SNSS Sunesis Pharmaceuticals Inc

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., March 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:SNSS) today announced that the company will present five posters during the upcoming Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) being held in Washington D.C. April 1-5, 2006. Four of the posters being presented focus on preclinical and clinical data from Sunesis' study of SNS-595, a first-in-class therapeutic that acts selectively through DNA-PK signaling in the S phase of the cell cycle to kill proliferating cancer cells by inducing apoptosis, or programmed cell death. Data from the company's studies of SNS-032, a novel targeted inhibitor of certain cyclin-dependent kinases that are critical in the promotion of cellular growth and function, will also be presented. Monday, April 3, 2006 -- SNS-595 has synergistic activity in vitro with DNA-damaging agents and antimetabolites Abstract Number: 2132 -- SNS-595 causes selective double-strand breaks during S phase which are solely repaired through non-homologous end joining Abstract Number: 2074 -- SNS-032 is a potent and selective inhibitor of CDK 2, 7 and 9 and induces cell death by inhibiting cell cycle progression and the expression of antiapoptotic proteins Abstract Number: 2079 -- A phase 1 trial of weekly SNS-595 in patients (pts) with refractory cancer Abstract Number: 2913 Tuesday, April 4, 2006 -- SNS-595, a novel S-phase active cytotoxic, exhibits potent in vitro and in vivo activities, and has the potential for treating advanced hematologic malignancies Abstract Number: 4726 About Sunesis' Oncology Programs Sunesis has built a portfolio of preclinical- and development-stage product candidates in oncology focused on novel pathways and targets, including inhibition of the cell cycle and survival signaling. Sunesis is currently conducting Phase II and Phase I clinical trials in lung cancer and acute leukemia for its lead compound, SNS-595. SNS-595 is a novel napthyridine analog, a class of compounds not previously used for cancer treatment. SNS-595 acts selectively through DNA-PK signaling in the S-phase of the cell cycle to kill proliferating cancer cells by inducing apoptosis, or programmed cell death. SNS-032 is in a Phase I/II clinical studies to examine the safety and preliminary anti-tumor activity among patients with lung cancer, breast cancer or melanoma. SNS-032 is a potent and selective inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases 2, 7 and 9. Sunesis is currently conducting preclinical studies of its Aurora kinase inhibitor drug candidate, SNS-314. In addition, in cooperation with Biogen Idec, Sunesis is developing novel small molecule inhibitors of Raf kinase and other oncology kinases. 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. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain 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. For further information on Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, please visit http://www.sunesis.com/ . DATASOURCE: Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. CONTACT: investors, Eric Bjerkholt, CFO of Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-650-266-3717; or media, Karen L. Bergman, +1-650-575-1509, or Michelle Corral, +1-415-794-8662, both of BCC Partners for Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Web site: http://www.sunesis.com/

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