ALS Association funds research into sirtuin activator
The ALS Association in the US has awarded research funding for a compound, developed by Cambridge, Massachusetts-headquartered Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, which has potential in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive degenerative disease of the upper and lower motor neurons.
The ALS Association in the US has awarded research funding for a compound, developed by Cambridge, Massachusetts-headquartered Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, which has potential in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive degenerative disease of the upper and lower motor neurons.
By activating sirtuins, a recently-discovered class of enzymes involved in the body's natural defence mechanisms, the compound has the potential to protect against damage to nerve fibres and inflammation, processes thought to play a role in ALS.
"The funding of this research enables us to pursue a new drug discovery approach based on sirtuin science and to explore potential new medicines for ALS, a disease for which there is a significant need for new treatment options for patients," said Lucie Bruijn, science director and vice-president of the ALS Association.