Pliant Therapeutics (PLRX) H.C. Wainwright 26th Annual Global Investment Conference 2024 summary

Company overview and platform technology

• Focuses on orphan fibrotic diseases using oral small molecule integrin inhibitors targeting the TGF-beta pathway.

• Developed over 10,000 molecules, enabling rapid drug development against all 24 known integrins.

• Lead program is Bexotegrast, with additional candidates in oncology and DMD.

Lead program: Bexotegrast in IPF

• Phase II-A INTEGRIS-IPF trial showed strong safety, no dose-related adverse events, and no drug-related SAEs.

• Efficacy signals included 67%-80% reduction in FVC decline, stabilization of disease, and improvement in cough.

• Biomarker analysis showed decreases in PRO-C3 and integrin beta 6, supporting antifibrotic activity.

• PET study demonstrated reduction in collagen deposition and correlation with improved FVC and cough.

Competitive landscape and future directions

• Competing agents include BI's PDE4, BMS's LPAR1, and United Therapeutics' Tyvaso, each with distinct profiles and limitations.

• Bexotegrast's favorable tolerability and efficacy position it well among competitors.

• Ongoing pivotal seamless phase II-B/III BEACON-IPF trial aims for enrollment completion in Q1 2025 and data in mid-2026.

• Primary endpoint is absolute change in FVC, with secondary endpoints including disease progression and QLF.