Sunesis
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNSS) reported data from nonclinical
studies of SNS-032 in multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. Data from
studies conducted in collaboration with the Multiple Myeloma Research
Consortium (MMRC) and with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer
Center were presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for
Cancer Research (AACR) in San Diego, CA. SNS-032, a potent and selective
inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) 2, 7 and 9, is currently in a
Phase 1 clinical trial in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
or multiple myeloma.
“Our collaborations with leading oncology thought leaders, such as Dr.
Trudel and the MMRC Validation Team and Dr. Plunkett of MD Anderson Cancer
Center, provide us with important new insights into SNS-032’s activity in
hematologic cancers,” said Daniel C. Adelman, M.D., Senior Vice President,
Development and Chief Medical Officer of Sunesis. “Results presented today
from studies in primary and human cell lines demonstrate SNS-032’s
potential both alone and in combination with other agents in multiple
myeloma and other B cell malignancies and further support our ongoing Phase
1 clinical trial.”
An oral presentation by Suzanne Trudel, MSc, M.D., Assistant Professor,
Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network in Toronto, Canada,
focused on results from studies by the MMRC Validation Team, in
collaboration with Sunesis scientists, of SNS-032 in human myeloma cell
lines and primary multiple myeloma cells. SNS-032 demonstrated broad,
mechanism-based activity in the human myeloma cell lines and preferentially
induced apoptosis in primary multiple myeloma cells versus peripheral blood
mononuclear cells. In a series of studies examining SNS-032’s mechanism of
action and activity in human myeloma cell lines, SNS-032 inhibited
proliferation and induced apoptosis, down-regulating key anti-apoptotic
proteins and resulting in G1 arrest. In addition, SNS-032 was active in
combination with two approved agents for multiple myeloma, bortezomib
(Velcade(R)) and lenalidomide (Revlimid(R)), in human myeloma cell lines.
SNS-032 also demonstrated anticancer activity in vivo in a transgenic mouse
model of multiple myeloma. These data (Abstract #4972) were presented
during a minisymposium on Novel Genomic Approaches, Drugs, Targets, and
Strategies in a talk titled “SNS-032, a potent and selective CDK2, 7 and 9
inhibitor, demonstrates preclinical activity in human multiple myeloma.”
In addition, on Sunday, April 13, 2008 at the AACR Annual Meeting,
William Plunkett, Ph.D., Professor and Chief, Section of Molecular and
Cellular Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center,
presented translational research data detailing the relationship between
SNS-032’s mechanism and its activity in mantle cell lymphoma. Mantle cell
lymphoma is an aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma driven by the
over-expression of certain oncoproteins, including cyclin D1, Mcl-1 and
Myc. SNS-032’s targeted inhibition of CDKs 7 and 9 blocks transcription of
these proteins, resulting in cell death in a panel of mantle cell lymphoma
cell lines. These data were presented at the AACR Annual Meeting in a
poster titled “SNS-032, a novel inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases 2, 7,
and 9, blocks transcription of cyclin D1 and Mcl-1, causing cell death in
mantle cell lymphoma cell lines” (Abstract #756).
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
sunesis.
SUNESIS and the logo are trademarks of Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Safe-Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements including
without limitation statements related to the potential activity and uses of
SNS-032, and the potential for SNS-032 to be tested in other indications.
Words such as “potential” and similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon
Sunesis’ current expectations. Forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties. Sunesis’ actual results and the timing of events could
differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements
as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without
limitation, the risk that Sunesis’ drug discovery and development
activities, including enrollment and reporting of results, could be halted
significantly or delayed for various reasons, the risk that Sunesis’
clinical trials for SNS-032 may not demonstrate safety or efficacy or lead
to regulatory approval, the risk that preliminary data and trends may not
be predictive of future data or results, the risk that Sunesis’ preclinical
studies and clinical trials may not satisfy the requirements of the FDA or
other regulatory agencies, risks related to the conduct of Sunesis’
clinical trials and manufacturing of SNS-032 and risks related to Sunesis’
need for additional funding. These and other risk factors are discussed
under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in Sunesis’ annual report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2007 and other filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. Sunesis expressly disclaims any obligation or
undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any
forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the
company’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events,
conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.
Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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