NuvinkaDx
Originally founded in 1990, ALPCO built its reputation as a trusted supplier of immunoassay-based diagnostics in North America. In 2020, Ampersand acquired a majority stake in the company, setting the stage for broader expansion. That expansion continued in 2022 with the acquisition and integration of GeneProof, a Brno-based innovator in molecular diagnostics with commercial reach across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Together, the two entities now form NuvinkaDx, a global diagnostics platform with a unified operating model and expanding product pipeline.
NuvinkaDx was formed in 2022 through the merger of two complementary diagnostics companies: U.S.-based American Laboratory Products Company (ALPCO) and Czech-based GeneProof. The combined entity offers a broad portfolio of immunodiagnostic and molecular diagnostic products, including walk-away, sample-to-answer solutions for gastroenterology, infectious disease, endocrinology, specialty allergy, and more. While ALPCO had focused primarily on North American markets, GeneProof brought a strong footprint across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, along with expertise in molecular in vitro diagnostics for infectious and genetic diseases.
Ampersand Capital Partners first invested in ALPCO in 2020. At the time, the company was transitioning from a distributor to a self-manufacturing model and was well-positioned to expand its capabilities and reach through M&A. Working closely with ALPCO leadership, Ampersand identified GeneProof as a well-regarded, founder-led organization that aligned strategically, not only in product areas but also in regulatory readiness, R&D priorities, and complementary market geographies.
The rationale behind the merger was clear: ALPCO could bring GeneProof’s IVD products into the U.S. market, while GeneProof could open new European and emerging markets to ALPCO’s offerings. Both companies had experience navigating their respective regulatory systems, making cross-border integration more feasible from a compliance standpoint. Ampersand’s international presence in Amsterdam helped accelerate the diligence process as well as streamline integration efforts.
“Ampersand saw the opportunity to build a global presence — not just by combining two companies, but by aligning cultures, teams, and strategies. Their involvement helped the merger evolve into a platform.” –Erik Allen
Keys to Success
Following the close of the deal in late 2022, Ampersand began building a unified global team across sales, marketing, and finance to help NuvinkaDx operate as a single organization with a shared culture. That work began by spending significant time with each company’s leadership, understanding strengths, identifying gaps, and charting a path forward. At GeneProof, a new general manager was brought in with expertise in scaling manufacturing operations, and a new finance lead joined who had prior experience with multinational firms and familiarity with U.S. expectations.
Cultural integration was a key focus. Ampersand facilitated on-site visits by ALPCO’s U.S.-based senior leadership to GeneProof’s operations in Brno. These trips helped establish mutual understanding, provide hands-on direction where needed, and set the tone for a cohesive, multinational working culture. The goal wasn’t to overwrite local norms but to align both teams around a common vision.
“What has impressed us most about Ampersand is their ability to think globally and act locally. Whether we are building the team in the U.S. or expanding operations in Europe, they are right there with us, contributing to our efforts throughout the process.” –Erik Allen
Today, NuvinkaDx is led by a globally focused CEO, Erik Allen, and CFO, Francesco Fragasso — both with extensive international experience — and is operating with a truly transatlantic structure. One of the company’s top priorities has been new product development, including efforts to transfer U.S.-driven innovation into Europe as well as bring European innovation into the US. Leveraging the ALPCO team’s expertise in innovation, automation, and regulatory has helped accelerate the development of GeneProof products. That work is now reaching a critical point, with new automation solutions and a number of new product launches that are expected to support continued growth.
“The integration hasn’t just been about harmonizing systems, it is about creating a shared vision. With Ampersand’s support, we’ve worked to build a collaborative culture that is helping to support product innovation across continents.”” –Erik Allen
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