Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company in the clinical development stage, dedicated to discovering, advancing, and bringing to market innovative therapies for fibrotic and related diseases across the United States. Its flagship investigational product, PLN-74809, is an orally administered, small-molecule, dual-selective inhibitor targeting both avß6 and avß1 integrins, which is currently progressing through three distinct Phase 2a clinical trials. The company's pipeline also includes PLN-1474, a small-molecule selective inhibitor of avß1, which has successfully completed its Phase 1 clinical assessment for treating liver fibrosis associated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Furthermore, Pliant is nurturing two additional integrin-based initiatives in preclinical development: one focused on oncology, and another involving an allosteric agonistic monoclonal antibody designed to act upon an undisclosed integrin receptor for the treatment of various muscular dystrophies, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Founded in 2015, Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. maintains its corporate headquarters in South San Francisco, California.
Pliant Therapeutics Appoints David Raben, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer
Pliant Therapeutics appointed David Raben, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer, effective September 30, 2026.
Dr. Raben brings 30+ years of oncology drug development experience, including CMO at Bicara Therapeutics and senior oncology roles at Amgen and Genentech.
His hire supports advancement of lead asset PLN-101095 in the FORTIFY Phase 1b trial, with key trial readouts expected in 2027. He also received an inducement grant of options for 575,000 shares vesting over four years under Nasdaq Rule 5635(c)(4).