UK-based CRO Concept Life Sciences has announced a new strategic partnership with US early-stage research company OpenBench to progress hit identification for biotech companies through a fee-for-success model.
The duo will combine OpenBench's structure-based, AI-driven discovery platform with Concept Life Sciences' medicinal chemistry and in-vitro screening and validation capabilities to offer biotech customers a path from target to validated hit series in as little as six months.
OpenBench operates a success-based AI hit-discovery platform that performs virtual screening and initial research at the company's own expense, only charging clients a fee once validated hits are delivered.
This shifts early-stage upfront financial risk away from the client and shortens timelines.
Concept Life Sciences will extend the value and scope of the partnership through its integrated 'design-make-test' capabilities, enabling faster progression of promising hit series towards clinical development across therapeutic modalities and indications.
"Biotechs need faster, lower-risk paths to high-quality chemical starting points — particularly in today's funding environment," said Steven L. Holshouser, Head of Business Development, North America at Concept Life Sciences.
By combining OpenBench's success-based discovery model with our integrated development capabilities, we're giving clients a highly efficient route from target to validated, developable hits.
"Our mission is to remove the biggest barrier in early discovery: upfront cost and uncertainty," added Lewis Martin, Chief Scientific Officer at OpenBench.
We deliver validated chemical leads before our partners spend a dollar, enabling biotech companies to focus resources on advancing programmes with real potential.