The story begins far from the hospital room. It starts in machine shops and manufacturing floors, where ideas take shape through grit, precision, and long hours. That’s where Alvin Pepito, Founder and CEO of ALPep LLC, first built his career—over two decades spent engineering for industries as varied as hospitality, aerospace, and medical devices. But like many stories worth telling, this one doesn’t follow a straight line.
In 2007, the Great Recession hit. Work slowed. Business wavered. At the same time, life outside the workshop demanded Alvin’s full attention. He and his wife stepped into a new, unexpected role: full-time caregivers for her aging parents. That season, heavy with a challenge, shifted more than just priorities—it changed his perspective.
As years passed, caregiving turned into a deep, daily reality. Alvin witnessed the quiet pain of cardiac disease and the long, draining toll of recurrent lung cancer. But it was one recurring issue—urinary incontinence—that left a lasting mark. He watched as infections, pressure ulcers, and poor medical devices made an already hard situation worse. What struck him most wasn’t just the lack of comfort, but the lack of dignity.
By 2019, Alvin wasn’t just observing anymore. He had become a licensed nurse, graduating with a BSN from West Coast University. He balanced his studies with work, caregiving, and the slow realization that bedside care had its blind spots—especially when it came to urinary care. The tools were outdated. The designs were flawed. And the people using them—patients and caregivers alike—deserved better.
So, he did what he’d always done. He built a solution. Out of his engineering roots and nursing insights came UniSUC, a product designed not from theory, but from lived experience. It wasn’t about reinventing the wheel. It was about making something that actually worked for the people who needed it most.
And this—right here—is where Alvin Pepito’s story gets interesting.
Building ALPep LLC and Creating UniSUC
In March 2022, Alvin Pepito officially founded ALPep LLC, partnering with his brother, Allan Pepito, who shared his passion for improving patient care. Together, they finalized the name of the product, changing it from “SUC-IT” to “UniSUC” (Unisex Siphoning Urinary Catheter), reflecting its more universal appeal. Allan, also an engineer, saw the potential of UniSUC, a device born from Alvin’s personal experiences caring for his mother-in-law.
UniSUC was inspired by firsthand experiences with external urinary devices that, while helpful in managing moisture, often led to skin complications and inconsistent performance. UniSUC addresses these issues with a more reliable, unisex design aimed at improving patient comfort, hygiene, and overall care outcomes. With these challenges in mind, Alvin came up with a design approach that would address these challenges and prioritize comfort, safety, and effectiveness.
By 2022, the global urinary incontinence market was valued at approximately USD 11.35 billion. According to a Market Research Future report, many devices still fell short despite advancements. This gap in the market spurred the creation of UniSUC, a unisex, eco-friendly, and affordable urinary collection device designed for both patients and caregivers.
After hundreds of iterations, UniSUC emerged as a practical, patient-centered solution. Partnering with Dr. Maciej Witkos, inventor of the EZ Bedpan, Alvin and Allan continued to improve their product line.
A critical breakthrough came recently when Co-Founder Allan Pepito developed the UniSUC Whisper—a quiet, powerful, and energy-efficient suction system. Users of UniSUC currently face limited options for compatible fluid collection systems, most of which are noisy and designed for intermittent use only. The UniSUC Whisper changes that. Engineered for safe, continuous 24/7 operation, it offers a dignified, low-noise solution that allows users to rest comfortably through the night, greatly improving their overall experience and quality of life.
At ALPep LLC, the mission remains clear: “Develop innovative solutions to tackle a wide range of healthcare challenges, prioritizing effectiveness, comfort, and caregiver empowerment.”
Solving What Others Overlooked
The market for urinary incontinence products is massive—over $4 billion for devices and more than $12 billion when factoring in disposable items like adult diapers. But size doesn’t equal satisfaction. Patients still face discomfort, caregivers still feel overworked, and hospitals still shoulder the cost of outdated tools. For Alvin Pepito, this wasn’t just a market opportunity. It was a design problem waiting to be solved.
UniSUC was built to answer the hard questions:
- Why are most devices limited to female patients?
- Why do so many tools trade comfort for function?
- And why are so few options available after a patient leaves the hospital?
At its core, UniSUC is a response to all that. It’s designed to fit anyone, regardless of gender or body type, with a flexible frame that molds for comfort and stays in place. A key detail—a specially shaped base cup—keeps waste from migrating into the urinary tract, which can lead to painful infections. For male patients, it avoids the common issues tied to condom catheters, offering a safer, more comfortable fit.
Every material, from the soft rubber frame to the absorbent liner, was chosen to reduce skin damage during extended use. Suction works in reverse airflow to remove more than 90% of urine, keeping the skin dry while built-in micro-aeration helps wick away lingering moisture.
Alvin didn’t stop there. He made sure UniSUC had reusable components and an efficient liner system, cutting down on waste. He also designed it to make caregivers’ jobs easier—less laundry, fewer interruptions, and more peace for patients.
“Most people don’t think about incontinence until they have to live with it,” Alvin says. “We thought about it every day. That’s why UniSUC works.”
Advocating for Nurse-Led Innovation
Working at the bedside in an acute care unit, Alvin Pepito saw firsthand how often nurses are forced to get creative. Standard devices like condom catheters didn’t always work—and sometimes, they made things worse. When tools failed, nurses improvised, repurposing devices like Purewick for male patients or crafting makeshift solutions from what was available. The result? More work for caregivers and fewer safe choices for patients.
That experience stayed with Alvin. He believes nurses—those closest to the patient—should have a bigger voice in shaping medical tools. And he’s made it part of his mission to spread that message.
“Patients and caregivers deserve to know what’s out there,” Alvin says. “Too often, they’re stuck with the same options, even when they don’t work.”
To change that, Alvin and the ALPep team lead a grassroots education effort. Through social media, nursing conferences, and in-service training, they share the benefits of UniSUC and what nurse-led innovation can accomplish. Their YouTube channel offers short, practical videos, and the company’s website hosts a detailed FAQ. When people need more, they can get in touch directly—email, phone, or a live conversation.
They also back their product with data. Dr. Maciej Witkos, ALPep’s Chief Medical Officer, leads ongoing research to support UniSUC’s design and impact.
It’s a small company with a big message: nurses know what patients need. And with the right support, they can build it.
At the Helm, Still on the Ground
Alvin Pepito leads ALPep LLC with the steady hand of someone who knows the system from the inside. As CEO, his job stretches far beyond meetings and strategy decks. He’s shaping the vision, guiding development, managing compliance, and staying in conversation with the very people his products aim to serve.
But Alvin doesn’t lead from a distance. He still works shifts as a nurse. That choice keeps him close to the real issues—helping him spot problems most executives never see. “When you’re at the bedside, you can’t ignore what’s not working,” he says. “That’s where better ideas come from.”
At ALPep, he works shoulder-to-shoulder with engineers, doctors, and caregivers to shape products like UniSUC. He also plays an active role in outreach—joining conferences, answering patient questions, and making sure caregivers feel heard. The result is a company that listens first and builds second.
That grounded approach has paid off. ALPep earned an NSF I-Corps™ Grant to support early customer discovery. In 2024, the company registered with the FDA, sponsored the HASC Annual Meeting, and was featured on ADVANCEMENTS with Ted Danson. It also picked up the MedTech Outlook Award that same year.
Behind the scenes, clinical research led by Dr. Maciej Witkos is helping validate what caregivers already feel—UniSUC makes a difference. The UniSUC research study, led by Dr. Witkos, has been accepted for presentation at multiple prestigious conferences in 2025. These include the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) Conference, themed “Zeroing in on Pressure Injury Prevention: Raise the Bar!”, the Nursing Leadership 2025 Conference, under the banner “Where Inspiration Meets Innovation,” and the 15th World Hospital Management, Nursing, and Patient Safety Conference. These recognitions highlight the growing impact of UniSUC in advancing patient care, pressure injury prevention, and nursing innovation on a global stage.
For Alvin, this isn’t just about scaling a business. It’s about restoring dignity, saving time, and offering real relief in moments that often go unseen.
Redefining Success in Real Terms
For Alvin Pepito, success isn’t just about moving units—it’s about making lives better. At ALPep LLC, metrics go deeper than sales charts. What matters more is whether a caregiver’s shift got a little easier, or if a patient finally slept through the night without discomfort.
To track that kind of impact, Alvin leans on a mix of clinical data, user feedback, and day-to-day outcomes. One key indicator is a reduction in moisture-related complications. Patients and caregivers using UniSUC report fewer urinary tract infections, pressure ulcers, and instances of skin breakdown—especially in patients who can’t easily reposition themselves. Wound care teams have even noted faster healing thanks to improved dryness around the perineal area.
The device’s efficiency is another focus. Tests show that UniSUC captures over 90 percent of urine when properly fitted. ALPep data indicates much less frequency of caregivers needing to step in to reposition the device or handle leaks.
Time savings for caregivers also tell a clear story. Nurses report fewer linen changes, fewer bed baths, and more time for other tasks. That leads to better workflows—and better morale. “When the staff isn’t constantly catching up, patients feel the difference too,” Alvin explains.
Patient satisfaction matters just as much. Surveys and day-to-day observations show gains in comfort, rest, and dignity. And with its reusable frame and low-waste liner, UniSUC leaves a smaller environmental footprint than traditional options.
“Our growing list of patients in hospitals and home users who continue using the device long after the first trial is proof that it’s working in the real world, not just on paper.”
Ultimately, Alvin sees each of these indicators as part of a bigger picture: one where healthcare is a little smarter, and care feels more human.
Collaboration as the Cornerstone
At ALPep LLC, Alvin believes innovation thrives when different experts come together. With UniSUC touching fields like urology, wound care, and men’s and women’s health, the company actively seeks input from specialists across these areas.
From urologists and wound care nurses to trauma doctors and rehab therapists, Alvin works closely with those on the front lines of patient care. Their perspectives help refine the design and guide how UniSUC fits into settings ranging from hospitals to homes.
Research plays a key role, too. Under the leadership of Chief Medical Officer Dr. Maciej Witkos, ongoing clinical studies involve a multidisciplinary team—keeping UniSUC sharp, effective, and practical.
By engaging openly through conferences, trials, and hands-on training, Alvin ensures ALPep stays connected to real-world challenges. For him, collaboration isn’t just a step in the process—it’s the foundation for meaningful, human-centered healthcare innovation.
Overcoming Barriers with Persistence
Healthcare innovation rarely moves without hurdles. At ALPep LLC, Alvin faced regulatory, clinical, and production challenges head-on, driven by a clear goal to improve patient care.
Early on, the team secured FDA registration for UniSUC as a Class I device. Working closely with regulatory experts helped them meet strict safety and documentation standards without costly delays.
Winning clinical trust meant engaging directly with nurses, wound care specialists, and urologists. Through hands-on demos, pilot trials, and data sharing, they showed how UniSUC reduced infections and eased caregiver tasks. Support from Chief Medical Officer Dr. Maciej Witkos, especially through presentations at key conferences, bolstered that confidence.
Production wasn’t without its bumps either. ALPep embraced lean manufacturing and strong vendor partnerships to maintain quality and scale. Allan, Alvin’s brother and co-founder, designed the UniSUC Whisper suction system in-house—solving a critical durability issue.
Reflecting on these challenges, Alvin says, “Every barrier reminded us why this work matters. Patient dignity and caregiver support aren’t optional—they’re essential. Persistence isn’t just a strategy; it’s our commitment.”
Finding Balance in the Mission
For Alvin Pepito, balance doesn’t come from doing less—it comes from doing what matters with the right people. As a practicing nurse and CEO of ALPep LLC, he juggles intense responsibilities. But with the right support, it works.
At home, his wife’s understanding of both healthcare and entrepreneurship helps him stay centered. “She reminds me why we’re doing this—why every long day is worth it,” Alvin says. At work, he leans on a close-knit team that includes his brother Allan and Dr. Maciej Witkos. That trust and shared purpose allow him to split time wisely and delegate when needed.
He keeps the mission front and center: helping patients. That clarity fuels his energy, shapes his schedule, and protects time for rest and family. It’s not perfect—but it’s intentional. And that’s what makes the balance sustainable.
Looking Ahead with Purpose
Alvin Pepito’s plans for ALPep LLC go well beyond building a better product. He envisions a future where human-centered design becomes the norm in healthcare, not the exception. That means growing UniSUC’s reach—backed by research, education, and real-world results—and expanding its availability in hospitals, long-term care, and homes worldwide.
“We’re not just adding devices,” Alvin says. “We’re rethinking how basic care should feel—for both patients and caregivers.” With innovations like the UniSUC Whisper and the EZ Bedpan, ALPep is shaping a more dignified and efficient toileting system, one piece at a time.
As the company scales, Alvin plans to grow the team, deepen clinical partnerships, and ensure every step forward stays rooted in patient dignity and caregiver relief.
His message to future healthcare leaders? Stay close to the problem. “Don’t wait for someone to hand you a solution. If you see something broken, build something better. That’s how UniSUC started—one nurse seeing a need, and choosing to act.”
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Also Read: Nurse-Led Innovation– The Healthcare Inventors Transforming Patient Care in 2025
