Breakthrough in DNA-Encoded Library Technology Accelerates Drug Discovery Timeline

WOBURN, MA, April 15, 2025 – Orogen Therapeutics today announced significant advances in its proprietary FocusDEL™ technology, demonstrating unprecedented efficiency in identifying novel chemical starting points for drug discovery programs targeting challenging protein-protein interactions.

The breakthrough results show that Orogen's AI-enhanced DNA-encoded library platform can identify promising lead compounds in weeks rather than months, representing a paradigm shift in drug discovery timelines for traditionally challenging targets.

Technology Innovation

"Our FocusDEL™ platform combines the power of massive chemical diversity with sophisticated AI algorithms to dramatically accelerate the hit-to-lead process," said Dr. Emily Zhang, AI Research Lead at Orogen. "This technology advancement positions us to tackle previously undruggable targets with unprecedented speed and precision."

The FocusDEL™ technology represents a significant advancement over traditional DNA-encoded library approaches by incorporating AI-driven selection algorithms that can predict binding affinity and selectivity before physical screening begins. This computational pre-screening reduces the number of compounds that need to be synthesized and tested, dramatically reducing both time and cost.

Clinical Impact

The implications of this breakthrough extend far beyond laboratory efficiency. By accelerating the identification of promising drug candidates, Orogen's technology could potentially bring life-saving treatments to patients years earlier than traditional approaches would allow.

"Time is critical in drug discovery, especially for patients with serious unmet medical needs," commented Dr. Mark Pykett, CEO of Orogen Therapeutics. "Our FocusDEL™ platform represents a fundamental shift in how we approach target validation and lead optimization, allowing us to move from target identification to clinical candidate selection in record time."

The technology has already demonstrated success against several challenging targets in the immuno-inflammation space, with multiple programs advancing toward IND-enabling studies.

Scientific Validation

The breakthrough was validated through a comprehensive study comparing FocusDEL™ performance against traditional screening methods across twelve different target classes. Results showed a 10-fold improvement in hit identification speed and a 5-fold increase in the success rate of lead compounds advancing to preclinical studies.

Dr. James Wilson, Head of Chemistry at Orogen, explained: "The beauty of our approach lies in the integration of massive chemical diversity with intelligent computational filtering. We're not just screening more compounds – we're screening smarter."

Industry Recognition

The advancement has garnered attention from the broader pharmaceutical industry, with several major biotechnology companies expressing interest in potential collaboration opportunities. The technology was recently highlighted in a keynote presentation at the International Conference on Drug Discovery Innovation.

"Orogen's FocusDEL™ platform represents exactly the kind of innovation our industry needs," said Dr. Sarah Chen, former VP of Research at Bristol Myers Squibb and current industry consultant. "By combining the scale of DNA-encoded libraries with the precision of AI, they're addressing one of the most significant bottlenecks in modern drug discovery."

Future Applications

Looking ahead, Orogen plans to expand the application of FocusDEL™ technology beyond immuno-inflammation targets to include oncology and neurodegenerative diseases. The company is also exploring partnerships with academic institutions to make the technology available for rare disease research.

The technology's modular design allows for rapid adaptation to new target classes, positioning Orogen to respond quickly to emerging therapeutic opportunities and public health needs.

About Orogen Therapeutics

Orogen Therapeutics' mission is to deliver groundbreaking clinical solutions to patients with serious unmet medical needs. The company is revolutionizing small-molecule drug discovery through its proprietary platform integrating DNA-encoded libraries (DEL) with massive chemical diversity of billions of compounds, virtual screening and AI-driven computation. The company's proprietary, one-of-a-kind target-specific FocusDEL™ (patent pending) seeks to innovate the DEL landscape by enabling enriched hit yields from immense chemical spaces.

This unique foundation is designed to enable the efficient derivation of novel drug candidates against a broad range of target classes. Orogen's team includes scientists with decades of drug development experience and deep expertise in all aspects of small-molecule R&D, including DNA-encoded libraries, target selection and evaluation, cutting-edge AI and data science.

Forward-Looking Statements

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For more information, please visit our website at www.orogentx.com.

Media contact: Mark Pykett, Orogen Therapeutics, markp@orogentx.com