WARREN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alcresta Therapeutics, Inc. announced the issuance of a permanent and unique billing code by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for RELiZORB. RELiZORB is an in-line digestive enzyme cartridge and is indicated for use in pediatric patients (ages 5 years and above) and adult patients to hydrolyze fats in enteral formula.
A permanent HCPCS billing code for RELiZORB (B4105, “In-Line Cartridge Containing Digestive Enzymes(s) for Enteral Feeding, Each”) is effective January 1, 2019. The Medicare coverage indicator for B4105 is “C” (Contractor Discretion) and the Medicare pricing indicator is “39” (Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition), meaning that RELiZORB can now be covered and separately reimbursed under Medicare rules.
“This reimbursement milestone makes RELiZORB accessible to many patients that had previously been denied access due to coding issues. In clinical trials and published reports, RELiZORB has been shown to normalize absorption of key fatty acids, decrease gastrointestinal adverse events like diarrhea, and increase weight in patients suffering from fat malabsorption as a consequence of cystic fibrosis and other serious diseases. RELiZORB can be an important option for these patients, as there is no other drug or medical device approved by the FDA to do what RELiZORB does. RELiZORB is already used by approximately 50% of all enterally fed cystic fibrosis patients in the U.S.” said Tasos Konidaris, CFO of Alcresta Therapeutics.
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. The company uses its proprietary technology platform to support a broad pipeline of products, with an initial focus on pancreatic insufficiency, which results in malabsorption common in cystic fibrosis, digestive cancers, premature birth, and other serious diseases.
The Alcresta Therapeutics, Inc. management team has extensive experience in pharmaceutical, medical devices, and nutritional product development. The corporate office is based in Warren, New Jersey with additional R&D sites in the Boston, MA area and is backed by top-tier investors: Athyrium Capital Management, Bessemer Venture Partners, HealthQuest Capital, Frazier Healthcare Partners, and Third Rock Ventures. More information can be found at www.alcresta.com.