Sunesis Pharmaceuticals to Present Clinical Data at the 2006 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 31  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:SNSS) today announced that the company will present data from its Phase I clinical studies of SNS-595 during the upcoming 2006 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) being held in Atlanta, Georgia June 2-6, 2006.

The presentation of a poster, "SNS-595 demonstrates clinical activity and dose-proportional pharmacokinetics (PK) in two phase I clinical studies" (Abstract #3062), will take place on Sunday, June 4, 2006 from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. during the Developmental Therapeutics: Molecular Therapeutics session.

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.  SNS-595 is a promising first-in-class cancer therapeutic that selectively targets and kills proliferating cells during the DNA replication phase of the cell cycle. Currently in Phase II clinical development, SNS-595 works through the DNA-protein kinase and p73 dependent pathways to induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death.  SNS-032 is in a Phase I/II clinical study to examine the safety and preliminary anti-tumor activity among patients with a variety of solid tumors, including 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., [phone]; or media, Karen L. Bergman, or Michelle Corral, both of

BCC Partners, [phone], or [phone], for Sunesis

Pharmaceuticals, Inc.



Web site:  http://www.sunesis.com/

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