Pliant Therapeutics (NASDAQ: PLRX) names Minnie Kuo Chief Operating Officer

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. reported an executive leadership change, appointing Minnie Kuo as Chief Operating Officer effective December 10, 2025. She previously served as the company’s Chief Development Officer after joining in September 2023.

Kuo is described as an experienced biotechnology and pharmaceutical executive with more than 20 years of multinational clinical development experience across respiratory, oncology, neurodegenerative, inflammatory, and infectious diseases. Her prior roles included senior positions at Vir Biotechnology, Nektar Therapeutics, Gilead Sciences, Roche/Genentech, and several clinical research organizations.

The company states that Ms. Kuo received no additional compensation at the time of her appointment as Chief Operating Officer and that there are no disclosable family relationships or related-party transactions associated with her appointment.

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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): December 10, 2025

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PLIANT THERAPEUTICS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

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Delaware			001-39303			47-4272481
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)			(Commission File Number)			(IRS Employer Identification No.)
331 Oyster Point Blvd., South San Francisco, CA						94080
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)						(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (650) 481-6770

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

__________________________________________

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
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share			PLRX			The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Purchase Rights			N/A			The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

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 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On December 10, 2025, Pliant Therapeutics, Inc.’s (the “Company”) Board of Directors (the “Board”) appointed Minnie Kuo as Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately.

Ms. Kuo, age 45, joined the Company in September 2023 as Chief Development Officer and served in such position until her appointment as Chief Operating Officer. She is an experienced biotechnology and pharmaceutical executive and brings more than 20 years of multinational clinical development experience across various therapeutic areas including respiratory, oncology, neurodegenerative, inflammatory, and infectious diseases. Ms. Kuo joined Pliant from Vir Biotechnology where she held roles of increasing responsibilities, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Translational and Clinical Development Operations. In that role, she led business operations, clinical operations, and organizational planning across the entire clinical portfolio. Prior to Vir, Ms. Kuo held senior clinical operations roles at Nektar Therapeutics and Gilead Sciences. At Gilead, she oversaw the strategic direction of multiple compounds and indications within the company’s inflammation and hepatic portfolios. Earlier in her career, Ms. Kuo held global project management and clinical study management roles at Roche/Genentech and at clinical research organizations including ICON and PharmaNet. Ms. Kuo received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, San Diego, and a Masters of Science from the University of San Francisco.

Ms. Kuo was not provided with any additional compensation at the time of her appointment as Chief Operating Officer.

There is no family relationship between Ms. Kuo and any other person that would require disclosure under Item 401(d) of Regulation S-K. Ms. Kuo is also not a party to any transactions that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

SIGNATURES

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 thereunto duly authorized.

			PLIANT THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Date: December 16, 2025			By:			/s/ Keith Cummings
						Keith Cummings, M.D., MBA
						Chief Financial Officer

FAQ

What executive change did Pliant Therapeutics (PLRX) disclose?

Pliant Therapeutics disclosed that its Board of Directors appointed Minnie Kuo as Chief Operating Officer, effective December 10, 2025.

Who is Minnie Kuo, the new COO of Pliant Therapeutics (PLRX)?

Minnie Kuo is an experienced biotechnology and pharmaceutical executive with more than 20 years of multinational clinical development experience across multiple therapeutic areas.

What was Minnie Kuo’s prior role at Pliant Therapeutics (PLRX)?

Before becoming Chief Operating Officer, Minnie Kuo joined Pliant in September 2023 and served as the company’s Chief Development Officer.

Did Pliant Therapeutics (PLRX) grant additional compensation for the COO appointment?

The company states that Ms. Kuo was not provided with any additional compensation at the time of her appointment as Chief Operating Officer.

Does Pliant Therapeutics (PLRX) report any related-party relationships for Minnie Kuo?

The company reports that there is no family relationship and that Ms. Kuo is not a party to any transactions requiring disclosure under the relevant SEC related-party rules.

When did Minnie Kuo’s appointment as COO of Pliant Therapeutics (PLRX) become effective?

Her appointment as Chief Operating Officer became effective immediately on December 10, 2025.