Altona Diagnostics GmbH. (7/2/24). "Press Release: Altona Diagnostics Announces Leadership Transition. New General Managers Appointed".

	Organisation	Altona Diagnostics GmbH
	Group	Altona Diagnostics (Group)
	Product	real-time PCR test (clinical diagnostics)
	Product 2	real-time PCR technology
	Person	Spengler, Ulrich (Astra Diagnostics 201105 Managing Director before Artus Managing Director)
	Person 2	Kuhn, Hans (Altona Diagnostics 202407– promoted to General Manager joined 2011 before Norgenta)

altona Diagnostics GmbH, a leading developer and manufacturer of in vitro diagnostic PCR tests and automation solutions, announces a leadership transition. Dr. Ulrich Spengler and Dr. Markus Hess, the current General Managers, are transferring the management responsibilities to Dr. Sönke Friedrichsen and Hans Kuhn.

New leadership for a growing company

Reflecting the development and expansion of altona Diagnostics, Dr. Ulrich Spengler and Dr. Markus Hess have decided to hand over responsibility for the IVD company altona Diagnostics to a new generation of leaders. Since July 1, 2024, Dr. Sönke Friedrichsen has been overseeing technical operations, while Hans Kuhn has taken charge of the financial and business-related functions.

Hans Kuhn brings extensive experience to his new role. He served in different leadership roles in finance and administration at altona Diagnostics from 2011 to 2017, and most recently as the General Manager of the altona Diagnostics subsidiaries in Argentina and Brazil. His understanding of the company’s financial landscape and international business experience will serve him well in his new position.

Dr. Sönke Friedrichsen has been with altona Diagnostics since 2013, serving as Head of Research & Development since 2017. His leadership in steering the product, process, and equipment innovations has been instrumental in the company’s success.

Dr. Ulrich Spengler will move to the altona Diagnostics Holding GmbH as General Manager, while Markus Hess will remain General Manager until further notice and will act in an advisory capacity until his departure.

Commitment to shared responsibilities and growth

Dr. Spengler commented on the new management structure and the general corporate culture: “This change reflects our efforts to shift decision-making to senior employees and thus encourage those who want to take on more responsibility within the company. By handing over operational management to Hans Kuhn and Sönke Friedrichsen, we are not only supporting the further development of our growing company, but also transferring important decision-making powers to younger managers.”

About altona Diagnostics

altona Diagnostics is a medical diagnostic company that develops and manufactures in vitro diagnostic tests for the PCR based detection of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites. Headquartered in Hamburg-Altona, Germany, altona Diagnostics is privately owned and employs more than 350 people worldwide, thereof 300 in Hamburg, Germany. The company has been in the molecular diagnostics business for over 20 years and is ISO 13485 certified. altona Diagnostics sells its registered products to medical laboratories globally through subsidiaries and more than 40 distribution partners.

Molecular diagnostic tests from altona Diagnostics are based on real-time PCR technology. altona Diagnostics offers the AltoStar® Molecular Diagnostic Workflow, an automated solution that is complete with instrumentation, reagents, consumables, and software. Furthermore, the company’s product catalog contains over 50 CE marked PCR tests that are also compatible with open real-time PCR platforms.

For further information, please contact:

Meike Thiel Phone: +49 (0)40 5480676-0
altona Diagnostics GmbH Fax: +49 (0)40 5480676-10
Mörkenstr. 12 [email protected]
22767 Hamburg, Germany www.altona-diagnostics.com

Record changed: 2025-03-08