BEACON-IPF close out activities continue
Previously announced workforce and operational realignment largely complete
Phase 1 oncology trial on track to deliver additional data by the end of the year
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Aug. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLRX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company and leader in integrin-based drug development, today provided a corporate update and reported second quarter 2025 financial results.
“While our activities in the quarter focused on the closure of BEACON-IPF and workforce realignment, we also took actions to ensure that we maintain core capabilities in support of Pliant’s next steps,” said Bernard Coulie, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Pliant. “At the center is a deeply experienced late-stage clinical and regulatory development organization positioned to execute advanced trials. We remain committed to delivering shareholder value and look forward to providing updates in the future.”
Second Quarter and Recent Developments
Bexotegrast
- Bexotegrast development in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) discontinued. Following an analysis of the full safety and efficacy data from the BEACON-IPF Phase 2b/3 clinical trial, the Company has discontinued development of bexotegrast in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). While bexotegrast-treated patients demonstrated early signs of efficacy, the drug was shown to have an unfavorable risk-benefit profile based on IPF-related adverse events. Full results from BEACON-IPF will be submitted for future publication.
Oncology
Program
- Phase 1 trial of PLN-101095 in solid tumors continues to enroll. PLN-101095 is an oral, small molecule, dual selective inhibitor of αvβ8 and αvβ1 integrins designed to block TGF-β activation in the tumor microenvironment. The Phase 1 open-label, dose-escalation trial of PLN-101095 trial as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab is in patients with solid tumors that are resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitors. The trial is currently dosing the fifth of five planned dose cohorts, evaluating PLN-101095 at 2000 mg administered twice daily (BID). Initial data from the two highest dose cohorts of the trial is expected by the end of 2025.
Corporate Highlights
- In May, the Company announced a strategic restructuring of its workforce and other cost-saving measures intended to extend its cash runway. By the end of the second quarter, the restructuring was largely complete.
Second
Quarter 2025 Financial Results
- Research and development expenses were $32.2 million as compared to $45.6 million for the prior-year quarter. The decrease was primarily driven by the discontinuation of BEACON-IPF.
- General and administrative expenses were $13.4 million as compared to $15.0 million for the prior-year quarter. The decrease was primarily due to personnel-related costs resulting from the strategic restructuring of our workforce.
- Net loss was $43.3 million as compared to $55.9 million for the prior-year quarter. The decrease was primarily attributable to the discontinuation of BEACON-IPF coupled with the decrease in personnel-related costs resulting from the strategic restructuring of our workforce.
- As of June 30, 2025, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $264.4 million.
About Pliant Therapeutics, Inc.
Pliant Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company and leader in the discovery and development of integrin-based therapeutics. Pliant is conducting a Phase 1 study for PLN-101095, a small molecule, dual-selective inhibitor of αvß8 and αvß1 integrins, that is being developed for the treatment of solid tumors. In addition, Pliant has received regulatory clearance for the conduct of a Phase 1 study of PLN-101325, a monoclonal antibody agonist of integrin α7β1 targeting muscular dystrophies. 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.
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 close-out of the BEACON-IPF study, the anticipated timing of data from our ongoing Phase 1 trial of PLN-101095, the cost savings expected to result from our strategic restructuring and our ability to maintain core capabilities in support of Pliant’s next steps. 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 the development and commercialization of our product candidates, including any delays in our ongoing or planned preclinical or clinical trials, the impact of current macroeconomic, geopolitical and marketplace conditions on our business, operations, clinical supply and plans, our reliance on single-source third parties located in foreign jurisdictions, including China, 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, including the availability of additional term loans under our loan facility, 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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2025 which we are filing with the SEC today, 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.
[email protected]
| Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. | |||||||
| Condensed Statements of Operations | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||
| (In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts) | |||||||
| Three Months Ended June 30, | |||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||
| Research and development | $ | (32,198 | ) | $ | (45,617 | ) | |
| General and administrative | (13,394 | ) | (15,022 | ) | |||
| Total operating expenses | (45,592 | ) | (60,639 | ) | |||
| Loss from operations | (45,592 | ) | (60,639 | ) | |||
| Interest and other income (expense), net | 3,101 | 5,653 | |||||
| Interest expense | (809 | ) | (868 | ) | |||
| Net loss | $ | (43,300 | ) | $ | (55,854 | ) | |
| Net loss per share – basic and diluted | $ | (0.71 | ) | $ | (0.92 | ) | |
| Shares used in computing net loss per share – basic and diluted | 61,386,183 | 60,382,796 | |||||
| Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. | |||||||
| Condensed Balance Sheets | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||
|
June 30, 2025 |
December 31, 2024 |
||||||
| Assets | |||||||
| Current assets | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 86,820 | $ | 71,188 | |||
| Short-term investments | 176,053 | 284,536 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 4,571 | 6,540 | |||||
| Total current assets | 267,444 | 362,264 | |||||
| Property and equipment, net | 4,892 | 5,525 | |||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 25,615 | 27,243 | |||||
| Restricted cash | 1,482 | 1,482 | |||||
| Other non-current assets | 391 | 435 | |||||
| Total assets | $ | 299,824 | $ | 396,949 | |||
| Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | |||||||
| Current liabilities | |||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 1,384 | $ | 5,960 | |||
| Accrued research and development | 10,790 | 14,363 | |||||
| Accrued liabilities | 7,192 | 12,353 | |||||
| Operating lease liabilities, current | 1,225 | 542 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 20,591 | 33,218 | |||||
| Operating lease liabilities, non-current | 28,791 | 29,439 | |||||
| Long-term debt | 30,360 | 30,211 | |||||
| Total liabilities | 79,742 | 92,868 | |||||
| Stockholders’ equity | |||||||
| Preferred stock | — | — | |||||
| Common stock | 6 | 6 | |||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 1,029,595 | 1,013,806 | |||||
| Accumulated deficit | (809,518 | ) | (710,052 | ) | |||
| Accumulated other comprehensive gain | (1 | ) | 321 | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 220,082 | 304,081 | |||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 299,824 | $ | 396,949 | |||
