Viracta Therapeutics (VIRX) DEF 14ADefinitive proxy

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Filed by the Registrant  ☒

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  ☐

Check the appropriate box:

Viracta Therapeutics, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

Dear Stockholders:

We are pleased to invite you to attend the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Viracta Therapeutics, Inc., to be held on Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 10:00 a.m., Pacific Time as a virtual meeting. The Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, which we believe affords the same rights and opportunities to participate in the Annual Meeting to all stockholders irrespective of location. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting virtually by visiting https://www.proxydocs.com/VIRX where you will be able to listen to the meeting live, submit questions and vote online.

The attached formal meeting notice and proxy statement contain details of the business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting.

Your vote is important. Whether or not you attend the Annual Meeting, it is important that your shares be represented and voted at the Annual Meeting. Therefore, we urge you to vote and submit your proxy promptly via the Internet, telephone or mail.

On behalf of our Board of Directors, we would like to express our appreciation for your continued support of and interest in Viracta.

Sincerely,

Mark Rothera

President and Chief Executive Officer

Cardiff, California

VIRACTA THERAPEUTICS, INC.

2533 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Suite 210

Cardiff, California 92007

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

By order of the Board of Directors,

Mark Rothera

President and Chief Executive Officer

Cardiff, California

April 27, 2023

Explanatory Note

On November 29, 2020, the Company, then operating as Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., entered into an agreement and plan of merger and reorganization (the “Merger Agreement”) with privately-held Viracta Therapeutics, Inc. (“Private Viracta”) and Sol Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”). On February 24, 2021, Merger Sub merged into Private Viracta, with Private Viracta surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger”). Sunesis changed its name to Viracta Therapeutics, Inc. On February 25, 2021, the combined company’s common stock began trading on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “VIRX”.

Except as otherwise indicated, references herein to “Viracta,” the “Company,” or the “combined company”, refer to Viracta Therapeutics, Inc. on a post-Merger basis, and the term “Private Viracta” refers to the business of privately-held Viracta Therapeutics, Inc., prior to the completion of the Merger. References to “Sunesis” refer to Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. prior to completion of the Merger.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

VIRACTA THERAPEUTICS, INC.

PROXY STATEMENT

FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To be held at 10:00 a.m., Pacific Time, on Thursday, June 8, 2023

The information provided in the “question and answer” format below is for your convenience only and is merely a summary of the information contained in this proxy statement. You should read this entire proxy statement carefully before voting your shares.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE PROXY MATERIALS AND OUR ANNUAL MEETING

Why am I receiving these materials?

This proxy statement and the form of proxy are furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our board of directors for use at the 2023 Annual Meeting of stockholders of Viracta Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any postponements, adjournments or continuations thereof. The Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, June 8, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., Pacific Time. The Annual Meeting will be conducted virtually via live audio webcast. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting virtually by visiting https://www.proxydocs.com/VIRX, where you will be able to listen to the meeting live, submit questions and vote online during the meeting by entering the control number on your proxy card. If you have difficulty accessing the virtual meeting during the check-in or meeting time, a technical assistance phone number will be made available on the virtual meeting registration page 15 minutes prior to the start time of the meeting.

The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, or Notice of Internet Availability, containing instructions on how to access this proxy statement, the accompanying notice of annual meeting and form of proxy, and our annual report, is first being sent or given on or about April 27, 2023, to all stockholders of record as of April 19, 2023. The proxy materials and our annual report can be accessed as of April 27, 2023, by visiting

https://www.proxydocs.com/VIRX. If you receive a Notice of Internet Availability, then you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials or our annual report in the mail unless you specifically request these materials. Instructions for requesting a printed copy of the proxy materials and our annual report are set forth in the Notice of Internet Availability.

What proposals will be voted on at the Annual Meeting?

The following proposals will be voted on at the Annual Meeting:

As of the date of this proxy statement, our management and board of directors were not aware of any other matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting.

How does the board of directors recommend that I vote on these proposals?

Our board of directors recommends that you vote your shares:

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Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?

Holders of our common stock as of the close of business on April 19, 2023, the record date for the Annual Meeting, may vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the record date, there were 38,410,935 shares of our common stock outstanding. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on each matter properly brought before the Annual Meeting. Stockholders are not permitted to cumulate votes with respect to the election of directors.

Stockholders of Record. If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, then you are considered the stockholder of record with respect to those shares, and the Notice of Internet Availability sent directly to you by us. As a stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to the individuals listed on the proxy card or to vote on your own behalf at the Annual Meeting. Throughout this proxy statement, we refer to these holders as “stockholders of record.”

Street Name Stockholders. If your shares are held in a brokerage account or by a broker, bank or other nominee, then you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in street name, and the Notice of Internet Availability was forwarded to you by your broker, bank or other nominee, which is considered the stockholder of record with respect to those shares. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other nominee on how to vote the shares held in your account by following the instructions that your broker, bank or other nominee sent to you. Throughout this proxy statement, we refer to these holders as “street name stockholders.”

How many votes are needed for approval of each proposal?

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What is the quorum requirement for the Annual Meeting?

A quorum is the minimum number of shares required to be present or represented at the Annual Meeting for the meeting to be properly held under our amended and restated bylaws and Delaware law. The presence, in person (including virtually) or by proxy, of a majority of the voting power of our capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote will constitute a quorum to transact business at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions, choosing to withhold authority to vote and broker non-votes are counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum. If there is no quorum, the chairperson of the meeting may adjourn the meeting to another time or place.

How do I vote and what are the voting deadlines?

Stockholder of Record. If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote in one of the following ways:

Street Name Stockholders. If you are a street name stockholder, then you will receive voting instructions from your broker, bank or other nominee. The availability of Internet and telephone voting options will depend on the voting process of your broker, bank or other nominee. We therefore recommend that you follow the voting instructions in the materials you receive. If your voting instruction form or notice of internet availability of proxy materials indicates that you may vote your shares through the proxyvote.com website, then you may vote those shares at the Annual Meeting with the control number indicated on that voting instruction form or notice of internet availability of proxy materials. Otherwise, you may not vote your shares at the Annual Meeting unless you obtain a legal proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee.

What if I do not specify how my shares are to be voted or fail to provide timely directions to my broker, bank or other nominee?

Stockholder of Record. If you are a stockholder of record and you submit a proxy, but you do not provide voting instructions, your shares will be voted:

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In addition, if any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, the persons named as proxies will be authorized to vote or otherwise act on those matters in accordance with their judgment.

Street Name Stockholders. Brokers, banks and other nominees holding shares of common stock in street name for customers are generally required to vote such shares in the manner directed by their customers. In the absence of timely directions, your broker, bank or other nominee will have discretion to vote your shares on our sole routine matter: the proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. Your broker, bank or other nominee will not have discretion to vote on any other proposals, which are considered non-routine matters, absent direction from you. In the event that your broker, bank or other nominee votes your shares on our sole routine matter, but is not able to vote your shares on the non-routine matters, then those shares will be treated as broker non-votes with respect to the non-routine proposals. Accordingly, if you own shares through a nominee, such as a broker or bank, please be sure to instruct your nominee how to vote to ensure that your shares are counted on each of the proposals.

Can I change my vote or revoke my proxy?

Stockholder of Record. If you are a stockholder of record, you can change your vote or revoke your proxy before (or at) the Annual Meeting by:

Street Name Stockholders. If you are a street name stockholder, then your broker, bank or other nominee can provide you with instructions on how to change or revoke your proxy.

What do I need to do to attend the Annual Meeting?

We will be hosting the Annual Meeting via live audio webcast only.

Stockholder of Record. If you were a stockholder of record as of the record date, then you may attend the Annual Meeting virtually, and will be able to submit your questions during the meeting and vote your shares electronically during the meeting by visiting https://www.proxydocs.com/VIRX. To attend and participate in the Annual Meeting, you will need the control number included on your Notice of Internet Availability or proxy card. The Annual Meeting live audio webcast will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m., Pacific Time. We encourage you to access the meeting prior to the start time. Online check-in will begin fifteen minutes prior to the meeting, and you should allow ample time for the check-in procedures.

Street Name Stockholders. If you were a street name stockholder as of the record date and your voting instruction form or notice of internet availability of proxy materials indicates that you may vote your shares through the proxyvote.com website, then you may access and participate in the Annual Meeting with the control number indicated on that voting instruction form or notice of internet availability of proxy materials. Otherwise, street name stockholders should contact their bank, broker or other nominee and obtain a legal proxy in order to be able to attend and participate in the Annual Meeting.

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How can I get help if I have trouble checking in or listening to the Annual Meeting online?

If you encounter difficulties accessing the virtual meeting during the check-in or meeting time, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the virtual meeting log-in page.

What is the effect of giving a proxy?

Proxies are solicited by and on behalf of our board of directors. Mark Rothera, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Daniel Chevallard, our Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have been designated as proxy holders for the Annual Meeting by our board of directors. When proxies are properly dated, executed and returned, the shares represented by such proxies will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions of the stockholder. If the proxy is dated and signed, but no specific instructions are given, however, the shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of our board of directors on the proposals as described above. If any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, then the proxy holders will use their own judgment to determine how to vote your shares. If the Annual Meeting is postponed or adjourned, then the proxy holders can vote your shares on the new meeting date, unless you have properly revoked your proxy, as described above.

How can I contact Viracta’s transfer agent?

You may contact our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, by telephone at (800) 937-5449, or by writing American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, at 6201 15^th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219. You may also access instructions with respect to certain stockholder matters (e.g., change of address) via the Internet at https://www.astfinancial.com/.

How are proxies solicited for the Annual Meeting and who is paying for such solicitation?

Our board of directors is soliciting proxies for use at the Annual Meeting by means of the proxy materials. We will bear the entire cost of proxy solicitation, including the preparation, assembly, printing, mailing and distribution of the proxy materials. Copies of solicitation materials will also be made available upon request to brokers, banks and other nominees to forward to the beneficial owners of the shares held of record by such brokers, banks or other nominees. The original solicitation of proxies may be supplemented by solicitation by telephone, electronic communications or other means by our directors, officers or employees. No additional compensation will be paid to these individuals for any such services, although we may reimburse such individuals for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with such solicitation.

Where can I find the voting results of the Annual Meeting?

We will disclose voting results on a Current Report on Form 8-K that we will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, within four business days after the meeting. If final voting results are not available to us in time to file a Form 8-K, we will file a Form 8-K to publish preliminary results and will provide the final results in an amendment to the Form 8-K as soon as they become available.

Why did I receive a Notice of Internet Availability instead of a full set of proxy materials?

In accordance with the rules of the SEC we have elected to furnish our proxy materials, including this proxy statement and our annual report, primarily via the Internet. As a result, we are mailing to our stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability instead of a paper copy of the proxy materials. The Notice of Internet Availability contains instructions on how to access our proxy materials on the Internet, how to vote on the proposals, how to request printed copies of the proxy materials and our annual report, and how to request to receive all future proxy materials in printed form by mail or electronically by e-mail. We encourage stockholders to take advantage of the availability of the proxy materials on the Internet to help reduce our costs and the environmental impact of our annual meetings.

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What does it mean if I receive more than one Notice of Internet Availability or more than set of printed proxy materials?

If you receive more than one Notice of Internet Availability or more than one set of printed proxy materials, then your shares may be registered in more than one name and/or are registered in different accounts. Please follow the voting instructions on each Notice of Internet Availability or each set of printed proxy materials, as applicable, to ensure that all of your shares are voted.

I share an address with another stockholder, and we received only one paper copy of the Notice of Internet Availability or proxy statement and annual report. How may I obtain an additional copy of the Notice of Internet Availability or proxy statement and annual report?

We have adopted a procedure approved by the SEC called “householding,” under which we can deliver a single copy of the Notice of Internet Availability and, if applicable, the proxy statement and annual report, to multiple stockholders who share the same address unless we receive contrary instructions from one or more stockholders. This procedure reduces our printing and mailing costs. Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to be able to access and receive separate proxy cards. Upon written or oral request, we will deliver promptly a separate copy of the Notice of Internet Availability and, if applicable, the proxy statement and annual report, to any stockholder at a shared address to which we delivered a single copy of these documents. To receive a separate copy, or, if you are receiving multiple copies, to request that we only send a single copy of next year’s Notice of Internet Availability or proxy statement and annual report, as applicable, you may contact us as follows:

Viracta Therapeutics, Inc.

Attention: Investor Relations

2533 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Suite 210

Cardiff, California 92007

Tel: (858) 400-8470

Street name stockholders may contact their broker, bank or other nominee to request information about householding.

What is the deadline to propose actions for consideration at next year’s annual meeting of stockholders or to nominate individuals to serve as directors?

If a stockholder would like us to consider including a proposal in our proxy statement for our 2024 annual meeting pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, then the proposal must be received by our corporate secretary at our principal executive offices on or before December 28, 2023. In addition, stockholder proposals must comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 and Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act regarding the inclusion of stockholder proposals in company-sponsored proxy materials. Proposals should be addressed to:

Viracta Therapeutics, Inc.

Attention: Corporate Secretary

2533 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Suite 210

Cardiff, California 92007

Our amended and restated bylaws also establish an advance notice procedure for stockholders who wish to present a proposal or nominate a director at an annual meeting, but do not seek to include the proposal or director nominee in our proxy statement. In order to be properly brought before our 2024 annual meeting, the stockholder must provide timely written notice to our corporate secretary, at our principal executive offices, and any such proposal or nomination must constitute a proper matter for stockholder action. The written notice must contain the information specified in our amended and restated bylaws. To be timely, a stockholder’s written notice must be received by our corporate secretary at our principal executive offices no later than December 28, 2023.

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In the event that we hold our 2024 annual meeting more or less than 30 days after the one-year anniversary of this year’s Annual Meeting, then such written notice must be received by our corporate secretary at our principal executive offices:

If a stockholder who has notified us of his, her or its intention to present a proposal at an annual meeting of stockholders does not appear to present his, her or its proposal at such annual meeting, then we are not required to present the proposal for a vote at such annual meeting.

Availability of Bylaws

A copy of our amended and restated bylaws may be obtained by accessing our filings on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may also contact our corporate secretary at our principal executive offices for a copy of the relevant bylaw provisions regarding the requirements for making stockholder proposals and nominating director candidates.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Composition of the Board

Our board of directors currently consists of eleven (11) directors, nine (9) of whom are independent under the listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, or Nasdaq. Our board of directors is divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms. Thus, at each annual meeting of stockholders, a class of directors will be elected for a three-year term to succeed the class whose term is then expiring.

Dr. Onetto will not be standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting, and we plan to reduce our board of directors to ten (10) as of the Annual Meeting. Dr. Onetto will continue to serve as a member of the board of directors until the Annual Meeting.

The following table sets forth the names, ages as of April 19, 2023, and certain other information for each of our directors and director nominees:

Nominees for Director

Thomas E. Darcy, CPA, Director

Mr. Darcy has served as a member of the board of directors since February 2021. Mr. Darcy previously was a co-founder and director of Tocagen Inc. from August 2007 until June 2020. Mr. Darcy also served as Tocagen Inc.’s Chief Financial Officer from August 2007 to February 2017 and as Tocagen’s Executive Vice President from August 2007 to May 2017. Prior to Tocagen, Mr. Darcy served for over five years as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Science Applications International Corporation (“SAIC”), a Fortune 500 science and technology company. Mr. Darcy also served as a director and chairman of the audit committee of McAfee, Inc., a publicly-held technology company, for over three years until its sale to Intel Corporation in February 2011 and as a director and audit committee member of Forte Biosciences, Inc., a publicly-held biotech company, from June 2020 through May 2021. Mr. Darcy currently also serves as a director and chairman of the

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audit committee of Lytx, Inc., a privately-held technology company. Prior to SAIC, he was an audit Partner in the accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, where he served as the Managing Partner of both the West and Southwest Region Audit and Business Advisory Service Technology practices, as well as the Managing Partner of the San Diego office. Mr. Darcy is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) in the state of California and graduated from San Diego State University with a B.S. in Accounting.

We believe Mr. Darcy is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his life sciences public company experience and his financial and accounting background and expertise.

Jane F. Barlow, M.D., MPH, MBA, Director

Dr. Barlow has served as a member of the board of directors since August 2021. Dr. Barlow is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Jane Barlow & Associates, LLC and a Board Director for ContraFect Corporation and Sera Prognostics. She is Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at Real Endpoints, a market access consultancy, Senior Advisor to MIT’s Center for Biomedical Innovation and serves on the biotech advisory board of Pictet Asset Management and the advisory board of Refractor Health. Prior to her current roles, she was Associate Chief Medical Officer at CVS Health and Chief Medical Officer of CVS Health Government Services where she successfully implemented industry-leading clinical strategies supporting drug purchasing, distribution, and utilization management. Formerly, she served as Vice President of Clinical Innovation at Medco Health Solutions, leading the adoption of cutting-edge therapeutic programs through all aspects of pharmacy. Dr. Barlow has extensive experience in steering pharmaceutical development and commercialization by strategically weighing the value and economic impact that drug candidates bring to the healthcare ecosystem at large. Dr. Barlow previously served on the boards of Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (prior to and during its sale to Johnson and Johnson), TherapeuticsMD Inc., and SilverScript Insurance Company. Dr. Barlow received her medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine and subsequently completed her residency in occupational and environmental medicine at The Johns Hopkins University, where she also earned her MPH. She is a distinguished graduate of the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine and served as Chief of Flight Medicine at the Beale and Maxwell Air Force Bases. Additionally, she holds an MBA from the University of Alabama. She is board-certified in occupational medicine and a fellow of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and the American College of Preventive Medicine. She is a diplomat of the American College of Physician Executives and a member of the American Medical Association.

We believe that Dr. Barlow is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of her extensive medical and scientific knowledge and experience, as well as her senior management experience in the healthcare industry.

Barry J. Simon, M.D., Director

Dr. Simon has served as a member of the board of directors since March 2021, and previously served on the Private Viracta board of directors from July 2017 until November 2020. Dr. Simon has served as a director since June 2008 and as the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of ImmunityBio, Inc. (NASDAQ:IBRX), a biopharmaceutical company, since March 2021. Prior to that, Dr. Simon served as Immunity Bio’s President and Chief Administrative Officer from January 2017 to March 2021 and served as President and Chief Operating Officer from March 2015 to December 2016. From 2007 to March 2015, Dr. Simon served as NantKwest Inc.’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Simon has also served as the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Brink Biologics, Inc., a bioanalytics, reagents and testings service company, since June 2015. He also previously served on the board of directors of Cue BioPharma, Inc. (NASDAQ:CUE), a biopharmaceutical company from March 2016 to June 2021. Previously, Dr. Simon held Vice President, senior level and advisory positions at F. Hoffmann-La Roche, a global healthcare company, Roche Labs, a pharmaceuticals company, Connetics Corporation (NASDAQ:CNCT), a specialty pharmaceutical company, Immunomedics (NASDAQ:IMMU), a biopharmaceutical company, Immusol, a biopharmaceutical company, HealthPro BioVentures, LLC, a healthcare and life sciences investment bank and NorthSound Capital, LLC, a U.S.-based hedge fund and contributed to several product launches that included Valcyt^® (valganciclovir) for

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CMV retinitis, Xeloda^® (capecitabine) for metastatic breast cancer, Kytril^® (Granisetron) for CINV, Boniva^® (ibandronate) for osteoporosis, Tamiflu^® (oseltamivir) for Influenza, Fortovase^® (saquinavir) and Fuzeon^® (enfuvirtide) for HIV and Pegasys^® (peginterferon alpha-2a) for hepatitis C. Dr. Simon attended corporate training programs by the London School of Business and the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. Dr. Simon trained clinically in Infectious Diseases at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Anesthesiology at The Mount Sinai Medical Center and Internal Medicine at New York University and received his M.D. from the SUNY Downstate Health Sciences Center in New York.

We believe that Dr. Simon is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his extensive medical and scientific knowledge and experience, as well as his medical marketing, senior management and commercial experience in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Continuing Directors

Sam Murphy, Ph.D., Director

Dr. Murphy has served as a member of the board of directors since February 2021, and previously served on the Private Viracta board of directors from January 2019 until the closing of the Merger. He has been a Vice President and Head of International Business Development for Shenzhen Salubris Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. since 2017, and currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of its United States subsidiary, Salubris Biotherapeutics, Inc. Prior to joining Salubris, Dr. Murphy worked for ten years in strategy consulting and transaction advisory services across several global firms including IMS (now IQVIA) and Simon-Kucher & Partners. Dr. Murphy currently serves on the boards of GO Therapeutics, Inc. (chair) and MedAlliance S.A. Dr. Murphy earned a B.A. in Biochemistry, Ph.D. in Molecular Biology with a concentration in Virology and completed his Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Gene Therapy and Translational Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

We believe Dr. Murphy is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his experience as a board member, his scientific background, and his advisory experience in the biotechnology industry.

Roger J. Pomerantz, M.D., Director and Chair

Dr. Pomerantz has served as a member of the board of directors since February 2021, and previously served on the Private Viracta board of directors from 2020 until the closing of the Merger. Dr. Pomerantz has been President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of ContraFect Corporation (NASDAQ: CFRX) since April 2019. Previously, Dr. Pomerantz was a Venture Partner at Flagship Pioneering from 2014 through 2019. In addition, he served as the President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Seres Therapeutics from 2014-2019, where he continues to serve as Senior Advisor to its Board of Directors. Previously, Dr. Pomerantz was Senior Vice President, Worldwide Head of Licensing & Acquisition at Merck & Co., Inc and prior to that was Senior Vice President and Global Franchise Head of Infectious Diseases at Merck. Prior to joining Merck, Dr. Pomerantz was Global Head of Infectious Diseases for Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceuticals. He also served as Chief Executive Officer of Tibotec Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Pomerantz currently serves on the boards of Intec Pharma Ltd. (NASDAQ: NTEC), Collplant Biosciences Ltd. (NASDAQ: CLGN) and Indaptus Therapeutics (NASDAQ:INDP). Dr. Pomerantz received his B.A. in Biochemistry at the Johns Hopkins University and his M.D. at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He received post-graduate training at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and M.I.T. Dr. Pomerantz is Board Certified in both internal medicine and infectious diseases. He was Professor of Medicine, Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Chief of Infectious Diseases, and the Founding Director and Chair of the Institute for Human Virology and Biodefense at the Thomas Jefferson University and Medical School.

We believe Dr. Pomerantz is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his experience as a board member, his scientific background, and his senior management experience in the biotechnology industry.

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Ivor Royston, M.D., Director

Dr. Royston served as Chief Executive Officer, President, and a member of the board of directors from the closing of the Merger in February 2021 until September 2022, from which time Dr. Royston has continued to serve as a Director. Dr. Royston was also Chief Executive Officer and President of Private Viracta from 2015 until the closing of the Merger and a member of Private Viracta (fka Hemaquest)’s board of directors from October 2007 until the closing of the Merger. From 1990 to 2017, Dr. Royston was a Managing Partner of Forward Ventures, a life science venture capital firm. From 1990 to 2000, Dr. Royston also held the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center. Prior to that, Dr. Royston was the Director of Clinical Immunology at University of California, San Diego Cancer Center. Dr. Royston was the co-founder of Hybritech, Inc., which developed the PSA test for prostate cancer; and the co-founder of IDEC Corporation, which developed a monoclonal antibody therapy for cancer, and which subsequently merged with Biogen to form Biogen Idec, now Biogen. Dr. Royston currently serves on the board of directors of Biocept, Inc. (NASDAQ:BIOC). Dr. Royston has served as Executive Chairman of Geneditor Biologics Corp. since April 2023. Dr. Royston received his B.A. and M.D. degrees from Johns Hopkins University and completed post-doctoral training in internal medicine and medical oncology at Stanford University.

We believe Dr. Royston is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of the perspective and experience he brings as Viracta’s former President and Chief Executive Officer, his broad experience in the biotechnology industry, his educational background and his medical expertise.

Flavia Borellini, Ph.D., Director

Dr. Borellini has served as a member of the board of directors since August 2021. Dr. Borellini has more than 25 years of executive management experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, with a particular focus on global development of targeted oncology drugs, from preclinical to commercial stage. She is the former Chief Executive Officer for Acerta Pharma, where she oversaw the successful development and approval of Calquence^® (acalabrutinib), a selective Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, for the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). During her career, Dr. Borellini has also held key senior level positions within AstraZeneca, most recently Global Franchise Head, Hematology, with responsibility for the hematology portfolio in the company’s oncology business unit. While at AstraZeneca, she led the global development, approval, and commercialization of Tagrisso^® (osimertinib), a first-in-class epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) caused by the T790M mutation. Prior to her tenure with AstraZeneca, Dr. Borellini spent nearly seven years at Genentech, a member of the Roche Group. During this time, she led the global development, approval and launch of Zelboraf^® (vemurafenib), a first-in-class BRAF inhibitor for the treatment of melanoma caused by the V600E BRAF mutation. Dr. Borellini also served as the program leader for Herceptin^® (trastuzumab), a targeted treatment for HER2 receptor positive cancers, including breast cancer, and Tarceva^® (erlotinib), an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor for the treatment of NSCLC and pancreatic cancer. Dr. Borellini also serves on the Board of Directors of Kartos Therapeutics, Cantargia AP, and Revolution Medicines.

We believe Dr. Borellini is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of her management experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry.

Stephen Rubino, Ph.D., M.B.A., Director

Dr. Rubino has served as a member of the board of directors since March 2021. Dr. Rubino has over 30 years of pharmaceutical and biotechnology company experience in the areas of business development & licensing, marketing, commercial operations, and strategic planning across a wide range of therapeutic areas. Dr. Rubino is currently President & CEO of Sporos Bioventures, LLC. Dr. Rubino has experience developing and commercializing oncology products both in the US and EU. He has served as the Chief Business Officer of Celyad Oncology, a biotechnology company developing cellular therapies and Chief Business and Strategy

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Officer at Omega Therapeutics. Dr. Rubino held various positions of increasing responsibility at Novartis, a pharmaceutical company, from 2001 until 2017, including most recently as Global Head of Business Development & Licensing and New Product Marketing, Cell & Gene Therapies Unit. Dr. Rubino has served on the boards of directors of Sermonix Pharmaceuticals and Ilkos Therapeutics. Dr. Rubino received a Ph.D. in virology from Cornell University and an M.B.A. from Baruch College.

We believe Dr. Rubino is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his extensive management and commercial experience in the fields of biotechnology and oncology.

Jane Chung, R.Ph., Director

Ms. Chung has served as a member of the board of directors since August 2022. She has over 20 years of commercial leadership experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, focused mostly on innovative oncology medicines and broadly across executive management, franchise leadership, marketing, sales, operations, and market access functions. She is currently the Chief Commercial Officer at Sutro Biopharma, where she has been responsible for building and leading global commercialization since August 2021. Previously, Ms. Chung served in several leadership roles at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, including as President and General Manager of AstraZeneca Canada, Vice President of Sales and Marketing of U.S. lmmuno-Oncology, and Senior Commercial Business Director. Prior to that, Ms. Chung served as a Regional Sales Director and Director of Sales Productivity and Effectiveness for Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc as well as various commercial roles for Genentech, Inc., including as Commercial Operations Manager, Division Manager and Senior Marketing Manager. Ms. Chung also serves on non-profit boards in the science, education, and community development arenas. Ms. Chung received a B.S. in Pharmacy from St. John’s University and a B.A. in Psychology from Columbia University.

We believe Ms. Chung is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of her extensive commercial leadership experience in biopharma.

Mark Rothera, President & Chief Executive Officer, Director

Mr. Rothera has served as Viracta’s President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors since September 2022. Prior to joining Viracta, Mr. Rothera served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a Board Member of Silence Therapeutics, plc, a pharmaceutical company, from September 2020 until February of 2022. From August 2017 to March 2020, Mr. Rothera served as President, CEO and Board Member of Orchard Therapeutics, plc, a biotechnology company. From April 2013 to August 2017, Mr. Rothera served as Chief Commercial Officer of PTC Therapeutics, a biotechnology company. From 2012 to 2013, Mr. Rothera served as Global President of Aegeron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company. From 2006 to 2012, Mr. Rothera served as Vice President and General Manager for the Europe, Middle East and Africa commercial operations of Shire Human Genetic Therapies, Inc., a pharmaceutical company. Mr. Rothera currently sits on the board of GenPharm, a private life science company. Mr. Rothera received an M.A. in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University, an M.B.A. from the European Institute for Business Administration (INSEAD) and a Diploma in Company Direction from Institute of Directors, United Kingdom.

We believe Mr. Rothera is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his extensive executive and commercial leadership experience in biopharma and in rare diseases in particular.

Departing Director

Nicole Onetto, M.D., Director

Dr. Onetto has served as a member of the board of directors since September 2019. Dr. Onetto is a medical doctor and independent consultant in oncology, drug development, and translational research. She was Deputy Director

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and Chief Scientific Officer at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research from 2009 to 2016. From 2005 to 2009 she was Chief Medical Officer at ZymoGenetics, a biotechnology company developing protein therapeutics. From 2002 to 2005, she served at OSI Pharmaceuticals, a biopharma company developing targeted cancer therapies, first as Executive Vice President Oncology, and then as Chief Medical Officer. Her career in the pharmaceutical industry also includes senior management positions at Bristol-Myers Squibb, Nexstar Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Gilead Sciences, and Immunex. Dr. Onetto serves as a board member of Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. and Bolt Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:BOLT). Previously, Dr. Onetto served for eleven years as a board member of ImmunoGen. Dr. Onetto earned her BS from the University of Paris, and an MS in Pharmacology from the University of Montréal. She obtained her MD and a Hematology-Oncology Certificate from the University of Paris.

Dr. Onetto will be departing from the board of directors following the Annual Meeting and Viracta thanks her for her service as a director.

Director Independence

Our common stock is listed on Nasdaq. As a company listed on Nasdaq, we are required under Nasdaq listing rules to maintain a board comprised of a majority of independent directors as determined affirmatively by our board. Under Nasdaq listing rules, a director will only qualify as an independent director if, in the opinion of that listed company’s board of directors, the director does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. In addition, the Nasdaq listing rules require that, subject to specified exceptions, each member of our audit, compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees be independent.

Audit committee members must also satisfy the additional independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and Nasdaq listing rules applicable to audit committee members. Compensation committee members must also satisfy the additional independence criteria set forth in Rule 10C-1 under the Exchange Act and Nasdaq listing rules applicable to compensation committee members.

Our board of directors has undertaken a review of the independence of each of our directors. Based on information provided by each director concerning his or her background, employment and affiliations, our board of directors has determined that Dr. Barlow, Dr. Borellini, Ms. Chung, Mr. Darcy, Dr. Murphy, Dr. Onetto, Dr. Pomerantz, Dr. Rubino and Dr. Simon, representing nine (9) of our eleven (11) directors, do not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and that each of these directors is an “independent director” as defined under the listing standards of Nasdaq. Mark Rothera is not considered an independent director because of his position as our chief executive officer and Ivor Royston is not considered an independent director because of his former position as our chief executive officer.

In making these determinations, our board of directors considered the current and prior relationships that each non-employee director has with our company and all other facts and circumstances that our board of directors deemed relevant in determining their independence, including the beneficial ownership of our capital stock by each non-employee director, and the transactions involving them described in the section titled “Related Person Transactions.”

There are no family relationships among any of our directors, director nominees or executive officers.

Board Leadership Structure

Our corporate governance framework provides our board flexibility to determine the appropriate leadership structure for the company, and whether the roles of chairperson and chief executive officer should be separated or combined. In making this determination, our board considers many factors, including the needs of the business, our board’s assessment of its leadership needs from time to time and the best interests of our stockholders. If the role of chairperson is filled by a director who does not qualify as an independent director, then our corporate governance guidelines provide that one of our independent directors may serve as our lead independent director.

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Our board believes that it is currently appropriate to separate the roles of chairperson and chief executive officer. The chief executive officer is responsible for day-to-day leadership, while our chairperson, along with the rest of our independent directors, ensures that our board’s time and attention is focused on providing independent oversight of management and matters critical to our company. The board believes that Dr. Pomerantz’s deep knowledge of the company and industry, as well as strong leadership and governance experience, enable Dr. Pomerantz to lead our board effectively and independently.

Role of Board in Risk Oversight Process

Risk is inherent with every business, and we face a number of risks, including strategic, financial, business and operational, legal and compliance and reputational. We have designed and implemented processes to manage risk in our operations. Management is responsible for the day-to-day management of risks the company faces, while our board of directors, as a whole and assisted by its committees, has responsibility for the oversight of risk management. Our board reviews strategic and operational risk in the context of discussions, question and answer sessions, and reports from the management team at each regular board meeting, receives reports on all significant committee activities at each regular board meeting, and evaluates the risks inherent in significant transactions.

In addition, our board has tasked designated standing committees with oversight of certain categories of risk management. Our audit committee assists our board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to risk management in the areas of internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, legal and regulatory compliance, and also, among other things, discusses with management and the independent auditor guidelines and policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management. Our compensation committee assesses risks relating to our executive compensation plans and arrangements, and whether our compensation policies and programs have the potential to encourage excessive risk taking. Our nominating and corporate governance committee assesses risks relating to our corporate governance practices, the independence of the board and potential conflicts of interest.

Our board of directors believes its current leadership structure supports the risk oversight function of the board.

Board Diversity Matrix

The following table sets forth certain self-identified diversity information for our directors for the current and prior year:

Board Diversity Matrix (As of April 19, 2023)

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Board Diversity Matrix (As of October 19, 2022)

Board Committees

Our board of directors has established the following standing committees of the board: audit committee; compensation committee; nominating and corporate governance committee; and science and technology committee. The composition and responsibilities of each of the committees of our board of directors is described below.

Audit Committee

The current members of our audit committee are Mr. Darcy, Dr. Rubino, and Dr. Simon. Mr. Darcy is the chairperson of our audit committee. Our board of directors has determined that each member of our audit committee meets the requirements for independence of audit committee members under the rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards of Nasdaq, and also meets the financial literacy requirements of the listing standards of Nasdaq. Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Darcy is an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K. Our audit committee is responsible for, among other things:

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Our audit committee operates under a written charter that satisfies the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards of Nasdaq. A copy of the charter of our audit committee is available on our investor relations website at https://viracta.investorroom.com. Our audit committee held four (4) meetings in 2022.

Compensation Committee

The current members of our compensation committee are Dr. Simon, Dr. Barlow, and Mr. Darcy. Dr. Simon is the chairperson of our compensation committee. Former director Michael Huang served on the Compensation Committee until his resignation from the board of directors in August 2022. Our board of directors has determined that each member of our compensation committee meets the requirements for independence for compensation committee members under the rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards of Nasdaq. Each member of the compensation committee is also a non-employee director, as defined pursuant to Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. Our compensation committee is responsible for, among other things:

Our compensation committee operates under a written charter that satisfies the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards of Nasdaq. A copy of the charter of our compensation committee is available on our investor relations website at https://viracta.investorroom.com. Our compensation committee held four (4) meetings in 2022.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The current members of our nominating and corporate governance committee are Dr. Rubino, Dr. Barlow, Ms. Chung, Dr. Murphy, and Dr. Onetto. Dr. Rubino is the chairperson of our nominating and corporate governance committee. Former director Michael Huang served on the Compensation Committee until his resignation from the board of directors in August 2022. Our board of directors has determined that each member of our nominating and corporate governance committee meets the requirements for independence for nominating and corporate governance committee members under the listing standards of Nasdaq. Our nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for, among other things:

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Our nominating and corporate governance committee operates under a written charter. A copy of the charter of our nominating and corporate governance committee is available on our investor relations website at https://viracta.investorroom.com. Our nominating and corporate governance committee held five (5) meetings in 2022.

Science and Technology Committee

We formed a science and technology committee on March 16, 2021. The current members of our science and technology committee are Dr. Onetto, Dr. Borellini, Dr. Murphy, Dr. Royston and Dr. Rubino. Dr. Onetto is the chairperson of our science and technology committee and will continue to serve as such until the Annual Meeting. Our science and technology committee is responsible for, among other things:

Our science and technology committee operates under a written charter. A copy of the charter of our science and technology committee is available on our investor relations website at https://viracta.investorroom.com. Our science and technology committee held three (3) meetings in 2022.

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Attendance at Board and Stockholder Meetings

Our board of directors held six (6) meetings in 2022 (including regularly scheduled and special meetings), and each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (1) the total number of meetings of the board of directors held during the period for which he or she has been a director and (2) the total number of meetings held by all committees on which he or she served during the periods that he or she served.

Although we do not have a formal policy regarding attendance by members of our board of directors at the annual meetings of stockholders, we encourage, but do not require, directors to attend. Seven of the ten members of our board of directors at the time of the 2022 Annual Meeting attended our 2022 Annual Meeting.

Executive Sessions of Non-Employee Directors

To encourage and enhance communication among non-employee directors, and as required under applicable Nasdaq rules, our corporate governance guidelines provide that the non-employee directors will meet in executive sessions without management directors or management present on a periodic basis. In addition, if any of our non-employee directors are not independent directors, then our independent directors will also meet in executive session on a periodic basis.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During 2022, the members of our compensation committee were Thomas E. Darcy, CPA, Barry Simon, M.D., Michael Huang, M.S., M.B.A. (until August 23, 2022), and Jane F. Barlow, M.D., MPH, MBA. None of the members of our compensation committee is or has been an officer or employee of our company. None of our executive officers currently serves, or in the past fiscal year has served, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee (or other board committee performing equivalent functions) of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our board of directors or compensation committee.

Considerations in Evaluating Director Nominees

Our nominating and corporate governance committee uses a variety of methods for identifying and evaluating potential director nominees. In its evaluation of director candidates, including the current directors eligible for re-election, our nominating and corporate governance committee will consider the current size and composition of our board of directors and the needs of our board of directors and the respective committees of our board of directors and other director qualifications. While our board has not established minimum qualifications for board members, some of the factors that our nominating and corporate governance committee considers in assessing director nominee qualifications include, without limitation, issues of character, professional ethics and integrity, judgment, business experience and diversity, and with respect to diversity, such factors as race, ethnicity, gender, differences in professional background, age and geography, as well as other individual qualities and attributes that contribute to the total mix of viewpoints and experience represented on our board. Although our board of directors does not maintain a specific policy with respect to board diversity, our board of directors believes that the board should be a diverse body, and the nominating and corporate governance committee considers a broad range of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences.

If our nominating and corporate governance committee determines that an additional or replacement director is required, then the committee may take such measures as it considers appropriate in connection with its evaluation of a director candidate, including candidate interviews, inquiry of the person or persons making the recommendation or nomination, engagement of an outside search firm to gather additional information, or reliance on the knowledge of the members of the committee, board or management.

After completing its review and evaluation of director candidates, our nominating and corporate governance committee recommends to our full board of directors the director nominees for selection. Our nominating and

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corporate governance committee has discretion to decide which individuals to recommend for nomination as directors and our board of directors has the final authority in determining the selection of director candidates for nomination to our board.

Stockholder Recommendations and Nominations to our Board of Directors

Our nominating and corporate governance committee will consider recommendations and nominations for candidates to our board of directors from stockholders in the same manner as candidates recommended to the committee from other sources, so long as such recommendations and nominations comply with our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, all applicable company policies and all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including those promulgated by the SEC. Our nominating and corporate governance committee will evaluate such recommendations in accordance with its charter, our bylaws and corporate governance guidelines and the director nominee criteria described above.

A stockholder that wants to recommend a candidate to our board of directors should direct the recommendation in writing by letter to our corporate secretary at Viracta Therapeutics, Inc., 2533 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Suite 210, Cardiff, California 92007, Attention: Corporate Secretary. Such recommendation must include the candidate’s name, home and business contact information, detailed biographical data, relevant qualifications, a signed letter from the candidate confirming willingness to serve, information regarding any relationships between the candidate and us and evidence of the recommending stockholder’s ownership of our capital stock. Such recommendation must also include a statement from the recommending stockholder in support of the candidate. Our nominating and corporate governance committee has discretion to decide which individuals to recommend for nomination as directors.

Under our amended and restated bylaws, stockholders may also directly nominate persons for our board of directors. Any nomination must comply with the requirements set forth in our amended and restated bylaws and the rules and regulations of the SEC, including the requirements of Rule 14a-8 and Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act, and should be sent in writing to our corporate secretary at the address above. To be timely for our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, nominations must be received by our corporate secretary observing the deadlines discussed below under “Other Matters—Stockholder Proposals or Director Nominations for 2024 Annual Meeting.”

Communications with the Board of Directors

Stockholders and other interested parties wishing to communicate directly with our non-management directors, may do so by writing and sending the correspondence to our Chief Financial Officer by mail to our principal executive offices at Viracta Therapeutics, Inc., 2533 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Suite 210, Cardiff, California 92007. Our Chief Financial Officer, in consultation with appropriate directors as necessary, will review all incoming communications and screen for communications that (1) are solicitations for products and services, (2) relate to matters of a personal nature not relevant for our stockholders to act on or for our board to consider and (3) matters that are of a type that are improper or irrelevant to the functioning of our board or our business, for example, mass mailings, job inquiries and business solicitations. If appropriate, our Chief Financial Officer will route such communications to the appropriate director(s) or, if none is specified, then to the chairperson of the board. These policies and procedures do not apply to communications to non-management directors from our officers or directors who are stockholders or stockholder proposals submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

Policy Prohibiting Hedging or Pledging of Securities

Under our insider trading policy, our employees, including our executive officers, and the members of our board of directors are prohibited from, directly or indirectly, among other things, (1) engaging in short sales, (2) trading in publicly-traded options, such as puts and calls, and other derivative securities with respect to our securities

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(other than stock options, restricted stock units and other compensatory awards issued to such individuals by us), (3) purchasing financial instruments (including prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds), or otherwise engaging in transactions that hedge or offset, or are designed to hedge or offset, any decrease in the market value of equity securities granted to them by us as part of their compensation or held, directly or indirectly, by them, (4) pledging any of our securities as collateral for any loans and (5) holding our securities in a margin account.

Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Our board of directors has adopted corporate governance guidelines. These guidelines address, among other items, the qualifications and responsibilities of our directors and director candidates, the structure and composition of our board of directors and corporate governance policies and standards applicable to us in general. In addition, our board of directors has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, including our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and other executive and senior financial officers. The full text of our corporate governance guidelines and code of business conduct and ethics are available on our investor relations website at https://viracta.investorroom.com. We will post amendments to our code of business conduct and ethics or any waivers of our code of business conduct and ethics for directors and executive officers on the same website.

Director Compensation

Under our non-employee director compensation policy, non-employee directors will receive compensation in the form of cash and equity, as described below. We also reimburse our non-employee directors for expenses incurred in connection with attending board and committee meetings as well as continuing director education. Our compensation committee has primary responsibility for reviewing and approving the compensation paid to non-employee directors. Our compensation committee reviews at least annually the type and form of compensation paid to our non-employee directors.

Cash Compensation

Under our non-employee director compensation policy, each non-employee director is paid an annual cash retainer of $40,000. In addition, each non-employee director is entitled to receive the following cash compensation for his or her services under the policy:

Each non-employee director who serves as a committee chair receives only the additional annual cash fee as the chair of the committee, and not the additional annual fee as a member of the committee. All cash payments to non-employee directors are paid quarterly in arrears on a prorated basis. The above-listed fees for service as chair or members of committees are payable in addition to the non-employee director retainer.

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Equity Compensation

Initial Options. Each person who first becomes a non-employee director after the effective date of the non-employee director compensation policy will receive, on the first trading day on or after the date that the person first becomes a non-employee director, an initial award (or, the “Initial Award”) of stock options to purchase 80,000 shares of our common stock. The Initial Award will be scheduled to vest in equal installments as to 1/36th of the shares of our common stock subject to the Initial Award on a monthly basis following the Initial Award’s grant date, on the same day of the month as the grant date, subject to continued services to us through the applicable vesting dates. If the person was a member of our board of directors and also an employee, then becoming a non-employee director due to termination of employment will not entitle the person to an Initial Award.

Annual Options. Each continuing non-employee director automatically will receive, on the date of each annual meeting of our stockholders, an annual award (or, the “Annual Award)” of stock options to purchase 40,000 shares of our common stock. Each Annual Award will be scheduled to vest as to 1/12th shares subject to the Annual Award on a monthly basis following the Annual Award’s grant date on the same day of the month as such grant date (or the last day of the month, if there is no corresponding day in such month), or if earlier, 100% of the shares subject to the Annual Award shall vest on the day immediately before the date of the next annual meeting that occurs after the Annual Award’s grant date, subject to continued services to us through the applicable vesting date.

Change in Control. In the event of a change in control, as defined in our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, each non-employee director’s then outstanding company equity awards covering shares of our common stock will accelerate vesting in full, provided that he or she remains a non-employee director through the date of our change in control.

Other Award Terms. Each Initial Award and Annual Award is granted under our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (or its successor plan, as applicable) and form of award agreement under such plan. These awards have a maximum term to expiration of 10 years from their grant and a per share exercise price equal to 100% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the award’s grant date.

Director Compensation for Fiscal 2022

The following table sets forth information regarding the total compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to our non-employee directors for their service on our board of directors, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. Directors who are also our employees receive no additional compensation for their service as directors. During 2022, Dr. Royston and Mr. Rothera were employees and executive officers of the company and therefore did not receive compensation as a director while they were employees. Dr. Royston resigned as chief executive officer on September 19, 2022 and was succeeded by Mr. Rothera, and Dr. Royston subsequently received compensation as a non-employee director. The following tables exclude Mr. Rothera and Dr. Royston as each of their

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respective compensation is set forth in the “2022 Summary Compensation Table” below. See “Executive Compensation” for additional information regarding Dr. Royston and Mr. Rothera’s compensation.

The following table lists all outstanding equity awards held by non-employee directors other than our NEOs as of December 31, 2022:

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PROPOSAL NO. 1

ELECTION OF CLASS II DIRECTORS

Our board of directors currently consists of eleven (11) directors and is divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms. At the Annual Meeting, three (3) Class II directors will be elected for a three-year term to succeed the same class whose term is then expiring. Each director’s term continues until the expiration of the term for which such director was elected and until such director’s successor is elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal.

As set forth above, Dr. Onetto will not be standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting, and we plan to reduce our board of directors to ten (10) as of the Annual Meeting. Dr. Onetto will continue to serve as a member of the board of directors until the Annual Meeting.

Nominees

Our nominating and corporate governance committee has recommended, and our board of directors has approved, Thomas E. Darcy, CPA, Jane Barlow, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A. and Barry Simon, M.D. as nominees for election as Class II directors at the Annual Meeting. If elected, each will serve as a Class II director until the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her respective successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. For more information concerning the nominees, please see the section titled “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance.”

Mr. Darcy, Dr. Barlow and Dr. Simon have agreed to serve as directors if elected, and management has no reason to believe that they will be unavailable to serve. In the event a nominee is unable or declines to serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting, proxies will be voted for any nominee designated by the present board of directors to fill the vacancy.

Vote Required

Each director is elected by a plurality of the voting power of the shares present in person (including virtually) or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Because the outcome of this proposal will be determined by a plurality vote, any shares not voted FOR a particular nominee, whether as a result of choosing to WITHHOLD authority to vote or a broker non-vote, will have no effect on the outcome of the election.

Board Recommendation

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE.

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PROPOSAL NO. 2

ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

At the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders (prior to the Merger), the Sunesis board of directors recommended and the stockholders approved holding an advisory vote on the compensation of the company’s named executive officers every year, and we are maintaining the frequency of such vote. Accordingly, pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are asking our stockholders to approve, on an advisory or non-binding basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as described in this proxy statement. This proposal, commonly referred to as the “say-on-pay” proposal, gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on our named executive officers’ compensation as a whole. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation or any specific named executive officer, but rather the overall compensation of all of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this proxy statement.

The say-on-pay vote is advisory, and therefore is not binding on us, our compensation committee or our board of directors. The say-on-pay vote will, however, provide information to us regarding investor sentiment about our executive compensation philosophy, policies and practices, which our compensation committee will be able to consider when determining executive compensation for the remainder of the current fiscal year and beyond. Our board of directors and our compensation committee value the opinions of our stockholders. To the extent there is any significant vote against the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement, we will endeavor to communicate with stockholders to better understand the concerns that influenced the vote and consider our stockholders’ concerns, and our compensation committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns.

You are encouraged to review the section titled “Executive Compensation”, which provides an overview of our executive compensation program and contains tabular information and narrative discussion about the compensation of our named executive officers.

We are asking our stockholders to approve the compensation of our named executive officers as described in this proxy statement by voting for the following non-binding resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to our named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the compensation tables and the narrative discussion.”

Vote Required

The approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the shares present in person (including virtually) or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote thereon. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on this proposal.

As an advisory vote, the result of this proposal is non-binding. Although the vote is non-binding, our board of directors and our compensation committee value the opinions of our stockholders and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions for our named executive officers.

Board Recommendation

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.

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PROPOSAL NO. 3

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Our audit committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated financial statements for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. Ernst & Young LLP has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since the closing of the Merger, served as Sunesis’ independent registered public accounting firm since 1998 and served as Private Viracta’s independent registered public accounting firm since 2020.

At the Annual Meeting, we are asking our stockholders to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. Our audit committee is submitting the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP to our stockholders because we value our stockholders’ views on our independent registered public accounting firm and as a matter of good corporate governance. Notwithstanding the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP, and even if our stockholders ratify the appointment, our audit committee, in its discretion, may appoint another independent registered public accounting firm at any time during our fiscal year if our audit committee believes that such a change would be in the best interests of our company and our stockholders. If our stockholders do not ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP, then our audit committee may reconsider the appointment. One or more representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, and they will have an opportunity to make a statement and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions from our stockholders.

Fees Paid to the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The following table presents fees for professional audit services and other services rendered to us by Ernst & Young LLP for our fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.

Auditor Independence

In 2022, there were no other professional services provided by Ernst & Young LLP, other than those listed above, that would have required our audit committee to consider their compatibility with maintaining the independence of Ernst & Young LLP.

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Audit Committee Policy on Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Our Audit Committee has established a policy governing our use of the services of our independent registered public accounting firm. Under the policy, our Audit Committee is required to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services performed by our independent registered public accounting firm in order to ensure that the provision of such services does not impair such accounting firm’s independence. All fees paid to Ernst & Young LLP for our fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were pre-approved by our Audit Committee.

Vote Required

The ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, requires affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the shares present in person (including virtually) or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote thereon. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote AGAINST this proposal.

Board Recommendation

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR OUR FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2023.

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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

The audit committee is a committee of the board of directors comprised solely of independent directors as required by Nasdaq listing rules and the rules and regulations of the SEC. The audit committee operates under a written charter adopted by the board of directors. This written charter is reviewed annually for changes, as appropriate. With respect to Viracta’s financial reporting process, Viracta’s management is responsible for (1) establishing and maintaining internal controls and (2) preparing Viracta’s consolidated financial statements. Viracta’s independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, is responsible for performing an independent audit of Viracta’s consolidated financial statements. It is the responsibility of the audit committee to oversee these activities. It is not the responsibility of the audit committee to prepare Viracta’s financial statements. These are the fundamental responsibilities of management. In the performance of its oversight function, the audit committee has:

Based on the review and discussions noted above, the audit committee recommended to the board of directors that the audited consolidated financial statements be included Viracta’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, for filing with the SEC.

Respectfully submitted by the members of the audit committee of the board of directors:

Thomas E. Darcy, CPA (Chair)

Stephen Rubino, Ph.D., MBA

Barry J. Simon, M.D.

This audit committee report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A promulgated by the SEC or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any prior or subsequent filing by Viracta under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent Viracta specifically requests that the information be treated as “soliciting material” or specifically incorporates it by reference.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table sets forth certain information about our executive officers as of April 19, 2023.

Mark Rothera, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

For the biography of Mr. Rothera, please see “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance—Continuing Directors.”

Daniel Chevallard, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Treasurer and Secretary

Mr. Chevallard has served as our Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary since the closing of the Merger and as our Chief Operating Officer since March 2021, and previously served as Private Viracta’s Chief Financial Officer from July 2019 until the closing of the Merger. Previously, Mr. Chevallard served as the Chief Financial Officer and principal financial officer at Regulus Therapeutics from May 2017 to July 2019. Mr. Chevallard joined Regulus Therapeutics in December 2012 as Vice President, Accounting and Financial Reporting and served as Vice President, Finance from May 2013 to April 2017. Prior to joining Regulus Therapeutics, Mr. Chevallard held various senior roles in corporate finance, accounting and financial reporting including Controller and Senior Director, Finance of Prometheus Laboratories Inc. (acquired by Nestlé Health Science in July 2011). Prior to joining Prometheus, Mr. Chevallard spent approximately five years in public accounting at Ernst & Young, LLP in their assurance services practice. He received his Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of San Diego and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) in the state of California.

Lisa Rojkjaer, M.D., Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Lisa Rojkjaer has served as our Chief Medical Officer since the closing of the Merger and served as Private Viracta’s Chief Medical Officer from May 2020 until the closing of the Merger. Previously, Dr. Rojkjaer served as the Chief Medical Officer at Nordic Nanovector from November 2016 to April 2020. Prior to this, Dr. Rojkjaer held several senior management positions in biotech and global pharmaceutical companies. She was the Global Clinical Program Head for AML at Novartis Oncology from October 2013 to November 2016. Her previous roles also included Chief Medical Officer at Molecular Partners, and Vice President, Head of Clinical Development at MorphoSys AG. Dr. Rojkjaer received her medical degree from the University of Toronto, where she also completed her internal medicine and hematology training.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Processes and Procedures for Compensation Decisions

Our compensation committee is responsible for the executive compensation programs for our executive officers and reports to our board of directors on its discussions, decisions and other actions. Typically, our Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to our compensation committee, often attends committee meetings and is involved in the determination of compensation for the respective executive officers who report to him, except that the Chief Executive Officer does not make recommendations as to his own compensation. Our Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to our compensation committee regarding short- and long-term compensation for all executive officers (other than himself) based on our results, an individual executive officer’s contribution toward these results and performance toward individual goal achievement. Our compensation committee then reviews the recommendations and other data. Our compensation committee makes decisions as to total compensation for each executive office, although it may instead, in its discretion, make recommendations to our board of directors regarding executive compensation for its approval.

Our compensation committee is authorized to retain the services of one or more executive compensation advisors, as it sees fit, in connection with the establishment of our compensation programs and related policies. In each of 2021 and 2022, our compensation committee retained Aon Radford, an independent compensation consultant, to provide it with information, recommendations and other advice relating to executive compensation on an ongoing basis. Aon Radford continues to serve at the discretion of our compensation committee. Our compensation committee engaged Aon Radford to assist in developing an appropriate group of peer companies to help us determine the appropriate level of overall compensation for our executive officers, as well as assess each separate element of compensation, with a goal of ensuring that the compensation we offer to our executive officers is competitive and fair.

Our named executive officers, consisting of our principal executive officer and the two most highly compensated executive officers (other than our principal executive officer), as of December 31, 2022, were:

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Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth information regarding the compensation reportable for our named executive officers for fiscal 2022 and prior years where applicable, as determined under SEC rules.

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Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation

At the beginning of each of 2021 and 2022, we adopted a bonus plan for our executive and non-executive employees that provides for cash incentives for performance in the applicable year. Each of the 2021 and 2022 bonus opportunities for our executives was based on the assessment of our board of directors of the achievement of company objectives that were established by our board of directors or our compensation committee, as applicable, for the applicable year as well as other achievements which occurred during the year. The company objectives for each of 2021 and 2022 consisted primarily of clinical, pre-clinical and corporate development goals. Based on our performance against the approved company objectives and other operational milestones during the year, our board of directors or our compensation committee, as applicable, determined to fund the 2021 bonus plan at 94.75% of the target level and the 2022 bonus plan at 85% of the target level.

The amounts in the Summary Compensation Table under the column “Non-equity incentive plan compensation” are based on the named executive officer’s target bonus amount multiplied by the achievement percentage set by our board of directors or our compensation committee, as applicable, consistent with the determinations under the applicable year’s bonus plan (and further pro-rated based on the period of time during which they were employed with us during the year).

Employment Arrangements

Mark Rothera

Was hired on September 19, 2022 as Viracta’s President, Chief Executive Officer and Director. On September 15, 2022, Viracta entered into an Executive Employment Agreement with Mr. Rothera.

Under the agreement, Mr. Rothera’s employment is at will and may be terminated at any time by Viracta or Mr. Rothera. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Rothera is entitled to a base salary, currently $590,000, a onetime sign-on bonus of $100,000, relocation reimbursement of up to a combined maximum of $7,500, and an annual bonus opportunity, currently equal to up to 55% of annual base salary, based on achievement of performance objectives to be determined by Viracta’s board of directors. For the year ended December 31, 2022, Mr. Rothera’s base salary was $580,650.

Pursuant to the agreement, if Mr. Rothera experiences a qualified termination, then Mr. Rothera is entitled to receive (A) continuing payments of base salary at the rate in effect at the time of the qualifying termination, less applicable withholdings, for a period following his employment termination date of 15 months, (B) reimbursement for the cost of continuation of health coverage for Mr. Rothera and his eligible dependents pursuant to COBRA, until the earlier of (1) 18 months following termination of his employment, or (2) the date Mr. Rothera and his or eligible dependents are no longer eligible for COBRA, (C) payment of any earned but unpaid discretionary annual bonus, (D) a lump sum payment equal to 100% of Mr. Rothera’s target bonus for the year in which the qualified termination occurred and (E) the right to exercise equity awards for a period of twelve months following the date of the qualified termination. If a qualified termination of Mr. Rothera’s employment occurs within 3 months prior to or 12 months following a change in control, Mr. Rothera will receive (A) a lump sum payment equal to 18 months of Mr. Rothera’s base salary at the rate in effect at the time of the qualifying termination, (B) reimbursement for the cost of continuation of health coverage for Mr. Rothera and his eligible dependents pursuant to COBRA, until the earlier of (1) 12 months following termination of his employment, or (2) the date Mr. Rothera and his eligible dependents are no longer eligible for COBRA, (C) payment of any earned but unpaid discretionary annual bonus, (D) a lump sum payment equal to 150% of Mr. Rothera’s target bonus for the year in which the qualified termination occurred and (E) vesting acceleration of 100% of any outstanding equity awards as of the date of the qualified termination. The foregoing benefits are conditioned upon Mr. Rothera signing and not revoking a release of claims with Viracta within 60 days following his employment termination date.

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Daniel Chevallard

On June 13, 2019, and as amended on August 12, 2021, Viracta entered into an Executive Employment Agreement with Daniel Chevallard, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Viracta. Under the agreement, Mr. Chevallard’s employment is at will and may be terminated at any time by Viracta or Mr. Chevallard. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Chevallard is entitled to a base salary, currently $487,974 and an annual bonus opportunity, currently equal to up to 40% of annual base salary, based on achievement of performance objectives to be determined by Viracta’s board of directors. For the year ended December 31, 2022, Mr. Chevallard’s base salary was $467,856.

Pursuant to the agreement, if Mr. Chevallard experiences a qualified termination, then Mr. Chevallard is entitled to receive (A) continuing payments of base salary at the rate in effect at the time of the qualifying termination, less applicable withholdings, for a period following his employment termination date of 12 months, (B) reimbursement for the cost of continuation of health coverage for Mr. Chevallard and his eligible dependents pursuant to COBRA, until the earlier of (1) 12 months following termination of his employment, or (2) the date Mr. Chevallard and his or eligible dependents are no longer eligible for COBRA, (C) payment of any earned but unpaid discretionary annual bonus, and (D) accelerated vesting of Viracta equity awards for a period of nine months following the date of the qualified termination. In the event of a change in control (as defined in our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan), Mr. Chevallard will receive vesting acceleration of 50% of any outstanding Viracta equity awards as of the date of the change in control. If a qualified termination of Mr. Chevallard’s employment occurs within 3 months prior to or 12 months following a change in control, Mr. Chevallard will receive (A) a lump sum payment equal to 12 months of Mr. Chevallard’s base salary at the rate in effect at the time of the qualifying termination, (B) a lump sum payment equal to 100% of Mr. Chevallard’s target bonus for the year in which the qualified termination occurred, (C) reimbursement for the cost of continuation of health coverage for Mr. Chevallard and his eligible dependents pursuant to COBRA, until the earlier of (1) 12 months following termination of his employment, or (2) the date Mr. Chevallard and his eligible dependents are no longer eligible for COBRA, and (D) vesting acceleration of 100% of any outstanding equity awards as of the date of the qualified termination. The foregoing benefits are conditioned upon Mr. Chevallard signing and not revoking a release of claims with Viracta within 60 days following his employment termination date.

Lisa Rojkjaer, M.D.

On April 30, 2020, and as amended on August 12, 2021, Viracta entered into an Executive Employment Agreement with Lisa Rojkjaer, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Viracta. Under the agreement, Dr. Rojkjaer’s employment is at will and may be terminated at any time by Viracta or Dr. Rojkjaer. Pursuant to the agreement, Dr. Rojkjaer is entitled to a base salary, currently $484,442, and an annual bonus opportunity, currently equal to up to 40% of annual base salary, based on achievement of performance objectives to be determined by Viracta’s board of directors. For the year ended December 31, 2022, Dr. Rojkjaer’s base salary was $471,476.

If Dr. Rojkjaer experiences qualified termination, then Dr. Rojkjaer is entitled to receive (A) continuing payments of base salary at the rate in effect at the time of the qualifying termination, less applicable withholdings, for a period following her employment termination date of 12 months, (B) reimbursement for the cost of continuation of health coverage for Dr. Rojkjaer and her eligible dependents pursuant to COBRA, until the earlier of (1) 12 months following termination of her employment, or (2) the date Dr. Rojkjaer and her eligible dependents are no longer eligible for COBRA, (C) payment of any earned but unpaid discretionary annual bonus, and (D) accelerated vesting of Viracta equity awards subject to time-based vesting for a period of nine months following the date of the qualified termination. In the event of a change in control, Dr. Rojkjaer will receive vesting acceleration of 50% of any outstanding Viracta equity awards as of the date of the change in control. If a qualified termination of Dr. Rojkjaer’s employment occurs within 3 months prior to or 12 months following a change in control, Dr. Rojkjaer will receive (A) a lump sum payment equal to 12 months of Dr. Rojkjaer’s base salary at the rate in effect at the time of the qualifying termination, (B) a lump sum payment equal to 100% of Dr. Rojkjaer’s target bonus for the year in which the qualified termination occurred,

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(C) reimbursement for the cost of continuation of health coverage for Dr. Rojkjaer and her eligible dependents pursuant to COBRA, until the earlier of (1) 12 months following termination of her employment, or (2) the date Dr. Rojkjaer and her eligible dependents are no longer eligible for COBRA, and (D) vesting acceleration of 100% of any outstanding equity awards as of the date of the qualified termination. The foregoing benefits are conditioned upon Dr. Rojkjaer signing and not revoking a release of claims with Viracta within 60 days following her employment termination date.

Ivor Royston, M.D.

On May 31, 2017, and as amended on August 12, 2021, Viracta entered into an Executive Employment Agreement with Ivor Royston, M.D., the former Chief Executive Officer of Viracta. Under the agreement, Dr. Royston’s employment was at will and could be terminated at any time by Viracta or Dr. Royston. Pursuant to the agreement, Dr. Royston was entitled to a base salary, $567,000 at the time of his resignation as Chief Executive Officer and President, and an annual bonus opportunity, equal to up to 50% of annual base salary, based on achievement of performance objectives to be determined by Viracta’s board of directors. This agreement was terminated on September 15, 2022, in connection with Dr. Royston’s termination of employment as Chief Executive Officer and President

Pursuant to the agreement, if Viracta terminated Dr. Royston’s employment without cause (other than due to his death or disability) or if Dr. Royston resigned for good reason at any time, referred to herein as a qualified termination, then Dr. Royston was entitled to receive (A) continuing payments of base salary at the rate in effect at the time of the qualifying termination, less applicable withholdings, for a period following his employment termination date of 15 months, (B) reimbursement for the cost of continuation of health coverage for Dr. Royston and his eligible dependents pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended, or COBRA, until the earlier of (1) 15 months following termination of his employment, or (2) the date Dr. Royston and his or eligible dependents are no longer eligible for COBRA, and (C) payment of any earned but unpaid discretionary annual bonus. In the event of a “change in control” (as defined in our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan), Dr. Royston would have received vesting acceleration of 50% of any outstanding Viracta equity awards as of the date of the change in control. If a qualified termination of Dr. Royston’s employment occurs within 3 months prior to or 12 months following a change in control, Dr. Royston would have received (A) a lump sum payment equal to 18 months of Dr. Royston’s base salary at the rate in effect at the time of the qualifying termination, (B) a lump sum payment equal to 150% of the Dr. Royston’s target bonus for the year in such the qualified termination occurred, (C) reimbursement for the cost of continuation of health coverage for Dr. Royston and his eligible dependents pursuant to COBRA, until the earlier of (1) 18 months following termination of his employment, or (2) the date Dr. Royston and his eligible dependents are no longer eligible for COBRA, and (D) vesting acceleration of 100% of any outstanding equity awards as of the date of the qualified termination. The foregoing benefits were conditioned upon Dr. Royston signing and not revoking a release of claims with Viracta within 60 days following his employment termination date.

In connection with Dr. Royston’s termination of employment as CEO and President, on September 15, 2022, Dr. Royston and the Company entered into a separation agreement and release of claims related to Dr. Royston’s employment with the Company (the “separation agreement”). The separation agreement provided that, subject to Dr. Royston’s continued compliance with the terms of the separation agreement, the Company would provide for the continuation of payments of his base salary at the rate of $47,250 per month, less applicable withholdings, for fifteen (15) months from the employment termination date; (ii) provide for the continuation of healthcare coverage payments in the amount of $3,064.18 per month, less applicable withholdings, for fifteen (15) months from the employment termination date; (iii) reimburse Dr. Royston for the amounts he pays for COBRA coverage to continue his vision, dental and life insurance benefits for a period of up to 15 months, provided Dr. Royston timely elects and pays for continued coverage pursuant to COBRA; (iv) pay a pro-rated portion of Dr. Royston’s target bonus for the 2022 fiscal year based on the number of days between the start of the 2022 fiscal year and September 30, 2022, subject to the Board or Compensation Committee determining that any applicable performance objectives have been achieved; and (v) extend the post-termination exercise period of

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Dr. Royston’s stock options that are outstanding and vested as of date he is no longer a service provider to the Company (including as a member of the Board, advisor, or otherwise) to the date that is two years following such separation date, or, if earlier, the maximum term of each applicable stock option.

Executive Incentive Compensation Plan

Effective March 14, 2022, we adopted an Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Incentive Compensation Plan”). Our Incentive Compensation Plan allows our compensation committee (or other committee designated by our board of directors) to grant incentive awards, generally payable in cash, to employees selected by our compensation committee, including our executive officers, based upon performance goals established by our compensation committee.

Under our Incentive Compensation Plan, our compensation committee determines the performance goals applicable to any award, which goals may include, without limitation, goals related to research and development, regulatory milestones or regulatory-related goals, financial milestones, new product or business development, other product release milestones, publications, cash flow, internal structure, leadership development, project, function or portfolio- specific milestones, license or research collaboration agreements, capital raising, patentability and individual objectives such as peer reviews or other subjective or objective criteria. The performance goals may differ from participant to participant and from award to award. For 2022, the applicable performance goals for our named executive officers were certain product and corporate goals, as well as individual performance.

The compensation committee administers our Incentive Compensation Plan and may, in its sole discretion and at any time, increase, reduce or eliminate a participant’s actual award, and/or increase, reduce or eliminate the amount allocated to the bonus pool for a particular performance period. The actual award may be below, at or above a participant’s target award, in the discretion of the administrator. The administrator may determine the amount of any increase, reduction or elimination on the basis of such factors as it deems relevant, and it will not be required to establish any allocation or weighting with respect to the factors it considers.

Actual awards generally will be paid in cash (or its equivalent) only after they are earned, and, unless otherwise determined by the administrator, to earn an actual award a participant must be employed by us through the date the actual award is paid. The administrator of the Incentive Compensation Plan may reserve the right to settle an actual award with a grant of an equity award under our then-current equity compensation plan, which equity award may have such terms and conditions, including vesting, as the administrator determines. Payment of awards will occur as soon as practicable after they are earned, but no later than the dates set forth in our Incentive Compensation Plan.

Awards under our Incentive Compensation Plan are subject to any clawback policy of ours, which we may be required to adopt from time to time to comply with applicable laws. The administrator also may impose such other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions with respect an award under our Incentive Compensation Plan as the administrator determines necessary or appropriate, including for example, reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon a termination of a participant’s employment for cause. Certain participants may be required to reimburse us for certain amounts paid under an award under our Incentive Compensation Plan in connection with certain accounting restatements we may be required to prepare due to our material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirements under applicable securities laws, as a result of misconduct.

Our board of directors and our compensation committee have the authority to amend, suspend or terminate our Incentive Compensation Plan, provided such action does not impair the existing rights of any participant with respect to any earned awards.

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Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control

Regardless of the manner in which a named executive officer’s service terminates, that named executive officer is entitled to receive amounts earned during his term of service, including unpaid salary and unused vacation, as applicable. In addition, each named executive officer is entitled to receive certain benefits upon Viracta’s termination of his or her employment without cause or his or her resignation for good reason, as provided above under “—Employment Arrangements.”

Each named executive officer holds stock options granted subject to the general terms of our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. A description of the termination and change in control provisions in our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan and applicable to the stock options granted to Viracta’s named executive officers is provided below under “—Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2021 Year-End” and above under “—Employment Arrangements.”

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2022 Year-End

The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding equity awards held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2022.

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Perquisites and Health and Welfare Benefits

Viracta’s named executive officers, during their employment with Viracta, are eligible to participate in Viracta’s employee benefit plans, including Viracta’s medical, dental, group term life, and flexible spending account plans, in each case on the same basis as all of Viracta’s other employees.

Viracta generally does not provide perquisites or personal benefits to Viracta’s named executive officers, except in limited circumstances. Viracta’s board of directors may elect to adopt qualified or nonqualified benefit plans in the future if it determines that doing so is in Viracta’s best interests.

Retirement Benefits and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

Viracta maintains a 401(k) plan but does not maintain nonqualified deferred compensation plans. Viracta’s board of directors may elect to provide Viracta’s officers and other employees with additional benefits in the future if it determines that doing so is in Viracta’s best interests.

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Equity Incentive Plans

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2022 with respect to shares of our common stock that may be issued under our existing equity compensation plans

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PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE

In accordance with rules adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, we provide the following information about the relationship between executive compensation for our principal executive officers (“PEOs”) and non-PEO named executive officers (“NEOs”) as well as certain financial performance of the Company.

The following adjustments were made to the first PEO to determine the Compensation Actually Paid:

The amount in the Equity Award Adjustments for the first PEO are derived from the amounts set forth in the following table:

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The following adjustments were made to the second PEO to determine the Compensation Actually Paid:

The amounts in the Equity Award Adjustments for the second PEO are derived from the amounts set forth in the following table:

The following adjustments were made to the non-PEO NEOs to determine the average Compensation Actually Paid:

The amounts in the Average Equity Award Adjustments for the non-PEO NEOs are derived from the amounts set forth in the following table:

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Analysis of the Information Presented in the Pay Versus Performance Table

The Company generally seeks to incentivize long-term performance, and therefore does not specifically align performance measures with “compensation actually paid” (as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K) for a particular year. In accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following descriptions of the relationships between information presented in the Pay Versus Performance table.

Compensation Actually Paid and Net Income (Loss)

Because we are not a commercial-stage company, we did not have any revenue during the periods presented, other than a gain on a royalty purchase agreement with XOMA (US) LLC entered into in 2021. Consequently, the Company has not historically looked to net income (loss) as a performance measure for our executive compensation program. From 2021 to 2022, our net loss increased when excluding one-time operating expenses in 2021 related to acquired in-process research and development of $88.5 million, and the compensation actually paid for both our PEOs and non-PEO NEOs decreased between 2021 and 2022.

Compensation Actually Paid and Cumulative TSR

As shown in the following graph, the compensation actually paid to Mr. Rothera, Dr. Royston and the average amount of compensation actually paid to our other named executive officers as a group during the periods presented are positively correlated. We utilize several performance measures to align executive compensation with our performance, but those tend not to be financial performance measures, such as TSR. For example, as described in more detail above in the section “Employment Arrangements,” part of the compensation our named executive officers are eligible to receive consists of annual cash bonuses which are designed to provide appropriate incentives to our executives to achieve defined annual corporate goals and to reward our executives for individual achievement of performance objectives. Additionally, we view stock options, which are an integral part of our executive compensation program, as related to company performance although not directly tied to TSR, because they provide value only if the market price of our common stock increases, and if the executive officer continues in our employment over the vesting period. These stock option awards strongly align our executive officers’ interests with those of our stockholders by providing a continuing financial incentive to

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maximize long-term value for our stockholders and by encouraging our executive officers to continue in our employment for the long-term.

All information provided above under the “Pay Versus Performance” heading will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing of our company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of April 19, 2023 by:

We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and thus it represents sole or shared voting or investment power with respect to our securities. Unless otherwise indicated, to our knowledge, the persons or entities identified in the table have sole voting power and sole investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws where applicable.

We have based our calculation of the percentage of beneficial ownership on 38,410,935 shares of our common stock outstanding as of April 19, 2023. We have deemed shares of our common stock subject to stock options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 19, 2023, or issuable pursuant to RSUs which are subject to vesting and settlement conditions expected to occur within 60 days of April 19, 2023, to be outstanding and to be beneficially owned by the person holding the stock option or RSU for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person. We did not deem these shares outstanding, however, for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each person or entity listed in the table is c/o Viracta Therapeutics, Inc., 2533 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Suite 210, Cardiff, California 92007.

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RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

Since January 1, 2021, we have not entered into any transactions, nor are there any currently proposed transactions to which we will be a party, in which:

Policies and Procedures for Related Person Transactions

We have adopted a formal, written policy regarding related person transactions. This written policy regarding related person transactions provides that a related person transaction is a transaction, arrangement or relationship or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships, in which we are a participant and in which a related person has, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest and in which the aggregate amount involved exceeds $120,000. For purposes of this policy, a related person means any of our executive officers and directors (including director nominees), in each case at any time since the beginning of our last fiscal year, or holders of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities and any member of the immediate family of, or person sharing the household with, any of the foregoing persons.

Our audit committee has the primary responsibility for reviewing and approving, ratifying or disapproving related person transactions. In determining whether to approve, ratify or disapprove any such transaction, our audit committee will consider, among other factors, (1) whether the transaction is fair to us and on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to unaffiliated third parties under the same or similar circumstances, (2) the extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction, (3) whether there are business reasons for us to enter into such transaction, (4) whether the transaction would impair the independence of any of our outside directors and (5) whether the transaction would present an improper conflict of interest for any of our directors or executive officers.

The policy grants standing pre-approval of certain transactions, including (1) certain compensation arrangements for our directors or executive officers, (2) transactions with another company at which a related person’s only relationship is as a non-executive employee, director or beneficial owner of less than 10% of that company’s shares, provided that the aggregate amount involved does not exceed the greater of $200,000 or 5% of such company’s total annual revenues and the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to unaffiliated third parties under the same or similar circumstances, (3) charitable contributions by us to a charitable organization, foundation or university at which a related person’s only relationship is as a non-executive employee or director, provided that the aggregate amount involved does not exceed the greater of $200,000 or 5% of such organization’s total annual receipts, (4) transactions where a related person’s interest arises solely from the ownership of our common stock and all holders of our common stock received the same benefit on a pro rata basis and (5) any indemnification or advancement of expenses made pursuant to our organizational documents or any agreement. In addition to our policy, our audit committee charter provides that our audit committee shall review and approve or disapprove any related person transactions.

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OTHER MATTERS

2022 Annual Report

Our financial statements for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 are included in our annual report, which we will make available to stockholders at the same time as this proxy statement. Our proxy materials and our annual report are posted on our website at www.viracta.com and are available from the SEC at its website at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain a copy of our annual report, free of charge, by sending a written request to Viracta Therapeutics, Inc., 2533 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Suite 210, Cardiff, California 92007, Attention: Investor Relations.

Information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not intended to be incorporated by reference into this proxy statement, and references to our website address in this proxy statement are inactive textual references only.

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The board of directors does not know of any other matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting. If any additional matters are properly presented at the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the proxy will have discretion to vote the shares of our common stock they represent in accordance with their own judgment on such matters.

It is important that your shares be represented at the Annual Meeting, regardless of the number of shares that you hold. You are, therefore, urged to vote as promptly as possible to ensure your vote is recorded.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cardiff, California

April 27, 2023

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YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT! PLEASE VOTE BY: INTERNET Go To: www.proxypush.com/VIRX Cast your vote online Have your Proxy Card ready Follow the simple instructions to record your vote PHONE Call 1-866-458-1594 Use any touch-tone telephone Have your Proxy Card ready Follow the simple recorded instructions MAIL Mark, sign and date your Proxy Card Fold and return your Proxy Card in the postage-paid envelope provided Viracta Therapeutics, Inc. Annual Meeting of Stockholders For Stockholders of record as of April 19, 2023 TIME: Thursday, June 8, 2023 10:00 AM, Pacific Time PLACE: Annual Meeting to be held via the Internet—please visit www.proxydocs.com/VIRX for more details. This proxy is being solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors The undersigned hereby appoints Mark Rothera and Daniel Chevallard (the “Named Proxies”), and each or either of them, as the true and lawful attorneys of the undersigned, with full power of substitution and revocation, and authorizes them, and each of them, to vote all the shares of capital stock of Viracta Therapeutics, Inc. which the undersigned is entitled to vote at said meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof upon the matters specified and upon such other matters as may be properly brought before the meeting or any adjournment thereof, conferring authority upon such true and lawful attorneys to vote in their discretion on such other matters as may properly come before the meeting and revoking any proxy heretofore given. THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, SHARES WILL BE VOTED IDENTICAL TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDATION. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. In their discretion, the Named Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other matters that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. You are encouraged to specify your choice by marking the appropriate box (SEE REVERSE SIDE) but you need not mark any box if you wish to vote in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendation. The Named Proxies cannot vote your shares unless you sign (on the reverse side) and return this card.

Viracta Therapeutics, Inc. Annual Meeting of Stockholders Please make your marks like this: X THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE: FOR ON PROPOSALS 1, 2 AND 3 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PROPOSAL YOUR VOTE RECOMMENDS 1. To elect three (3) Class II directors to hold office until our 2026 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. 1.01 Jane F. Barlow M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A FOR WITHHOLD FOR #P2# #P2# 1.02 Thomas E. Darcy FOR #P3# #P3# 1.03 Barry J. Simon, M.D. FOR #P4# #P4# FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 2. To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers. FOR #P5# #P5# #P5# 3. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting FOR firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. #P6# #P6# #P6# Note: In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.