Amplifold, a LMU Munich spin-off, closes an oversubscribed seed funding round of five million euros. Matterwave Ventures and Xista Science Ventures lead the consortium, with participation from Bayern Kapital, b2venture, and Becker Ventures. The team is moving into the Innovation and Start-up Center for Biotechnology (IZB) to Martinsried and is expanding product development and regulatory activities there – with the aim of bringing the first in-vitro diagnostic product through the European IVDR certification.
The technology is based on a DNA origami approach recently described in Nature Communications. The nanostructures significantly increase the sensitivity of classic lateral flow assays (LFAs) without altering the simple, cost-effective test format. Amplifold thus addresses a key problem: the low sensitivity of many rapid tests, which has so far led to false diagnoses and additional PCR tests in the rapidly growing point-of-care diagnostics market.
“Lateral flow tests have revolutionized access to diagnostics, but their sensitivity has traditionally lagged behind central laboratory systems. DNA origami signal amplification enables cost-effective rapid tests that achieve instrument-level sensitivity without changing the basic format.”
explained Maximilian Urban, Co-founder, co-inventor and CEO of Amplifold.
Enzo Kopperger, also co-founder and managing director, adds:
“What makes Amplifold unique is that we can offer up to 100 times higher analytical sensitivity at essentially the same manufacturing costs as conventional LFAs. Our architecture is designed to integrate into existing manufacturing processes, allowing partners to quickly upgrade their assays instead of developing their product lines from scratch.”
Significance for the diagnostics market
The technology was developed in the nanoengineering laboratory of LMU professor Tim LiedlHe categorizes the development as follows:
“Over the past few years, our group has worked to transform DNA origami from a beautiful scientific concept into a robust toolbox for nanotechnology. The Amplifold team has been at the forefront of translating these advances into real diagnostic applications. It is very gratifying to see a technology developed and fostered in our lab now making its way into the clinic and the market with the support of a strong consortium of investors.”
Investors also emphasize the market potential. Benedict Kronberger, partner at Matterwave Ventures, says:
“Amplifold is exactly the kind of industrial deep tech company we are looking for: a fundamental breakthrough applied to a huge, existing market. The fact that this funding round was significantly oversubscribed speaks to the quality of the team and the commercial clarity of the opportunity. We are very excited to support Amplifold and to join the board.”
And Monika Steger, Managing Director at Bayern Kapital, also sees a technological breakthrough:
“Amplifold’s DNA origami technology has the potential to fundamentally change rapid diagnostic tests – delivering lab-level accuracy in minutes, up to 100 times higher analytical sensitivity, and direct point-of-care testing. As a long-term partner of innovative med and deeptech pioneers, we are excited to embark on this journey together and actively shape the next generation of diagnostics.”
