Sunesis builds drugs in miniature first before it builds them in full scale. The biotech firm's method involves building small drug fragments and then examining their protein-binding ability and potential for development. Once a fragment shows potential, Sunesis then builds a larger therapeutic compound based upon its model. Its drug candidates target various forms of cancer. Its lead candidate SNS-595 is in clinical trials to evaluate its effect on ovarian cancer and acute myeloid leukemia. Its other candidates include SNS-314, which is being studied for its effect on solid tumors, and SNS-032, licensed from Bristol-Myers Squibb, which is being tested in patients with lymphocytic leukemia and multiple myeloma.