X-Chem has expanded its collaboration with Orion Pharma to cover the entire early-stage drug discovery pipeline, moving beyond initial hit identification through to candidate selection.
The extended partnership formalised under a new technology access agreement allows Orion to access X-Chem’s end-to-end drug discovery platform. This includes DNA-encoded library (DEL) screening, artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted hit evaluation, and medicinal chemistry support.
The agreement builds on an existing relationship between the two companies, which is said to have delivered results across several early-stage programmes.
With the renewal, Orion will now be able to leverage X-Chem’s integrated platform across multiple projects aimed at accelerating the identification and optimisation of small molecule drug candidates.
X-Chem’s offering combines DEL technology with its proprietary AI engine, ArtemisAI, designed to enhance decision-making at the early stages of discovery.
The company’s AI tools are trained on what it claims is the largest existing DEL dataset. This, together with its internal medicinal and computational chemistry expertise, enables partners to optimise molecular candidates more effectively.
Orion Pharma molecular prospecting and modelling head Heikki Käsnänen said: “X-Chem’s flexible business model is enabling us to evaluate both new targets and revisit existing programmes with enhanced tools.
“We are applying their DEL-based screening technologies, as well as their expertise in AI and computational chemistry, to explore alternative routes for optimisation. This approach is further supported by synthetic and medicinal chemistry to expand hit series and advance toward lead optimisation.”
According to X-Chem, the expanded collaboration marks a continuation of long-standing cooperation with Orion Pharma and reflects the effectiveness of past joint efforts.
The company stated that Orion had previously benefitted from X-Chem’s ability to generate differentiated chemical structures and early insights, supporting its internal discovery workflows.
X-Chem CEO Karen Lackey said: “Our goal is to empower innovative companies like Orion to efficiently identify and progress high-quality drug candidates.
“This expanded partnership reflects a strong foundation of trust and a shared commitment to overcoming complex challenges in early discovery. By aligning our scientific expertise, we can help Orion move from hit to candidate with speed and confidence.”
Orion Pharma, headquartered in Finland, is active across human and veterinary pharmaceutical markets and focuses its research efforts primarily on oncology and pain. The company manufactures both proprietary and generic pharmaceuticals and has developed treatments across therapeutic areas including cancer, neurological conditions, and respiratory diseases.
