Alcresta Appoints Russell Clayton, D.O., Chief Medical Officer

NEWTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alcresta^®, a specialty pharmaceutical company that is dedicated to developing and commercializing novel enzyme-based products designed to address challenges faced by people living with gastrointestinal disorders and rare diseases, today announced the appointment of Russell G. Clayton Sr., D.O., as chief medical officer. A seasoned life sciences executive, Dr. Clayton brings to Alcresta more than 10 years of leadership across the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, with deep expertise in research and development, regulatory affairs, medical device development and medical affairs.

“In just three years Alcresta has evolved from a startup company building a research platform aimed to meet this need, to now preparing for the launch of its first point-of-care enzyme-based product. I look forward to collaborating with the team to make this vision a reality.”

Prior to Alcresta, Dr. Clayton held positions of increasing responsibility at Discovery Laboratories, Inc., a specialty biotechnology company focused on respiratory critical care. Most recently, as senior vice president of research and development, Dr. Clayton was responsible for leadership and strategic direction for the company’s research and development activities, execution of development and regulatory strategies, and executive leadership for medical affairs and pharmacovigilance.

Prior to Discovery, Dr. Clayton was regional medical director of medical and scientific affairs at Merck and Co., Inc. Earlier in his career, Dr. Clayton was an attending pediatric pulmonologist at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. He also held multiple academic appointments, including assistant professor of pediatrics at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Allegheny University of the Health Sciences and Temple University School of Medicine. Dr. Clayton received his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine after obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in biology from La Salle College.

“There is an urgent need for new products that help patients with specific medical needs – from infants to adult patients – to help manage their health or disease,” said Dr. Clayton. “In just three years Alcresta has evolved from a startup company building a research platform aimed to meet this need, to now preparing for the launch of its first point-of-care enzyme-based product. I look forward to collaborating with the team to make this vision a reality.”

Alcresta Strengthens Leadership Team

In addition, Alcresta has strengthened its leadership team in preparation for the commercial launch of its first product by announcing the following senior executives:

• David Brown, vice president, technical operations
• Ken Gary, vice president, product operations
• Ed Park, senior director, corporate development
• Greta Loring, senior director of research & new product planning

“With the expansion of our leadership team, Alcresta has assembled a group with deep commercial and operational expertise that will be essential as we prepare for the launch of our first product designed to improve the digestion and absorption of enteral feeding in compromised people with compromised pancreatic output,” said John Tucker, CEO of Alcresta. “In particular, our new CMO Rusty Clayton brings to Alcresta a wealth of experience in all aspects of pharmaceutical and medical device development, from preclinical through commercialization. He is an innovative thinker who has the expertise to translate a vision to tactical execution by building and motivating teams through communication and collaboration. We are delighted to welcome Rusty, and look to David, Ken, Ed and Greta to help lead Alcresta through its transition into a commercial-stage company.”

About Alcresta

Alcresta is a specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing novel enzyme-based products that are designed to address challenges faced by people living with gastrointestinal disorders and rare diseases. The company is leveraging its versatile technology platform to support a broad pipeline of products, with an initial focus on people with compromised pancreatic output resulting from cystic fibrosis, digestive cancers or preterm birth. Alcresta has developed a lead product designed to improve the digestion and absorption of fats, in particular long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids like omega-3 (including DHA, EPA). The importance of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids like omega-3 is well documented across the full spectrum of patient care from infants to adults and individuals battling acute conditions or chronic diseases. The company’s platform is supported by the Alcresta team’s extensive experience in pharmaceutical and enzyme product development. Based in Newton, Mass., the company is backed by top-tier venture investors Bessemer Venture Partners, Frazier Healthcare and Third Rock Ventures. For more information, please visit www.alcresta.com.