Constantin Krüger, PhD
CEO
Physical chemist and instrumentation specialist. Co-developed the underlying technologies during his PhD with Ulrich Lorenz.
About Alpion CryoSolutions
See how proteins work, not just how they look
Alpion CryoSolutions is an EPFL spin-off in the making, developing instruments that help researchers see how proteins move. Our goal is to make time-resolved cryo‑EM a practical tool for structural biology and drug discovery.
CryoFlash captures fast protein motions. CryoShuffle makes better samples.
Our mission
Microsecond time-resolved cryo‑EM for everybody
Biology does not stand still. Catalysis, signaling, and assembly happen as proteins move. To understand how life works, we have to watch proteins in motion.
Observing proteins in motion should be easy and routine rather than being a heroic effort. We turn methods for capturing these motions into easy-to-use instruments.
We are translating years of research into dedicated laboratory products: CryoFlash for fast protein motions and CryoShuffle for better particle views. First instruments will be available starting 2027.
Our team
The people behind Alpion
Constantin and Mischa lead product development full time, supported by our scientific and strategic co-founders.
Mischa Flór, PhD
CTO
Physical chemist with a PhD in laser spectroscopy, where he developed a new spectroscopic technique. Brings that experimental expertise to product development.
Ulrich Lorenz, PhD
Scientific Advisor
Inventor of the underlying technologies. His research established the microsecond time-resolved cryo‑EM methods behind Alpion.
Teodora Krüger, MBA
Strategic Advisor
Trained in physical chemistry and nanobiophysics, with scientific-instrument industry experience and an IMD MBA. The bridge from science to industry.
Milestones
From physics results to working instruments
Some of the key milestones that led to Alpion CryoSolutions.
2021
Melt and freeze demonstrated
The melt-and-freeze principle is demonstrated as a route to microsecond time-resolved cryo‑EM (Voss et al.).
2022
The idea of CryoFlash is born
Melt-and-freeze experiments are shown in a correlative light and electron microscopy approach, the basis for CryoFlash (Bongiovanni et al.).
2023
First microsecond dynamics are captured
Fast dynamics of a virus are resolved and published in Nature Communications (Harder et al.). See the virus in motion.
2024
Toward practical instrumentation
Shaped pulses improve control over flash melting (Krüger et al.). The decision is made to build a company around the technology.
2025
Overcoming preferred orientation
Ultrasonic excitation during vitrification is shown to overcome preferred orientation (Williams et al., preprint). An Innosuisse BRIDGE Proof of Concept grant is awarded to bring the methods to market.
2026 · now
Company in creation
Alpion CryoSolutions is being created as an EPFL spin-off, supported by the BRIDGE grant and an EPFL Innogrant. External testing of CryoFlash and CryoShuffle begins.
2027
Incorporation and delivery of first instruments
Alpion CryoSolutions will incorporate in early 2027 and begin delivery of the first CryoFlash and CryoShuffle units.
2028 and beyond
Further instruments
New instruments will keep pushing the boundaries of what time-resolved cryo‑EM can observe, building on the research behind CryoFlash.
Contact
Talk to us
Whether you are interested in our products or our company, we would be glad to hear from you.
Or email us at info@alpioncryo.com