Synfini, an AI-driven chemistry automation, announced an $8.9 million expansion of its funding round, led by JSL Health Capital and supported by a strong group of early-stage investors. This brings Synfini’s total funding to $53 million, featuring non-dilutive grants and venture investments. The round was led by JSL Health, which joins top venture firms and deep science investors, including SRI Ventures, WERU Investments, Ferocity Capital, High Water Venture Partners, Foothill Ventures, Trust Ventures, Gaingels, and Mana Ventures.
Synfini’s AI Cloud Foundry platform combines artificial intelligence, automated synthesis, and iterative molecular design to accelerate the discovery and synthesis of small molecules for drug development. By merging physical and virtual chemistry into a streamlined workflow, Synfini produces novel, high-quality, and optimized compounds rapidly while reducing costs.
The platform overcomes common bottlenecks in early drug discovery by integrating target selection, compound design, and synthesis. Since spinning out from SRI in 2023, Synfini has confirmed its approach through early traction and strategic partnerships. This new funding will support further development, operational scaling, and customer collaborations.
How the funding will be used: The new funding round will support further hiring in scientific and engineering roles, expansion of Synfini’s software and automated lab capabilities, and growth of commercial partnerships in areas including GPCR-targeted therapeutics and precision oncology.
KEY QUOTES:
“We’re building the next generation of drug discovery infrastructure. This funding enables us to move faster, go broader with our platform, and deepen our relationships with both biotech innovators and large pharma. We’re grateful to be supported by a syndicate of investors who share our vision, including those who’ve backed us since the very beginning.”
Doug Donzelli, CEO of Synfini
“Synfini is the rare company that emerges from the foam, fully formed. After years of R&D at legendary research outfit SRI, Synfini’s end-to-end medicinal chemistry AI platform demonstrably shortens small molecule iteration cycles from months to just days. Project planning, property prediction, reaction routes, and synthesis––all included and fully integrated into a chemistry operating system built with chemists and biologists in mind. This is true American innovation that promises to dramatically increase drug pipeline velocity from hit to FTIH. We cannot be more excited to partner with Synfini.”
Lekan Wang, Managing Partner at JSL Health Capital
“Through its technology and expert application of AI, Synfini has demonstrated the ability to fundamentally change the quality, speed, and cost of small molecule discovery. Synfini’s ground-breaking approach will accelerate the delivery of important new therapies to improve patients’ lives.”
Xuhui Shao from Foothill Ventures
