Denali to Showcase BBB Drug Delivery Platform and Phase 1b Dosing at AAIC
DNLI•Denali CEO Ryan Watts will deliver the opening plenary at AAIC in London on July 12, 2026, highlighting advances in the TransportVehicle platform for biologic delivery across the blood-brain barrier. The platform underpins FDA-approved AVLAYAH and supports investigational candidates DNL628 (Phase 1b dosed) and DNL921 (CTA submitted).
1. Opening Plenary at AAIC 2026
Denali Therapeutics co-founder and CEO Ryan Watts will deliver the opening plenary address titled “Accelerating the Discovery and Development of Medicines for Neurodegeneration” on July 12, 2026, at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in London. The presentation will focus on new biological insights, biomarker strategies and enhanced delivery of biotherapeutics to the brain.
2. TransportVehicle Platform Breakthroughs
Denali’s proprietary TransportVehicle platform harnesses the transferrin receptor to ferry large molecules across the blood-brain barrier after intravenous administration. The technology underpins AVLAYAH, the first FDA-approved biologic designed for BBB penetration, and has demonstrated 10- to 1,000-fold greater brain exposure for antibodies, enzymes and oligonucleotides versus conventional delivery.
3. Investigational Alzheimer’s Candidates
Denali is advancing DNL628 (OTV:MAPT), an oligonucleotide targeting the MAPT gene, with Phase 1b dosing initiated in early 2026 and proof-of-concept data expected in 2027. The company submitted a Clinical Trial Application for DNL921 (ATV:Abeta), an anti-amyloid antibody, and plans to begin a Phase 1/1b study pending approval, seeking to reduce amyloid plaques while mitigating ARIA risk.
