Sirtris : EXCLUSIVE LICENSE TO HARVARD’S SIRT3-BASED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

September 16, 2008 – Sirtris, a GSK Company focused on discovering and developing small molecule drugs to treat diseases of aging such as Type 2 Diabetes, announced that it has completed an agreement with Harvard University to exclusively license two patent applications covering SIRT3-based methods of treatments and assays.

Sirtuins are a family of enzymes which regulate the aging process and have been the subject of extensive research. While SIRT1 — the founding member of this class of enzymes — is currently the most studied in the group, considerable research is underway on other members in this family, SIRTs 2-7. A study by Sirtris Scientific Advisory Board members and Harvard University scientists, published in the journal Cell in September 2007, showed for the first time that activation of SIRT3 and SIRT4 protects against cell damage. The findings further validated sirtuins as important targets for treating diseases of aging. The two patent applications being exclusively licensed from Harvard include assays useful for identifying SIRT3 activators for diseases of aging... Sirtris' Press Release -

GlaxoSmithKline to acquire Sirtris Pharmaceuticals : a world leader in 'Sirtuin' research and development

22 April 2008 – GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) and Sirtris Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: SIRT) announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which GlaxoSmithKline will acquire Sirtris Pharmaceuticals for approximately USD720 million (or approx. GBP362 million) through a cash tender offer of USD22.50 (or approx. GBP11.33) per share.

Through the acquisition of Sirtris, GSK will significantly enhance its metabolic, neurology, immunology and inflammation research efforts by establishing a presence in the field of sirtuins, a recently-discovered class of enzymes that are believed to be involved in the ageing process. Sirtris Pharmaceuticals has established a drug discovery capability to exploit sirtuin modulation for the treatment of human disease, an approach that has the potential to generate multiple clinically and commercially important products. Their focus to date has been on the development of SIRT1 activators for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)... GlaxoSmithKline's Press Release - Sirtris' Press Release -