# Sunesis Pharmaceuticals

Sunesis Pharmaceuticals is a Business Intelligence / IT Consulting / Pharmaceutical Regulatory Consulting based in South San Francisco, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Business Intelligence / IT Consulting / Pharmaceutical Regulatory Consulting
- **Headquarters:** South San Francisco, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** South San Francisco, CA, United States
- **Founded:** 1995
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** sunesispharma.com
- **LinkedIn:** https://ke.linkedin.com/company/sunesis-consulting-limited

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Sunesis Pharmaceuticals is a San Francisco-based company founded in 1998. It focuses on the research and development of oncology therapeutics for solid and hematologic cancers. The company has secured $113.2 million in total funding.

## Sectors

- Biotech
- Pharmaceuticals
- Oncology

## Offices

- New York, NY
- Menlo Park, CA
- Farmington, CT
- San Jose, CA
- Palo Alto, CA
- Alexandria, VA
- Jackson, WY
- Zurich, Switzerland
- San Rafael, CA
- Santa Clara, CA

## People

- Daniel Swisher — President and CEO

## Questions

### What was Sunesis Pharmaceuticals' lead drug candidate?

Sunesis' lead drug candidate was vosaroxin, a small-molecule quinolone derivative that inhibits topoisomerase II, designed to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The drug reached Phase III clinical trials (the VALOR study) but did not meet its primary endpoint. (per Sunesis SEC filings)

### Did Sunesis Pharmaceuticals have any approved drugs?

No. Sunesis never received FDA approval for any of its drug candidates. Vosaroxin was the most advanced compound, but Phase III results were negative in 2016. (per FDA database)

### Who acquired Sunesis Pharmaceuticals?

Viracta Therapeutics, a clinical-stage oncology company, acquired Sunesis Pharmaceuticals in an all-stock transaction that closed in August 2022. The combined entity retained the Viracta name. (per Viracta Therapeutics press release, August 2022)

### How was Sunesis Pharmaceuticals financed?

Sunesis was a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: SNSS) that raised capital through public stock offerings, strategic partnerships with larger pharma firms, and government grants. It reported accumulated deficits typical of a development-stage biotech. (per SEC filings, public record)

### What therapeutic areas did Sunesis Pharmaceuticals focus on?

Sunesis focused exclusively on oncology, specifically small-molecule inhibitors for hematologic cancers and solid tumors. Programs included kinase inhibitors and topoisomerase inhibitors. (per company pipeline disclosures)

## Related profiles

- [Wayra U.K.](https://altss.com/profile/wayra-uk)
- [Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project Program](https://altss.com/profile/qualifying-therapeutic-discovery-project-program)

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

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