Success Story: Domina Therapeutics Inc

Domina Therapeutics Advances Cognitive Disease Treatment

Location: Northern California | Alameda County | Oakland 

Business Type: Neuro-Therapeutics and Biotechnology (NOTE for TAG: Accelerate CA)  

CalOSBA Partner: EDC Ventura County Accelerate CA Hub 

Assistance Received: Business Planning, Financing/Capital Access, and Technical Assistance 

California State Assembly District: 18 

California State Senate District: 7 

Visit Domina Therapeutics online. 

Domina Therapeutics, Inc., founded by CEO Ravi Jain and academic partner Dr. Evan Snyder, has adopted a unique approach to treating neuropsychiatric and cognitive disorders. Rather than targeting individual processes like inflammation or immune response, Domina focuses on modulating neural network communication (NNC) at a system-wide level. With advances in neural activity detection, microscopy, and AI, the company has begun to visualize how each neurological disorder impacts cognition uniquely, allowing them to develop neural network signatures for specific conditions. 

The company’s innovative approach targets a cytoskeletal master regulator that governs the formation and collapse of dendritic spines, which regulate information exchange among different parts of the brain. By modulating that protein’s activity, Domina restores neural activity and rescues network-wide impairment, ultimately restoring cognition. Their research has shown promising results in animal models, particularly in reversing bipolar disorder-like behavior in mice by renormalizing NNC. 

Like many early-stage biotech companies, Domina faced significant challenges in securing the necessary funding to advance their groundbreaking research while simultaneously de-risking their technology for larger investment rounds. 

After raising an initial $400,000 from an international VC, the company needed to generate real-world evidence for their molecular pathways in Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, and undertake animal studies to demonstrate that their therapeutics effectively rebuild the brain’s neural network. These critical milestones were necessary to unlock an anticipated $8 million seed round, but required both capital and strategic guidance. 

Domina Therapeutics connected with the EDC Ventura County Accelerate CA Hub, where they completed intensive technical assistance activities, including capital access support, one-on-one mentorship, subject-matter expert engagement, and resource provider networking. The company participated in an EDC pitch event, which provided valuable insights into market positioning, product development, and strategic growth opportunities through feedback from a panel of five experts. 

Domina Therapeutics benefited from personalized mentorship and technical assistance from esteemed advisors including Doug Korte, Bill Bartels, Ray Bowman, and Wangari Njathi. These experts offered guidance on refining business strategies, enhancing operational efficiencies, and navigating complex regulatory landscapes required for FDA approval and clinical trials. 

Through the Hub’s support, Domina Therapeutics positioned itself to apply for the Accelerate California Innovation Grant for $100,000, which will be deployed with a focus on obtaining the de-risking results necessary to ease and unlock investors currently interested in funding the seed round. The company has secured a licensing option to core screening technology from Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute and has written a provisional composition-of-matter patent for their lead compounds targeting Alzheimer’s disease. 

Domina Therapeutics is committed to pioneering an approach that will contribute to a future where cognitive diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder can be successfully treated and reversed. For Alzheimer’s, the company expects to be in clinical trials within three years, with schizophrenia treatments entering FDA Phase I trials a year or two after that. The company operates with labs in San Diego and corporate headquarters in the Bay Area, and as they make steady progress, they anticipate creating hundreds of new jobs in California. 

By leveraging cutting-edge brain organoid biology and AI algorithms to map specific neuro-disease phenomena, Domina Therapeutics is addressing markets with over $1 trillion in annual economic costs. Their innovative approach represents a fundamental shift in how cognitive and psychiatric conditions are understood and treated, offering hope and improved quality of life for individuals affected by these devastating conditions. 

Visit Domina Therapeutics to learn more about their groundbreaking research in neural network therapeutics and cognitive disease treatment. 

And if you’re an innovative entrepreneur looking for support in navigating funding, regulatory challenges, and strategic growth, connect with the EDC Ventura County Accelerate CA Hub to learn about their innovation grants and comprehensive technical assistance services. 

Updated: 4/29/26