Sirtris Pharmaceuticals shares rise on study results

Sirtris Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: SIRT) are up after the company announced the publication of a study by Sirtris and Harvard University scientists that reveals a new mechanism that could slow aging. The study, published in the medical journal “Cell,” studied the activation of enzymes that could protect against cell damage.

The study suggested that a low-calorie diet—or a pill that could mimic the effects—could activate life-extending enzymes.

“These findings broaden the potential of Sirtris’ drug discovery platform and intellectual property focused on sirtuin modulators to treat a number of diseases of aging such as metabolic, mitochondrial, inflammatory and neurological disorders, and cancer,” CEO Christoph Westphal said in a statement.

After publication of the study, investment firm Rodman & Renshaw reaffirmed its "outperform" rating of Sirtris with an $18 price target.

In afternoon trading, SIRT shares are up 11.03%, or $1.60, at $16.10. Over the last 52 weeks, shares have ranged from $9.81 to $16.47.

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