#USA #Richmond #Alps Dx #Pam Lacock #SOFT-TIAFT

Alps Dx Expands Operations as SOFT-TIAFT 2026 Approaches

In a significant move, Alps Dx has announced its plans to expand both its leadership and operations as it prepares for the upcoming SOFT–TIAFT 2026 Joint Meeting scheduled for this month in Chicago. The company has appointed Pam Lacock, a veteran of the diagnostics industry, as its new Vice President of Sales, and opened a new headquarters and manufacturing facility in Richmond, Virginia. This expansion represents a crucial phase in Alps Dx's efforts to revolutionize oral fluid testing workflows.

New Leadership

Pam Lacock arrives with over 26 years of experience in the diagnostics and healthcare sectors, bringing a wealth of knowledge in sales and business development. Her previous roles include a successful tenure at CompuNet Clinical Laboratories, where she spearheaded a 40% increase in business outreach, and 14 years at Quest Diagnostics, where she gathered insights across various departments.

In her new role, Lacock will be responsible for shaping the commercial strategy of Alps Dx, enhancing customer relationships, and expanding engagement with laboratories and organizations across the oral fluid testing landscape. Her extensive background will empower the company to boost its operational and commercial capabilities.

New Headquarters and Manufacturing Facility

The establishment of a 2,030-square-foot headquarters in Richmond marks a significant step for Alps Dx. This facility will serve not only as the company's operational hub but also as its initial manufacturing site. The new headquarters will support various activities, including product development, systems integration, workflow testing, and assembly. This strategic move aligns with Alps Dx's longstanding mission to address challenges within oral fluid testing

Focus on Innovation

According to Ali Safavi, the President and CEO of Alps Dx, the company's growth has always revolved around more than just product development. The focus is on building a formidable team, enhancing infrastructure, and developing capabilities that will ensure smooth workflow processes throughout the oral fluid testing continuum. The leadership and facility expansion are both vital components in this overall strategy.

With an eye on innovation, the company aims to refine the oral fluid testing process, which has long been encumbered by outdated manual procedures. The development of new automated technologies, such as Alps Dx® Atelier™, a system designed to automate the preanalytical stage of testing, illustrates this commitment to efficiency and modernity. The Atelier system was showcased earlier this year at SLAS 2026, in collaboration with Hamilton Company.

The overarching goal for Alps Dx is to create a comprehensive array of instruments, consumables, workflow software, and applications that will streamline the entire oral fluid testing process, making it more efficient, accessible, and scalable. Dr. Les Edinboro, the Chief Scientific Officer of Alps Dx, emphasizes that the potential of oral fluid testing has remained largely untapped due to lingering inefficiencies. As Alps Dx continues to grow, the focus will remain on fine-tuning technologies that will enhance workflow connectivity and operational efficiency.

Looking Ahead to SOFT–TIAFT 2026

Members of the Alps Dx team will be attending the SOFT–TIAFT 2026 Joint Meeting, which runs from September 19 to 24 at the Hilton Chicago. This gathering offers an exciting opportunity for alpine professionals, forensic toxicologists, laboratory leaders, and industry partners from all over the world to come together, sharing insights and advancing discussions related to forensic toxicology.

In summary, Alps Dx is committed to fostering innovation within the oral fluid testing sector, and with the strategic appointments and facility expansions, it is well-positioned to make a significant impact in this realm. The future looks bright as the company prepares to unveil its advancements at the SOFT-TIAFT 2026 meeting.