Pliant Therapeutics Provides Corporate Update and Reports Third Quarter 2026 Financial Results

FORTIFY, a Phase 1b indication expansion trial of PLN-101095, continues strong enrollment

Pliant’s proprietary selective, targeted, integrin-mediated delivery platform

demonstrates encouraging initial preclinical results

Strengthened leadership team with appointments of David Raben, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer and Craig Blanchette, Ph.D., as Senior Vice President, Research (RNAi)

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Nov. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLRX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of integrin-based therapeutics, today provided a corporate update and reported third quarter 2026 financial results.

“The third quarter reflected continued strong execution across the Organization, including robust FORTIFY enrollment and compelling proof-of-concept data generated from our integrin-mediated drug delivery platform,” said Bernard Coulie, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Pliant. “FORTIFY continues to enroll ahead of schedule, with a number of European sites onboarded during the quarter. In addition, we continue to explore the potential of our proprietary drug delivery platform with cross-species preclinical data demonstrating successful selective delivery of siRNA payloads to extrahepatic tissues. With emerging data continuing to inform our next steps, potential therapeutic applications and paths forward, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the program in the coming months.”

Oncology Program

PLN-101095 is an oral, small molecule, dual selective inhibitor of αvβ8 and αvβ1 integrins designed to overcome checkpoint resistance by blocking TGF-β activation in the tumor microenvironment. Pliant is currently conducting FORTIFY, a Phase 1a/1b open-label, dose-escalation and indication expansion trial ( NCT06270706), to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary evidence of antitumor activity of PLN-101095, in combination with pembrolizumab, in patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-refractory advanced or metastatic solid tumors.

Selective, Targeted, Integrin-mediated Delivery Platform

Utilizing our fully annotated library of 15,000+ integrin binding molecules, as well as our biological knowledge of cell-specific integrin receptor expression, Pliant has created a selective, targeted integrin-mediated delivery platform for cell- and tissue-selective extrahepatic delivery of drug payloads, including RNAi. The platform has broad applicability across multiple disease areas utilizing a variety of drug payloads.

Pliant plans to share additional details regarding muscle and cardiac, as well as other RNAi programs, including detailed preclinical data and specific indication and gene targets for development over the coming months.

A presentation on the platform, including preclinical data, titled " Pliant’s Selective Targeted Integrin-Mediated Drug Delivery Platform" can be found in the "Investors & Media" section of Pliant's website at www.PliantRx.com.

Corporate Highlights

Third Quarter 2026 Financial Results

About Pliant Therapeutics, Inc.

Pliant Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of integrin-based therapeutics. Pliant’s lead program is PLN-101095, a small molecule, dual-selective inhibitor of αvß8 and αvß1 integrins, that is being developed for the treatment of ICI-refractory advanced or metastatic solid tumors. PLN-101095 is being investigated in FORTIFY, a Phase 1a/1b indication expansion trial, enrolling patients with NSCLC, tumors with high tumor mutational burden or clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Pliant’s preclinical research is focused on tissue-specific delivery and internalization of drug payloads utilizing integrin receptor-binding molecules with programs focused on delivering siRNAs to skeletal muscle cells, adipocytes, as well as other tissue types.

For additional information, please visit: www.PliantRx.com. Follow Pliant on social media at 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 express or implied statements regarding ongoing clinical trial development of PLN-101095, including timing of enrollment and data; the potential benefits of PLN-101095; and Pliant’s plans for the continued development of PLN-101095; and plans for its integrin-based drug delivery platform, including timing of additional details, including initial treatment indications; among others. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on Pliant’s current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties and actual results, performance or achievements of Pliant could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release. These risks and uncertainties, including those related to the development and commercialization of Pliant’s product candidates, including any delays in Pliant’s ongoing or planned preclinical studies or clinical trials, the impact of current macroeconomic, geopolitical and marketplace conditions on Pliant’s business, operations, clinical supply and plans, Pliant’s reliance on single-source third parties located in foreign jurisdictions, including China, for critical aspects of Pliant development operations, the risks inherent in the drug development process, the risks regarding the accuracy of Pliant’s estimates of expenses and timing of development, its capital requirements and the sufficiency of its cash to support Pliant’s planned operations, and Pliant’s ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for Pliant’s product candidates. These and additional risks are discussed in the sections titled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors" in Pliant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2026, which Pliant is filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) today, and which will be available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, as well as other risks or uncertainties set forth in Pliant’s future SEC filings. 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.

ir@pliantrx.com