Denali Therapeutics Reports Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Business Highlights

Rhea-AI Summary

Denali Therapeutics (NASDAQ: DNLI) reported Q2 2024 financial results and business highlights. Key updates include:

1. Completed enrollment of 47 participants in Phase 1/2 study for tividenofusp alfa (DNL310) in MPS II.

2. FDA indicated openness to discussing accelerated approval pathway for tividenofusp alfa.

3. DNL126 selected for FDA's START Pilot Program for rare disease therapeutics.

4. Regained rights to ATV:Abeta program from Biogen for Alzheimer's disease.

5. Net loss of $99.0 million in Q2 2024, compared to net income of $183.4 million in Q2 2023.

6. No collaboration revenue in Q2 2024, down from $294.1 million in Q2 2023.

7. Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of $1.35 billion as of June 30, 2024.

Positive

• Completed enrollment of 47 participants in Phase 1/2 study for tividenofusp alfa (DNL310) in MPS II
• FDA indicated openness to discussing accelerated approval pathway for tividenofusp alfa
• DNL126 selected for FDA's START Pilot Program for rare disease therapeutics
• Regained rights to ATV:Abeta program from Biogen for Alzheimer's disease
• Strong cash position of $1.35 billion as of June 30, 2024

Negative

• Net loss of $99.0 million in Q2 2024, compared to net income of $183.4 million in Q2 2023
• No collaboration revenue in Q2 2024, down from $294.1 million in Q2 2023
• Total research and development expenses of $91.4 million in Q2 2024

Financial Analyst

Denali Therapeutics' Q2 2024 financial results reveal a significant shift in the company's financial position. The company reported a net loss of $99.0 million for Q2 2024, compared to a net income of $183.4 million in Q2 2023. This dramatic swing is primarily due to the absence of collaboration revenue in Q2 2024, compared to $294.1 million in the same quarter last year.

The lack of collaboration revenue is a critical point for investors to consider. It highlights the volatility of Denali's revenue stream, which is heavily dependent on milestone payments and partner activities. The $293.9 million revenue recognized in Q2 2023 from Biogen's option exercise was a one-time event, underscoring the unpredictable nature of such income sources.

On the expense side, Denali has managed to slightly reduce its R&D expenses by $6.1 million to $91.4 million. This reduction, primarily due to the divestiture of preclinical small molecule programs and discontinuation of certain clinical programs, demonstrates the company's efforts to streamline its pipeline and focus resources on its most promising candidates.

The company's cash position remains strong, with approximately $1.35 billion in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of June 30, 2024. This substantial cash reserve provides Denali with a significant runway to advance its pipeline without immediate financing concerns.

However, investors should note that without consistent revenue streams, the company's cash burn rate will be a critical metric to watch in coming quarters. The current financial position suggests Denali has several years of runway at current spending levels, but this could change rapidly if clinical programs advance and expenses increase.

Biotech Research Analyst

Denali Therapeutics' Q2 2024 report showcases significant progress across its pipeline, particularly in its blood-brain barrier (BBB) crossing therapeutics. The company's Enzyme Transport Vehicle (ETV) franchise is gaining momentum, with two key developments:

• Tividenofusp alfa (DNL310) for MPS II: The FDA's openness to discussing an accelerated approval pathway using cerebrospinal fluid heparan sulfate as a surrogate biomarker is a potential game-changer. This could significantly expedite the path to market for this therapy.
• DNL126 for MPS IIIA: Its selection for the FDA's START program could accelerate development, potentially leading to faster market entry.

The regaining of rights to the ATV:Abeta program from Biogen is a double-edged sword. While it expands Denali's opportunities in Alzheimer's disease, it also means the loss of a major partner in this high-risk, high-reward area. The preclinical data showing potential for a wider therapeutic window and lower rates of ARIA is promising, but investors should remain cautious given the challenging nature of Alzheimer's drug development.

The advancement of multiple programs into later-stage clinical trials, including DNL343 for ALS and BIIB122/DNL151 for Parkinson's disease, demonstrates the breadth of Denali's pipeline. However, the voluntary pause of the TAK-594/DNL593 Phase 1/2 study highlights the inherent risks in drug development.

Denali's focus on BBB-crossing therapeutics positions it uniquely in the neurodegenerative disease space. The company's diverse approach, utilizing multiple technology platforms (ETV, PTV, OTV, ATV), provides multiple shots on goal but also increases complexity and resource requirements.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Aug. 01, 2024 (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 the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and lysosomal storage diseases, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024, and provided business highlights.

"In the second quarter, our Enzyme Transport Vehicle franchise gained additional momentum with continued engagement with the FDA on an accelerated approval pathway for tividenofusp alfa (DNL310, ETV:IDS) in MPS II and the FDA's selection of DNL126 (ETV:SGSH) in MPS IIIA for the START program," said Ryan Watts, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Denali Therapeutics. “Today, we are also pleased to share that we have regained the rights to our TfR-based ATV:Abeta program from Biogen, thereby expanding our opportunities for addressing Alzheimer's disease with a potential best-in-class approach. We look forward to continuing to make significant progress as leaders in the promising and growing field of BBB-crossing therapeutics."

Second Quarter 2024 and Recent Program Updates

Late-stage and mid-stage clinical programs

Tividenofusp alfa (DNL310): Enzyme Transport Vehicle (ETV)-enabled, iduronate-2-sulfatase (IDS) replacement therapy in development for MPS II (Hunter syndrome)

• In April, completed enrollment of 47 participants with MPS II in the Phase 1/2 open-label study.
• COMPASS, the global Phase 2/3 study, is expected to complete enrollment in 2024.
• In July, Molecular Genetics and Metabolism published a review co-authored by Denali's Chief Medical Officer, Carole Ho, M.D., titled, "Community consensus for heparan sulfate as a biomarker to support accelerated approval in neuronopathic mucopolysaccharidoses", which summarizes many of the presentations at the Reagan-Udall Foundation workshop held in February 2024 and provides a perspective on the path forward for neuronopathic MPS disorders.
• Following the Reagan-Udall Foundation workshop, Denali received written communication from the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) division of the FDA indicating openness to discussing an accelerated approval pathway for tividenofusp alfa in MPS II with cerebrospinal fluid heparan sulfate (CSF HS) as a surrogate biomarker. Denali looks forward to continued engagement with CDER regarding Denali’s intention to file for approval of tividenofusp alfa using the accelerated approval pathway. Denali will provide an update in 2H 2024.

DNL343: eIF2B activator in development for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

• In May, the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in collaboration with the Northeast ALS Consortium (NEALS) announced that enrollment is complete in Regimen G (DNL343) of the Phase 2/3 HEALEY ALS Platform Trial.
  

SAR443820/DNL788: CNS-penetrant RIPK1 inhibitor in development for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS)

• Sanofi is evaluating SAR443820/DNL788 in a Phase 2 study in participants with MS, which is fully enrolled.
  

BIIB122/DNL151: LRRK2 inhibitor in development for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD)

• Biogen is conducting the ongoing global Phase 2b LUMA study of BIIB122 in participants with early-stage Parkinson’s disease.
• Denali plans to initiate a global Phase 2a study in 2024 to evaluate safety and biomarkers associated with BIIB122 in participants with Parkinson’s disease and confirmed pathogenic variants of LRRK2. This study is being funded under the Collaboration and Development Funding Agreement with a third party.

Eclitasertib (SAR443122/DNL758): Peripheral RIPK1 inhibitor in development for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC)

• Sanofi is conducting the ongoing Phase 2 study of SAR443122/DNL758 in participants with UC.
  

Early-stage clinical and preclinical programs

DNL126: ETV-enabled N-sulfoglucosamine sulfohydrolase (SGSH) replacement therapy in development for the treatment of MPS IIIA (Sanfilippo syndrome Type A)

• In June, Denali announced that the CDER selected DNL126 for participation in the FDA's Support for clinical Trials Advancing Rare disease Therapeutics (START) Pilot Program to further accelerate the development of novel drug and biological products for rare diseases. Participation in START is expected to facilitate and accelerate development of DNL126.
• Phase 1/2 biomarker and safety data are expected by the end of 2024.

TAK-594/DNL593: Protein Transport Vehicle (PTV)-enabled progranulin (PGRN) replacement therapy in development for the treatment of frontotemporal dementia-granulin (FTD-GRN)

• Denali has finalized the protocol amendment for the Phase 1/2 study and prescreening of participants for Cohort B2 is ongoing.
  

Oligonucleotide Transport Vehicle (OTV) platform

• Denali is advancing OTV:MAPT, targeting tau for Alzheimer’s disease, and OTV:SNCA, targeting alpha-synuclein for Parkinson’s disease, in the investigational new drug (IND)-enabling stage of development.
  

Antibody Transport Vehicle Amyloid beta (ATV:Abeta) program

• Today, Denali also announced that Biogen terminated its license to the ATV:Abeta program enabled by Denali’s TfR-targeting technology against amyloid beta for the potential treatment of Alzheimer's disease and granted Denali rights to data generated during the collaboration. As a result of the termination, all rights to develop, manufacture, perform medical affairs activities, and commercialize new TfR-targeting ATV:Abeta therapeutics reverted to Denali. Biogen licensed Denali's TfR-targeting ATV:Abeta program in April 2023 having exercised an option that was part of the 2020 collaboration agreement between the two companies. Biogen’s decision was not related to any efficacy or safety concerns with the Transport Vehicle platform.
• Denali is working to develop the next generation of anti-amyloid beta therapeutics with ATV:Abeta, which is designed to increase exposure of the therapeutic antibody and achieve broad biodistribution in the brain with the potential for improved efficacy and safety. Preclinical data demonstrated potential for a wider therapeutic window compared to a standard antibody, with superior plaque decoration and reduction and very low rates of amyloid related imaging abnormalities (ARIA). These data are included in a recent manuscript posted on bioRxiv.
• Denali plans to advance a TfR-targeting ATV:Abeta molecule as well as a CD98hc-targeting ATV:Abeta molecule into development for Alzheimer's disease.
  

Discovery programs

Denali applies its deep scientific expertise in neurodegeneration biology and the BBB to discover and develop medicines and platforms with the focus on programs enabled by the TV technology and targeting neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and lysosomal storage diseases.

• In July, Denali posted the manuscript titled, "Fc-engineered large molecules targeting the blood-brain barrier transferrin receptor and CD98hc have distinct central nervous system and peripheral biodistribution compared to standard antibodies" on bioRxiv. Using comprehensive and unbiased approaches, Denali scientists reveal distinct biodistribution of the TfR and CD98hc transport vehicle delivery platforms from the brain single-cell level all the way to the whole body.
  

Participation in Upcoming Investor Conferences

• BTIG Virtual Biotechnology Conference, August 5-6
• 2024 Wedbush PacGrow Healthcare Conference, August 13-14
• Morgan Stanley 22nd Annual Global Healthcare Conference, September 4-6
• H.C. Wainwright 26th Annual Global Investment Conference, September 9-11
• 2024 Cantor Global Healthcare Conference, September 17-19
  

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Net loss was $99.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to net income of $183.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.

There was no collaboration revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to $294.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. The decrease in collaboration revenue was primarily due to $293.9 million of revenue recognized in the quarter ended June 30, 2023 as a result of Biogen exercising their option to license our ATV:Abeta program.

Total research and development expenses were $91.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to $97.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. The decrease of approximately $6.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 was primarily attributable to a decrease in personnel and external expenses associated with the divestiture of the Company's preclinical small molecule programs. There were also decreases in external expenses associated with the ATV:TREM2 and PTV:PGRN programs due to the discontinuation of clinical development of TAK-920/DNL919 (ATV:TREM2) in Alzheimer’s disease and voluntary pause of Part B in the TAK-594/DNL593 (PTV:PGRN) Phase 1/2 study, respectively. Additionally, the Company commenced recognition of research funding for the LRRK2 program from the Collaboration and Development Funding Agreement executed in January 2024. These decreases were partially offset by increases in costs in various clinical stage programs, including eIF2B, ETV:SGSH and ETV:IDS reflecting the continued progress of these programs in clinical trials.

General and administrative expenses were $25.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to $26.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. The decrease of $0.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 was primarily attributable to a decrease in personnel-related expenses consisting of employee compensation and stock-based compensation expense, partially offset by combined increases of $0.2 million in professional services, facilities and other corporate costs.

Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities were approximately $1.35 billion as of June 30, 2024.

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 the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and lysosomal storage 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 expectations regarding Denali’s TV technology platform; statements made by Denali’s Chief Executive Officer; plans, timelines, and expectations regarding DNL310 and the ongoing Phase 2/3 COMPASS and Phase 1/2 studies, the timing and likelihood of accelerated approval, and the timing and availability of program updates; plans and timelines regarding DNL343, including in Regimen G of the Phase 2/3 HEALEY ALS Platform Trial; plans, timelines, and expectations of both Denali and Sanofi regarding DNL788, including the Phase 2 study in MS; plans, timelines, and expectations regarding DNL151, including with respect to the ongoing LUMA study as well as enrollment and timing of the proposed Phase 2a study in PD patients with LRRK2 mutations; expectations regarding DNL758, including the ongoing Phase 2 study in patients with UC; plans, timelines, and expectations related to DNL126, including the timing and availability of data in the ongoing Phase 1/2 study and the impact on development of participation in START; plans, timelines, and expectations of both Denali and Takeda regarding DNL593 and the ongoing Phase 1/2 study; plans, timelines, and expectations regarding the advancement of OTV:MAPT and OTV:SNCA towards clinical development; plans, timelines, and expectations regarding the ATV:Abeta program, including its therapeutic potential and the clinical advancement of ATV:Abeta molecules; plans and expectations for Denali's preclinical programs; Denali's future operating expenses and anticipated cash runway; Denali's PIPE financing and its anticipated proceeds; and Denali's participation in upcoming investor conferences. 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 by adverse economic conditions; 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, or Biogen, or any of Denali’s other collaboration agreements; Denali’s transition to a late-stage clinical drug development company; Denali’s and its collaborators’ ability to complete the development and, if approved, commercialization of its product candidates; Denali’s and its collaborators’ 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 programs and product candidates; Denali’s and its collaborators' 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; 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 blood-brain barrier 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; and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in Denali's most recent Annual and Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on February 28, 2024 and May 7, 2024, respectively, and Denali’s future reports to be filed with the SEC. Denali does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, to conform these statements to actual results, or to make changes in Denali’s expectations, 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 June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024				2023				2024				2023
Collaboration revenue:
Collaboration revenue from customers(1)	$	—			$	294,123			$	—			$	329,264
Total collaboration revenue		—				294,123				—				329,264
Operating expenses:
Research and development(2)		91,399				97,520				198,415				226,336
General and administrative		25,194				26,120				50,430				53,260
Total operating expenses		116,593				123,640				248,845				279,596
Gain from divestiture of small molecule programs		—				—				14,537				—
Income (loss) from operations		(116,593	)			170,483				(234,308	)			49,668
Interest and other income, net		17,567				12,900				33,480				23,934
Net income (loss)	$	(99,026	)		$	183,383			$	(200,828	)		$	73,602
Net income (loss) per share:
Net income (loss) per share, basic	$	(0.59	)		$	1.34			$	(1.26	)		$	0.54
Net income (loss) per share, diluted	$	(0.59	)		$	1.30			$	(1.26	)		$	0.52
Weighted-average shares used in calculating:
Net income (loss) per share, diluted		168,831,329				137,047,227				159,117,759				136,787,321
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic and diluted		168,831,329				140,930,625				159,117,759				140,550,226

__________________________________________________
(1)		Includes related-party collaboration revenue from customers of $294.1 million and $294.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively.
(2)		Includes expenses for cost sharing payments due to a related party of $7.0 million and $11.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively.

Denali Therapeutics Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

	June 30, 2024				December 31, 2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	74,679			$	127,106
Short-term marketable securities		821,365				907,405
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		32,339				29,626
Total current assets		928,383				1,064,137
Long-term marketable securities		450,994				—
Property and equipment, net		48,077				45,589
Operating lease right-of-use asset		24,533				26,048
Other non-current assets		50,578				18,143
Total assets	$	1,502,565			$	1,153,917
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	13,936			$	9,483
Accrued clinical and other research & development costs		19,915				19,035
Accrued manufacturing costs		7,111				15,462
Other accrued costs and current liabilities		6,013				5,152
Accrued compensation		9,555				21,590
Operating lease liability, current		7,771				7,260
Deferred research funding liability		10,232				—
Total current liabilities		74,533				77,982
Operating lease liability, less current portion		40,981				44,981
Total liabilities		115,514				122,963
Total stockholders' equity		1,387,051				1,030,954
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,502,565			$	1,153,917

Investor and Media Contact:

Laura Hansen, Ph.D.
Vice President, Investor Relations
(650) 452-2747
hansen@dnli.com

FAQ

What was Denali Therapeutics' (DNLI) net loss in Q2 2024?

Denali Therapeutics reported a net loss of $99.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024.

How much cash does Denali Therapeutics (DNLI) have as of June 30, 2024?

Denali Therapeutics had approximately $1.35 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as of June 30, 2024.

What progress has Denali Therapeutics (DNLI) made with tividenofusp alfa for MPS II?

Denali completed enrollment of 47 participants in the Phase 1/2 open-label study for tividenofusp alfa in MPS II, and the FDA indicated openness to discussing an accelerated approval pathway for the treatment.

What happened with Denali Therapeutics' (DNLI) ATV:Abeta program for Alzheimer's disease?

Denali regained the rights to the ATV:Abeta program from Biogen, expanding its opportunities for addressing Alzheimer's disease with a potential best-in-class approach.