Alcresta
Alcresta Therapeutics is a private, commercial-stage medical device company that develops enzyme-based products for fat malabsorption in enterally fed patients with cystic fibrosis, short bowel syndrome, pancreatitis, and neonatal conditions, led by its FDA-cleared RELiZORB cartridge built on the proprietary iLipase immobilization platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersNewton, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Alcresta does
Alcresta Therapeutics, Inc. is a private, commercial-stage medical device and specialty nutrition company that develops enzyme-based products addressing fat malabsorption in enterally fed patients with rare and serious diseases. The company's lead and only commercial product, RELiZORB, is an in-line digestive enzyme cartridge that uses Alcresta's proprietary iLipase enzyme immobilization platform — lipase bound to polymeric microbead carriers contained within a cartridge that connects to enteral feeding tubing. As enteral formula passes through the cartridge, the immobilized lipase hydrolyzes triglycerides into absorbable fatty acids and monoglycerides prior to ingestion, while the enzymes themselves remain in the device and are not consumed by the patient.
RELiZORB is the first and only FDA-cleared enzyme product for enteral feeding, originally approved via de novo pathway in 2015 for adults and progressively expanded to children age 5+ (2017), age 2+ (August 2023), age 1+ (January 2025), and ultimately all ages including neonates and infants (April 2025). A next-generation device with broader formula compatibility and support for up to six cartridges per day was launched in May 2024. Alcresta is also developing RELiZORBneo, a smaller cartridge specifically engineered for neonatal small-volume, slow-flow feeding in the NICU. The company generates revenue primarily through direct hardware sales to hospitals, clinics, and home healthcare/DME channels, with separate Medicare Part B reimbursement under permanent HCPCS code B4105 (effective January 2019).
Alcresta sells through an enterprise field sales model targeting hospitals, outpatient clinics, and home settings, with an emphasis on physician, dietitian, and nurse education supported by an expanding peer-reviewed clinical evidence library and investigator-initiated trials at Massachusetts General Hospital, Inova Fairfax, and Boston Children's Hospital. The company is backed by private equity firms Linden Capital Partners and HealthQuest Capital, with prior venture backing from Bessemer Venture Partners, Frazier Healthcare Partners, and Third Rock Ventures. Headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, Alcresta operates with 11-50 employees under CEO Daniel Orlando, with a senior leadership bench that includes executives previously at Vericel, Boston Scientific, Pfizer, Novartis, and other major life sciences firms.
Alcresta firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Alcresta
- Legal name
- Alcresta Therapeutics, Inc.
- Website
- https://alcresta.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Alcresta Therapeutics is a private, commercial-stage medical device company that develops enzyme-based products for fat malabsorption in enterally fed patients with cystic fibrosis, short bowel syndrome, pancreatitis, and neonatal conditions, led by its FDA-cleared RELiZORB cartridge built on the proprietary iLipase immobilization platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Alcresta industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Enteral Nutrition Medical Devices
- NAICS
- Food Manufacturing (311)
- SIC
- Food And Kindred Products (2000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Special Medical Purpose Infant Formula Manufacturing (FSMP/Medical Nutrition) (AFAHAHAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Hypoallergenic & Allergy-Friendly Infant Formula Manufacturing (Extensively Hydrolyzed/Amino Acid) (AFAHAHAD), Gut Health & Digestive Nutrition (IBS, GERD, Elimination Diets) (HSADAFAH)
Keywords
Where Alcresta is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Newton
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Alcresta business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- RELiZORB Device Sales: Commercial sales of RELiZORB digestive enzyme cartridge for enteral feeding patients with fat malabsorption conditions. Sold to hospitals, clinics, and directly to patients via home healthcare.
- Medicare/Insurance Reimbursement: RELiZORB received permanent HCPCS billing code B4105 effective January 1, 2019. The Medicare coverage indicator is 'C' (Contractor Discretion) with pricing indicator '39' (Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition), enabling separate reimbursement under Medicare rules.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | RELiZORB covered under Medicare Part B with unique HCPCS code B4105 |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Alcresta product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Alcresta develops and commercializes RELiZORB, an FDA-cleared single-use digestive enzyme cartridge that connects in-line to enteral feeding tubes. Using its proprietary iLipase enzyme immobilization platform, the cartridge pre-digests fats in enteral formula into absorbable fatty acids and monoglycerides prior to ingestion for patients with fat malabsorption conditions including cystic fibrosis, short bowel syndrome, pancreatitis, and neonatal pancreatic insufficiency.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- RELiZORB: The first and only FDA-cleared enzyme cartridge for use in enteral feeding, designed to mimic pancreatic lipase function to improve fat absorption for tube-fed patients.
- RELiZORBneo
- iLipase
Products and services
- RELiZORB Digestive Enzyme Cartridge A single-use, FDA-cleared digestive enzyme cartridge designed to mimic the function of pancreatic lipase. Connects in-line to enteral feeding tubes so that as enteral formula passes through, the bound iLipase enzyme breaks down fats into absorbable fatty acids and monoglycerides prior to ingestion. Indicated for children and adults with fat malabsorption due to cystic fibrosis, short bowel syndrome, pancreatitis, digestive cancers, neonatal pancreatic insufficiency, and other rare diseases.
- RELiZORBneo Cartridge A miniaturized version of the RELiZORB cartridge under development, designed to align with tube-feeding practices in neonatal intensive care for premature and newborn infants who cannot adequately digest fats due to pancreatic immaturity.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2.8x overall increase in total DHA and EPA plasma concentrations in 24-hour study
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Alcresta
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Alcresta technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Alcresta partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Boston Children's HospitalcoreCollaborative research partnership for preclinical studies. Team led by Mark Puder, M.D., PhD, world-leading expert in short bowel syndrome and parenteral/enteral nutrition. Conducted neonatal murine NEC model study and pre-clinical animal studies in SBS.
- Inova Fairfax Medical CampuscoreInvestigator-initiated trial evaluating efficacy of RELiZORB in treatment of feeding intolerance in critically ill patients with multi-organ failure. Led by George J. Kasotakis, MD, MPH, Trauma/Acute Care Surgeon.
- Massachusetts General HospitalcoreInvestigator-initiated clinical trial evaluating efficacy of RELiZORB in managing exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in tube-fed pancreatitis patients. Located at MGH Pancreatitis Treatment Center, led by Casey Luckhurst, MD.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Alcresta competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- AbbVie: Markets Creon, the leading oral pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Most relevant comparator for the underlying EPI/fat-malabsorption therapeutic category, though delivery mechanism (oral capsules vs. Alcresta's in-line cartridge) differs.
- Nestlé Health Science: Major enteral nutrition provider (Peptamen, Vivonex, Impact) and a logical strategic/partner candidate for Alcresta. Comparable through shared enteral-feeding end customers and overlapping CF, SBS, and critical-care channels.
- Abbott Nutrition: Supplies enteral formulas (Jevity, Pivot, Nepro, Pulmocare) used by the same patient populations Alcresta targets. Strong commercial reach in hospitals, home health, and pediatric specialty channels overlapping with RELiZORB's customer base.
- Baxter International: Operates a leading enteral/parenteral nutrition portfolio (Clinimix, Clinolipid, Numeta) and serves hospitals and home infusion. Highly relevant as a strategic acquirer given its enteral-nutrition franchise and prior relationship with Alcresta board (Ron Labrum spent 25+ years at Baxter).
- Danone Nutricia: Major medical-nutrition business focused on disease-specific enteral formulas for pediatric and adult populations, including CF and SBS. Comparable patient segments, sales channels, and reimbursement dynamics to RELiZORB.
Direct peers
- Allergan Aesthetics / AbbVie (Zenpep): Zenpep is a leading oral PERT for EPI. Closest therapeutic competitor to RELiZORB for the underlying EPI patient, though the delivery mechanism (oral) and patient profile (typically not enterally fed) differ.
- Digestive Care (Pertzye): Markets Pertzye, an oral PERT for EPI caused by CF and other conditions. Direct therapeutic competitor addressing the same fat-malabsorption indication that RELiZORB targets in enterally-fed patients.
- Vygon: Specializes in enteral feeding devices (tubes, pumps, accessories) used by the same patient populations as RELiZORB. Comparable go-to-market via hospital purchasing, specialty pharmacies, and home-health DME channels.
- Moog Inc. Medical devices segment includes enteral feeding pumps (Infinity) and disposables for tube-fed patients in hospital and home settings. Most directly comparable medical-device peer in terms of product category and customer profile.
Emerging players
- Real Food Blends: Emerging participant in the enteral-feeding space focused on whole-food, blenderized tube-feeding formulas. Adjacent rather than directly competitive, but addresses the same enterally-fed patient base seeking improved fat/nutrient absorption.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Alcresta social profiles
Digital presenceAlcresta financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Alcresta leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Alcresta funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Alcresta M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Alcresta
What does Alcresta do?
Alcresta develops and commercializes RELiZORB, an FDA-cleared single-use digestive enzyme cartridge that connects in-line to enteral feeding tubes. Using its proprietary iLipase enzyme immobilization platform, the cartridge pre-digests fats in enteral formula into absorbable fatty acids and monoglycerides prior to ingestion for patients with fat malabsorption conditions including cystic fibrosis, short bowel syndrome, pancreatitis, and neonatal pancreatic insufficiency.
Is Alcresta a public or private company?
Alcresta is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Alcresta founded?
Alcresta was founded in 2010. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Alcresta based?
Alcresta is headquartered in Newton, United States, in the North America region.
How does Alcresta make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. RELiZORB Device Sales are the primary driver. The others are medicare/Insurance Reimbursement.
Who are Alcresta's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are AbbVie, Nestlé Health Science, Abbott Nutrition, Baxter International and Danone Nutricia. Direct peers are Allergan Aesthetics / AbbVie (Zenpep), Digestive Care (Pertzye), Vygon and Moog Inc.. Real Food Blends is listed as an emerging player.
Does Alcresta have an API?
No public API is recorded for Alcresta.
What industry is Alcresta in?
Alcresta's product category is Enteral Nutrition Medical Devices. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAHAHAC, Special Medical Purpose Infant Formula Manufacturing (FSMP/Medical Nutrition), with a secondary code of AFAHAHAD, Hypoallergenic & Allergy-Friendly Infant Formula Manufacturing (Extensively Hydrolyzed/Amino Acid). Its NAICS code is 311 and its SIC code is 2000.