SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Dec. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the company will present data from clinical and preclinical studies of SNS-595 in advanced leukemias at the upcoming American Society for Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting being held December 9-12, 2006 in Orlando, FL. SNS-595 is a first-in-class cell-cycle modulator that is believed to act by targeting proliferating cancer cells and inducing apoptosis, or programmed cell death, during the S phase of the cell cycle.
Sunesis is conducting a Phase 1 clinical trial to examine the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of SNS-595 among patients with refractory acute leukemia (primarily AML). Preliminary results from the Phase 1 clinical trial and from preclinical studies of SNS-595 will be presented in two poster sessions on Sunday, December 10, 2006 starting at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time in Hall E1 of the West Building at the Orange County Convention Center.
Session: Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Novel Therapies * A Phase 1 Dose-Escalation Study of the Novel Cell Cycle Active Agent SNS-595 in Advanced Leukemias
Session: Leukemias: Biology, Cytogenetics, and Molecular Markers in Diagnosis and Prognosis: AML
* SNS-595 a Novel S Phase Active Cytotoxic Acts Synergistically with Cytarabine To Reduce Bone Marrow Cellularity and Circulating Neutrophils 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 2 and Phase 1 clinical trials in lung cancer and acute myeloid leukemia for its lead compound, SNS-595. A second compound, SNS-032, is in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial to examine the safety and preliminary anti-tumor activity among patients with lung cancer, breast cancer or melanoma. Sunesis is also conducting GLP toxicology studies of a third drug candidate, an Aurora kinase inhibitor known as 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. For additional information on Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, please visit http://www.sunesis.com .
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 .
Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.CONTACT: investors, Eric Bjerkholt, CFO of Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,+1-650-266-3717; or media, Karen L. Bergman or Michelle Corral, both of BCCPartners, +1-650-575-1509, or +1-415-794-8662, for Sunesis Pharmaceuticals,Inc.
Web site: http://www.sunesis.com/
