Abstract: A method for detecting and/or characterizing a ligand-target binding based on photochemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization (photo-CIDNP) enhanced NMR spectroscopy, comprising the steps: (a) irradiating a sample (A) comprising a photosensitizer and a ligand to excite the photosensitizer and induce dynamic nuclear polarization of the ligand by the photosensitizer, (b) recording an NMR spectrum of sample (A), repeating steps (a) and (b) with a sample comprising sample (A) and further comprising a target of interest, and (c) comparing the NMR spectra of samples (A) and (B) and detecting and/or characterizing a ligand-target binding based on at least one difference in the NMR spectra. The present invention further pertains to a device for conducting the method.