Ensemble Therapeutics Corp. thinks its DNA-Programmed Chemistry discovery technology is more efficient than competing platforms in the macrocycle space. The biotech now has its third major partnership, a d eal with Genentech Inc. to try to raise drugs against challenging targets in the Roche unit's preclinical pipeline.

Ensemble will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and is eligible for milestones and royalties. Genentech is not disclosing the precise targets, but did say it wants to generate macrocyclic agents that address protein-protein interactions.