Bainbridge-based Emerald BioStructures, a biological structuring company, has formed a partnership with FORMA, a Massachusetts drug discovery company.

The partnership allows Emerald BioStructures to supply its X-ray crystallography technology, the means by which cell structures can be broken down to a molecular level, to FORMA to use for cancer drug trials. FORMA will now be able to examine aspects of potential treatments in much greater detail.

“Emerald has contributed to the structure-based design of multiple promising drug candidates for our customers,” said Emerald Chief Executive Officer Lance Stewart in a press release, “and we look forward to continuing to apply our leading-edge capabilities in collaborative gene-to-structure research in support of FORMA’s drug discovery activities.”

The release announcing the partnership did not disclose the financial terms of the deal, but FORMA will provide funding for multiple full-time employees.

The partnership came during a period of difficulty and uncertainty for Emerald as its parent company deCode Genetics filed for bankruptcy last November. FORMA was instrumental in helping Emerald get out from under deCode’s financial troubles.