 From 1999 to 2005, Sierra Sciences' focus was to identify the telomerase repressor protein, in the hopes that a drug could be specifically designed to bind to it.During this time frame, Geron Corporation discovered TA-65, a small-molecule telomerase activator derived from Astragalus membranaceus.Sierra Sciences tested its efficacy, and shortly thereafter, Andrews became the first paying customer to take the supplement.