Programmed in DNA.Built by self-assembly.

Molecular amplifiers that make rapid tests up to 100× more sensitive.

Email usHow it works

How it works

Step 1 of 4

A DNA nanostructure, designed in silico.

Its size and shape are controlled at the nanometer scale.

Step 2 of 4

Detection antibodies attach.

The structure works as a molecular adapter for the antibodies of a rapid test.

Step 3 of 4

A defined number of signal labels assemble.

An analyte molecule binding to the detection antibody is now labeled with multiple nanoparticles (instead of one in a conventional assay).

Step 4 of 4

Same rapid test. Up to 100× more sensitive.1

Lab-grade sensitivity. Rapid-test simplicity.

Illustration based on our structural model: DNA origami (blue), detection antibodies, and gold nanoparticles as signal labels. Test strips and test-line close-ups are schematic.

1Nature CommunicationsIjäs, H., et al. Nat Commun 16, 3216 (2025).

At a glance

nmMolecular precisionCustom DNA nanostructures, designed in silico, with control over size and shape at the nanometer scale.
100×Signal amplificationUp to 100× stronger signal in standard rapid tests. Validated and peer-reviewed.Ijäs, H., et al. Nat Commun 16, 3216 (2025).
Low costAttractive unit economicsVery attractive unit economics allow Amplifold technology to be integrated into virtually all lateral flow assays, maintaining their cost structure while delivering lab-grade results.

First applications

In development, not available for sale.

About us

Amplifold brings laboratory-grade sensitivity to rapid tests. Our DNA origami technology, developed at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), uses precisely engineered nanostructures to amplify the signal of lateral flow assays by up to two orders of magnitude, while keeping the speed and simplicity of a familiar test strip. Our first application, in development, is high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I testing at the point of care; infectious diseases are next.

Based in Munich and operating under a quality management system according to ISO 13485, Amplifold combines pioneers in DNA nanotechnology with diagnostics entrepreneurs who have built and sold a molecular diagnostics company before. We are backed by Matterwave Ventures, XISTA Science Ventures, Bayern Kapital, b2venture and Labor Becker.

Team

A highly dedicated team of currently 11 people working on the future of lateral flow assays.

Rooted in Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, with 50+ years of combined DNA nanotechnology research.

The Amplifold team

Leadership

Our team combines scientific excellence with experience in building and exiting an IVD company.

  • Portrait of Dr. Federico Bürsgens

    Dr. Federico Bürsgens

    Co-founder and CEO

    LinkedIn
  • Portrait of Dr. Maximilian Urban

    Dr. Maximilian Urban

    Co-founder and COO

    LinkedIn
  • Portrait of Dr. Enzo Kopperger

    Dr. Enzo Kopperger

    Co-founder and CTO

    LinkedIn

Advisors

Experience across diagnostics, medicine, venture investment and DNA nanotechnology research.

  • Portrait of Tom Miller

    Tom Miller

    Dx investor and Chairman, previously senior Dx and MedTech executive in global leadership roles

    LinkedIn
  • Portrait of Dr. med. Stephan Huber

    Dr. med. Stephan Huber

    Clinical and medical expert, healthcare investor and entrepreneur

    LinkedIn
  • Portrait of Benedikt Kronberger

    Benedikt Kronberger

    General Partner at Matterwave Ventures, VC investor with a track record in healthcare

    LinkedIn
  • Portrait of Prof. Peter Luppa

    Prof. Peter Luppa

    Expert in laboratory medicine and point-of-care testing, Technical University of Munich

    TUM profile
  • Portrait of Prof. Tim Liedl

    Prof. Tim Liedl

    Co-founder and Scientific Advisor

    Professor of Experimental Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

    LMU profile
  • Portrait of Prof. Friedrich Simmel

    Prof. Friedrich Simmel

    Co-founder and Scientific Advisor

    Chair of Physics of Synthetic Biological Systems, Technical University of Munich

    TUM profile

Based in Martinsried

48.11° N, 11.46° E

We work at the IZB, the Innovation and Start-up Center for Biotechnology, on the life-science campus in Martinsried just outside Munich.

LMU University Hospital Großhadern, LMU’s Biomedical Center, Biocenter and Gene Center, its Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, and the Max Planck Institutes of Biochemistry and for Biological Intelligence are all within walking distance. That puts clinical and research expertise a few minutes from our lab. Martinsried, often called Bio-Valley, is one of Europe’s most active biotech clusters.

Line map of the Martinsried–Großhadern campus marking Amplifold at the IZB, the Max Planck Institutes of Biochemistry and for Biological Intelligence, the LMU Biocenter, LMU Biomedical Center, LMU Gene Center, LMU Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, and LMU University Hospital Großhadern.
Small locator map of Munich showing the campus at the south-western edge of the city.
  • Universities and research centres
  • University hospitals
  • City centre
  • Amplifold

Simplified from map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

The IZB square from above, with the white tower, lab buildings, trees and fountain
The IZB in Martinsried.
A gloved hand pipetting into small tubes in a rack at a lab bench
Every assay starts at the bench: preparing reagents in our lab.
A dispenser applying reagent lines to a test strip membrane in the lab
We cover the entire LFA development pipeline in our labs at the IZB in Martinsried.

Backed by

€5 million seed round, December 2025. Read the announcement

Publication and press

  1. Peer-reviewedDNA origami signal amplification in lateral flow immunoassays.Ijäs, H., Trommler, J., Nguyen, L. et al. Nature Communications 16, 3216 (2025).
  2. Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, December 2025LMU spin-off obtains new funding to develop better rapid tests
  3. Munich Startup, December 2025Amplifold raises 5 million euros
  4. b2venture, December 2025Bringing molecular precision to rapid testing: why we invested in Amplifold
  5. Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, April 2025Nanotechnology: DNA origami boosts sensitivity of rapid tests

Developing a rapid test that needs more sensitivity?

We would like to hear from you.

info@amplifold.com