Bexotegrast development in IPF discontinued Clinical oncology program and early-stage programs continue Recent workforce and operational changes align with next steps SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., June 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLRX) today announced that following the review of data from the recently terminated BEACON-IPF Phase 2b/3 clinical trial, the Company has discontinued development of bexotegrast in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). BEACON-IPF Trial Update BEA ...

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLRX) today announced that the Company led oral and poster presentations of clinical and preclinical data this week as part of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2025 International Conference, held from May 16-21, 2025. Characterizing the Antifibrotic Activity of Bexotegrast on Distinct Fibroblast Populations in PCLS from Multiple ILD SubtypesIn a featured oral presentation, Johanna Schaub, Ph.D., Director of T ...

Financial Performance - Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was $56,166 thousand, compared to a net loss of $46,955 thousand for the same period in 2024, representing an increase of 19.3%[22] - The company reported a comprehensive loss of $56,328 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to a comprehensive loss of $47,789 thousand for the same period in 2024, an increase of 18.5%[22] - Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was $56.2 million, compared to a net loss of $47.0 million for the same period in 2024, with an accumulated deficit of $766.2 million[101] - The net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was $56.2 million, an increase of $9.2 million from a net loss of $47.0 million in the same period of 2024[112] - The company expects to continue incurring significant losses for the foreseeable future, emphasizing the need to develop and commercialize products with substantial market potential[144] Assets and Liabilities - Total current assets decreased from $362,264 thousand as of December 31, 2024, to $311,191 thousand as of March 31, 2025, a decline of approximately 14.1%[20] - Total stockholders' equity decreased from $304,081 thousand as of December 31, 2024, to $257,164 thousand as of March 31, 2025, a decline of approximately 15.4%[20] - As of March 31, 2025, total financial assets amounted to $278.260 million, a decrease from $339.361 million as of December 31, 2024[45] - Accrued liabilities totaled $7.429 million as of March 31, 2025, down from $12.353 million as of December 31, 2024[50] - The company had cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments of $307.1 million as of March 31, 2025[101] Cash Flow - Cash and cash equivalents increased from $71,188 thousand as of December 31, 2024, to $91,936 thousand as of March 31, 2025, an increase of approximately 29.2%[20] - Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was $48,864 thousand, compared to $30,271 thousand for the same period in 2024, an increase of 61.1%[31] - Cash flows from investing activities provided $69,114 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $59,546 thousand for the same period in 2024, an increase of 15.8%[31] - Net cash provided by investing activities increased to $69.1 million, driven by maturities of marketable securities exceeding related purchases[125] Research and Development - Research and development expenses increased to $43,436 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2025, from $37,146 thousand in the same period of 2024, an increase of 17.5%[22] - The company’s research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2025, were $3.702 million, compared to $3.070 million in 2024, indicating a 20.5% increase[77] - Research and development expenses rose by $6.3 million to $43.4 million, primarily due to acceleration of close-out activities for the BEACON-IPF study and increased employee-related expenses[113] Debt and Financing - The company drew an additional Term Loan of $20.0 million under the Amended Loan Agreement, which upsized the existing Term Loan facility to $150.0 million[51] - Future maturities of debt as of March 31, 2025, total $30.284 million, with $20.0 million due in 2028 and $10.0 million in 2029[56] - The Amended Loan Agreement provides a total of $150.0 million in available non-dilutive capital, with an additional Term Loan of $20.0 million drawn[118] - The company acknowledges the uncertainty in estimating future losses and the potential need for additional capital to support ongoing operations and development efforts[145] Clinical Trials and Product Development - The BEACON-IPF trial was discontinued due to an imbalance in adverse events, but early evidence of efficacy was observed, with topline data expected in Q2 2025[94][99] - PLN-101095, a dual selective inhibitor, is currently in a Phase 1 trial, showing confirmed partial responses in three of six patients treated[98][100] - The company plans to analyze data from the BEACON-IPF trial and re-prioritize development of less capital-intensive product candidates[106] - The company is conducting a Phase 1 clinical trial of PLN-101095 in solid tumors and is Phase-1 ready for PLN-101325 for muscular dystrophies, with no products currently approved for commercial sale[160] Market and Regulatory Challenges - The company faces significant financial challenges, as substantial investments are required for clinical development, regulatory review, and marketing efforts for any approved product candidates[161] - The regulatory approval process varies by country, and approval by the FDA does not guarantee approval by foreign regulatory authorities[170] - The company must comply with numerous foreign regulatory requirements, which can complicate the clinical trial and marketing authorization processes[170] - The FDA has substantial discretion in the approval process, and product candidates may not be approved even if they meet primary endpoints[183] Competition and Market Acceptance - The company faces substantial competition from major biopharmaceutical companies and research organizations, which may hinder its ability to develop and commercialize products successfully[203] - Competitors include well-resourced companies such as AbbVie, AstraZeneca, and Merck, which are also targeting fibrosis treatments[204] - Market acceptance of any approved product candidates will depend on factors such as efficacy, pricing, and third-party payor coverage[210][212] Future Outlook - The company may need additional funds for operational needs and capital requirements for product development and commercialization sooner than planned[120] - Future funding requirements will depend on various factors, including the success of clinical trials and the ability to secure collaboration agreements[149] - The company expects general and administrative expenses to remain relatively consistent for the foreseeable future[114]

Exhibit 99.1 Pliant Therapeutics Provides Corporate Update and Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results Activities supporting the close out of BEACON-IPF continue; topline data expected in the second quarter of 2025 Recently announced strategic realignment of workforce and operations will extend cash runway to support execution of late-stage clinical trials SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA., May 8, 2025 - Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLRX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company and leader in the discovery ...

Activities supporting the close out of BEACON-IPF continue; topline data expected in the second quarter of 2025 Recently announced strategic realignment of workforce and operations will extend cash runway to support execution of late-stage clinical trials SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLRX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company and leader in the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of fibrotic diseases, today p ...

- Implementation of cost reduction initiatives to position Pliant for execution of late-stage clinical trials - Pliant will reduce its current workforce by approximately 45% - Closing activities for BEACON-IPF trial ongoing; topline data expected in the second quarter of 2025 SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLRX) today announced a strategic restructuring of its workforce and other cost saving actions to extend the cash runway to support execut ...

NEW YORK, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Pliant Therapeutics, Inc (“Pliant” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: PLRX). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Pliant and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On Februar ...

NEW YORK, April 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Pliant Therapeutics, Inc (“Pliant” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: PLRX). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Pliant and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.  [Click here for information about joining the class action] On Februa ...

Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (PLRX) could be a solid choice for investors given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). An upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices -- has triggered this rating change.The Zacks rating relies solely on a company's changing earnings picture. It tracks EPS estimates for the current and following years from the sell-side analysts covering the stock through a consensus measure -- the Zacks Consensus Estimate.Individual investo ...

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLRX) today announced that the Company will present three scientific posters at the upcoming 2025 American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference, taking place in San Francisco, California from May 16-21, 2025. The following abstracts are posted on ATS 2025’s online itinerary planner for registered users. Pliant was selected for a featured oral presentation as part of the ATS 2025 Mini Symposiums prog ...