Synfini, Inc., a company specializing in AI-driven chemistry automation, announced a $8.9 million funding expansion led by JSL Health Capital, bringing the company's total funding to $53 million through a combination of non-dilutive grants and venture investment. The Menlo Park-based company, which spun out from SRI in 2023, has developed an AI Cloud Foundry platform that integrates artificial intelligence, automated synthesis, and iterative molecular design to accelerate small molecule drug discovery and synthesis.
Revolutionary Platform Transforms Drug Discovery Timeline
The AI Cloud Foundry platform uniquely combines physical and virtual chemistry in a unified workflow, delivering pharmaceutically optimized compounds at unprecedented speed while dramatically reducing costs. According to Lekan Wang, Managing Partner at JSL Health Capital, Synfini's end-to-end medicinal chemistry AI platform "demonstrably shortens small molecule iteration cycles from months to just days."
The platform eliminates traditional bottlenecks in early drug discovery by streamlining target selection, compound design, and synthesis into an agile, integrated workflow, replacing traditional manual chemistry processes. Wang described the technology as "fully integrated into a chemistry operating system built with chemists and biologists in mind."
Strong Investor Backing and Commercial Validation
The funding round attracted a strong syndicate of early-stage investors, with JSL Health Capital leading the round alongside established venture firms including SRI Ventures, WERU Investments, Ferocity Capital, High Water Venture Partners, Foothill Ventures, Trust Ventures, Gaingels, and Mana Ventures.
Since its spinout from SRI in 2023, Synfini has validated its approach through early commercial traction and strategic partnerships. "We're building the next generation of drug discovery infrastructure," said Doug Donzelli, CEO of Synfini. "This funding enables us to move faster, go broader with our platform, and deepen our relationships with both biotech innovators and large pharma."
Strategic Focus on High-Impact Therapeutic Areas
The new funding will support expansion across multiple fronts, including hiring in scientific and engineering roles, expanding software and automated lab capabilities, and growing commercial partnerships. The company is specifically targeting growth in GPCR-targeted therapeutics and precision oncology, two areas with significant therapeutic potential.
Xuhui Shao from Foothill Ventures emphasized the platform's potential impact, stating that "Synfini has demonstrated the ability to fundamentally change the quality, speed, and cost of small molecule discovery" and that the "ground-breaking approach will accelerate the delivery of important new therapies to improve patients' lives."
Technology Integration Drives Competitive Advantage
The AI Cloud Foundry platform encompasses project planning, property prediction, reaction routes, and synthesis in a comprehensive system. Wang noted that this integration represents "true American innovation that promises to dramatically increase drug pipeline velocity from hit to FTIH" (first-time-in-human studies).
The platform's ability to combine artificial intelligence with chemistry automation and cloud-native workflows positions Synfini to partner with biotech and pharmaceutical companies seeking to bring breakthrough therapies to market with greater speed and precision. The company was founded by domain experts in synthetic chemistry, machine learning, and drug development, providing the technical foundation necessary for this complex integration of technologies.
