Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. Stock Price, News & Analysis

Pliant Therapeutics (Nasdaq: PLRX) provided a corporate update and reported third quarter 2025 results on Nov 6, 2025. The company completed enrollment in the Phase 1 open-label trial of PLN-101095 in solid tumors; interim data showed a 50% objective response rate in one dose cohort and full trial data, including the two highest dose cohorts, are expected by the end of 2025. Close out activities for the BEACON‑IPF Phase 2b/3 trial are expected to finish in Q4 2025, with full results planned for future publication. In October the company completed a voluntary prepayment of its March 11, 2024 loan with Oxford Finance. Q3 2025 results: R&D $17.9M (prior $47.8M), G&A $10.3M (prior $14.3M), Net loss $26.3M (prior $57.8M), and Cash & short-term investments $243.3M as of Sept 30, 2025.

Pliant Therapeutics (NASDAQ:PLRX) reported Q2 2025 financial results and provided significant updates on its clinical programs. The company has discontinued development of bexotegrast in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) due to an unfavorable risk-benefit profile, despite early efficacy signs. Their Phase 1 oncology trial for PLN-101095 continues to progress, with data expected by year-end 2025.

Financial highlights include a reduced net loss of $43.3 million compared to $55.9 million in the prior year quarter. The company ended Q2 with $264.4 million in cash and equivalents. A strategic workforce restructuring was largely completed in Q2 2025, resulting in decreased R&D expenses of $32.2 million (down from $45.6 million) and reduced G&A expenses of $13.4 million (down from $15.0 million).

Pliant Therapeutics (NASDAQ:PLRX) announced the discontinuation of bexotegrast development for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) following unfavorable results from the BEACON-IPF Phase 2b/3 trial. The trial was terminated due to an imbalance in IPF-related adverse events, with bexotegrast-treated participants showing increased risk of disease progression.

Despite initial improvements in forced vital capacity (FVC) at Week 12, the drug demonstrated an unfavorable risk-benefit profile at both 160mg and 320mg doses. The company continues to advance its clinical oncology program, with PLN-101095 showing promising interim results in Phase 1 trials, including 50% partial response rates in the highest dose cohort.

Pliant Therapeutics (PLRX) presented clinical and preclinical data at the American Thoracic Society 2025 International Conference, highlighting three key studies on their drug bexotegrast. The first study showed that bexotegrast, a dual inhibitor of αVβ6/αVβ1 integrins, reduced fibrosis-related gene expression in lung cells from non-IPF ILD patients. A second study identified biomarkers across different ILD subtypes that could help inform clinical decisions. The third study demonstrated bexotegrast's distinct antifibrotic effects, showing superior results compared to nintedanib in reducing profibrotic genes in specific cell types, both alone and in combination therapy.

Pliant Therapeutics (NASDAQ: PLRX) reported Q1 2025 financial results and provided corporate updates. The company is finalizing its BEACON-IPF Phase 2b/3 trial with topline data expected in Q2 2025. Their oncology program showed promising results, with PLN-101095 demonstrating antitumor activity in combination with pembrolizumab, achieving confirmed partial responses in 3 out of 6 patients at the highest dose tested. The company announced a strategic realignment including a 45% workforce reduction to extend cash runway. Financial results showed R&D expenses of $43.4M (up from $37.1M YoY), G&A expenses of $15.5M, and a net loss of $56.2M (compared to $47.0M YoY). As of March 31, 2025, Pliant maintained a strong cash position of $307.1M in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments.

Pliant Therapeutics (PLRX) announced a strategic restructuring initiative that includes a significant 45% reduction in its workforce. The restructuring aims to extend cash runway and optimize resources as the company awaits topline data from its BEACON-IPF Phase 2b/3 trial of bexotegrast in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients, expected in Q2 2025. The restructuring will affect all departments but maintains focus on late-stage clinical trial execution capabilities. The process is anticipated to be substantially completed by the end of Q2 2025. The company plans to evaluate the final dataset once available to determine next steps for bexotegrast's development.

Pliant Therapeutics (Nasdaq: PLRX) has announced its participation in the 2025 American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference in San Francisco from May 16-21, 2025. The company will present three scientific works, including:

1. A featured oral presentation by Dr. Johanna Schaub on Bexotegrast's antifibrotic activity in ILD subtypes (May 19, 2:15-4:15 PM PT)

2. A poster presentation by Dr. Richard Ahn on plasma proteome analysis of ILD subtypes (May 21, 8:15-10:15 AM PT)

3. A poster by Dr. Mahru An on single-cell profiling of Bexotegrast's antifibrotic effects (May 21, 8:15-10:15 AM PT)

All presentations will be available for registered conference attendees and later on Pliant's website.

Pliant Therapeutics (PLRX) has announced promising interim Phase 1 data for PLN-101095, their integrin αvβ8 and αvβ1 inhibitor, in combination with pembrolizumab for treating immune checkpoint inhibitor-refractory advanced solid tumors.

Key findings from the first three cohorts include:

• 50% objective response rate at the highest tested dose (1000mg BID)
• Three confirmed partial responses observed in cohort three, with patients showing tumor size reductions of:
  • 74% in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer at Week 18
  • 48% in Cholangiocarcinoma at Week 42
  • 42% in Melanoma at Week 27
• PLN-101095 was generally well tolerated across all doses

The trial enrolled nine patients with six different tumor types across three cohorts, testing doses of 250mg, 500mg, and 1000mg BID. The study is currently enrolling its fourth cohort, evaluating PLN-101095 at 1000mg three times daily.

Pliant Therapeutics (PLRX) has announced the adoption of a duration stockholder rights agreement ('poison pill') by its Board of Directors, effective until March 11, 2026. The measure comes in response to recent stock accumulations and aims to prevent unauthorized control through market purchases.

Under the agreement, stockholders of record by March 25, 2025, will receive one preferred share purchase right per common stock share. These rights activate if an entity acquires 10% ownership (20% for Schedule 13G investors) without Board approval. In such cases, existing stockholders can purchase additional PLRX shares at a 50% discount. Similar provisions apply if Pliant is acquired in a merger after such unauthorized accumulation.

The Board retains the right to redeem these rights at $0.001 per right or exchange them at one common share per right. Existing stockholders above threshold levels will be grandfathered, unless they increase their holdings after the announcement.