Combination of Pliant Cancer Drug and Merck's Keytruda Enhances Treatment Responses in Challenging Tumors

Pliant Therapeutics' Trial Results: Pliant Therapeutics released promising interim data from its Phase 1 trial of PLN-101095, showing antitumor activity in combination with Merck's Keytruda in patients with advanced solid tumors that are refractory to immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Clinical Responses Observed: Among the heavily pretreated patient population, there were four responders, including one complete response and three partial responses, with clinical responses noted in various cancer types such as cholangiocarcinoma and melanoma.

IFN-γ Levels and Tolerability: Responding patients exhibited significant increases in plasma interferon gamma levels, while PLN-101095 was generally well tolerated, demonstrating a dose-dependent pharmacokinetic profile.

Stock Performance and Future Plans: Despite the positive trial results, Pliant's stock fell by over 20%, trading near its 52-week low, while the company plans to initiate a Phase 1b trial in 2026 to further explore PLN-101095's efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer and other tumor types.

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Biotech Stock Movements: Several small- and mid-cap biotech stocks experienced significant gains in after-hours trading on September 9, 2025, driven by clinical updates, insider buying, and upcoming investor conferences, with notable performances from Immutep, Nautilus Biotechnology, and Pliant Therapeutics.

Immutep's Clinical Trial Update: Immutep's shares rose 4.37% after announcing that data from its Phase II trial for eftilagimod alpha will be presented at the CTOS 2025 conference, focusing on a rare cancer with high unmet need.

Nautilus Biotechnology Insider Buying: Nautilus Biotechnology's stock surged 12.25% following CEO Sujal M. Patel's significant insider purchases, indicating confidence in the company's future, alongside participation in an upcoming investor conference.

Kura Oncology's Regulatory Milestones: Kura Oncology's shares increased 6.12% after presenting at the H.C. Wainwright conference, highlighting key developments and upcoming regulatory milestones for its menin inhibitor targeting acute myeloid leukemia.

Pliant Therapeutics Development Update: Pliant Therapeutics has halted the development of its idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis drug bexotegrast due to unfavorable phase 2b/3 trial results, which indicated an increased risk of adverse events in treated participants.

Workforce Reduction and Future Plans: The company has reduced its workforce by approximately 45% but will continue to develop another candidate, PLN-101095, currently in a phase 1 trial for solid tumors resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Workforce Reduction: Pliant Therapeutics is implementing a strategic restructuring that includes a 45% reduction in its workforce to extend cash reserves for late-stage clinical trials, particularly the BEACON-IPF trial.

Upcoming Data Release: The company expects to release topline data from the BEACON-IPF trial in the second quarter of 2025, which will inform future steps in the development of their lead product candidate, bexotegrast.

Investigation of Pliant Therapeutics: Pomerantz LLP is investigating potential securities fraud or unlawful business practices by Pliant Therapeutics following a significant stock price drop after the company paused enrollment in a clinical trial for bexotegrast.

Impact on Stock Price: The announcement led to a 60.59% decline in Pliant's stock price, prompting analysts from Wells Fargo and Citi to downgrade their ratings on the company due to uncertainty regarding the drug's future.