X-Chem, Inc. announced the expansion of its collaboration with Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. Under the terms of the expanded agreement, X-Chem will apply its growing collection of next-generation DEX libraries toward the discovery of novel lead compounds against multiple targets across Vertex’s drug development portfolio. Vertex will be responsible for further development and commercialization of licensed programs. X-Chem will receive an upfront payment, and stands to receive additional payments linked to the achievement of R&D and regulatory milestones. X-Chem is also eligible for royalties on revenues from medicines originating from the collaboration. The expanded partnership now comprises 14 targets, increasing the scope of the original agreement two-fold. The collaboration between X-Chem and Vertex has enabled the discovery and licensing to Vertex of novel lead compounds from X-Chem’s DNA-encoded DEX libraries.