Pliant Therapeutics Announces Proposed Public Offering of Common Stock

Rhea-AI Summary

Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLRX) announced a public offering of $150 million in common stock, with an optional $22.5 million for underwriters. The funds will support ongoing and future clinical programs, including PLN-74809, operational expenses, and development of their integrin targeting platform. The offering is subject to market conditions and regulatory approvals. J.P. Morgan and Cowen are leading the offering, with RBC Capital Markets acting as a book-running manager.

Positive

• Planned use of proceeds includes funding for ongoing and future clinical programs, potentially enhancing product pipeline.
• Strengthening of financial position through public offering aimed at supporting operational and developmental expenses.

Negative

• Potential shareholder dilution due to the public offering of common stock.
• Dependence on favorable market conditions for the offering's success.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 11, 2022 (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 $150.0 million of its common stock. In addition, Pliant expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional $22.5 million of its common stock at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. All of the shares of common stock in this 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 Cowen 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 and BTIG 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 investments, to develop its ongoing and future preclinical and clinical programs including PLN-74809, 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 previously filed and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“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; Cowen and Company, LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, Attn: Prospectus Department, by telephone at (833) 297-2926, or by email at PostSaleManualRequests@broadridge.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 expertise 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 offering and sale of the common stock and the grant to the underwriters of an option to purchase additional shares. 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, 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 March 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on May 9, 2022, each available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Unless otherwise noted, Pliant is providing this information as of the date of this news 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 on July 11, 2022?

Pliant Therapeutics aims to raise $150 million to fund clinical programs, operational expenses, and to further develop its integrin targeting platform.

What are the details of the public offering by Pliant Therapeutics?

The public offering includes $150 million of common stock with an option for underwriters to purchase an additional $22.5 million.

Who are the lead managers for Pliant Therapeutics' public offering?

J.P. Morgan and Cowen are acting as lead book-running managers, with RBC Capital Markets as a book-running manager.

How might the public offering affect Pliant Therapeutics shareholders?

The public offering could lead to potential shareholder dilution, affecting the value of existing shares.

When was the public offering by Pliant Therapeutics announced?

The public offering was announced on July 11, 2022.