When every minute counts: Amplex Diagnostics brings rapid molecular diagnostics closer to care
03.06.2026
When a suspected case of meningitis or a positive blood culture means that every minute counts in deciding on the right treatment, precise findings alone are not enough - above all, they need to be available quickly. This is precisely where Amplex Diagnostics comes in. The company from Upper Bavaria develops molecular diagnostic tests for medical microbiology that are designed to arrive where time is a critical factor: close to care, close to the clinical decision, close to the patient.
Since its foundation in 2002, Amplex Diagnostics GmbH has pursued a clear goal: to transfer molecular diagnostics from highly specialized laboratory structures into practical applications. Managing Director Dirk Ganghofner describes this ambition as follows: "We have always been driven by the desire to bring medical diagnostics with amplification methods into widespread use and, above all, to save time." It is precisely this combination of technological depth and concrete benefits in everyday life that makes the company special.
With a clear process to the result
The technological backbone of the company is the eazyplex platform. It is based on a diagnostic process in which the genetic material of pathogens is not amplified via alternating temperature cycles, as is the case with conventional PCR, but at a constant temperature. This so-called isothermal amplification significantly simplifies the technical process and makes the analysis faster and more robust. The advantage: no complex thermal changes are necessary, which means that devices are more compact and tests can be more easily integrated into routine laboratory work.
In addition, Amplex Diagnostics works with ready-to-use, lyophilized reagents. This means that the test components are already available in dried form and do not have to be laboriously freshly prepared before analysis. This reduces sources of error, simplifies handling and saves time in the process. Ganghofner sums up the essence of this approach: "This is exactly what we want to do, namely to enable precise diagnoses as quickly as possible."
Another difference to conventional molecular diagnostics lies in the sample preparation. According to the company, the system is designed so that tests can be carried out directly from the sample material - without upstream DNA or RNA extraction. This step in particular often costs additional time, personnel resources and technical infrastructure in conventional laboratory processes. With Amplex, the material is transferred to the test with just a few preparatory steps; the ongoing reaction is then measured in real time. This means that as soon as the specific genetic material of a pathogen multiplies, the signal becomes directly visible.
For users, this means one thing above all: a clearly structured, standardized process with as few manual intermediate steps as possible. Depending on the application, results can be available within around 30 minutes; certain screening tests can even take around 15 minutes. The first signals are sometimes visible after just six to seven minutes. Amplex Diagnostics is therefore not developing its technology for laboratory use alone, but with a clear focus on the requirements of everyday diagnostics.
At the same time, the company is working on the further development of its platform. This involves miniaturization, automation and the combination of different technologies. "With this fully automated version, we want to bring diagnostics even closer to the patient," says Ganghofner.
With short paths to rapid treatment
The challenge addressed by Amplex Diagnostics is highly relevant in medical terms: In time-critical infectiology situations, fast and reliable answers are needed. Whether in cases of suspected bacterial meningitis or positive blood cultures - diagnostic delays can have immediate consequences for treatment and progression. Ganghofner puts it clearly: "You want to be able to present an answer very, very quickly in order to be able to provide appropriate treatment".
This requirement is particularly clear in the case of serious infections. "Every minute really counts," says Ganghofner. The benefits of the technology therefore lie not only in analytical detection, but also in the ability to make clinical decisions earlier and in a more targeted manner. This is precisely where the added value for laboratories and medical facilities lies: shorter paths from the sample to the result and therefore better conditions for appropriate treatment.
Amplex Diagnostics' approach is deliberately designed to be practical. Instead of transferring diagnostics exclusively to large central laboratories, the company relies on compact and robust systems. "It makes much more sense to move diagnostics to where the patient is than to wait for large-scale test lanes," says Ganghofner. This proximity to care is a key difference - and at the same time an approach that is gaining in importance in an increasingly decentralized healthcare system.
Strong partners for strong diagnostics of tomorrow
Amplex Diagnostics is a relevant partner in the Bayern Innovativ healthcare network because the company demonstrates how technological development can be combined with concrete healthcare benefits. In doing so, it brings precisely that combination of diagnostics, innovative strength and application proximity to the network that is crucial for many developments in the healthcare sector.
Amplex Diagnostics also actively uses the network. "I find the exchange with other companies very important," emphasizes Ganghofner. He sees this as an opportunity to share knowledge, find suitable partners and combine technological development with other areas of expertise. He refers to the "very high density of specialists". This is precisely where the added value of an innovation network lies: bringing together different strengths to turn technological ideas into viable solutions for supply.
Innovation with direct benefits
Amplex Diagnostics shows how a focused diagnostics company can emerge from a clear medical problem. Since 2002, the company has been working on developing molecular rapid tests in such a way that they are not only technically convincing, but also create real time savings in everyday clinical practice. This approach is particularly relevant in areas where quick decisions are therapeutically crucial.
For Bayern Innovativ's Health Partner Network, Amplex Diagnostics is therefore a partner that does not understand innovation in abstract terms, but thinks in terms of concrete needs: fast, application-oriented and with a clear view of the benefits for healthcare.
