Pliant Therapeutics Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapies for fibrosis and other diseases. The company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in South San Francisco, California.
The company's primary focus is on targeting and modulating the extracellular matrix (ECM), which plays a crucial role in tissue homeostasis and disease progression. Pliant Therapeutics aims to develop therapies that can regulate the components of the ECM to restore normal tissue function and prevent or treat fibrotic diseases.
Pliant Therapeutics' flagship drug is PLN-74809, a small molecule inhibitor targeting a key protein involved in fibrosis called integrin αvβ1. Preclinical studies have shown promising results, suggesting that PLN-74809 has the potential to effectively treat fibrosis in various organs, including the liver, lung, and kidney.
The company is also engaged in developing a pipeline of other potential therapeutics that target different aspects of fibrosis. These include inhibitors of additional integrins and other ECM proteins. Pliant Therapeutics utilizes its proprietary discovery platform to identify and validate novel targets and develop drug candidates.
Pliant Therapeutics has attracted significant attention and investment due to the urgent need for effective therapies for fibrotic diseases. Fibrosis is a common pathological process that contributes to the progression of various diseases, including liver cirrhosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and kidney fibrosis. The company's innovative approach to targeting the ECM and its focus on developing disease-modifying therapies have positioned it as a leader in the field.