Alcresta signs agreement with CFFT to support nutritional status of people with cystic fibrosis

Apr 17 2014

Alcresta^®, a leading medical nutrition company developing innovative enzyme-based products for individuals with unique nutritional needs battling acute conditions or chronic diseases, today announced the company has signed an agreement with Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics (CFFT) to accelerate the development of Alcresta's enzyme-based point-of-care products to support the nutritional status of people with cystic fibrosis (CF). CFFT is the nonprofit drug discovery and development affiliate of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

More than 90 percent of people with CF have a compromised pancreas and need enzyme-based nutritional products to digest and absorb vitamins and nutrients. To address these challenges, people with compromised pancreatic or gastrointestinal function, including people with CF, consume nutritional drinks and use tube feedings to supplement their diet. This agreement allows Alcresta to accelerate the development of its nutrition technology and advance point-of-care products designed to address the specific needs of the CF population and others with unique nutritional needs by improving absorption of beneficial fatty acids and aiding in overall caloric intake.

According to the CF Foundation's patient data report, a relationship has been established in CF between good health outcomes and patients' nutritional levels, reinforcing the need for individuals to maintain adequate weight gain (BMI). Specifically, malabsorption of fats may contribute to the inflammatory characteristics of CF, and negatively affect a person's ability to maintain or gain weight.

"This agreement continues to validate Alcresta's technology and will allow us to speed up the development of our point-of-care portfolio of products that we believe will improve the overall well-being of people with CF and others with specific nutritional needs," said Robert Gallotto, co-founder and president of Alcresta. "We believe science-based nutrition can lead to improved care, and we look forward to working with the CF Foundation to help make a meaningful difference for people in need of improved nutrition."

Alcresta's lead program is an enzyme-based point-of-care product focused on improving the digestion and enabling proper absorption of fats, including critically important "good fats" - in particular omega-3 fatty acids like docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The initial product offering is designed to mimic the function of pancreatic lipase by pre-hydrolyzing fats in liquid nutritional products and tube feeding formulas to fatty acids and mono-glycerides prior to consumption in individuals who require special nutritional care where there is a known relationship between proper nutrition, caloric intake and weight maintenance.

Source: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation