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PLRX 
Pliant Therapeutics Inc (PLRX)
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Upturn Advisory Summary
12/05/2025: 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 $3.25
1 Year Target Price $3.25
| 1 | Strong Buy |
| 1 | Buy |
| 11 | Hold |
| 0 | Sell |
| 0 | Strong Sell |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -67.83% | 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 12/05/2025 |
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 74.35M USD | Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 3.25 |
Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 3.25 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 13 | Beta 1.3 | 52 Weeks Range 1.10 - 15.00 | Updated Date 12/7/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 1.10 - 15.00 | Updated Date 12/7/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) -2.86 |
Earnings Date
Report Date - | When - | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin - | Operating Margin (TTM) - |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) -32.87% | Return on Equity (TTM) -64.27% |
Valuation
Trailing PE - | Forward PE - | Enterprise Value -107586245 | Price to Sales(TTM) 3071.82 |
Enterprise Value -107586245 | Price to Sales(TTM) 3071.82 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 1376.69 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA -2.54 | Shares Outstanding 61449385 | Shares Floating 50698201 |
Shares Outstanding 61449385 | Shares Floating 50698201 | ||
Percent Insiders 2.52 | Percent Institutions 84.6 |
Upturn AI SWOT
Pliant Therapeutics Inc
Company Overview
History and Background
Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. was founded in 2016 with a focus on developing novel therapeutics for fibrotic diseases. The company has rapidly advanced its pipeline through internal research and development, as well as strategic collaborations. A significant milestone was its initial public offering (IPO) in 2020, which provided capital to fuel its clinical programs. Pliant's evolution has been driven by a commitment to addressing the unmet medical needs in areas like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other serious fibrotic conditions.
Core Business Areas
- Fibrotic Disease Therapeutics: Pliant Therapeutics is primarily focused on developing small molecule therapeutics targeting the TGF-beta signaling pathway. Their approach aims to modulate profibrotic signaling, thereby preventing or reversing the progression of fibrotic diseases. The company's platform is designed to identify and develop drugs for a range of fibrotic conditions.
Leadership and Structure
Pliant Therapeutics is led by a management team with extensive experience in drug development and the biotechnology industry. Key leadership roles typically include a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and a Head of Research and Development. The company operates as a publicly traded entity with a Board of Directors overseeing its strategic direction and corporate governance.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Description: PTL001 is Pliant's lead drug candidate, an orally bioavailable small molecule that targets the TGF-beta signaling pathway. It is being developed for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other fibrotic diseases. Clinical trials are ongoing, and it is currently in Phase 2 development. Competitors in the IPF space include Boehringer Ingelheim (Ofev), Roche (Esbriet), and various other companies with agents in development. Market share data for PTL001 is not yet available as it is in clinical development.
- Product Name 1: PTL001 (Mirneso)
- Description: PTL002 is another small molecule therapeutic candidate targeting fibrotic diseases, also leveraging Pliant's TGF-beta pathway expertise. It is in earlier stages of development than PTL001. Market share data is not applicable at this stage.
- Product Name 2: PTL002
- Description: PTL003 is a preclinical candidate for a specific fibrotic indication. Market share data is not applicable at this stage.
- Product Name 3: PTL003
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the area of rare and fibrotic diseases, is characterized by high R&D costs, long development cycles, and significant regulatory hurdles. There is a substantial unmet medical need for effective treatments for many fibrotic conditions, which drives investment and innovation. The market is competitive, with both large pharmaceutical companies and smaller biotechs vying for breakthroughs.
Positioning
Pliant Therapeutics is positioned as an innovative biopharmaceutical company focused on addressing the significant unmet medical needs in fibrotic diseases. Its core strength lies in its proprietary platform for developing small molecule therapeutics targeting the TGF-beta pathway, which is implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous fibrotic conditions. This specialized focus allows them to target a critical biological mechanism underlying a range of severe diseases.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The Total Addressable Market (TAM) for fibrotic diseases is substantial, encompassing conditions like Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), systemic sclerosis, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related liver fibrosis, among others. While specific TAM figures vary by disease indication, the collective market represents billions of dollars annually. Pliant Therapeutics is positioned to address a significant portion of this TAM by developing treatments for multiple fibrotic indications with its platform technology.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Proprietary platform for developing small molecule therapeutics targeting the TGF-beta pathway.
- Experienced management team with a strong track record in drug development.
- Lead candidate, PTL001, is in Phase 2 clinical trials for IPF.
- Focused approach on a critical biological pathway implicated in multiple fibrotic diseases.
- Potential for broad application of its platform across various fibrotic indications.
Weaknesses
- As a clinical-stage company, it has no approved products and therefore no revenue from product sales.
- High reliance on the success of its clinical trials, particularly PTL001.
- Significant funding requirements for ongoing and future clinical development.
- Limited product pipeline compared to larger pharmaceutical companies.
Opportunities
- Significant unmet medical need in the treatment of fibrotic diseases.
- Potential for orphan drug designation and expedited regulatory pathways for certain indications.
- Strategic partnerships or collaborations with larger pharmaceutical companies.
- Expansion of its pipeline to address other fibrotic conditions.
- Advancements in understanding fibrotic disease mechanisms can further validate their approach.
Threats
- Clinical trial failures or setbacks, leading to delays or discontinuation of programs.
- Competition from other companies developing novel therapies for fibrotic diseases.
- Regulatory challenges and lengthy approval processes.
- Financing risks and the need for continued fundraising.
- The complex and multifactorial nature of fibrotic diseases may present challenges to therapeutic efficacy.
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- Boehringer Ingelheim (Unknown US Stock Symbol)
- Roche (RHHBY)
- Galapagos NV (GLPG)
- Veracyte Inc. (VCYT)
Competitive Landscape
Pliant Therapeutics' competitive advantages lie in its focused approach on the TGF-beta pathway, a critical mediator of fibrosis, and its development of orally bioavailable small molecules. This approach may offer a more targeted and potentially safer profile compared to some other therapeutic modalities. However, it faces intense competition from established pharmaceutical giants with significant resources and broader pipelines, as well as other nimble biotechs focusing on fibrotic diseases. Key disadvantages include its smaller size, reliance on a single lead candidate, and lack of commercial-stage products.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Pliant Therapeutics has demonstrated significant growth in its pipeline development and advancement since its inception. From its founding, it has progressed its lead candidates into clinical trials, indicating successful R&D execution. The company has also grown its operational scale and team to support its expanding research and development efforts.
Future Projections: Future projections for Pliant Therapeutics are contingent upon the successful progression of its clinical candidates through late-stage trials and subsequent regulatory approvals. Analyst estimates would likely focus on potential market penetration for its lead assets in fibrotic diseases, assuming successful development. Growth will be directly tied to achieving key clinical milestones and potential commercialization.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives for Pliant Therapeutics likely involve the advancement of its clinical programs, such as ongoing Phase 2 studies for PTL001 (Mirneso) in IPF, and the progression of its other pipeline candidates. The company may also be pursuing strategic collaborations or licensing opportunities to further enhance its development capabilities and market reach.
Summary
Pliant Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a strong focus on developing novel therapies for fibrotic diseases, leveraging its expertise in the TGF-beta pathway. Its lead candidate, PTL001, is progressing well through clinical trials, representing a significant opportunity. However, like many biotechs, it faces substantial risks associated with clinical trial outcomes, regulatory approvals, and the need for continuous funding, making its future highly dependent on successful pipeline execution and market acceptance.
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Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company SEC Filings (e.g., 10-K, 10-Q)
- Company Investor Relations Websites
- Financial Data Providers (e.g., Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg)
- Industry Research Reports
Disclaimers:
This analysis is based on publicly available information and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice. Financial data and market information are subject to change. Users should conduct their own due diligence before making any investment decisions.
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.
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