DNLI - Denali Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2020 Financial Results and Provides COVID-19 Response Update

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, May 07, 2020 (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, 2020 and provided an update on the Company's response to COVID-19.

“Our commitment to defeat degeneration for our patients remains undeterred and we are working tirelessly toward our goals, with key data and decisions on track for mid-year 2020, despite the challenging external environment imposed by the pandemic,” said Ryan Watts, Ph.D., CEO. “We are also looking forward to DNL310 clinical biomarker data in Hunter syndrome in late 2020, with the goal of validating our Transport Vehicle platform technology for brain uptake of biotherapeutics.”

Denali provided a business update in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on April 2, 2020. There has been no significant change to the status of the Company's clinical trials since. Denali is continuously assessing and adapting its working practices and business operations to ensure compliance with official guidance and orders related to the pandemic. Furthermore, the Company is working proactively with its partners and other stakeholders in an effort to mitigate and minimize any negative impact to its research, clinical trials or other business operations.

First Quarter 2020 Financial Results

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, Denali reported a net loss of $56.8 million compared with a net loss of $39.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Collaboration revenue was $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to $4.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The decrease of $0.6 million in collaboration revenue was primarily due to a $2.9 million decrease in revenue from the collaboration with Sanofi, driven by lower revenue for retained activities as activities are transferred to Sanofi, partially offset by a $2.3 million increase in revenue from the collaboration with Takeda, driven by increased costs incurred in the programs partnered with Takeda.

Total research and development expenses were $51.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to $37.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The increase of approximately $13.6 million was primarily due to an increase in external expenses related to progression of Denali's portfolio, in particular the LRRK2 and EIF2B programs. In addition, there was an increase in personnel-related expenses, including stock-based compensation, driven primarily by higher headcount and additional equity award grants. Other increases include external research and development expenses to support pipeline growth as well as higher rent expense associated with the new headquarters lease. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in external expenses for Denali's RIPK1 program, as well as its TV platform and other program external expenses.

General and administrative expenses were $12.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $9.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The increase of approximately $3.3 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.

Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities were $596.9 million as of March 31, 2020.

About Denali Therapeutics

Denali Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company developing a broad portfolio of product candidates engineered to cross the blood-brain barrier 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 http://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 response to COVID-19, including status of clinical trials as well as efforts to mitigate any negative impact on the Company’s research, clinical trials and other business operations; status of pipeline, including the clinical trial for DNL310 in Hunter syndrome patients; 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: Denali’s business and operations, including its clinical trials, caused directly or indirectly by the evolving COVID-19 pandemic; whether Denali's efforts to mitigate and minimize any negative impact to its research, clinical programs and other business operations will be effective or sufficient; Denali’s early stages of clinical drug development; Denali’s ability to complete the development and, if approved, commercialization of its product candidates; Denali’s ability to enroll patients in its ongoing and future clinical trials; Denali’s reliance on third parties for the manufacture and supply its product candidates for clinical trials; the risk of the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of Denali’s collaboration agreements; Denali’s dependence on successful development of its BBB platform technology; Denali’s ability to conduct or complete clinical trials on expected timelines; 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; developments relating to Denali’s competitors and its industry, including competing product candidates and therapies; 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 BBB platform technology; Denali’s ability to obtain additional capital to finance its operations, as needed; Denali’s ability to accurately forecast future financial results in the current environment; general economic and market conditions; and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in Denali’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, most recent Quarterly Report on From 10-Q 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.

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Contacts:

Lizzie Hyland
(646) 495-2706
lhyland@gpg.com

or

Morgan Warners
(202) 295-0124
mwarners@gpg.com