Denali Therapeutics (DNLI) widens 2025 loss but fortifies cash for key 2026 drug milestones
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
8-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Denali Therapeutics reported a wider net loss of
Research and development expenses were
The company highlighted launch readiness for tividenofusp alfa ahead of the April 5, 2026 PDUFA decision and encouraging biomarker data for DNL126 in Sanfilippo syndrome type A. Multiple additional programs advanced across Alzheimer’s disease, Pompe disease, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease and ulcerative colitis, with several key clinical readouts expected in 2026.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Insights
Denali increases R&D investment, strengthens cash, and nears key 2026 milestones.
Denali Therapeutics remains a development-stage company, with 2025 net loss expanding to
Despite higher losses, the balance sheet is strong, with
Near-term value drivers are concentrated in 2026 milestones: the April 5, 2026 PDUFA decision for tividenofusp alfa in Hunter syndrome, Phase 1/2 DNL126 data in Sanfilippo syndrome type A, and multiple mid-stage readouts in Parkinson’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Actual impact will depend on regulatory outcomes and clinical results as they are reported.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of | (Commission | (I.R.S. Employer | ||||||||||||
| incorporation) | File Number) | Identification No.) | ||||||||||||
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(650 ) 866-8547
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last reports)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) | |||||
| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) | |||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) | |||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) | |||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol (s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
| Emerging growth company | ||||||||
| If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐ | ||||||||
Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On February 26, 2026, Denali Therapeutics Inc. (the "Company") issued a press release announcing its financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2025. The full text of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
All of the information furnished in this Item 2.02 and Item 9.01 (including Exhibit 99.1) shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and shall not be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit No. | Description | ||||||||||
| 99.1 | Press Release dated February 26 2026. | ||||||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL) | ||||||||||
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| DENALI THERAPEUTICS INC. | |||||||||||
| Date: | February 26, 2026 | By: | /s/ Alexander O. Schuth | ||||||||
| Alexander O. Schuth, M.D. | |||||||||||
| Chief Operating and Financial Officer | |||||||||||
Exhibit 99.1
Denali Therapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results and Business Highlights
•Tividenofusp alfa (DNL310; ETV:IDS) launch readiness established ahead of April 5, 2026 Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date for Hunter syndrome
•DNL126 (ETV:SGSH) Phase 1/2 preliminary data presented at 2026 WORLDSymposiumTM, supporting plans to pursue an accelerated approval path in Sanfilippo syndrome type A
•Start-up activities underway for DNL628 (OTV:MAPT) Phase 1b study for Alzheimer's disease and DNL952 (ETV:GAA) Phase 1 study for late-onset Pompe disease
•TransportVehicleTM platform and clinical pipeline progressing across lysosomal storage disorders and neurodegenerative diseases
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., – February 26, 2026 – Denali Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: DNLI) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025, and provided business highlights.
“In 2025, we made meaningful progress toward delivering urgently needed treatment options for people living with neurodegenerative diseases and lysosomal storage disorders, building on the strong scientific foundation that defines Denali,” said Ryan Watts, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Denali Therapeutics. “We established commercial readiness for the anticipated launch of tividenofusp alfa for individuals and families affected by Hunter syndrome and continued advancing our TransportVehicle platform across serious neurologic and systemic diseases that impact millions worldwide.
"In 2026, we are focused on launching tividenofusp alfa and transforming life for individuals living with other serious diseases. Data presented at WORLDSymposium support our plans to pursue an accelerated approval path for DNL126 in Sanfilippo syndrome type A. We are also initiating clinical studies of DNL628 (OTV:MAPT) in Alzheimer’s disease and DNL952 (ETV:GAA) in late-onset Pompe disease. Over the next three years, we expect to advance four to six additional programs into the clinic, guided by our commitment to the patients we serve.”
Fourth Quarter 2025 and Recent Program Updates
CLINICAL PROGRAMS
Tividenofusp alfa (DNL310; ETV:IDS) for Hunter syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis type II [MPS II])
Denali has established commercial launch readiness in anticipation of a regulatory decision on the Biologics License Application (BLA) for tividenofusp alfa under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accelerated approval pathway with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of April 5, 2026. Results from the open-label Phase 1/2 clinical trial of tividenofusp alfa were published in the January 1, 2026 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. The ongoing global Phase 2/3 COMPASS study is expected to generate confirmatory evidence and support global regulatory submissions; enrollment in Cohort A (neuronopathic participants) was completed in December 2025.
DNL126 (ETV:SGSH) for Sanfilippo syndrome type A (MPS IIIA)
In February 2026, Denali presented preliminary Phase 1/2 data at WORLDSymposium demonstrating treatment with DNL126 resulted in substantial reductions in disease biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF heparan sulfate and GM3) and the periphery (urinary heparan sulfate) with a safety profile generally consistent with established enzyme replacement therapies. These preliminary data support an accelerated approval path in Sanfilippo syndrome type A. Planning for a global Phase 3 confirmatory study is ongoing.
1
TAK-594/DNL593 (PTV:PGRN) for GRN-related frontotemporal dementia (FTD-GRN)
TAK-594/DNL593 is an intravenously administered progranulin replacement therapy utilizing Denali’s Protein TransportVehicleTM (PTV) technology to deliver progranulin across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and into the brain for individuals with FTD-GRN. Enrollment in the ongoing Phase 1/2 study is complete with a total of 40 participants with FTD-GRN enrolled. Initial FTD-GRN patient data are expected in 2026. The program is being developed in collaboration with Takeda.
DNL952 (ETV:GAA) for Pompe disease
DNL952 is enabled by Denali’s Enzyme TransportVehicleTM (ETV) and designed to enhance delivery of the missing enzyme, GAA, into muscle tissues and across the BBB into the brain. In January 2026, Denali announced that the FDA had lifted the clinical hold on the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for DNL952. Phase 1 study start-up activities are underway.
DNL628 (OTV:MAPT) for Alzheimer's disease
DNL628 is enabled by Denali’s Oligonucleotide TransportVehicleTM (OTV) and is designed to cross the BBB and reduce the tau protein by targeting the MAPT gene that encodes for tau. In January 2026, Denali announced that the Clinical Trial Application (CTA) for the Phase 1b study of DNL628 had been approved and study start-up activities are underway.
BIIB122/DNL151 (small molecule LRRK2 inhibitor) for Parkinson’s disease
A clinical data readout of the global Phase 2b LUMA study of BIIB122 for early-stage Parkinson’s disease is expected in mid-2026. Denali’s Phase 2a BEACON study in LRRK2-associated Parkinson’s disease remains ongoing. The LRRK2 program is being developed in collaboration with Biogen.
SAR443122/DNL758 (eclitasertib; small molecule RIPK1 inhibitor) for ulcerative colitis
The Phase 2 study of eclitasertib in participants with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis is expected to have results in the first half of 2026. The program is being developed by Sanofi.
IND-ENABLING STAGE PROGRAMS
Denali has multiple additional programs in the IND-enabling stage including DNL921 (ATV:Abeta) for Alzheimer’s disease; DNL111 (ETV:GCase) for Parkinson’s disease and Gaucher disease; DNL622 (ETV:IDUA) for MPS I; and DNL422 (OTV:SNCA) for Parkinson’s disease.
Corporate Updates
In December, Denali announced two funding events. The first was a $275.0 million synthetic royalty funding agreement with Royalty Pharma plc based on future net sales of tividenofusp alfa. The second was a successful public offering of common stock and pre-funded warrants totaling approximately $200.0 million in net proceeds.
Participation in Upcoming Investor Conferences
•TD Cowen 46th Annual Healthcare Conference, March 2-4, 2026, Boston
•UBS Biotech Summit Miami - Catalyst for Change, March 8-10, 2026, Miami
•Leerink Global Healthcare Conference, March 8-11, 2026, Miami
•Jefferies 2026 Biotech on the Beach Summit, March 10-11, 2026, Miami
2
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results
Net losses were $128.5 million and $512.5 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2025, respectively, compared to net losses of $114.8 million and $422.8 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, respectively.
Total research and development expenses were $97.9 million and $418.8 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2025, respectively, compared to $99.8 million and $396.4 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, respectively. The increase of approximately $22.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to the comparative period in the prior year was primarily attributable to higher external research and development costs related to multiple preclinical and clinical TransportVehicle programs, as well as increased personnel and other operating expenses associated with our large molecule manufacturing facility in Salt Lake City, Utah. These increases were partially offset by lower external expenses related to small molecule programs, which also contributed to the $1.9 million decrease in research and development expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, compared to the same period in the prior year.
General and administrative expenses were $39.5 million and $136.6 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2025, respectively, compared to $30.1 million and $105.4 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, respectively. The increases of $9.4 million and $31.1 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2025, compared to the comparative period in the prior year were primarily driven by headcount increases and other activities associated with preparing for the potential commercial launch for tividenofusp alfa.
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were approximately $966.2 million as of December 31, 2025.
About Denali Therapeutics
Denali Therapeutics Inc. is a biotechnology company pioneering a new class of biotherapeutics designed to cross the blood-brain barrier using its proprietary TransportVehicleTM platform. With a clinically validated delivery platform and a growing portfolio of therapeutic candidates across all stages of development, Denali is advancing toward its goal of delivering effective medicines to transform the lives of people living with neurodegenerative diseases, lysosomal storage disorders and other serious diseases. For more information, please visit www.denalitherapeutics.com.
3
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 for Denali’s TransportVehicleTM (TV) platform and its therapeutics and commercial potential; statements regarding Denali's business strategy and business plans, including expected key milestones for Denali's therapeutic portfolio in 2026 and beyond and Denali’s ability to execute on its commercial strategies; plans, timelines and expectations related to Denali's Enzyme TransportVehicleTM (ETV) franchise and its therapeutic and commercial potential; plans, timelines and expectations relating to tividenofusp alfa (DNL310), including the timing, likelihood and scope of regulatory approvals and commercial launch, the therapeutic potential of tividenofusp alfa, and the likelihood of the Phase 2/3 COMPASS data to support confirmatory evidence for global regulatory submissions and approval; plans, timelines and expectations related to DNL126, including the timing and availability of data from the Phase 1/2 study, the therapeutic potential of DNL126, the likelihood and pathway of regulatory approval, and the plans to initiate a Phase 3 study; plans and expectations regarding DNL593 and the timing and availability of data from the ongoing Phase 1/2 study; plans and expectations regarding DNL628, including the planned Phase 1b study; plans and expectations regarding DNL952, including the Phase 1 study and the program's therapeutic potential; plans, timelines and expectations regarding DNL151, including the ongoing Phase 2a BEACON study, and timing and expectations for availability of data from the Phase 2b LUMA study; expectations regarding DNL758 and the timing and availability of data from the Phase 2 study; the timing and occurrence of potential milestone payments, including from Royalty Pharma plc; Denali's future operating expenses and anticipated cash runway; plans regarding participation in upcoming investor conferences; and statements by Denali's Chief Executive Officer. All drugs currently being developed by Denali are investigational and have not received regulatory approval for any indication. 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: the impact of adverse economic conditions, tariffs and inflation on Denali’s business and operations; 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 other collaborators; 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 commercialize 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 and hedge against financial risk in the current environment; and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in Denali's most recent Annual Report and Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on February 27, 2025 and November 6, 2025, 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.
4
Denali Therapeutics Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Research and development | $ | 97,905 | $ | 99,787 | $ | 418,778 | $ | 396,440 | |||||||||||||||
| General and administration | 39,460 | 30,059 | 136,564 | 105,438 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 137,365 | 129,846 | 555,342 | 501,878 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gain from divestiture of small molecule programs | — | — | — | 14,537 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | (137,365) | (129,846) | (555,342) | (487,341) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest and other income, net | 8,918 | 15,161 | 42,904 | 64,636 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Loss before income taxes | (128,447) | (114,685) | (512,438) | (422,705) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | (102) | (68) | (102) | (68) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (128,549) | $ | (114,753) | $ | (512,540) | $ | (422,773) | |||||||||||||||
| Net loss per share, basic and diluted | $ | (0.73) | $ | (0.67) | $ | (2.97) | $ | (2.57) | |||||||||||||||
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic and diluted | 175,458,962 | 170,086,146 | 172,649,097 | 164,473,772 | |||||||||||||||||||
5
Denali Therapeutics Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
| December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 205,326 | $ | 174,960 | |||||||
| Short-term marketable securities | 662,553 | 657,371 | |||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 32,779 | 32,105 | |||||||||
| Total current assets | 900,658 | 864,436 | |||||||||
| Long-term marketable securities | 98,322 | 359,373 | |||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 52,402 | 55,236 | |||||||||
| Finance lease right-of-use asset | 48,531 | 47,533 | |||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use asset | 19,002 | 22,861 | |||||||||
| Other non-current assets | 25,939 | 24,741 | |||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 1,144,854 | $ | 1,374,180 | |||||||
| Liabilities and stockholders' equity | |||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 3,330 | $ | 11,137 | |||||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 95,021 | 91,071 | |||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 98,351 | 102,208 | |||||||||
| Operating lease liability, less current portion | 27,210 | 36,673 | |||||||||
| Finance lease liability, less current portion | 5,532 | 5,615 | |||||||||
| Total liabilities | 131,093 | 144,496 | |||||||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 1,013,761 | 1,229,684 | |||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 1,144,854 | $ | 1,374,180 | |||||||
6
Investor Contact:
Laura Hansen, Ph.D.
hansen@dnli.com
Media Contact:
Erin Patton
epatton@dnli.com
7
FAQ
How did Denali Therapeutics (DNLI) perform financially in 2025?
Denali reported a full-year 2025 net loss of
What is Denali Therapeutics’ cash position at the end of 2025?
Denali ended 2025 with
What are the key upcoming milestones for Denali Therapeutics (DNLI) in 2026?
Key 2026 milestones include the April 5, 2026 PDUFA target action date for tividenofusp alfa in Hunter syndrome, initial FTD-GRN patient data for DNL593, a Phase 2b LUMA readout for BIIB122 in Parkinson’s disease, and Phase 2 results for eclitasertib in ulcerative colitis.
What progress has Denali Therapeutics made with tividenofusp alfa (DNL310)?
Denali has established commercial launch readiness for tividenofusp alfa under FDA’s accelerated approval pathway, with a PDUFA target action date of April 5, 2026. Phase 1/2 results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine, and the Phase 2/3 COMPASS study is expected to provide confirmatory evidence.
How is Denali Therapeutics advancing DNL126 for Sanfilippo syndrome type A?
Preliminary Phase 1/2 data presented in February 2026 showed substantial reductions in cerebrospinal fluid and urinary disease biomarkers with DNL126, with a safety profile generally consistent with enzyme replacement therapies. These data support an accelerated approval path, and planning for a global Phase 3 study is underway.
What major financing steps did Denali Therapeutics take in 2025?
Denali completed a
Which therapeutic areas is Denali Therapeutics (DNLI) targeting with its pipeline?
Denali is developing therapies for neurodegenerative and lysosomal storage disorders, including Hunter syndrome, Sanfilippo syndrome type A, GRN-related frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Pompe disease, Parkinson’s disease, and ulcerative colitis, leveraging its blood-brain barrier-crossing TransportVehicle platform and related technologies.
Filing Exhibits & Attachments
4 documents
Denali Therapeut
NASDAQ:DNLI
DNLI Rankings
DNLI Latest News
DNLI Latest SEC Filings
Feb 26, 2026
[10-K] Denali Therapeutics Inc. Files Annual Report
Feb 5, 2026
[144] Denali Therapeutics Inc. SEC Filing
Feb 4, 2026
[144] Denali Therapeutics Inc. SEC Filing
Feb 3, 2026
[144] Denali Therapeutics Inc. SEC Filing
DNLI Stock Data
3.48B
140.31M
Biotechnology
Biological Products, (no Diagnostic Substances)
United States
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO