Pliant Therapeutics Presents Data on Bexotegrast at American Thoracic Society Conference

Pliant Therapeutics presented clinical and preclinical data at the American Thoracic Society International Conference. The data showed that bexotegrast, a dual inhibitor of αVβ6/αVβ1 integrins, reduced fibrosis in human precision-cut lung slices from patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) subtypes. Plasma proteome analysis revealed shared and unique biomarkers of ILD subtypes. Single-cell profiling demonstrated the antifibrotic effects of bexotegrast on pathologic lung cell populations. These findings suggest bexotegrast's potential as a treatment for IPF and other ILD subtypes.

Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLRX) recently presented compelling clinical and preclinical data on their lead product candidate, bexotegrast, at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2025 International Conference. The company showcased three key studies highlighting bexotegrast's potential as a treatment for interstitial lung disease (ILD) subtypes, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

The first study, led by Johanna Schaub, Ph.D., demonstrated that bexotegrast, a dual inhibitor of αVβ6/αVβ1 integrins, reduced fibrosis-related gene expression in lung cells from non-IPF ILD patients. This finding suggests that bexotegrast could be effective in reducing fibrosis in various ILD subtypes [1].

Erine Budi, Ph.D., presented a poster that reviewed a comparative analysis of circulating plasma biomarkers of ILD in healthy subjects and patients with different ILD subtypes. The study identified biomarkers consistently dysregulated across multiple ILD subtypes, which could assist in informing clinical decision-making [1].

Mahru An, Ph.D., also presented a poster that reviewed a single-nuclei RNAseq analysis of fibrotic human precision-cut lung slices comparing the pharmacodynamic effects of bexotegrast alone or in combination with nintedanib. The results showed that bexotegrast significantly reduced the expression of type I collagen and other profibrotic genes in aberrant basaloid cells (αVβ6-expressing) and fibroblasts (αVβ1-expressing), both alone and in combination therapy [1].

These findings suggest that bexotegrast has the potential to be a promising treatment for IPF and other ILD subtypes. The company is currently conducting a Phase 1 study for PLN-101095, a small molecule, dual-selective inhibitor of αvß8 and αvß1 integrins, that is being developed for the treatment of solid tumors. Additionally, Pliant has received regulatory clearance for the conduct of a Phase 1 study of PLN-101325, a monoclonal antibody agonist of integrin α7β1 targeting muscular dystrophies.

References:
[1] Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (2025). Pliant Therapeutics Presents Clinical and Preclinical Data at the American Thoracic Society 2025 International Conference. Retrieved from https://www.stocktitan.net/news/PLRX/pliant-therapeutics-presents-clinical-and-preclinical-data-at-the-0f8651a2h3ti.html