Gelesis Holdings Inc. is a biotechnology company that develops and commercializes treatments for obesity and other gastrointestinal-related diseases. The company was founded in 2006 by a group of scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University. Gelesis' flagship product, Plenity, is a weight loss management system that helps people to lose weight by inducing a feeling of fullness. Plenity is made from naturally sourced, plant-based materials and is designed to be used in combination with a healthy diet and exercise.
Gelesis Holdings Inc. is based in Boston, Massachusetts, and has offices in the United States, Europe, and Israel. The company was privately held until it went public in June 2021 through a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) merger with Capstar Special Purpose Acquisition Corp. The deal valued Gelesis at $1.3 billion and provided the company with $330 million in gross proceeds.
Gelesis Holdings Inc. uses a proprietary technology platform to develop its products. The company's platform uses hydrogel particles that expand in the stomach to induce a feeling of fullness and help people to eat less. The technology has the potential to be used to treat a range of conditions, including obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease.
In addition to Plenity, Gelesis Holdings Inc. is developing other products that use its hydrogel technology platform. The company is developing a product for people with type 2 diabetes that is designed to lower blood sugar levels by slowing the absorption of carbohydrates in the small intestine. The product is currently in clinical trials.
Gelesis Holdings Inc. is led by CEO Yishai Zohar, who has more than 20 years of experience in the biotech industry. The company's board of directors includes experienced executives and investors from the biotech and healthcare industries. The company's investors include leading healthcare venture capital firms, such as ARCH Venture Partners and PureTech Health.