Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Elixir licenses anti-aging enzyme patent from BU

By Mass High Tech Staff

Elixir Pharmaceuticals Inc. reports it has reached an exclusive license agreement with Boston University in relation to patents that cover compounds that modulate a gene linked to an anti-aging enzyme known as a sirtuin. 

The licensing deal expands the Cambridge biotech firm’s intellectual property holdings related to sirtuins, which have gained tremendous attention for their role in metabolic functions and the aging process.

Cambridge drug developer Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, another firm focused on sirtuins, was acquired by British drug giant GlaxoSmithKline PLC in June for $720 million.

Privately held Elixir says it is conducting pre-clinical research of compounds that modulate genes related to sirtuins for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, obesity, Huntington’s disease and certain types of cancer. The company has rights to 20 issued and pending patents concerning sirtuins.

In May, Elixir cancelled an $86.3 million initial public offering. The firm’s local venture capital investors include MPM Capital and Oxford Bioscience Partners, both of Boston.