNA hit resynthesis and orthogonal validation
- structural characterisation through X-ray crystallography
- and mechanistic insight to support downstream optimisation.
The workflow facilitates collaborative decision-making in the discovery process, helping clients quickly assess the viability of challenging or exploratory targets.
ZoBio’s broader hit discovery platform integrates DEL screening with fragment-based drug discovery and covalent compound screening, enabling tailored strategies based on target biology and desired mechanism of action.
"Many organisations can run a DEL screen, but far fewer can provide the scientific integration needed to rapidly build confidence in the resulting hits," added Siegal.
By combining quantitative assay design, structural validation and collaborative scientific problem-solving, we help clients reduce risk earlier in discovery and make better-informed go/no-go decisions.
