Sirtris, a GSK company, is developing small molecule drugs that target the sirtuins, a family of seven enzymes associated with diseases of aging. Modulation of these enzymes offers the promise of drug discovery in multiple therapeutic areas.

Founded in 2004, Sirtris was one of the first pharmaceutical companies focused on the sirtuin platform.  Preclinical research indicates that the sirtuins play important roles in pathways for multiple diseases of aging, including Type 2 Diabetes, as well as neurodegenerative, cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases.

Sirtris researchers are working to translate this research into a potential new class of pharmaceuticals to treat diseases of aging, offering the ability for people to live longer, healthier lives. Working from the solid foundation established over the last few years, Sirtris has expanded upon the data from our proprietary formulation of resveratrol to focus on developing many novel small molecule activators of SIRT1, the most studied member of the sirtuin family. These new chemical entities or NCEs are novel compounds that are structurally and chemically unrelated to resveratrol and are more specific for the target SIRT1, as well as have improved drug-like properties. The company has several active clinical trials under way with these NCEs (see Pipeline).

Sirtris operates as an independent Discovery Performance Unit (DPU) within GSK and is located in Technology Square, Cambridge, Mass.

Sirtris’ culture mixes scientific curiosity with a dynamic, fast-paced environment, resembling its biotech roots while harnessing all of GSK’s broad discovery, development, and commercialization capabilities.