<PAGE> 1
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