Healthcare Industry News: Sunesis Pharmaceuticals
News Release - January 4, 2006
Sunesis Pharmaceuticals Initiates Phase II Clinical Trial of SNS-595 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Jan. 4 (HSMN NewsFeed) -- Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNSS ) today announced that patient treatment has commenced in a Phase II clinical trial of SNS-595, the company's lead anti-cancer therapeutic, in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. The trial is an open-label, multi-center study designed to examine the safety and efficacy of SNS-595 as a second-line agent in patients with non-small cell lung cancer who have failed first-line platinum-based therapy. SNS-595 is a first-in-class cell-cycle modulator that kills proliferating cancer cells by inducing apoptosis, or programmed cell death, as cells progress through the S phase of the cell cycle.Patients with non-small cell lung cancer who have failed first-line treatment will be enrolled at multiple centers in the United States. Eligible patients will receive SNS-595 every three weeks at the maximum tolerated dose for heavily pre-treated patients identified in Phase I.
The start of this trial triggered a $0.5 million milestone payment to Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd., in accordance with the terms of the 2003 license agreement between Sunesis and Dainippon.
About SNS-595
SNS-595 is a first-in-class cytotoxic with a novel mechanism of action. SNS-595 acts during the S phase of the cell cycle to induce rapid apoptosis of cells that are actively synthesizing DNA. In clinical trials conducted to date, SNS-595 has been well tolerated and has shown promising signs of clinical activity. In addition, SNS-595 has exhibited broad activity in xenograft studies and drug-resistant tumor models.
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.
Source: Sunesis Pharmaceuticals
Issuer of this News Release is solely responsible for its
content.
Please address inquiries directly to the issuing company.
