Sunesis to Present at Cowen and Company 31st Annual Health Care Conference

Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNSSD), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of new oncology therapeutics for the treatment of solid and hematologic cancers, today announced that Senior Vice President of Corporate Development & Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Eric Bjerkholt, will be presenting at the Cowen and Company 31st Annual Health Care Conference on Tuesday, March 8th at 10:15 AM Eastern Time, at the Boston Marriott Copley Place in Boston, Massachusetts.

A live webcast of the presentation will be available on the Sunesis website at http://ir.sunesis.com. A replay of the webcast will be archived on the "Calendar of Events" page in the Investors and Media section of the Sunesis website for two weeks.

About Sunesis Pharmaceuticals

Sunesis is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of new oncology therapeutics for the treatment of solid and hematologic cancers. Sunesis has built a highly experienced cancer drug development organization committed to advancing its lead product candidate, voreloxin, to improve the lives of people with cancer. For additional information on Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, please visit http://www.sunesis.com.

The Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=8773

SUNESIS and the logo are trademarks of Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

CONTACT: Investor and Media Inquiries:
         
         Andrea Rabney
         Argot Partners
         212-600-1902
         
         Eric Bjerkholt
         Sunesis Pharmaceuticals Inc.
         650-266-3717