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Pliant Therapeutics

Develops integrin-targeted therapies for fibrosis

Overview

Pliant Therapeutics develops drugs to treat fibrotic diseases. The company focuses on inhibiting integrin pathways involved in tissue scarring to stop disease progression and potentially restore normal organ function. Its products work by targeting fibrosis-related mechanisms at the molecular level, guided by medicinal chemistry and advanced screening technologies, and advancing candidates through clinical trials toward commercialization. Pliant differentiates itself through deep expertise in integrin biology and fibrosis, aiming to create best-in-class therapies that can address multiple fibrotic indications and provide targeted, effective treatments. The company’s goal is to transform the treatment of fibrotic diseases by halting progression and reversing fibrosis, improving patient outcomes and organ function.

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About Pliant Therapeutics

Simplify's Rating
Why Pliant Therapeutics is rated
C
Rated C on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated D+ on Differentiation

Industries

BiotechnologyHealthcare

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

South San Francisco, California

Founded

2015

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • FORTIFY enrolled its first patient on April 30, 2026, validating execution.
  • Second-quarter 2026 cash reached $159.6 million, funding operations into 2028.
  • Updated April 2026 data showed responses in checkpoint-refractory tumors, supporting combination potential.

What critics are saying

  • Bexotegrast died in IPF in 2025 after unfavorable risk-benefit and adverse events.
  • Headcount fell to roughly 52 by March 2026, showing a depleted organization.
  • Pliant now lives or dies on PLN-101095; a 2027 failure threatens the company.

What makes Pliant Therapeutics unique

  • PLN-101095 targets αvβ8 and αvβ1, attacking TGF-β activation in tumors directly.
  • Pliant repurposed integrin chemistry from fibrosis into oncology after BEACON-IPF collapse.
  • Fast Track on August 18, 2026 signals FDA recognition for a differentiated checkpoint-resistance strategy.

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Funding

Total Funding

$631.1M

Above

Industry Average

Funded Over

6 Rounds

Notable Investors:
Post IPO Equity funding comparison data is currently unavailable. We're working to provide this information soon!
Post IPO Equity Funding Comparison Coming Soon

Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Disability Insurance
  • 401(k) Company Match
  • Remote Work Options
  • Flexible Work Hours
  • Professional Development Budget
  • Wellness Program
  • Mental Health Support
  • Gym Membership

Stock Price

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

9%

1 year growth

8%

2 year growth

-1%
Yahoo Finance
Sep 30th, 2026
Pliant Therapeutics appoints David Raben as chief medical officer

Pliant Therapeutics has appointed David Raben as chief medical officer. Dr Raben brings over 30 years of experience in academic translational research, clinical care, and oncology drug development. Dr Raben is a board-certified radiation oncologist. Most recently, he served as chief medical officer at Bicara Therapeutics, where he oversaw clinical development of the company's lead asset across multiple indications. Previously, he held senior positions at Amgen and Genentech, leading oncology programmes and clinical strategy. Before moving to industry, Dr Raben spent more than 20 years as a professor at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. His research focused on combining novel biologic therapies with radiation for patients with advanced cancers. Pliant is developing PLN-101095, a dual-selective inhibitor being investigated for treating solid tumours.

Associated Press
Aug 11th, 2026
Pliant Therapeutics reports strong enrollment in FORTIFY Phase 1b oncology trial, appoints two directors

Pliant Therapeutics reported second quarter 2026 financial results and announced the appointment of two oncology drug development experts to its board of directors. The clinical-stage biotechnology company appointed Flavia Borellini and Robert Iannone, who bring extensive experience in global oncology drug development and commercialisation. The company is experiencing strong enrollment in FORTIFY, a Phase 1b trial of PLN-101095 in combination with pembrolizumab for immune checkpoint inhibitor-refractory advanced or metastatic solid tumours. The trial will enroll up to 102 patients across three cohorts, with interim data expected in 2027. Research and development expenses decreased to $16.7 million from $32.2 million year-over-year. Net loss fell to $22.4 million from $43.3 million in the prior-year quarter. As of 30 June 2026, Pliant had cash and investments of $159.6 million, expected to fund operations into the second half of 2028.

GlobeNewswire
May 21st, 2026
Pliant Therapeutics announces upcoming presentation at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting.

Pliant Therapeutics announces upcoming presentation at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting. Highlights FORTIFY, the Phase 1b indication expansion trial of PLN-101095 enrolling patients with ICI-refractory solid tumors SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLRX) today announced a presentation at the upcoming 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting taking place in Chicago, Illinois from May 29 to June 2, 2026. Poster Presentation | Presenter: | Timothy A. Yap, MBBS, Ph.D., University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center | | Session: | Developmental Therapeutics - Immunotherapy | | Date: | Saturday, May 30, 2026, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. Central Time | | Location: | Hall A, Poster 467b | FORTIFY - PLN-101095 Phase 1b Indication Expansion Trial PLN-101095 is currently being evaluated in Phase 1a/1b open-label, dose-escalation and indication expansion trial (NCT06270706) to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary evidence of antitumor activity of PLN-101095 when administered orally in combination with pembrolizumab, in patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-refractory advanced or metastatic solid tumors. Pliant is currently enrolling patients in FORTIFY, a Phase 1b open-label, indication expansion trial enrolling three cohorts of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), tumors with high tumor mutational burden or clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Patients will be treated for 14 days with PLN-101095 dosed at 1,000 mg twice daily as monotherapy, after which pembrolizumab will be added as combination therapy. About Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. Pliant Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of integrin-based therapeutics. Pliant's lead program is PLN-101095, an oral, small molecule, dual-selective inhibitor of α[v] ß[8] and α[v] ß[1] integrins, that is being developed for the treatment of ICI-refractory advanced or metastatic solid tumors. PLN-101095 is being investigated in FORTIFY, a Phase 1b indication expansion trial enrolling patients with NSCLC, tumors with high tumor mutational burden or clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Pliant's preclinical research is focused on tissue-specific delivery and internalization of drug payloads utilizing integrin receptor-binding molecules with programs focused on delivering siRNAs to skeletal muscle cells, adipocytes, and renal cells. For additional information on Pliant, visit www.PliantRx.com and follow us on X, LinkedIn and Facebook. Investor and Media Contact: Christopher Keenan Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. [email protected]

The Globe and Mail
Mar 18th, 2026
Pliant Therapeutics announces upcoming presentation of Phase 1 clinical trial of PLN-101095 in patients with solid tumors at the 2026 AACR Annual Meeting.

Pliant Therapeutics announces upcoming presentation of Phase 1 clinical trial of PLN-101095 in patients with solid tumors at the 2026 AACR Annual Meeting. Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. - GlobeNewswire - Wed Mar 18, 8:00AM CDT SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., March 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLRX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of integrin-based therapeutics, today announced the presentation of data from the Phase 1 trial of PLN-101095 at the upcoming American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting taking place in San Diego, California from April 17-22, 2026. The abstract was selected for oral presentation as part of the Clinical Trials Mini Symposium. Oral Presentation Title: First-in-human phase I study of PLN-101095, a first-in-class dual α[v] β[8] /α[v] β[1] integrin inhibitor, as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced solid tumors refractory to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) Presenter: Timothy A. Yap, M.D., Ph.D., University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Session: CTMS01: Updates in Anticancer Immunotherapies Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026 Presentation Time: 10:21 a.m. - 10:31 a.m. Pacific Time Location: Ballroom 6A - Upper Level - San Diego Convention Center Oncology Program PLN-101095 is an oral, small molecule, dual selective inhibitor of αvβ8 and αvβ1 integrins designed to overcome checkpoint resistance by blocking TGF-β activation in the tumor microenvironment. Pliant is currently conducting a Phase 1a/1b open-label, dose-escalation and indication expansion trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary evidence of antitumor activity of PLN-101095, as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab, in patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-refractory advanced or metastatic solid tumors. About Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. Pliant Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of integrin-based therapeutics. The Company's lead program is PLN-101095, a small molecule, dual-selective inhibitor of αvß8 and αvß1 integrins, that is being developed for the treatment of solid tumors. Pliant's early-stage platform includes preclinical research focused on tissue-specific delivery and internalization of drug payloads utilizing integrin receptor-binding molecules. For additional information, please visit: www.PliantRx.com. Follow us on social media X, LinkedIn and Facebook. Investor and Media Contact: Christopher Keenan Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. [email protected] This article contains syndicated content. We have not reviewed, approved, or endorsed the content, and may receive compensation for placement of the content on this site. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.

Associated Press
Mar 11th, 2026
Pliant Therapeutics' PLN-101095 shows deep responses in checkpoint inhibitor refractory tumors

Pliant Therapeutics has raised $120 million in a Series C round, valuing the company at $1.45 billion, as it advances PLN-101095, an oral inhibitor targeting checkpoint-resistant cancers. Phase 1 data showed four responses, including one complete response, in 10 heavily pretreated immune checkpoint inhibitor-refractory patients. Responding patients showed significant increases in plasma interferon gamma after 14 days of PLN-101095 monotherapy before adding pembrolizumab. The company has initiated a Phase 1b indication expansion trial across non-small cell lung cancer, clear cell renal cell carcinoma and high tumour mutational burden cancers. First patient enrolment is anticipated in the second quarter, with interim data expected in 2027. Pliant reported $192.4 million in cash and investments as of December 31, 2025, sufficient to fund operations into the second half of 2028.

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