PLIANT THERAPEUTICS, INC.
PLRX evidence brief
What we can confirm
- BioSniper Score:
- 7.6 / 10
- Market Cap:
- $70.3M
- Lead Asset:
- bexotegrast (Phase 2)
What it means
What to watch
Prepared research question
What matters most for PLRX—catalysts, financial risk and supporting evidence?
Traceable citations · Unknowns marked
BioSniper AI · PLRX
PLIANT THERAPEUTICS is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing oral small-molecule integrin inhibitors for fibrosis, oncology, and muscular dystrophy, with lead programs in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (bexotegrast) and checkpoint-refractory solid tumors (PLN-101095).
Key risk: Limited cash runway
BioSniper Score
Based on 3 of 6 signals
Limited data coverage
Financial data as of Jun 30, 2026.
Tracking 4 pipeline candidates · 5 clinical trials for PLIANT THERAPEUTICS, INC..
Similar companies
PLIANT THERAPEUTICS is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing oral small-molecule integrin inhibitors for fibrosis, oncology, and muscular dystrophy, with lead programs in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (bexotegrast) and checkpoint-refractory solid tumors (PLN-101095).
- Lead fibrosis candidate bexotegrast (PLN-74809) is in Phase 2 for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis, with Orphan Drug designation [pipeline].
- Oncology candidate PLN-101095, a dual αvβ8/αvβ1 inhibitor, received FDA Fast Track designation in combination with pembrolizumab for solid tumors [news · published 2026-08-18].
- Cash & equivalents were $24.9M as of 2026-06-30, with net income of -$22.4M and shareholders' equity of $146.9M [sec].
- A Phase 1b expansion trial (FORTIFY) of PLN-101095 is enrolling, and updated Phase 1 data showed deepening of confirmed responses in checkpoint inhibitor-refractory solid tumors [news · published 2026-05-11].
- The company appointed David Raben, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer in September 2026, bringing oncology drug development expertise [news · published 2026-09-30].
What works
- Bexotegrast was well tolerated in the INTEGRIS-IPF trial, with similar rates of TEAEs in pooled bexotegrast and placebo groups (69.7% vs 67.7%) [catalyst].
- PLN-101095 has shown deepening of confirmed responses in checkpoint inhibitor-refractory solid tumors, with data presented at AACR 2026 [news · published 2026-05-11].
- The company has a diversified pipeline spanning fibrosis, oncology, and muscular dystrophy, with three clinical-stage programs [pipeline].
- FDA Fast Track designation for PLN-101095 in combination with pembrolizumab may accelerate development and review [news · published 2026-08-18].
What to weigh
- The company reported a net loss of $22.4M for the quarter ended 2026-06-30, with cash of only $24.9M, indicating a limited cash runway [sec].
- Bexotegrast faces a competitive landscape with over 100 competitors in IPF, including late-stage programs from United Therapeutics and Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals [pipeline].
- PLN-101095 is in early Phase 1/1b trials, and clinical data are still limited; no pivotal efficacy results are available yet [pipeline].
- The company has no approved products and is entirely dependent on successful clinical development and financing [pipeline].
From the filings
Quoted directly from source documents.
Bexotegrast was well tolerated in IPF trial
“Bexotegrast was well tolerated, with similar rates of TEAEs in the pooled bexotegrast and placebo groups (62/89 [69.7%] and 21/31 [67.7%], respectively).”
Catalysts · August 15, 2024
PLN-101095 received FDA Fast Track designation
“Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLRX) today announced the receipt of Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for PLN-101095, an oral, small molecule, dual selective inhibitor of αvβ8”
News · August 18, 2026
PLN-101095 Phase 1b expansion trial FORTIFY is enrolling
“FORTIFY, a Phase 1b indication expansion trial of PLN-101095, experiencing strong enrollment”
News · August 11, 2026
Risks & what to watch (4)›
Key risks
- Limited cash runway — Cash of $24.9M as of 2026-06-30 with a quarterly net loss of $22.4M suggests less than one quarter of cash at current burn rate [sec].
- Early-stage pipeline — All three pipeline candidates are in Phase 1 or Phase 2; no approved products and no late-stage pivotal data [pipeline].
- Competitive IPF landscape — Bexotegrast faces over 100 competitors in IPF, including Phase 3 programs from United Therapeutics and others [pipeline].
- Dependence on partnerships — PLN-101095 is studied in combination with Merck's pembrolizumab, creating dependency on partner's drug supply and trial conduct [pipeline].
What to watch
- Enrollment and initial data from the FORTIFY Phase 1b expansion trial of PLN-101095 [news · published 2026-08-11].
- Next clinical readout for bexotegrast in IPF or PSC, as Phase 2 data have been reported but no pivotal trial start announced [catalyst].
- Cash position and any new financing rounds, given the limited cash runway [sec].
- Regulatory milestones for PLN-101095 following Fast Track designation, including potential end-of-Phase 1 meetings [news · published 2026-08-18].
Sources: Catalysts · Competitor trials · News · Pipeline · Generated October 4, 2026 · How we verify sources →
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Evidence & data
Score breakdownBased on 3 of 6 signals · derived from public data
Cash runway data unavailable
D/E 0.29 · 0% dilution
Lead: Phase 2
4 candidates
No upcoming catalysts tracked
No insider transactions in the last 180 days
Pipeline
Regulatory
Financials
Institutional Holdings
Source: SEC Form 13F · as of Mar 2026Institutional holders
91
Total value held
$58.1M
| Holder | Shares | Value |
|---|---|---|
| tang capital management llc | 6,143,132 | $7.7M |
| citadel advisors llc | 3,226,599 | $4.1M |
| blue owl capital holdings lp | 2,969,199 | $3.7M |
| adar1 capital management, llc | 2,585,126 | $3.3M |
| vanguard capital management llc | 2,343,101 | $3.0M |
| two sigma investments, lp | 2,253,138 | $2.8M |
| monaco asset management sam | 1,938,747 | $2.4M |
| renaissance technologies llc | 1,852,842 | $2.3M |
| prosight management, lp | 1,667,600 | $2.1M |
| woodline partners lp | 1,666,830 | $2.1M |
Showing top 10 of 91 institutional holders of PLIANT THERAPEUTICS, INC.. Open the full 13F history after sign-in.
Short Interest
as of Apr 28, 2026- % of float
- 6.0%
- Days to cover
- 7.8
- Shares short
- 3,640,410
- Daily short volume
- -
Short percent of float and days-to-cover reflect reported short positioning. Daily short volume is the exchange-reported short share of a single day's trading volume and is noisier. See the most-shorted biotech ranking →
PLRX short interestGovernance
Frequently asked questions
What is the AI investment thesis for PLIANT THERAPEUTICS, INC.?
PLIANT THERAPEUTICS is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing oral small-molecule integrin inhibitors for fibrosis, oncology, and muscular dystrophy, with lead programs in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (bexotegrast) and checkpoint-refractory solid tumors (PLN-101095).
What is PLIANT THERAPEUTICS, INC.'s lead drug candidate?
PLIANT THERAPEUTICS, INC.'s most advanced tracked candidate is bexotegrast (Phase 2) for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC).
Who is the CEO of PLIANT THERAPEUTICS, INC.?
Dr. Bernard Coulie M.B.A., M.D., Ph.D. is the chief executive officer of PLIANT THERAPEUTICS, INC. (PLRX).
Where is PLIANT THERAPEUTICS, INC. headquartered?
PLIANT THERAPEUTICS, INC. (PLRX) is headquartered in South San Francisco, CA, United States.
What therapeutic areas does PLIANT THERAPEUTICS, INC. focus on?
PLIANT THERAPEUTICS, INC. develops therapies across Oncology, Rare Disease, Respiratory, Gastroenterology.
The AI overview and BioSniper Score are neutral, data-derived signals built from public SEC filings, ClinicalTrials.gov and FDA records — not investment advice.