Pliant Therapeutics Announces Upcoming Presentation of Phase 1 Clinical Trial of PLN-101095 in Patients with Solid Tumors at the 2026 AACR Annual Meeting

Rhea-AI Summary

Pliant Therapeutics (NASDAQ: PLRX) announced an oral presentation of Phase 1 data for PLN-101095 at the AACR Annual Meeting, April 17-22, 2026, in San Diego.

The Clinical Trials Mini Symposium presentation on April 18, 2026 will report first-in-human results for PLN-101095 as monotherapy and with pembrolizumab in ICI-refractory solid tumors.

News Market Reaction – PLRX

-3.76%

1 alert

-3.76% News Effect

On the day this news was published, PLRX declined 3.76%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Trial phase: Phase 1 Meeting dates: April 17-22, 2026 Presentation date: April 18, 2026 +2 more

5 metrics

Trial phase Phase 1 PLN-101095 study in advanced solid tumors

Meeting dates April 17-22, 2026 AACR Annual Meeting in San Diego

Presentation date April 18, 2026 Oral presentation of PLN-101095 Phase 1 data

Presentation time 10:21–10:31 a.m. PT AACR Clinical Trials Mini Symposium slot

Program phase Phase 1a/1b Open-label dose-escalation and indication expansion trial

Market Reality Check

Price: $1.29 Vol: Volume 403,945 vs 20-day ...

low vol

$1.29 Last Close

Volume Volume 403,945 vs 20-day average 650,767 (relative volume 0.62) ahead of the AACR presentation. low

Technical Shares at $1.33 are trading below the 200-day MA of $1.44, and about 31.79% under the 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

PLRX is up 1.53% while momentum scanners flag biotech peers like FATE, IFRX and ...

3 Up

PLRX is up 1.53% while momentum scanners flag biotech peers like FATE, IFRX and ATOS all moving up, but sector_momentum is not classified as a coordinated move and PLRX’s direction was not tagged in the scanner.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 11 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Mar 11	Earnings & oncology	Positive	+6.0%	Q4 2025 results plus strong PLN-101095 Phase 1 data and runway to 2028.
Feb 23	Conference participation	Neutral	-0.8%	Announcement of participation in Oppenheimer healthcare conference and webcast access.
Dec 04	Interim trial data	Positive	-14.9%	Interim PLN-101095 Phase 1 data with multiple responders in ICI-refractory tumors.
Dec 01	Conference appearance	Neutral	-5.0%	Piper Sandler conference fireside chat and webcast/replay details.
Nov 06	Earnings & pipeline	Positive	+4.6%	Q3 2025 update with promising PLN-101095 responses and reduced operating expenses.

Pattern Detected

Recent news has often been positive on oncology data and finances, but price reactions have been mixed, with several clinically positive updates followed by negative or muted moves.

Recent Company History

Over the past six months, Pliant has repeatedly highlighted PLN-101095. On Nov 6, 2025, it reported strong interim Phase 1 data and improved financial metrics, with a positive price reaction. Interim oncology data on Dec 4, 2025 showed notable responses but the stock fell 14.94%. A Mar 11, 2026 corporate update again emphasized deep, durable responses and an accelerated development plan, with a 6.02% gain. Today’s AACR Phase 1 presentation fits this ongoing oncology-focused narrative.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights that PLN-101095 Phase 1 data will receive an oral slot at the AACR 2026...

Analysis

This announcement highlights that PLN-101095 Phase 1 data will receive an oral slot at the AACR 2026 meeting, reinforcing the program’s scientific visibility. Earlier disclosures reported deep, durable responses in ICI‑refractory tumors and an acceleration into Phase 1b expansion. Investors may focus on detailed efficacy, durability and safety metrics from the AACR presentation and how they compare with previously reported response rates and duration data across dose cohorts.

Key Terms

immune checkpoint inhibitors, pembrolizumab, integrin inhibitor, TGF-β, +4 more

8 terms

immune checkpoint inhibitors medical

"advanced solid tumors refractory to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI)"

Drugs that release the immune system’s natural “brakes,” allowing immune cells to recognize and attack cancer cells; imagine taking the safety off a guard dog so it can chase intruders. They matter to investors because they can become high-value treatments with large sales potential, but their commercial success depends on clinical trial results, regulatory approval, competition and side-effect management, which all affect a company’s valuation.

pembrolizumab medical

"as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced solid tumors"

A cancer immunotherapy drug that helps the body’s immune system recognize and attack tumor cells by blocking a molecular “brake” that tumors use to hide. Investors watch it because regulatory approvals, clinical trial results, dosing rules, and competition directly affect potential sales, profit forecasts, and the valuation of companies that sell or license the drug—think of trial outcomes as checkpoint signs that can open or close a revenue road.

integrin inhibitor medical

"first-in-class dual αvβ8/αvβ1integrin inhibitor, as monotherapy and in combination"

A drug that blocks integrins, which are proteins on cell surfaces that help cells stick to each other and to surrounding tissue. By interfering with that “cell glue,” these medicines can change processes like immune response, blood clotting, or tumor spread; that makes them potential treatments for conditions such as autoimmune disease, thrombosis and some cancers. Investors watch integrin inhibitors because clinical trial results, safety issues, or approval decisions strongly affect a drug’s market potential and company value.

TGF-β medical

"designed to overcome checkpoint resistance by blocking TGF-β activation in the tumor microenvironment"

TGF-β (transforming growth factor beta) is a naturally occurring signaling protein that cells use to control growth, repair and immune responses; think of it as a traffic light that can either slow, stop or redirect cellular behavior depending on the situation. It matters to investors because drugs that block or boost TGF-β pathways are key candidates for treating cancer, fibrosis and autoimmune conditions, and trial outcomes or regulatory news about these therapies can greatly affect a biotech company’s value.

tumor microenvironment medical

"blocking TGF-β activation in the tumor microenvironment"

The tumor microenvironment is the immediate area surrounding a cancer cell, made up of nearby cells, blood vessels, and support structures that influence how the cancer grows and spreads. It functions like a bustling neighborhood that can either help or hinder the tumor’s development. For investors, understanding changes in this environment can signal the effectiveness of treatments and potential shifts in a cancer-related market.

pharmacokinetics medical

"to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary evidence"

Pharmacokinetics is the study of how a substance, such as a drug or chemical, moves through and is processed by the body over time. It tracks how it is absorbed, distributed, broken down, and eventually eliminated. For investors, understanding pharmacokinetics helps gauge the effectiveness, safety, and potential risks of new medications or treatments, which can influence a company’s success and valuation in the healthcare industry.

dose-escalation medical

"Phase 1a/1b open-label, dose-escalation and indication expansion trial"

Dose-escalation is the part of an early-stage clinical trial where researchers gradually increase a drug’s dose in small groups of participants to find the safest and most effective amount. Think of it like turning up the volume slowly to find the sweet spot: investors watch these results closely because they reveal safety risks, potential effectiveness, and how quickly a drug can move to later trials or approval, all of which affect the development timeline and commercial prospects.

monotherapy medical

"PLN-101095, as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab"

Monotherapy is a treatment approach that uses only one type of medicine or therapy to address a condition, instead of combining multiple options. For investors, understanding monotherapy matters because it can influence a company's development strategy, risk profile, and potential market size, especially if the single-treatment approach proves effective or faces limitations compared to combination therapies.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Selected for oral presentation at Clinical Trials Mini Symposium

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_vβ₈/α_vβ₁integrin 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.
ir@pliantrx.com

FAQ

What will Pliant Therapeutics (PLRX) present about PLN-101095 at AACR 2026?

Pliant will present first-in-human Phase 1 results for PLN-101095, including safety and preliminary activity data. According to Pliant Therapeutics, the oral presentation covers monotherapy and pembrolizumab combination data in ICI-refractory advanced solid tumors.

When and where is Pliant Therapeutics (PLRX) presenting PLN-101095 data at AACR 2026?

The oral presentation is scheduled for April 18, 2026 at 10:21–10:31 a.m. PT in Ballroom 6A at the San Diego Convention Center. According to Pliant Therapeutics, it appears in the Clinical Trials Mini Symposium.

Who is presenting the PLN-101095 Phase 1 data for PLRX at AACR 2026?

The presenter is Timothy A. Yap, M.D., Ph.D., from University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. According to Pliant Therapeutics, he will deliver the 10-minute oral presentation on April 18, 2026.

What is PLN-101095 and how does it work for PLRX's pipeline?

PLN-101095 is an oral small molecule dual αvβ8/αvβ1 integrin inhibitor designed to block TGF-β activation in the tumor microenvironment. According to Pliant Therapeutics, it aims to overcome checkpoint resistance when used alone or with pembrolizumab.

What trial design details will PLRX report for the PLN-101095 Phase 1 study?

The Phase 1a/1b trial is open-label with dose-escalation and expansion cohorts evaluating safety, tolerability, PK, and preliminary antitumor activity. According to Pliant Therapeutics, data include monotherapy and combination cohorts in ICI-refractory patients.

How might the AACR presentation affect Pliant Therapeutics (PLRX) clinical development timeline?

The presentation will publicly disclose initial human safety and activity signals that could inform next-phase planning. According to Pliant Therapeutics, Phase 1 readouts reported at AACR may guide dose selection and combination strategy.