5 million euros seed for Amplifold

Amplifold GmbH, a spin-off of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), has successfully closed a seed financing round of 5 million euros. Lead investors were Matterwave Ventures and XISTA Science Ventures, with additional participation from Bayern Kapital, b2venture and Becker Ventures (Labor Becker Group). The company intends to use the funding to further develop its DNA origami-based signal amplification platform and drive forward the IVDR approval of its first in-vitro diagnostics product in Europe.

DNA origami revolutionizes rapid test accuracy

Amplifold uses programmable DNA origami nanostructures to increase the sensitivity of classical lateral flow assays (LFAs) by up to 100-fold. This enables PCR-like diagnostic values to be achieved directly on the patient, cost-effectively and without the need for laboratory work. The technology is based on findings published in Nature Communications and increases analytical sensitivity without changing the test format or existing manufacturing processes.

With DNA origami, we can bring cost-effective rapid tests to laboratory level without changing the basic format.

Dr. Maximilian Urban, Co-Founder of Amplifold

Market and potential applications

The global market for rapid diagnostic tests is estimated to be worth over 80 billion US dollars by 2030. Amplifold's platform opens up new applications in areas such as cardiology, stroke care, neurology and infectious diseases, especially in decentralized diagnostics and point-of-care testing.

Use of funds and location advantages

We look forward to going down this path together and actively shaping the next generation of diagnostics.

Monika Steger, Managing Director of Bayern Kapital

The capital will be used for the industrial implementation of the signal amplification technology, the expansion of the product development and regulatory team and the preparation of IVDR approval. In addition, Amplifold is moving to the Innovation and Start-up Center for Biotechnology (IZB) in Martinsried to benefit from the proximity to academic and clinical partners.