Pliant Therapeutics Announces Proposed Public Offering of Common Stock

Rhea-AI Summary

Pliant Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on fibrosis treatments, has initiated an underwritten public offering of $175 million in common stock, with a 30-day option for underwriters to purchase an additional $26.25 million. The net proceeds will be utilized for ongoing and future clinical programs, including bexotegrast and PLN-101095, as well as to support working capital and general corporate needs. J.P. Morgan and Piper Sandler are leading the offering, which is subject to market conditions. The offering is detailed under a SEC registration statement, with preliminary prospectus available online.

Positive

• The offering aims to raise $175 million to support clinical and preclinical programs.
• Funds will enhance development capabilities for fibrosis therapeutics like bexotegrast.

Negative

• The public offering could lead to shareholder dilution.
• Market conditions may affect the timing and completion of the offering.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLRX), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of fibrosis, today announced that it has commenced an underwritten public offering of $175.0 million of its common stock. In addition, Pliant expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional $26.25 million of its common stock at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. All of the shares of common stock in this proposed offering will be sold by Pliant. The proposed offering is subject to market and other conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the proposed offering may be completed, or the actual size or terms of the proposed offering.

J.P. Morgan and Piper Sandler are acting as lead book-running managers for the proposed offering. RBC Capital Markets is acting as a book-running manager for the proposed offering. Cantor, Oppenheimer & Co. and H.C. Wainwright & Co. are acting as lead managers for the proposed offering.

Pliant intends to use the net proceeds from the proposed offering, together with its existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, to develop its ongoing and future preclinical and clinical programs including bexotegrast and PLN-101095, further develop its integrin targeting platform, to fund working capital, operating expenses and capital expenditures, and for other general corporate purposes.

The securities are being offered by Pliant pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-257684) previously filed and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). A preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the proposed offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available for free on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to these securities may also be obtained for free from: J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, by telephone at (866) 803-9204, or by email at prospectus-eq_fi@jpmchase.com; Piper Sandler & Co., Attention: Prospectus Department, 800 Nicollet Mall, J12S03, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402, by telephone at (800) 747-3924, or by email at prospectus@psc.com; or RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Attention: Equity Capital Markets, 200 Vesey Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10281, by telephone at (877) 822-4089, or by email at equityprospectus@rbccm.com.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of Pliant, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Pliant Therapeutics, Inc.

Pliant Therapeutics is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel therapies for the treatment of fibrosis. Pliant is advancing its discovery and clinical stage portfolio by applying its deep understanding of fibrosis biology, medicinal chemistry, translational medicine and integrin structure and biology.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions, or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include those regarding the completion, timing and size of the proposed public offering, the anticipated use of net proceeds therefrom, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the proposed public offering and sale of the common stock and the grant to the underwriters of an option to purchase additional shares of common stock. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on our current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties, and actual results, performance or achievements of Pliant Therapeutics could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those related to market conditions and satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the proposed public offering, the development and commercialization of our product candidates, including any delays in our ongoing or planned preclinical or clinical trials, the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on our business, operations, clinical supply and plans, our reliance on third parties for critical aspects of our development operations, the risks inherent in the drug development process, the risks regarding the accuracy of our estimates of expenses and timing of development, our capital requirements and the need for additional financing, and our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our product candidates. These and additional risks are discussed in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the SEC on March 1, 2022, as updated by our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 filed with the SEC on November 8, 2022, each available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Unless otherwise noted, Pliant is providing this information as of the date of this press release and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this document as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor and Media Contact:

Christopher Keenan
Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
Pliant Therapeutics, Inc.
ir@pliantrx.com

FAQ

What is the purpose of Pliant Therapeutics' public offering (PLRX)?

Pliant Therapeutics intends to use the proceeds from the $175 million offering to advance clinical programs and support general corporate expenses.

Who are the underwriters for Pliant Therapeutics' offering?

J.P. Morgan and Piper Sandler are the lead book-running managers for Pliant's public offering, joined by RBC Capital Markets and others.

What is the total amount Pliant Therapeutics could raise, including the underwriters' option?

Pliant Therapeutics could raise up to $201.25 million, including the option for underwriters to purchase an additional $26.25 million.

When was the public offering announced by Pliant Therapeutics?

The public offering was announced on January 23, 2023.

What impact could the offering have on Pliant Therapeutics' shareholders?

The offering might result in shareholder dilution, depending on the final number of shares issued.