Sunesis and Royalty Pharma Announce $25M Vosaroxin Royalty Agreement

Sunesis Pharmaceuticals SNSS and Royalty Pharma today announced that Royalty Pharma has agreed to pay Sunesis $25 million, under certain circumstances related to the successful development of Sunesis' lead product candidate vosaroxin, to acquire a royalty on future worldwide net sales of vosaroxin. Under terms of the agreement, Royalty Pharma will invest $25 million immediately following VALOR's interim analysis if: (a) the study stops early for efficacy, in exchange for a 3.6% participation payment on future net sales; or (b) the one-time sample size increase is being implemented, in exchange for a 6.75% participation payment on future net sales as well as two warrants. In the case when VALOR proceeds to its planned 450 patient enrollment, Royalty Pharma has the option to make a $25 million investment upon the unblinding of the study in exchange for a 3.6% participation payment on future net sales. The warrants issued to Royalty Pharma are exercisable if VALOR's sample size is increased and are each to purchase 1,000,000 shares of Sunesis common stock at an exercise price of $3.48 and $4.64 per share, respectively. Sunesis currently holds all worldwide commercial rights to its vosaroxin product.