SNSS Sunesis Pharmaceuticals Inc

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., March 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:SNSS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel small molecule therapeutics, today reported financial results for the quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. Total revenues for the fourth quarter were $4.5 million, with a net loss of $5.3 million. Total revenues for 2005 were $16.5 million, with a net loss of $27.5 million. As of December 31, 2005, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $48.3 million and debt totaled $2.4 million. Fourth Quarter Highlights -- At the American Association for Cancer Research-National Cancer Institute-European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer conference, Sunesis presented the results of its first Phase I clinical trial for SNS-595, a novel S-phase active cancer therapeutic that induces rapid apoptosis. SNS-595 achieved a maximum tolerated dose of 48 mg/m2 and demonstrated promising signals of clinical activity with 13 of 41 patients experiencing sustained disease control lasting more than 12 weeks. -- In November, Sunesis commenced enrollment of a Phase I dose-escalation trial for SNS-595 in patients with refractory acute leukemia. The goal of this clinical trial is to establish an optimal dosing regimen for use in Phase II/III testing in patients with relapsed or refractory acute myelocytic leukemia (AML). -- In December, Sunesis commenced enrollment of a Phase II clinical trial with SNS-595 for the second-line treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer. -- Sunesis earned a discovery milestone in December for progress made in its Raf kinase collaboration with Biogen Idec. Recent Highlights -- In January, Sunesis initiated a Phase I/II clinical study in patients with advanced solid tumor malignancies of its second cancer therapeutic, SNS-032, a novel inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases 2, 7 and 9. -- In March, Sunesis initiated a Phase II clinical trial with SNS-595 for the second-line treatment of patients with small cell lung cancer. -- Earlier this month, Sunesis closed a private placement of common stock and warrants with net proceeds to Sunesis of approximately $43.7 million. With this financing, Sunesis had over $90 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities on a pro-forma basis, as of December 31, 2005. -- Today, Sunesis announces the attainment of a $500,000 milestone payment from Biogen Idec for the discovery of novel inhibitors of an undisclosed oncology kinase target. Financial Highlights -- Revenue from research collaborations totaled $4.5 million and $16.4 million for the three-month and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2005, respectively, compared to $3.8 million and $10.1 million for the three-month and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2004, respectively. This increase in collaboration revenue was primarily due to the full year of research funding from the multi-kinase collaboration with Biogen Idec signed in August 2004 and the deferred revenue that was recognized in connection with the termination of the research phase of the BACE collaboration with Merck & Co. -- Research and development (R&D) expense was $7.9 million and $36.2 million for the three-month and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2005, respectively. R&D expense for the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2004, was $6.1 million and $23.6 million, respectively. The year-over-year increase of $12.6 million in R&D expenses was primarily due to: (i) a $9.7 million expense related to the in-licensing of SNS-032 and related intellectual property from Bristol-Myers Squibb in April 2005, of which $8.0 million represents a non-cash licensing fee; (ii) a $3.4 million increase in expense related to the development of SNS-314, our Aurora kinase inhibitor; (iii) a $2.6 million increase in expense related to the development of SNS-595; and (iv) a partial off-set of $4.0 million related to a reduction in expense for other programs. -- General and administrative (G&A) expense for the fourth quarter of 2005 was $2.2 million, compared to $1.9 million for the prior year. For the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2005, G&A expense was $8.3 million, compared to $7.4 million for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2004. The increase in G&A expense was primarily due to an increase in non-cash stock compensation expense and costs related to being a publicly traded company. -- Sunesis reported a net loss of $5.3 million for the fourth quarter and $27.5 million for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2005, compared to a reported loss of $4.0 million and $20.5 million, respectively, for the three-month and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2004. The net loss applicable to common stockholders was $115.6 million for 2005, including an $88.1 million non-cash deemed dividend related to the conversion of preferred stock into common stock in conjunction with the initial public offering (IPO) in September 2005. This non-cash deemed dividend results from the redistribution of pre-IPO ownership which occurred in conjunction with the IPO. Other Business Sunesis announced today that it has named Don Young, Senior Director of Biometrics. The Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors approved an employment commencement grant of a non-qualified stock option to purchase 20,000 shares of Sunesis common stock, effective March 31, 2006. This option award was granted without shareholder approval pursuant to Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4350 (i)(1)(A)(iv) and with the following material terms: (a) an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the grant date, (b) a term of 10 years, and (c) a vesting schedule providing that the option is exercisable as to 1/4 of the total grant on the first anniversary of Mr. Young's hire, and 1/48th of the total grant each month thereafter until each grant is fully vested. Conference Call Information Sunesis' management will host a conference call to review the results of the quarter and the fiscal year on Friday, March 24 at 10:30 am EST. Individual and institutional investors can access the call via 800-310-6649 (domestic) or 719-457-2693 (international). To access the live audio broadcast or the subsequent archived recording, visit the "Investors and Media - Calendar of Events" section of the Sunesis website at http://www.sunesis.com/ . Please log on to Sunesis' website several minutes prior to the start of the presentation to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be necessary. About Sunesis Pharmaceuticals Sunesis is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel small molecule therapeutics for oncology and other serious diseases. Sunesis has built a broad product candidate portfolio through internal discovery and in-licensing of novel cancer therapeutics. Sunesis is advancing its product candidates through in-house research and development efforts and strategic collaborations with leading pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies. For additional information on Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, please visit http://www.sunesis.com/ . Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Sunesis may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations contained in such forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations contained in such forward-looking statements. Sunesis does not assume any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Statements of Operations (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) Three months ended Year ended December 31, December 31, 2005 2004 2005 2004 (unaudited) (unaudited) Revenue: Collaboration revenue $2,366 $1,635 $7,395 $5,938 Collaboration revenue from related party 2,138 2,209 9,018 4,201 Grant and fellowship revenue 19 31 109 166 Total revenues 4,523 3,875 16,522 10,305 Operating expenses: Research and development 7,902 6,111 36,166 23,616 General and administrative 2,227 1,875 8,283 7,352 Total operating expenses 10,129 7,986 44,449 30,968 Loss from operations (5,606) (4,111) (27,927) (20,663) Interest income 518 202 1,092 518 Interest expense (228) (87) (674) (387) Other income (expense), net 2 1 10 2 Net loss (5,314) (3,995) (27,499) (20,530) Convertible preferred stock deemed dividends -- -- (88,092) -- Net loss applicable to common stockholders $(5,314) $(3,995) $(115,591) $(20,530) Basic and diluted net loss per share applicable to common stockholders $(0.25) $(2.94) $(17.41) $(15.77) Shares used in computing basic and diluted loss per share applicable to common stockholders 21,493,392 1,358,378 6,637,935 1,302,096 Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Condensed Balance Sheets (in thousands) December 31, 2005 2004 Assets (Unaudited) Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $17,704 $7,587 Marketable securities 30,629 29,224 Note and interest receivable from officers and employees -- 164 Prepaids and other current assets 2,068 1,676 Total current assets 50,401 38,651 Note and interest receivable from officers and employees -- 85 Property and equipment, net 4,007 3,990 Deposits and other assets 300 300 Total assets $54,708 $43,026 Liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit) Current liabilities: Accounts payable $2,045 $1,663 Accrued compensation 2,068 1,599 Other accrued liabilities 1,278 359 Current portion of deferred revenue 3,787 6,032 Current portion of equipment financing 1,067 1,291 Total current liabilities 10,245 10,944 Deferred revenue 3,320 7,678 Borrowings under debt facility with related party -- 3,200 Non current portion of equipment financing 1,306 1,238 Deferred rent and other non-current liabilities 1,371 1,196 Commitments Convertible preferred stock -- 108,813 Stockholders' equity (deficit): Common Stock 2 1 Additional paid-in capital 249,690 6,494 Notes receivable from stockholders -- (135) Deferred stock compensation (2,163) (2,916) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (55) (70) Accumulated deficit (209,008) (93,417) Total stockholders' equity (deficit) 38,466 (90,043) Total liabilities, convertible preferred stock and stockholders' equity (deficit) $54,708 $43,026 DATASOURCE: Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. CONTACT: investors, Eric Bjerkholt, CFO of Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; or media, Karen L. Bergman or Michelle Corral, +1-650-575-1509, or +1-415-794-8662, both of BCC Partners, for Sunesis Web site: http://www.sunesis.com/

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