Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. reports clinical and corporate developments for a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on integrin-based therapeutics. Its lead program, PLN-101095, is an oral small-molecule dual-selective inhibitor of αvβ8 and αvβ1 integrins being developed for solid tumors, including immune checkpoint inhibitor-refractory advanced or metastatic disease.
Company updates commonly cover Phase 1 and Phase 1b oncology data, scientific-conference presentations, combination studies with pembrolizumab, financial results, and healthcare investor-conference participation. Pliant also describes preclinical platform work using integrin receptor-binding molecules for tissue-specific delivery and internalization of drug payloads, including programs directed to skeletal muscle cells, adipocytes, and renal cells.
Pliant Therapeutics (PLRX) has appointed Delphine Imbert, Ph.D. as Chief Technical Officer. Dr. Imbert brings 25 years of strategic clinical to commercial-stage manufacturing and drug development experience across multiple drug modalities. In her new role, she will lead chemistry, manufacturing and control (CMC)-related activities supporting Pliant's commercial-stage readiness plan.
Dr. Imbert most recently served as Senior Vice President of CMC and Technical Operations at Chinook Therapeutics (acquired by Novartis), where she managed a fully outsourced CMC, manufacturing and supply chain organization. Previously, she held senior roles at Dermira (acquired by Eli Lily) and Anacor Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Pfizer), demonstrating expertise in pharmaceutical development, manufacturing processes, supply chain, logistics, and regulatory filings.
Pliant Therapeutics (PLRX) has announced its participation in the upcoming 43rd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. Bernard Coulie, M.D., Ph.D., the company's President and Chief Executive Officer, will deliver a presentation on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco.
Interested investors and stakeholders can access the presentation through a live webcast available on the Investors & Media section of Pliant's website at www.PliantRx.com. The presentation recording will remain accessible on the website for 30 days after the event concludes.
Pliant Therapeutics (PLRX) has announced its participation in four major investor events in December 2024. The company will attend the Evercore 7th Annual HealthCONx Conference on December 3 and the Citi 2024 Global Healthcare Conference on December 4. At the Piper Sandler 36th Annual Healthcare Conference, key executives including CEO Bernard Coulie will participate in a fireside chat on November 5. Additionally, company officials will join a panel discussion on 'Differentiated Approaches for Pulmonary Diseases' at the Oppenheimer Movers in Rare Disease Summit on December 12.
The Piper Sandler fireside chat will be available via live webcast on Pliant's website Investor Relations page, with a replay accessible for 30 days after the event.
Pliant Therapeutics (PLRX) presented clinical data for bexotegrast, their oral integrin inhibitor, at The Liver Meeting® 2024. The Phase 2 INTEGRIS-PSC trial results showed that bexotegrast was well-tolerated and demonstrated antifibrotic and anti-cholestatic activity in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) patients. The drug improved liver stiffness, Enhanced Liver Fibrosis scores, liver biochemistry, and MRI results.
Additionally, the company presented research identifying novel inflammatory biomarkers for PSC through proteomic screening, discovering potential serum and urine biomarker candidates that could help predict disease progression.
Pliant Therapeutics (PLRX) reported Q3 2024 financial results and provided updates on its clinical programs. The company's BEACON-IPF Phase 2b/3 trial for bexotegrast in IPF patients remains on track for full enrollment in Q1 2025, with data expected mid-2026. Q3 financial results showed R&D expenses of $47.8M (up from $32.3M YoY), G&A expenses of $14.3M (down from $15.3M YoY), and a net loss of $57.8M (increased from $41.5M YoY). The company maintains a strong cash position of $406.0M as of September 30, 2024.
Pliant Therapeutics (Nasdaq: PLRX) announced its participation in the upcoming Stifel 2024 Healthcare Conference. Chief Financial Officer Keith Cummings, M.D., and Greg Cosgrove, M.D. FCCP, will engage in a fireside chat on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 8:35 a.m. Eastern Time. The event will take place at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel in New York.
A live webcast will be available through Pliant's website Investor Relations' Events & Presentation page, with a replay accessible for 30 days after the event.
Pliant Therapeutics (Nasdaq: PLRX), a late-stage biotechnology company focused on fibrotic diseases, has appointed Gary Palmer, M.D., MBA as Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs. Dr. Palmer, with over 25 years of global leadership experience, will lead the company's global medical affairs activities, including scientific communications and patient advocacy.
Dr. Palmer's extensive background includes leadership roles at Bristol Myers Squibb, where he led the Worldwide Immunology, Fibrosis and Neuroscience Medical Affairs team. He has also held senior positions at Myovant Sciences, Actelion, Eisai Pharmaceuticals, and Pfizer. His expertise spans pulmonary medicine, immunology, and neurology, with experience in supporting successful and orphan disease products.
Éric Lefebvre, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Pliant, highlighted Dr. Palmer's experience in building best-in-class Medical Affairs organizations as beneficial for Pliant's growth and portfolio advancement towards commercial stage.
Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLRX) has announced the granting of stock options to Gary Palmer, M.D., the company's newly appointed Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs. The grant, made on September 30, 2024, includes options to purchase 120,000 shares of common stock as a material inducement to his employment.
The stock options have an exercise price of $11.21 per share, equal to the closing price of Pliant's common stock on the grant date. The options will vest over 4 years, with 25% vesting on the one-year anniversary and the remaining shares vesting monthly at a rate of 1/48th over the subsequent 36 months. The stock options have a 10-year term and are subject to the terms and conditions of the Company's 2022 Inducement Plan.
Pliant Therapeutics (Nasdaq: PLRX) presented data from its bexotegrast program at the European Respiratory Society International Congress 2024. Key findings include:
1. Reduction in type 1 collagen deposition in IPF patients after 12 weeks of bexotegrast treatment, suggesting antifibrotic effects and favorable lung remodeling.
2. Integrated safety summary showing bexotegrast was well-tolerated in Phase 2a trials for IPF and PSC.
3. Preclinical data demonstrating antifibrotic effects in lung slices from various ILD patients, supporting further investigation in ILD-associated progressive pulmonary fibrosis.
4. Post-hoc biomarker analysis revealing reduced levels of ILD progression markers in IPF patients receiving bexotegrast.
Pliant Therapeutics (Nasdaq: PLRX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapeutics for fibrotic diseases, has announced its participation in four major investor events in September 2024. These include:
1. 2024 Wells Fargo Healthcare Conference on September 4
2. H.C. Wainwright 26th Annual Global Investment Conference on September 11
3. 2024 Cantor Global Healthcare Conference on September 17
4. Stifel 2024 Virtual Immunology and Inflammation Summit on September 18
Key executives, including the CEO, CFO, and CMO, will participate in fireside chats at these events. Live webcasts will be available on Pliant's Investor Relations website, with replays archived for 30 days after each event.