Alcresta Therapeutics Announces Expansion of Leadership Team to Support Continued Growth
Jason Weiner named Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer and Chris Arnold named Chief Commercial Officer
Michael Yeh, MD, joins as Senior Vice President, Medical Affairs
WALTHAM, MA, March 3, 2025—Alcresta Therapeutics, Inc., a leading commercial-stage company focused on developing and commercializing novel, enzyme-based products, today announced several management changes and additions. The expanded leadership team is designed to support the company’s plans for continued rapid growth building on the success of the May 2024 launch of next-generation RELiZORB and January 2025 expanded use indication allowing for use of RELiZORB in children down to age one year old, which drove 33% increases in 2024 net sales and adjusted EBITDA revenues.
Jason Weiner, formerly Chief Commercial Officer at Alcresta, has taken on the new role of Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer. Since 2020, Mr. Weiner has led the Alcresta Commercial Organization through a period of rapid growth, managing diverse areas including commercial strategy, patient access and strategic planning. In his new role he will lead efforts in business strategy and development of new commercial opportunities at Alcresta.
Chris Arnold, who joined Alcresta as Senior Vice President of Sales in early 2024 just prior to the commercial launch of next-generation RELiZORB, has been named Chief Commercial Officer. As head of sales, Mr. Arnold led efforts to expand the Alcresta sales team and has played an integral role in the planning and execution of the highly successful launch of next-generation RELiZORB, which is now available to a broader range of patients including those with short bowel syndrome and other malabsorptive conditions.
“Following a very successful year in 2024, we expect continued acceleration in our commercial strategy and are taking the needed steps to build our senior team with outstanding leaders who will maximize RELiZORB growth and new development opportunities,” said Daniel Orlando, Chief Executive Officer at Alcresta. “In his new role as Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer, Jason Weiner will apply his extensive experience to help us plan for and execute additional growth opportunities. Building on his success in leading our outstanding sales organization, as our new CCO Chris Arnold will help us identify strategies to continue to make RELiZORB available to more patients.”
Alcresta announced the appointment of Michael Yeh, M.D., as Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs. Dr. Yeh brings more than 20 years of industry experience in medical affairs including roles with Boston Consulting Group, Genzyme, Novartis, Biogen, and Apellis. He has managed medical affairs operations in the US and in global markets and has strong experience in rare and orphan conditions. Dr. Yeh holds a BS from Yale University, Doctor of Medicine from UC San Francisco, Master of Public Health from UC Berkeley, and an MBA from the University of Michigan.
“Dr. Yeh’s vast industry and academic experience will be a significant asset for Alcresta as we plan for heightened investigator and industry interest in our innovative technology,” said Daniel Orlando, Chief Executive Officer at Alcresta, adding, “We are currently supporting numerous investigator-initiated trials across multiple disease states, reflecting our ongoing commitment to broadening the clinical evidence to support RELiZORB. We are very pleased that Dr. Yeh has joined Alcresta to lead this effort at a pivotal time in our growth.”
About RELiZORB® (iMMOBILIZED LIPASE) CARTRIDGE
RELiZORB is indicated for use in pediatric patients (ages 1 year and above) and adult patients to hydrolyze fats in enteral formula. RELiZORB is a first-of-its-kind digestive enzyme cartridge designed to mimic the function of pancreatic lipase. RELiZORB is developed using Alcresta’s proprietary enzyme immobilization technology, iLipase®, which is the digestive enzyme lipase bound to small polymeric bead carriers. RELiZORB connects in-line to enteral feeding systems. As enteral formula passes through RELiZORB, the bound lipase breaks down formula fats into an absorbable form prior to ingestion. RELiZORB was FDA-cleared in 2015 for use in adult patients and was cleared in 2017 for use in children as young as five years old. In August 2023 use was expanded to pediatric patients as young as two years old. The next-generation RELiZORB device was introduced to market in May 2024 with broader formula compatibility, an increase in the number of devices used per day and use in both continuous and bolus-feeding set ups. In January 2025, Alcresta announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared expanded use of RELiZORB® for children down to age one year old.
About Alcresta Therapeutics, Inc.
Alcresta Therapeutics, Inc. is dedicated to developing and commercializing novel, enzyme-based products designed to address challenges faced by patients living with gastrointestinal disorders and rare diseases. Alcresta currently markets RELiZORB for enterally-fed patients with pancreatic insufficiency, which occurs in cystic fibrosis, pancreatic cancer, and pancreatitis, and short bowel syndrome, which is marked by significant malabsorption due to limited absorptive area as a result of resection. Alcresta is currently developing a platform application for infants treated in the NICU. Alcresta Therapeutics, Inc. is backed by Linden Capital Partners and HealthQuest Capital. More information can be found at www.alcresta.com.
Internal Media Contact:
Natalie Bronfin
Alcresta Therapeutics, Inc.
[email protected]
617-431-3600