SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Denali Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: DNLI), a biopharmaceutical company developing a broad portfolio of product candidates engineered to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) for neurodegenerative diseases, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021, and provided business highlights.
“Our programs have reached a number of exciting milestones so far this year across our broad portfolio of targeted therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases,” said Ryan Watts, Ph.D., Denali’s Chief Executive Officer. “We remain focused on advancing our lead clinical programs including DNL310 for Hunter syndrome, DNL151 (BIIB122) in collaboration with Biogen for Parkinson's disease, and DNL343 for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In addition, based on human biomarker proof of concept achieved with DNL310, we see significant potential in using our Transport Vehicle (TV) technology to create new, effective biologic therapeutics previously not possible due to limitations posed by the blood-brain barrier, and we continue to rigorously advance additional TV-enabled programs towards the clinic."
Recent Business Highlights
Achieved clinical and regulatory milestones with DNL310: In February 2021, Denali reported three-month data from Cohort A (n=5) in a Phase 1/2 study of DNL310, Denali’s lead TV-enabled brain-penetrant enzyme replacement therapy, in patients with Hunter syndrome (MPS II). The data showed that DNL310 treatment resulted in normalization of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) levels in cerebrospinal fluid and a safety and tolerability profile consistent with standard of care enzyme replacement therapy. In March 2021, Denali announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Fast Track designation to DNL310 for the treatment of patients with Hunter syndrome. Denali plans to report six-month data from Cohort A in mid-2021 at a medical conference.
Met safety and biomarker goals in DNL151 (BIIB122) Phase 1/1b studies: In May 2021, Denali presented results from two studies of its small molecule LRRK2 inhibitor, DNL151 (BIIB122), a Phase 1 study in healthy volunteers and a Phase 1b study in patients with Parkinson's disease, at the International Association of Parkinsonism and Related Disorders Virtual Congress held on May 1-4. DNL151 (BIIB122) was generally well tolerated, and target engagement and pathway engagement biomarker goals were met. Denali and Biogen plan to initiate late-stage clinical development of DNL151 (BIIB122) in patients with Parkinson's disease by year-end 2021.
Met safety and pathway engagement biomarker goals in DNL343 Phase 1 healthy volunteer study: Based on interim data from the ongoing Phase 1 single- and multiple-ascending-dose study of Denali’s small molecule EIF2B activator, DNL343, in healthy volunteers, safety and pathway engagement biomarker goals of the study were met. A maximum tolerated dose was not reached, and an additional multiple dose cohort has been added to the study to further explore the therapeutic window. Based on these data, Denali plans to initiate a Phase 1b study in patients with ALS in the second half of 2021.
DNL758 (SAR443122) advancing into Phase 2 study for cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE): In February 2021, Denali announced its partner Sanofi's decision, upon completion of a Phase 1b study in hospitalized adult patients with severe COVID-19 lung disease, to cease further development of DNL758 (SAR443122), a peripherally-restricted small molecule inhibitor of RIPK1, in COVID-19 based on the rapidly evolving landscape of treatment and prevention options for COVID-19. Although the Phase 1b study did not meet its primary endpoint, DNL758 (SAR443122) was generally well tolerated and did generate positive signals of relevant biological effect. Sanofi plans to commence dosing in a Phase 2 study of DNL758 (SAR443122) in CLE patients in the first half of 2021.
Summary Table of Upcoming 2021 Expected Key Milestones
| Timing | Investigational Drug Candidate | Therapeutic Area | Expected Milestone |
| 1H 2021 | RIPK1 inhibitor (DNL758/SAR443122) | CLE | Commence dosing in Phase 2 study in CLE patients (Sanofi) |
| Mid 2021 | ETV:IDS (DNL310) | Hunter syndrome (MPS II) | 6-month data from Cohort A of Phase 1/2 study |
| 2H 2021 | EIF2B activator (DNL343) | ALS, FTD | Initiate Phase 1b study in ALS patients |
| 2H 2021 | RIPK1 inhibitor (DNL788/SAR443820) | ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, MS | Phase 1 data in healthy volunteers (Sanofi) |
| Late 2021 | LRRK2 inhibitor (DNL151/BIIB122) | Parkinson’s disease | Initiate late-stage clinical development in Parkinson's patients |
| Late 2021 | PTV:PGRN (DNL593) | FTD | File IND application or CTA |
| Late 2021/Early 2022 | ATV:TREM2 (DNL919) | Alzheimer’s disease | File IND application or CTA |
Participation in Upcoming Investor Conferences
Members of Denali’s management will participate in the following upcoming investor conferences:
- UBS Global Healthcare Virtual Conference, May 24-26
- Jefferies Healthcare Conference, June 1-3
- Goldman Sachs 42nd Annual Global Healthcare Conference, June 8-10
- 2021 Wedbush PacGrow Healthcare Conference, August 10-11
First Quarter 2021 Financial Results
For the three months ended March 31, 2021, Denali reported a net loss of $70.0 million compared with a net loss of $56.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020.
Collaboration revenue was $7.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The increase of $4.3 million in collaboration revenue was primarily due to an increase in revenue from our collaboration with Takeda driven by increased costs incurred in the underlying partnered programs.
Total research and development expenses were $60.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $51.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The increase of approximately $9.2 million was primarily attributable to an increase in personnel-related expenses, including stock-based compensation, driven primarily by higher headcount and additional equity award grants at a higher market price. Additionally, there were increases in external expenses related to progression of Denali's portfolio, including costs related to the progress of the EIF2B and ETV:IDS programs in the clinic in 2021. Other increases included TV platform and other program external expenses reflecting the increased investment in Denali's pipeline. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in the LRRK2 program external expenses primarily due to completion of the Phase 1 and 1b studies, as well as cost sharing reimbursements from Biogen under the Biogen collaboration agreement, and a decrease in other external research and development expenses.
General and administrative expenses were $18.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $12.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The increase of approximately $6.3 million was primarily attributable to an increase in personnel-related expenses, including stock-based compensation, driven primarily by higher headcount and additional equity award grants at a higher market price. Additionally, there were increases in legal and other professional services expenses, including accounting and tax expenses associated with assessing the Biogen collaboration agreement, and other general costs such as insurance, tax and IT related expenses.
Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities were $1.45 billion as of March 31, 2021.
About Denali Therapeutics
Denali Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company developing a broad portfolio of product candidates engineered to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) for neurodegenerative diseases. Denali pursues new treatments by rigorously assessing genetically validated targets, engineering delivery across the BBB and guiding development through biomarkers that demonstrate target and pathway engagement. Denali is based in South San Francisco. For additional information, please visit www.denalitherapeutics.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements expressed or implied in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Denali's progress, business plans, business strategy, product candidates, planned preclinical studies and clinical trials and expected milestones; plans to conduct clinical development activities across various programs; plans, timelines and expectations related to DNL310 and Denali’s TV technology; plans, timelines and expectations related to DNL151 of both Denali and Biogen, including with respect to initiation of late-stage clinical development; plans, timelines and expectations related to DNL343, including with respect to the initiation of future clinical trials; plans, timelines and expectations related to DNL788 and DNL758 of both Denali and Sanofi, including with respect to the availability of data and the initiation of future clinical trials; Denali’s expectations regarding DNL593 and DNL919 and plans and expectations regarding planned regulatory filings; Denali’s priorities, regulatory approvals, timing and likelihood of success and expectations regarding collaborations; and statements made by Denali’s Chief Executive Officer. Actual results are subject to risks and uncertainties and may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks related to: any and all risks to Denali’s business and operations caused directly or indirectly by the evolving COVID-19 pandemic; risk of the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of Denali’s agreements with Sanofi, Takeda, Biogen or any of Denali’s other collaboration agreements; Denali’s early stages of clinical drug development; Denali’s and its partners’ ability to complete the development and, if approved, commercialization of its product candidates; Denali’s and its partners’ ability to enroll patients in its ongoing and future clinical trials; Denali’s reliance on third parties for the manufacture and supply of its product candidates for clinical trials; Denali’s dependence on successful development of its blood-brain barrier platform technology and its current programs and product candidates; Denali’s and its partners' ability to conduct or complete clinical trials on expected timelines; the risk that preclinical profiles of Denali’s product candidates may not translate in clinical trials; the potential for clinical trials to differ from preclinical, early clinical, preliminary or expected results; the risk of significant adverse events, toxicities or other undesirable side effects; the uncertainty that product candidates will receive regulatory approval necessary to be commercialized; Denali’s ability to continue to create a pipeline of product candidates or develop commercially successful products; Denali’s ability to obtain, maintain, or protect intellectual property rights related to its product candidates; implementation of Denali’s strategic plans for its business, product candidates and blood-brain barrier platform technology; and other risks, including those described in Denali’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on February 26, 2021 and Denali’s future reports to be filed with the SEC. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Denali as of the date hereof. Denali disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
Denali Therapeutics Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||
| Collaboration revenue: | |||||||
| Collaboration revenue from customers(1) | $ | 7,922 | $ | 3,552 | |||
| Other collaboration revenue | 1 | 52 | |||||
| Total collaboration revenue | 7,923 | 3,604 | |||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||
| Research and development(2) | 60,207 | 51,016 | |||||
| General and administrative | 18,936 | 12,555 | |||||
| Total operating expenses | 79,143 | 63,571 | |||||
| Loss from operations | (71,220 | ) | (59,967 | ) | |||
| Interest and other income, net | 1,179 | 3,069 | |||||
| Loss before income taxes | (70,041 | ) | (56,898 | ) | |||
| Income tax benefit | — | 135 | |||||
| Net loss | $ | (70,041 | ) | $ | (56,763 | ) | |
| Net loss per share, basic and diluted | $ | (0.58 | ) | $ | (0.55 | ) | |
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic and diluted | 120,884,665 | 102,419,718 | |||||
| (1) | Includes related party collaboration revenue from customer of $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. |
| (2) | Includes an offset to expense from related party cost reimbursement of $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. |
Denali Therapeutics Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
| March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||
| Assets | |||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 435,321 | $ | 507,144 | |||
| Short-term marketable securities | 977,827 | 962,553 | |||||
| Cost sharing reimbursements due from related party | 2,511 | 5,674 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 15,963 | 20,284 | |||||
| Total current assets | 1,431,622 | 1,495,655 | |||||
| Long-term marketable securities | 38,885 | 32,699 | |||||
| Property and equipment, net | 41,376 | 40,846 | |||||
| Operating lease right-of-use asset | 32,236 | 32,618 | |||||
| Other non-current assets | 3,739 | 2,462 | |||||
| Total assets | $ | 1,547,858 | $ | 1,604,280 | |||
| Liabilities and stockholders' equity | |||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 1,626 | $ | 1,071 | |||
| Accrued compensation | 4,963 | 20,503 | |||||
| Accrued clinical costs | 5,049 | 6,497 | |||||
| Accrued manufacturing costs | 13,342 | 7,140 | |||||
| Other accruals and other current liabilities | 8,299 | 8,315 | |||||
| Operating lease liability, current | 4,876 | 4,690 | |||||
| Related party contract liability, current | 3,569 | 3,569 | |||||
| Contract liabilities, current | 12,886 | 19,914 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 54,610 | 71,699 | |||||
| Related party contract liability, less current portion | 292,956 | 293,849 | |||||
| Contract liabilities, less current portion | 31,322 | 23,325 | |||||
| Operating lease liability, less current portion | 62,916 | 64,175 | |||||
| Other non-current liabilities | 701 | 701 | |||||
| Total liabilities | 442,505 | 453,749 | |||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 1,105,353 | 1,150,531 | |||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 1,547,858 | $ | 1,604,280 | |||
Investor Relations Contact:
Laura Hansen, Ph.D.
Vice President, Investor Relations
(650) 452-2747
hansen@dnli.com
Media Contacts:
Lizzie Hyland
(646) 495-2706
lizzie.hyland@fgh.com
or
Morgan Warners
(202) 295-0124
morgan.warners@fgh.com