Sirtris Pharmaceuticals

Sirtris Pharmaceuticals was established in 2004 by Christoph Westphal and David Sinclair, focusing on the development of therapeutics for diseases associated with aging. The company's scientific foundation was built upon Sinclair's research at Harvard Medical School, which centered on sirtuins, a class of enzymes believed to regulate metabolism and longevity. Westphal, a seasoned venture capitalist with a background in life sciences, provided the entrepreneurial leadership to translate this academic research into a commercial enterprise.

The company's primary focus was on developing small molecule drugs that activate sirtuins, particularly SIRT1. The lead product candidate was SRT501, a proprietary formulation of resveratrol, a compound found in red wine. Sirtris contended that by activating sirtuins, these drugs could potentially treat various metabolic and age-related conditions, such as type 2 diabetes. This approach garnered significant attention from the scientific and investment communities, positioning Sirtris at the forefront of longevity research.

Sirtris operated within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical market, targeting major diseases with significant unmet medical needs. Its business model was typical of a development-stage biotech firm, centered on research and development, clinical trials, and intellectual property protection, with the ultimate goal of securing regulatory approval and commercializing its drug candidates. The company's financial strategy involved raising capital through venture funding and an initial public offering (IPO) in 2007, which raised $63 million.

A major milestone in the company's history occurred in 2008 when GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) acquired Sirtris for approximately $720 million, a substantial premium that reflected the high expectations for its sirtuin-based platform. Following the acquisition, Sirtris operated as a subsidiary of GSK, continuing its research and clinical development programs. However, the initial promise faced challenges. In 2010, GSK halted a clinical trial involving a sirtuin-activating compound due to safety concerns. By 2013, GSK ultimately shut down the original Sirtris research and development site in Cambridge, Massachusetts, absorbing its programs into the broader GSK organization.

Keywords: sirtuin activators, resveratrol, longevity research, metabolic diseases, drug development, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, GlaxoSmithKline, Christoph Westphal, David Sinclair