Pliant Therapeutics (NASDAQ:PLRX) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel small-molecule therapies for fibrotic diseases, including conditions of the lung, liver, kidney and other organs. Headquartered in South San Francisco, California, the company advances programs that modulate integrin-mediated activation of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), a central driver of tissue scarring. Pliant’s lead candidate, PLN-74809, is being evaluated in Phase 2 trials for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other interstitial lung diseases, while earlier-stage compounds target liver fibrosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and chronic kidney disease.
Since its founding, Pliant has built an integrated discovery and translational research platform, combining medicinal chemistry, in vitro and in vivo biology, and biomarker development to accelerate candidate selection and clinical readiness. The company’s drug discovery engine has generated multiple proprietary integrin inhibitors with differentiated profiles, enabling a precision medicine approach to patient stratification and safety monitoring. Collaborative relationships with academic institutions and contract research organizations further support Pliant’s efforts to explore additional fibrotic indications and enrich its preclinical pipeline.
While primarily based in the United States, Pliant engages global clinical investigators and regulatory authorities in North America, Europe and Asia to design and conduct its trials. Its South San Francisco campus houses research laboratories, formulation and analytics teams, and clinical operations, fostering cross-functional collaboration across discovery, nonclinical development and clinical trial management. This infrastructure underpins the company’s strategy to efficiently translate scientific insights into potential therapies for patients suffering from fibrosis worldwide.
Under the leadership of President and Chief Executive Officer Bernard Coulie, Pliant’s management team combines deep expertise in drug development, regulatory affairs and commercial strategy. Coulie, who has guided the company since its IPO in 2019, is supported by seasoned executives overseeing research and development, clinical operations, manufacturing and corporate development. Together, the leadership team drives Pliant’s mission to address high unmet medical needs in fibrotic diseases and deliver transformative treatments to patients.
