Partnership Opportunities
SNS-595
Sunesis Pharmaceuticals is currently seeking a co-development partner to accelerate timelines and to expand indications for SNS-595, which is currently in clinical studies for the treatment of advanced hematologic malignancies and ovarian cancer.
In April 2004, Sunesis filed its first Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for SNS-595. This clinical candidate, Sunesis' first drug to enter Phase 1 testing, is a member of a class of chemical compounds known as the naphthyridines, which have not previously been used in cancer therapy. Researchers have demonstrated that SNS-595 has broad anti-tumor activity in multiple preclinical in vitro and in vivo models, including cisplatin-resistant and MDR-overexpressing tumor xenograft models.
We have conducted two Phase 1 studies of SNS-595 in patients with advanced solid tumors. The results of the first of these studies were presented at the AACR/EORTC/NCI meeting in November 2005. A copy of the poster can be found here. Studies are ongoing with Phase 1 single agent and combination studies in AML, and a Phase 2 study in advanced ovarian cancer. Clinical responses have been seen in both AML and ovarian cancers, as well as non-small cell and small cell lung cancers.
We are interested in discussing an ex-U.S. development and commercialization or co-development/co-commercialization arrangement for SNS-595.
Aurora Kinase Inhibitor
Sunesis Pharmaceuticals is selectively seeking partnering opportunities for its novel Aurora kinase inhibitor targeted for the treatment of cancer.
Sunesis has discovered a class of highly active Aurora kinase inhibitors and we have selected a development candidate, SNS-314, from this series. We believe these compounds have many characteristics that make them strong competitors in this promising target arena, including efficacy in animal models that appear to be superior to known competitors.
In addition to SNS-314, we are also working on backup compounds within the same target class and exploring second-generation compounds with distinct chemotypes, including an Aurora A selective compound.
The SNS-314 IND was submitted in February 2007 and a Phase 1 clinical study has been initiated.
