Vizient Awards Alcresta Contract for Relizorb, Which Helps CF Patients Digest Healthy Fats

Vizient, which calls itself the nation’s “largest member-driven health care performance improvement company,” has awarded a contract for  Alcresta’s Relizorb — a product that helps with the digestion of healthy fats in serious diseases such as cystic fibrosis (CF).

The Relizorb (immobized lipase) cartridge contains an enzyme that breaks down fats in tube feeding formulas to aid in their proper digestion and help absorption by the body. It is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in children ages 5 and older with CF, as well as in adults.

Research has shown that Relizorb can double levels of healthy fats in the bloodstream. Without it, nutrients may pass through the body unabsorbed.

Alcresta’s study, “Increased Fat Absorption From Enteral Formula Through an In-line Digestive Cartridge in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis,” appeared in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition. It showed that Relizorb is safe and effective when used with tube feeding formulas.

“Relizorb is a significant development for patients requiring enteral nutrition who suffer from the devastating consequences of malnutrition and fat malabsorption commonly seen in tube-fed patients with cystic fibrosis, gastric cancers, pancreatitis and other serious diseases,” Alcresta CEO Daniel Tassé said in a press release. “Alcresta Therapeutics is proud and excited to have been awarded this contract and looks forward to providing Vizient’s diverse membership and customer base enhanced savings for Relizorb.”

Vizient’s Innovative Technology Program supports technologies that can have a significant impact on patient care and safety. Alcresta develops and commercializes new enzyme-based products designed to treat disorders in the stomach and intestines, as well as rare diseases. Terms of the contract weren’t disclosed.

“Due to the number of products and services being released and marketed as ‘innovative,’ member hospitals truly value the thorough innovative technology review process in place at Vizient to help them identify products worth further evaluation at their own facilities,” said Debbie Archer, procurement director and leader of Vizient’s Innovative Technology program for suppliers. “After a full review of Relizorb, Vizient’s member council agreed this solution offers unique and incremental benefit over other products available on the market today.”