DNA-Encoded Library (DEL) Services

Fast Screening of Billions of Small Molecule Compounds
DNA-Encoded Library (DEL) technology involves a novel affinity selection process that integrates chemistry, biology, bioinformatics and computational chemistry to facilitate a rapid drug discovery process, allowing access to more chemical space with lower cost.
In contrast to high throughput screening, DEL requires a very small amount of target protein and minimum assay development. More importantly, it disrupts the concept of “cost-per-well” and allows testing billions of compounds in one tube.
3 Types of Services Designed for Different Needs
Free access to DEL data sharing
Billions
Target confidentiality for academics users | Open source
Unprecedented data release
Billions
Target confidentiality for all drug developers | Easy access with reduced risk
One-stop solution customizable
Billions
Target exclusivity for all drug developers | Access to unique scaffolds
Why Our Library is an Ideal Choice for DEL Screening

Library Production Service
- 80+ billion synthetic compounds for diversity
- 100+ selective hot cores for latent druggability of compounds
- 35,000+ commercially source building blocks in stock
- Unique multiple on-DNA reactions to build various chemical bonds
- Flexible library construction to accommodate clients’ needs
- Robust and strict quality to control procedures
View our DDC 2023 Presentation: “DNA-Encoded Libraries for the Discovery of Small-Molecule Hits”
View our publication: “DELs enable the development of BRET probes for target engagement studies in cells”
View our publication: “Discovery of Novel GST Inhibitors Identified from a DNA-Encoded Library”
View our publication: “DNA-Encoded Macrocyclic Peptide Libraries Enable the Discovery of a Neutral MDM2–p53 Inhibitor”
View our press release: “WuXi Biology Announces Launch of an Automatic DNA-Encoded Library (DEL) screening device ‘DELman’ to Leverage DEL for Anyone and Anywhere”
Our extended platform enables overall planning and management of protein production, DEL library production, affinity selection, data analysis, hit validation and structural biology for further optimization.
New Modalities
Irreversible Covalent Modification
- Specially designed covalent DEL collection featuring diverse warheads targeting Cys, Lys, Tyr, or Ser
- Curated warhead set balancing reactivity and selectivity
- Optimized selection method enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio
- View our publication: Discovery of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Covalent Inhibitors from a DNA-Encoded Library Selection
Peptide Discovery
- Direct screening of peptide hits with enhanced affinity, specificity and improved degradation stability by incorporating 1000+ unnatural amino acids
- Various cyclization strategies established for peptide DEL customization
- Serving as an ideal tool for optimizing initial peptide hits from phage and mRNA display*
- View our publication: DNA-Encoded Macrocyclic Peptide Libraries Enable the Discovery of a Neutral MDM2–p53 Inhibitor
RNA as a Target
- Specialized DEL screening workflows optimized for charge compatibility and diverse RNA structures, while mitigating off-target RNA/DNA interactions to ensure high-confidence hits and accelerate drug discovery
- RNA-targeting focused DEL collection with specific scaffolds based on the structural motifs of known RNA binders
- View our publication: Development of a DNA-encoded library screening method “DEL Zipper” to empower the study of RNA-targeted chemical matter



*Currently, WuXi AppTec does not provide bacteriophage display, mRNA display, or ribosomal display-based screening services for bicyclic peptides constrained on a molecular scaffold. WuXi AppTec does provide a variety of DNA-Encoded Library (DEL) screening services.
Screening Methods | More than Conventional DEL Screening

Conventional screening
- Well-established method
- Suits a wide variety of targets
- Screening conditions can be designed to achieve the objective

Covalent library screening
In search of irreversible binders for various targets through permanent linkage.

Target RNA
To identify RNA binding molecules targeting disease-associated RNAs through DEL screening technology.
Contact our Experts to discuss your early discovery projects
Learn more about our Target-to-Hit Platform