AUTOCYTE INC
SC 13G, 1998-02-17
LABORATORY ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                  SCHEDULE 13G
                                 (RULE 13d-102)

             INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
             TO RULES 13d-1(b) AND (c) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED
                              PURSUANT TO 13d-2(b)
                               (AMENDMENT NO. __)*


                                 AUTOCYTE, INC.
       -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)


                          COMMON STOCK, $0.01 PAR VALUE
       -------------------------------------------------------------------
                         (Title of Class of Securities)


                                   052768 10 8
       -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (CUSIP Number)



















- --------------------
* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).


<PAGE>   2

- ---------------------                                        -------------------
CUSIP NO. 052768 10 8             SCHEDULE 13G               PAGE 2 OF 10 PAGES
- ---------------------                                        -------------------



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.      NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
        I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

        Ampersand Specialty Materials and Chemicals III Limited Partnership
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*      (a)   [ ]
                                                               (b)   [ ]
        Not Applicable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.      SEC USE ONLY


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

        Delaware
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   5.     SOLE VOTING POWER
                          
                          0
    NUMBER OF      -------------------------------------------------------------
      SHARES       6.     SHARED VOTING POWER
   BENEFICIALLY           
     OWNED BY             1,724,126
       EACH        -------------------------------------------------------------
    REPORTING      7.     SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
      PERSON              
       WITH               0
                   -------------------------------------------------------------
                   8.     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                          
                          1,724,126
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.      AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
        
        1,724,126
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
        SHARES*                                                      [ ]

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
        
        13.8%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
        
        PN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      *SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!


<PAGE>   3

- ---------------------                                        -------------------
CUSIP NO. 052768 10 8             SCHEDULE 13G               PAGE 3 OF 10 PAGES
- ---------------------                                        -------------------



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.      NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
        I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

        ASMC-III Management Company Limited Partnership
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*      (a)   [ ]
                                                               (b)   [ ]
        Not Applicable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.      SEC USE ONLY


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

        Delaware
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   5.     SOLE VOTING POWER
                          
                          0
    NUMBER OF      -------------------------------------------------------------
      SHARES       6.     SHARED VOTING POWER
   BENEFICIALLY           
     OWNED BY             1,752,309
       EACH        -------------------------------------------------------------
    REPORTING      7.     SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
      PERSON              
       WITH               0
                   -------------------------------------------------------------
                   8.     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                          
                          1,752,309
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.      AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
        
        1,752,309
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
        SHARES*                                                      [ ]

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
        
        14.0%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
        
        PN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      *SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!



<PAGE>   4

- ---------------------                                        -------------------
CUSIP NO. 052768 10 8             SCHEDULE 13G               PAGE 4 OF 10 PAGES
- ---------------------                                        -------------------



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.      NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
        I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

        ASMC-III MCLP LLP
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*      (a)   [ ]
                                                               (b)   [ ]
        Not Applicable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.      SEC USE ONLY


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

        Delaware
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   5.     SOLE VOTING POWER
                          
                          0
    NUMBER OF      -------------------------------------------------------------
      SHARES       6.     SHARED VOTING POWER
   BENEFICIALLY           
     OWNED BY             1,752,309
       EACH        -------------------------------------------------------------
    REPORTING      7.     SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
      PERSON              
       WITH               0
                   -------------------------------------------------------------
                   8.     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                          
                          1,752,309
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.      AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
        
        1,752,309
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
        SHARES*                                                      [ ]

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
        
        14.0%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
        
        PN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      *SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!


<PAGE>   5

- ---------------------                                        -------------------
CUSIP NO. 052768 10 8             SCHEDULE 13G               PAGE 5 OF 10 PAGES
- ---------------------                                        -------------------



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.      NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
        I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

        Richard A. Charpie
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*      (a)   [ ]
                                                               (b)   [ ]
        Not Applicable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.      SEC USE ONLY


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

        United States of America
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   5.     SOLE VOTING POWER
                          
                          0
    NUMBER OF      -------------------------------------------------------------
      SHARES       6.     SHARED VOTING POWER
   BENEFICIALLY           
     OWNED BY             2,156,411
       EACH        -------------------------------------------------------------
    REPORTING      7.     SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
      PERSON              
       WITH               0
                   -------------------------------------------------------------
                   8.     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                          
                          2,156,411
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.      AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
        
        2,156,411
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
        SHARES*                                                      [ ]

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
        
        17.3%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
        
        IN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      *SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!



<PAGE>   6

- ---------------------                                        -------------------
CUSIP NO. 052768 10 8             SCHEDULE 13G               PAGE 6 OF 10 PAGES
- ---------------------                                        -------------------



ITEM 1(a).  NAME OF ISSUER:

     AutoCyte, Inc.

ITEM 1(b).  ADDRESS OF ISSUER'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES:

     112 Orange Drive, Elon College, NC 27244

ITEM 2(a).  NAME OF PERSON FILING:

     Ampersand Specialty Materials and Chemicals III Limited Partnership
     ASMC-III Management Company Limited Partnership
     ASMC-III MCLP LLP
     Richard A. Charpie

     See Exhibit A hereto for identification of general partners of 
     ASMC-III MCLP LLP

ITEM 2(b).  ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL OFFICES OR, IF NONE, RESIDENCE:

     All filing persons c/o Ampersand Ventures
     55 William Street, Suite 240, Wellesley, MA  02181-4003

ITEM 2(c).  CITIZENSHIP:

     Ampersand Specialty Materials and Chemicals III Limited Partnership,
     ASMC-III Management Company Limited Partnership and ASMC-III MCLP LLP are
     all established under the laws of the State of Delaware.

     Richard A. Charpie is a citizen of the United States of America.

ITEM 2(d).  TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES:

     Common Stock, $0.01 par value

ITEM 2(e).  CUSIP NUMBER:

     052768 10 8

Item 3.     If the Statement is being filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b), or
            13d-2(b), check whether the person filing is a:

     Not applicable.

ITEM 4.     OWNERSHIP.

     (a) Amount beneficially owned:

     Ampersand Specialty Materials and Chemicals III Limited Partnership owns
     1,724,126 shares.

     ASMC-III Management Company Limited Partnership may be attributed with
     beneficial ownership of an aggregate of 1,752,309 shares, consisting of (i)
     the 1,724,126 shares held by Ampersand Specialty


<PAGE>   7

- ---------------------                                        -------------------
CUSIP NO. 052768 10 8             SCHEDULE 13G               PAGE 7 OF 10 PAGES
- ---------------------                                        -------------------



     Materials and Chemicals III Limited Partnership, of which it is the general
     partner, and (ii) 28,183 shares held by Ampersand Specialty Materials and
     Chemicals III Companion Fund Limited Partnership, of which it also is the
     general partner. ASMC-III Management Company Limited Partnership disclaims
     beneficial ownership of these shares, except to the extent of its
     proportionate pecuniary interest therein.

     ASMC-III MCLP LLP may be attributed with beneficial ownership of the
     1,752,309 shares that may be attributed to ASMC-III Management Company
     Limited Partnership, of which it is the general partner.

     Richard A. Charpie, Ph.D., may be attributed with beneficial ownership of
     an aggregate of 2,156,411 shares, consisting of (i) the 1,752,309 shares
     that may be attributed to ASMC-III MCLP LLP, of which he is a general
     partner and (ii) an aggregate 404,102 shares that may be attributed to
     Ampersand Lab Partners MCLP LLP, of which he also is a general partner.
     Ampersand Lab Partners MCLP LLP is the general partner of Ampersand Lab
     Partners Management Company Limited Partnership; Ampersand Lab Partners
     Management Company Limited Partnership is the general partner of Laboratory
     Partners I Limited Partnership, which owns 282,841 shares, and Laboratory
     Partners Companion Fund Limited Partnership, which owns 121,261 shares. Dr.
     Charpie disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares except to the extent
     of his proportionate pecuniary interest therein.

     (b) Percent of class:

     Ampersand Specialty Materials and Chemicals III Limited Partnership --
     13.8%
     ASMC-III Management Company Limited Partnership -- 14.0%
     ASMC-III MCLP LLP -- 14.0%
     Richard A. Charpie -- 17.3%

     (c) Number of shares as to which such person has:

         (i)   Sole power to vote or direct the vote:

               None of the reporting persons has sole power to vote or direct
               the vote of the shares.

         (ii)  Shared power to vote or direct the vote:

               All of the reporting persons share voting power over the
               1,752,309 shares held by Ampersand Specialty Materials and
               Chemicals III Limited Partnership.

               ASMC-III Management Company Limited Partnership, ASMC-III MCLP
               LLP and Richard A. Charpie all share voting power over an
               additional 28,183 shares held by Ampersand Specialty Materials
               and Chemicals III Companion Fund Limited Partnership.

               Richard A. Charpie shares voting power over an additional 282,841
               shares held by Laboratory Partners I Limited Partnership and
               121,261 shares held by Laboratory Partners Companion Fund Limited
               Partnership.

         (iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:

               None of the reporting persons has sole power to dispose or to
               direct the disposition of the shares.



<PAGE>   8

- ---------------------                                        -------------------
CUSIP NO. 052768 10 8             SCHEDULE 13G               PAGE 8 OF 10 PAGES
- ---------------------                                        -------------------



         (iv)  Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:

               All of the reporting persons share dispositive power over the
               1,752,309 shares held by Ampersand Specialty Materials and
               Chemicals III Limited Partnership.

               ASMC-III Management Company Limited Partnership, ASMC-III MCLP
               LLP and Richard A. Charpie all share dispositive power over an
               additional 28,183 shares held by Ampersand Specialty Materials
               and Chemicals III Companion Fund Limited Partnership.

               Richard A. Charpie shares dispositive power over an additional
               282,841 shares held by Laboratory Partners I Limited Partnership
               and 121,261 shares held by Laboratory Partners Companion Fund
               Limited Partnership.

ITEM 5.     OWNERSHIP OF FIVE PERCENT OR LESS OF A CLASS.

     Not applicable.

ITEM 6.     OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON.

     Not applicable.

ITEM 7.     IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY WHICH ACQUIRED
            THE SECURITY BEING REPORTED ON BY THE PARENT HOLDING COMPANY.

     Not applicable.

ITEM 8.     IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP.

     Not applicable.

ITEM 9.      NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF GROUP.

     Not applicable.

ITEM 10.    CERTIFICATION.

     Not applicable.




<PAGE>   9

- ---------------------                                        -------------------
CUSIP NO. 052768 10 8             SCHEDULE 13G               PAGE 9 OF 10 PAGES
- ---------------------                                        -------------------



                                    SIGNATURE


     After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.

                                      AMPERSAND SPECIALTY MATERIALS AND
                                      CHEMICALS III LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                                      By: ASMC-III Management Company Limited
                                          Partnership, its general partner
                                      By: ASMC-III MCLP LLP, its general partner



Dated: February 13, 1998              By: /s/ Richard A. Charpie
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Richard A. Charpie
                                          Managing General Partner


                                      ASMC-III MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED
                                      PARTNERSHIP
                                      By: ASMC-III MCLP LLP, its general partner



Dated: February 13, 1998              By: /s/ Richard A. Charpie
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Richard A. Charpie
                                          Managing General Partner


                                      ASMC-III MCLP LLP



Dated: February 13, 1998              By: /s/ Richard A. Charpie
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Richard A. Charpie
                                          Managing General Partner



Dated: February 13, 1998              By: /s/ Richard A. Charpie
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Richard A. Charpie



<PAGE>   10

- ---------------------                                        -------------------
CUSIP NO. 052768 10 8             SCHEDULE 13G               PAGE 10 OF 10 PAGES
- ---------------------                                        -------------------



                                    EXHIBIT A

                      GENERAL PARTNERS OF ASMC-III MCLP LLP


                  Richard A. Charpie, Managing General Partner
                  Peter D. Parker, General Partner
                  Stuart A. Auerbach, General Partner
                  Charles D. Yie, General Partner







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