Pliant Therapeutics Ends Bexotegrast IPF Trial, Stock Plummets

(RTTNews) - Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (PLRX) Monday announced the discontinuation of its BEACON-IPF Phase 2b trial evaluating bexotegrast in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis following recommendations from an independent Data Safety Monitoring Board and an external expert panel.

The decision was driven by an imbalance in unadjudicated IPF-related adverse events between the treatment and placebo groups, although early signs of efficacy on lung function were observed.

Pliant plans to analyze the full trial data to determine next steps, including potential lower-dose studies. The company remains focused on advancing other programs, including its PLN-101095 oncology trial, with interim data expected in early 2025.

PLRX is currently trading at $1.75, down 49.27 percent or $1.69 on the Nasdaq.