Recent Partnered Programs
Through its past collaborations, Sunesis has applied its discovery platform to targets of major interest both within oncology and in other therapeutic areas.
SARcode LFA-1 Out-License
In January 2007, Sunesis announced the license of the company's LFA-1 inhibitor program to SARcode Corporation, a privately held biopharmaceutical company. SARcode intends to use the license to develop small molecule drugs to treat inflammatory diseases. In September 2008 SARcode initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial of a small molecule LFA-1 product candidate, SAR1118, for T-cell mediated ophthalmic diseases. In March 2009, Sunesis sold to SARcode all of its interest in patents and know-how related to the LFA-1 inhibitors program for a total cash consideration of $2 million. Sunesis continues to hold a series of secured convertible notes issued by SARcode having a total principal value of $1 million.
Biogen Idec Kinase Collaboration
In August 2004, Sunesis entered into a collaboration agreement with Biogen Idec Inc. to discover, develop, and commercialize small molecule inhibitors of Raf kinase and up to five additional oncology kinase targets. The primary focus of the program is to discover small molecule inhibitors of kinases that play a role in oncology indications or in the regulation of the human immune system. The research portion of this collaboration ended in 2008.
