DNLI - Denali Therapeutics Reports Second Quarter 2019 Financial Results and Business Highlights

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Aug. 06, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Denali Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: DNLI), a biopharmaceutical company developing a broad portfolio of product candidates for neurodegenerative diseases, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2019, and provided business highlights.

“With one more program entering clinical testing, steady patient recruitment into our ongoing clinical trials in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and ALS as well as encouraging data in many of our discovery and IND-enabling programs, we continue to make progress towards our goal of defeating degeneration,” said Ryan Watts, Ph.D., CEO.

Second Quarter 2019 and Recent Business Highlights

• Achieved First Clinical Milestone for Peripheral RIPK1 Inhibitor Under the Sanofi Collaboration Agreement - In July 2019, Sanofi commenced dosing in healthy volunteers of the partnered small molecule inhibitor of RIPK1, DNL758. This triggered a milestone payment of $10.0 million, which Denali expects to receive in August 2019.
   
• Presented progress of EIF2B program DNL343 - In June 2019, the progress of DNL343, a therapeutic candidate designed to inhibit the formation of stress granules by activating EIF2B, was presented. Stress granule formation is present in many neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). Denali plans to commence dosing in a Phase 1 clinical study in healthy volunteers for this program in the first half of 2020.
   
• Announced Orphan Drug and Rare Pediatric Disease Designation for DNL310 and expansion of portfolio of brain penetrant enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) programs - In June 2019, Denali announced that the FDA granted Orphan Drug Designation and Rare Pediatric Disease Designation for its DNL310 program, which Denali is developing for patients with Hunter Syndrome. Based on pre-clinical proof of concept with DNL310, Denali has initiated two additional ERT programs that are enabled by its enzyme transport vehicle technology. A Phase 1/2 patient study of DNL310 in Hunter Syndrome is planned for mid 2020.

Second Quarter 2019 Financial Results

For the three months ended June 30, 2019, Denali reported a net loss of $58.3 million compared with a net loss of $54.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018.

Collaboration revenue was $4.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared with collaboration revenue of $1.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018. The increase was due to $3.5 million of revenue recognized under the Sanofi Collaboration Agreement in the three months ended June 30, 2019, partially offset by a decrease in revenue recognized under the Takeda Collaboration Agreement.

Total research and development expenses were $51.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to $52.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018. The decrease in total research and development expenses of $0.3 million was primarily attributable to expenses associated with the nomination of two additional Fcab targets under the F-star Collaboration Agreement, and the acquisition of F-star Gamma Limited in the three months ended June 30, 2018. The decrease was largely offset by increases in external expenses related to the Company's portfolio and platform technology, and personnel-related expenses, including non-cash stock-based compensation, driven primarily by higher headcount and stock-based compensation expense associated with new equity award grants and certain performance and market-based awards. There were also increases in external research and development expenses supporting a growing pipeline, and increased facilities-related expenses primarily due to rent expense.

General and administrative expenses were $15.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared to $6.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018. The increase in total general and administrative expenses of $8.2 million was primarily attributable to an increase in personnel-related expenses, including non-cash stock-based compensation, driven primarily by higher headcount and stock-based compensation expense associated with new equity award grants and certain performance and market-based awards. Additionally, there were increases in legal and professional services expenses required to support Denali's growing operations, and facilities-related expenses primarily due to rent expense.

Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities were $534.4 million as of June 30, 2019.

About Denali Therapeutics

Denali is a biopharmaceutical company developing a broad portfolio of product candidates for neurodegenerative diseases. Denali pursues new treatments by rigorously assessing genetically validated targets, engineering delivery across the blood-brain barrier and guiding development with biomarker monitoring to demonstrate target engagement and select patients. 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 and business plans; Denali’s expected receipt of a clinical milestone payment from Sanofi; Denali’s plans for, and the timing of commencing, dosing in a Phase 1 clinical study of DNL343 in healthy volunteers and  a Phase 1/2 patient study of DNL310 in Hunter Syndrome;  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 early stages of clinical drug development; Denali’s ability to complete the development and, if approved, commercialization of its product candidates; 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 and product candidates currently in its core program; 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; 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; and other risks, including those described in Denali’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 12, 2019, Denali’s Quarterly Report on From 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 6, 2019, 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.

Contacts:

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

or

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