Sierra Sciences
Encyclopedia
Sierra Sciences, LLC is a biotechnology
company founded by William H. Andrews
, former director of molecular biology
at Geron Corporation. Andrews founded Sierra Sciences in 1999 in Reno, Nevada
with the goal of preventing and/or reversing cellular senescence
, and ultimately curing diseases associated with human aging, including the aging process itself.
s, the repetitive DNA
at the ends of each chromosome
. Each time a cell in the body divides
, its telomeres become shorter. Eventually, telomeres will shorten to the point where the cell is unable to divide (the "Hayflick limit
"). The enzyme telomerase
adds these DNA sequence repeats to the telomere, re-lengthening it. In humans, telomerase is expressed in embryonic stem cells and some other cells, but most somatic
cells do not express it.
While working at Geron Corporation, Andrews co-discovered the RNA
component of human telomerase ("hTR"), and was issued U.S. patent
#5,583,016. For this discovery, Andrews was awarded second place as "National Inventor of the Year" in 1997 by the Intellectual Property Owners Association
. Andrews also co-discovered the protein component of human telomerase ("hTERT
"), for which he was issued U.S. patent #6,261,836. The hTERT gene is present in all human cells, but is repressed
in most.
In 1997, Andrews left Geron, and in 1999 founded Sierra Sciences to pursue the anti-aging implications of these discoveries, intending to find a drug
that would "switch on" this repressed gene.
, founder of VisiCorp
.
In 2002, Richard Offerdahl, co-founder of Zycad Corporation and former director of Digi International
, assumed the position of Chairman of the Board
of Sierra Sciences. In 2003, Offerdahl was elected Chief Operating Officer
.
In 2003, Pierluigi Zappacosta
, co-founder of Logitech
, was elected President and Chief Executive Officer
.
In 2008, Andrews was promoted to President and CEO, and Zappacosta took the roles of Co-Chairman of the Board and Vice President, Business Development.
("TERT"). For this discovery, Sierra Sciences was issued U.S. patent #6,686,159 in 2004. Sierra Sciences discovered another repressor bind site, "GC-Box 5," in 2004, for which it was issued patent #7,279,328 in 2007.
Sierra Sciences discovered methods of assay
ing TERT promoter modulatory agents, allowing the company to efficiently check a variety of compounds to see if they inhibit repression of hTERT, in 2005. For this discovery, it was issued U.S. patent #7,226,744 in 2007.
In 2007, Sierra Sciences discovered a small-molecule, drug-like compound that turns on the expression of telomerase in human cells. The compound is internally known as "C0057684."
In 2008, using C0057684 as a positive control, Sierra Sciences developed a real-time PCR
based high-throughput screening
assay to more efficiently screen for compounds that transiently induce the expression of endogenous telomerase in human cells. Sierra Sciences has already identified more than fifty such drugs and is characterizing their mechanism of action
.
Biotechnology
Biotechnology is a field of applied biology that involves the use of living organisms and bioprocesses in engineering, technology, medicine and other fields requiring bioproducts. Biotechnology also utilizes these products for manufacturing purpose...
company founded by William H. Andrews
William H. Andrews (biologist)
William Henry "Bill" Andrews, Ph.D. is an American molecular biologist and gerontologist whose career has centered on searching for a cure for human aging. Andrews is the founder and president of the biotechnology company Sierra Sciences...
, former director of molecular biology
Molecular biology
Molecular biology is the branch of biology that deals with the molecular basis of biological activity. This field overlaps with other areas of biology and chemistry, particularly genetics and biochemistry...
at Geron Corporation. Andrews founded Sierra Sciences in 1999 in Reno, Nevada
Reno, Nevada
Reno is the county seat of Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The city has a population of about 220,500 and is the most populous Nevada city outside of the Las Vegas metropolitan area...
with the goal of preventing and/or reversing cellular senescence
Senescence
Senescence or biological aging is the change in the biology of an organism as it ages after its maturity. Such changes range from those affecting its cells and their function to those affecting the whole organism...
, and ultimately curing diseases associated with human aging, including the aging process itself.
Background
In humans, aging is strongly correlated with the length of an individual's telomereTelomere
A telomere is a region of repetitive DNA sequences at the end of a chromosome, which protects the end of the chromosome from deterioration or from fusion with neighboring chromosomes. Its name is derived from the Greek nouns telos "end" and merοs "part"...
s, the repetitive DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
at the ends of each chromosome
Chromosome
A chromosome is an organized structure of DNA and protein found in cells. It is a single piece of coiled DNA containing many genes, regulatory elements and other nucleotide sequences. Chromosomes also contain DNA-bound proteins, which serve to package the DNA and control its functions.Chromosomes...
. Each time a cell in the body divides
Cell division
Cell division is the process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells . Cell division is usually a small segment of a larger cell cycle. This type of cell division in eukaryotes is known as mitosis, and leaves the daughter cell capable of dividing again. The corresponding sort...
, its telomeres become shorter. Eventually, telomeres will shorten to the point where the cell is unable to divide (the "Hayflick limit
Hayflick limit
The Hayflick limit is the number of times a normal cell population will divide before it stops, presumably because the telomeres reach a critical length....
"). The enzyme telomerase
Telomerase
Telomerase is an enzyme that adds DNA sequence repeats to the 3' end of DNA strands in the telomere regions, which are found at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. This region of repeated nucleotide called telomeres contains non-coding DNA material and prevents constant loss of important DNA from...
adds these DNA sequence repeats to the telomere, re-lengthening it. In humans, telomerase is expressed in embryonic stem cells and some other cells, but most somatic
Somatic
The term somatic means 'of the body',, relating to the body. In medicine, somatic illness is bodily, not mental, illness. The term is often used in biology to refer to the cells of the body in contrast to the germ line cells which usually give rise to the gametes...
cells do not express it.
While working at Geron Corporation, Andrews co-discovered the RNA
RNA
Ribonucleic acid , or RNA, is one of the three major macromolecules that are essential for all known forms of life....
component of human telomerase ("hTR"), and was issued U.S. patent
Patent
A patent is a form of intellectual property. It consists of a set of exclusive rights granted by a sovereign state to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for the public disclosure of an invention....
#5,583,016. For this discovery, Andrews was awarded second place as "National Inventor of the Year" in 1997 by the Intellectual Property Owners Association
Intellectual Property Owners Association
The Intellectual Property Owners Association is a trade association that is composed of owners of intellectual property and other parties interested in intellectual property law...
. Andrews also co-discovered the protein component of human telomerase ("hTERT
Telomerase reverse transcriptase
Telomerase reverse transcriptase is a catalytic subunit of the enzyme telomerase. Its absence is associated with the disorder Cri du chat....
"), for which he was issued U.S. patent #6,261,836. The hTERT gene is present in all human cells, but is repressed
Repressor
In molecular genetics, a repressor is a DNA-binding protein that regulates the expression of one or more genes by binding to the operator and blocking the attachment of RNA polymerase to the promoter, thus preventing transcription of the genes. This blocking of expression is called...
in most.
In 1997, Andrews left Geron, and in 1999 founded Sierra Sciences to pursue the anti-aging implications of these discoveries, intending to find a drug
Drug
A drug, broadly speaking, is any substance that, when absorbed into the body of a living organism, alters normal bodily function. There is no single, precise definition, as there are different meanings in drug control law, government regulations, medicine, and colloquial usage.In pharmacology, a...
that would "switch on" this repressed gene.
Company history
At the time of its inception, Sierra Sciences' President was Dan FylstraDan Fylstra
Dan Fylstra is a pioneer of the software products industry. In 1975 he was a founding associate editor of BYTE Magazine. In 1978 he co-founded Personal Software. Personal Software became the distributor of a new program called VisiCalc, the first widely used computer spreadsheet...
, founder of VisiCorp
VisiCorp
VisiCorp was an early personal computer software publisher. Its most famous products are VisiOn and VisiCalc.It was founded in 1976 by Dan Fylstra and Peter R. Jennings as Personal Software, and first published Jennings' Microchess program for the MOS Technology KIM-1 computer, and later Commodore...
.
In 2002, Richard Offerdahl, co-founder of Zycad Corporation and former director of Digi International
Digi International
Digi International was founded in 1985 as DigiBoard and is headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, USA. The company went public as Digi International in 1989 and is traded on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol DGII. The company initially offered intelligent ISA/PCI boards with multiple...
, assumed the position of Chairman of the Board
Chair (official)
The chairman is the highest officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office is typically elected or appointed by the members of the group. The chairman presides over meetings of the assembled group and conducts its business in an...
of Sierra Sciences. In 2003, Offerdahl was elected Chief Operating Officer
Chief operating officer
A Chief Operating Officer or Director of Operations can be one of the highest-ranking executives in an organization and comprises part of the "C-Suite"...
.
In 2003, Pierluigi Zappacosta
Pierluigi Zappacosta
Pierluigi Zappacosta is a Venture Partner with Noventi and Vice President of Business Development at Sierra Sciences....
, co-founder of Logitech
Logitech
Logitech International S.A. is a global provider of personal peripherals for computers and other digital platforms headquartered in Romanel-sur-Morges, Switzerland. The company develops and markets products like peripheral devices for PCs, including keyboards, mice, microphones, game controllers...
, was elected President and Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
.
In 2008, Andrews was promoted to President and CEO, and Zappacosta took the roles of Co-Chairman of the Board and Vice President, Business Development.
Discoveries
In 2001, Sierra Sciences discovered a repressor binding site (dubbed "Site C") that blocks the expression of telomerase reverse transcriptaseTelomerase reverse transcriptase
Telomerase reverse transcriptase is a catalytic subunit of the enzyme telomerase. Its absence is associated with the disorder Cri du chat....
("TERT"). For this discovery, Sierra Sciences was issued U.S. patent #6,686,159 in 2004. Sierra Sciences discovered another repressor bind site, "GC-Box 5," in 2004, for which it was issued patent #7,279,328 in 2007.
Sierra Sciences discovered methods of assay
Assay
An assay is a procedure in molecular biology for testing or measuring the activity of a drug or biochemical in an organism or organic sample. A quantitative assay may also measure the amount of a substance in a sample. Bioassays and immunoassays are among the many varieties of specialized...
ing TERT promoter modulatory agents, allowing the company to efficiently check a variety of compounds to see if they inhibit repression of hTERT, in 2005. For this discovery, it was issued U.S. patent #7,226,744 in 2007.
In 2007, Sierra Sciences discovered a small-molecule, drug-like compound that turns on the expression of telomerase in human cells. The compound is internally known as "C0057684."
In 2008, using C0057684 as a positive control, Sierra Sciences developed a real-time PCR
Real-time polymerase chain reaction
In molecular biology, real-time polymerase chain reaction, also called quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction or kinetic polymerase chain reaction , is a laboratory technique based on the PCR, which is used to amplify and simultaneously quantify a targeted DNA molecule...
based high-throughput screening
High-throughput screening
High-throughput screening is a method for scientific experimentation especially used in drug discovery and relevant to the fields of biology and chemistry. Using robotics, data processing and control software, liquid handling devices, and sensitive detectors, High-Throughput Screening allows a...
assay to more efficiently screen for compounds that transiently induce the expression of endogenous telomerase in human cells. Sierra Sciences has already identified more than fifty such drugs and is characterizing their mechanism of action
Mechanism of action
In pharmacology, the term mechanism of action refers to the specific biochemical interaction through which a drug substance produces its pharmacological effect...
.