Sirtuin Platform

At Sirtris, our focus is on the sirtuins, a family of seven enzymes associated with the aging process.  The discovery of the first human sirtuin, SIRT1, resulted from research into the health benefits and life extension seen in multiple species on calorie restricted diets. Rats, mice and dogs on calorie restricted diets are healthier and live longer.

Calorie restriction has been shown to activate SIRT1. Our goal is to mimic the beneficial effects of calorie restriction by developing small molecule SIRT1 activators. 

Preclinical studies with SIRT1 activators have demonstrated potential importance in multiple disease areas, including Type 2 Diabetes and related complications, mitochondrial disorders, cardiovascular disease, inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Early clinical studies have demonstrated promising results in Type 2 Diabetes.

While SIRT1 was the first in this family of enzymes to be discovered, considerable research is also underway for other members in this family, SIRTs 2-7. Their involvement in a variety of disease pathways suggests that the sirtuin family of enzymes represents an attractive portfolio of potential drug targets.

+Potential Disease Area Applications

Sirtuin	Potential Disease Area Applications
SIRT1	Metabolic, neurological, cardiovascular, renal, cancer, inflammation, mitochondrial
SIRT2	Neurological, metabolic, cancer
SIRT3	Metabolic, mitochondrial
SIRT4	Metabolic, mitochondrial
SIRT5	Neurological
SIRT6	Cancer
SIRT7	Cardiovascular