Sirtris reports positive neuroprotective data for oral drug candidate

The new data builds on earlier work by lead investigator, Kenneth Shindler in the same preclinical model showing that activation of the SIRT1 enzyme with SRT501 is neuroprotective for optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve that can cause a complete or partial loss of vision) by reducing the loss of retinal ganglion cells.

In the new work, Mr Shindler’s team used mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, which causes the autoimmune system to attack the eye and central nervous system. These effects on the central nervous system mirror symptoms observed in patients with multiple sclerosis.