Home 
Today's Top Picks 
Top Performers 
Watchlist 
My Robo Portfolios 
ETF Zone 
Help & Tutorial 
Cancel anytime
- Chart
- Upturn Summary
- Highlights
- Valuation
Upturn AI SWOT - About
PLRX 
Pliant Therapeutics Inc (PLRX)
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- Pass (Skip investing)
Stock price based on last close (see disclosures)
- ALL
- YEAR
- MONTH
- WEEK
Upturn Advisory Summary
10/15/2025: PLRX (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Upturn Star Rating
Not Recommended Performance
These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, consistently fall short of market performance, signaling caution before investing.
Number of Analysts
13 Analysts rated it
Moderately tracked stock, growing coverage, gaining market and investor attention.
1 Year Target Price $3.2
1 Year Target Price $3.2
| 1 | Strong Buy |
| 1 | Buy |
| 11 | Hold |
| 0 | Sell |
| 0 | Strong Sell |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -59.9% | Avg. Invested days 18 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Star Rating | Upturn Advisory Performance  1.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 10/15/2025 |
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 96.38M USD | Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 3.2 |
Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 3.2 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 13 | Beta 1.41 | 52 Weeks Range 1.10 - 16.10 | Updated Date 10/17/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 1.10 - 16.10 | Updated Date 10/17/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) -3.38 |
Earnings Date
Report Date - | When - | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin - | Operating Margin (TTM) - |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) -35.07% | Return on Equity (TTM) -67.55% |
Valuation
Trailing PE - | Forward PE - | Enterprise Value -110414769 | Price to Sales(TTM) 3071.82 |
Enterprise Value -110414769 | Price to Sales(TTM) 3071.82 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 1376.69 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA -2.54 | Shares Outstanding 61388154 | Shares Floating 51806691 |
Shares Outstanding 61388154 | Shares Floating 51806691 | ||
Percent Insiders 2.52 | Percent Institutions 86.11 |
Upturn AI SWOT
Pliant Therapeutics Inc
Company Overview
History and Background
Pliant Therapeutics was founded in 2015 and is focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel therapies for fibrotic diseases. It leverages its Integrin-targeting platform to address diseases with significant unmet medical needs.
Core Business Areas
- Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) Program: Develops drugs to treat IPF, a progressive and ultimately fatal disease characterized by scarring of the lungs.
- Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) Program: Focuses on therapies for PSC, a chronic liver disease that damages bile ducts.
- Oncology Program: Exploring the role of integrins in tumor microenvironment and cancer progression.
Leadership and Structure
Bernard Coulie, MD, PhD, is the President and CEO. The company has a typical biotech structure with research, development, clinical, and commercial functions. Board of Directors includes venture capital and biotech industry veterans.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Bexotegrast (PLN-74809): An oral selective u03b1vu03b26 integrin inhibitor currently in Phase 2b/3 for IPF. Market share is currently 0% as the drug is still in development. Competitors include Boehringer Ingelheim (OFEV) and Roche (Esbriet). The IPF market is projected to be multi-billion dollars in the coming years.
- PLN-1474: An oral u03b1vu03b21 integrin inhibitor targeting liver fibrosis in PSC. Phase 1 development. Competitors include CymaBay Therapeutics (seladelpar). Market share is currently 0% as the drug is still in development. The PSC market represents a significant unmet need.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The pharmaceutical industry focused on fibrotic diseases is characterized by high unmet needs, significant market potential, and intense competition. Advancements in understanding the molecular mechanisms of fibrosis are driving innovation.
Positioning
Pliant Therapeutics is positioned as a clinical-stage biotech company focusing on novel integrin-targeting therapies for fibrosis. Its competitive advantage lies in its selective integrin inhibitors and its focus on specific fibrotic diseases.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The TAM for fibrotic disease therapies is estimated to be in the billions of dollars. Pliant is positioned to capture a significant share of the IPF and PSC markets if their clinical trials are successful.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Novel Integrin-targeting platform
- Promising clinical trial results for Bexotegrast
- Experienced management team
- Strong intellectual property portfolio
Weaknesses
- Clinical trial risk and dependence on positive data
- Limited commercial infrastructure
- High cash burn rate
- Competition from established pharmaceutical companies
Opportunities
- Expansion into new fibrotic disease indications
- Strategic partnerships with larger pharmaceutical companies
- Potential for breakthrough therapy designation
- Positive clinical trial results driving market adoption
Threats
- Failure of clinical trials
- Regulatory hurdles
- Competition from other companies developing similar therapies
- Patent challenges
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- BI
- RHHBY
- GILD
- CYMA
Competitive Landscape
Pliant Therapeutics competes with established pharmaceutical companies and other biotech companies developing therapies for fibrotic diseases. Pliant's advantage lies in its novel integrin-targeting approach, but it faces the challenges of clinical development and commercialization.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Growth has been primarily driven by the advancement of clinical programs and expansion of the pipeline.
Future Projections: Future growth is dependent on successful clinical trial outcomes, regulatory approvals, and potential commercial partnerships. Analyst estimates vary based on clinical trial expectations.
Recent Initiatives: Advancing Bexotegrast in Phase 2b/3 for IPF, PLN-1474 in Phase 1 for PSC, and preclinical oncology programs.
Summary
Pliant Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotech company with a promising integrin-targeting platform for fibrotic diseases. The company's future hinges on the success of its clinical trials, particularly for Bexotegrast in IPF. While the novel approach offers a competitive edge, high cash burn and clinical trial risks are key factors to watch. Strong investor interest and potential partnership could be favorable for the company.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Pliant Therapeutics Investor Relations
- SEC Filings
- Analyst Reports
- Company Website
Disclaimers:
This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investment decisions should be based on thorough research and consultation with a qualified financial advisor. Market share data is estimated and may not be precise.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Pliant Therapeutics Inc
Exchange NASDAQ | Headquaters South San Francisco, CA, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 2020-06-03 | President, CEO & Director Dr. Bernard Coulie M.B.A., M.D., Ph.D. | ||
Sector Healthcare | Industry Biotechnology | Full time employees 171 | Website https://pliantrx.com |
Full time employees 171 | Website https://pliantrx.com | ||
Pliant Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, discovers, develops, and commercializes novel therapies for the treatment of fibrosis and related diseases. The company's lead candidate includes bexotegrast, an oral, small-molecule, dual selective inhibitor of avß6 and avß1 integrins, which has completed phase 2a trial for primary sclerosing cholangitis. It also develops PLN-1474, an oral, small-molecule selective inhibitor of avß1 for the treatment of liver fibrosis associated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; PLN-101095, a dual inhibitor of integrins avß8 and avß1 for the treatment of solid tumors; and PLN-101325, a phase 1-ready program for treatment of the muscular dystrophies, including duchenne muscular dystrophy. Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. was incorporated in 2015 and is headquartered in South San Francisco, California.
Note: This website is maintained by Upturn Corporation, which is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Investing in securities has risks. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. No assurance is provided as to any particular investment return, and you may lose money using our services. You are strongly advised to consult appropriate counsel before making any investments in companies you learn about through our services. You should obtain appropriate legal, tax, investment, accounting, and other advice that takes into account your investment portfolio and overall financial situation. You are solely responsible for conducting due diligence on a potential investment. We do not affect trades for you. You will select your own broker through which to transact. Investments are not FDIC insured, they are not guaranteed, and they may lose value. Please see the Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Disclosure for more information.