Sunesis Pharmaceuticals to Present Data on Clinical-Stage Product Candidates at the Annual Meeting of the American Association

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., [phone]; or media, Karen L. Bergman, [phone], or

Michelle Corral, [phone], both of BCC Partners for Sunesis

Pharmaceuticals, Inc.



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

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