Summary of Pliant Therapeutics FY Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Pliant Therapeutics (NasdaqGS:PLRX) - **Focus**: Transitioning from fibrosis to oncology, leveraging an integrin small molecule platform developed over the past 10 years [3][4] Key Points Transition to Oncology - Pliant has shifted its focus from fibrosis to oncology, with a pipeline based on its integrin targeting small molecule platform [3][4] - The most advanced program is **PLN-101095**, a dual v8, v1 integrin small molecule blocker aimed at treating solid tumors, particularly in patients refractory to immune checkpoint inhibitors [4][9] Clinical Data and Pipeline - Initial Phase 1 study of PLN-101095 showed encouraging safety and pharmacokinetic data, with significant biomarker changes observed [4][14] - The drug is administered orally, twice daily, and aims to reduce immune suppression in tumors by blocking TGF- activation [10][11] - A Phase 1b dose expansion study is set to begin in the second quarter of 2026, focusing on combination therapy with Pembrolizumab [15][19] Biomarker Insights - A notable increase in interferon gamma (3-12 fold) was observed in responders during the monotherapy phase, suggesting it may serve as a predictive biomarker for treatment response [14][28][29] - The average tumor size reduction in responders was 71%, with an overall response rate of 40% in secondary refractory patients [27] Future Development Plans - Plans to initiate a Phase 1b study with a focus on specific tumor types, including non-small cell lung cancer and renal cell carcinoma, based on v8 expression profiles [16][17][19] - Continuous evaluation of external opportunities for in-licensing or acquisition of complementary assets [7][36] Financial Position - As of the third quarter, Pliant reported approximately **$211 million** in cash, with a burn rate significantly decreased, providing a runway into the second half of 2028 [40][41] - The company has restructured to maintain development capabilities while reducing operational costs [42][43] Competitive Landscape - Pliant's approach is differentiated from competitors, as it utilizes a small molecule that targets both v1 and v8 integrins, unlike other antibody-based therapies in development [21][22] - The company is monitoring other TGF- targeted programs to inform its indication selection [23][24] Additional Insights - The targeted drug delivery platform using siRNA is being developed internally, with a focus on selective delivery to specific cell types [5][37] - The company aims to provide updates on clinical execution and data from non-human primate studies later in the year [35][36] This summary encapsulates the key points discussed during the conference call, highlighting Pliant Therapeutics' strategic transition, clinical developments, financial health, and competitive positioning in the oncology space.