Minnie Kuo, Chief Operating Officer of Pliant Therapeutics, recently sold 6,917 shares of the company’s stock to satisfy tax obligations related to vested restricted stock units. This sale, executed throughout January 20-22, 2026, totaled $8,853 and reflects a weighted price range between $1.245 and $1.33 per share. Pliant’s stock has experienced a significant decline over the past year but remains subject to positive clinical developments and organizational changes.
Key Points
- Minnie Kuo, COO of Pliant Therapeutics, sold 6,917 shares between $1.245 and $1.33 to cover tax withholding related to vested stock units.
- Pliant's stock price dropped approximately 88% over the past year, now trading around $1.30, significantly below its 52-week high of $12.88, though valuation models indicate potential undervaluation.
- Positive interim Phase 1 trial results for PLN-101095 combined with pembrolizumab show promising cancer treatment responses across multiple tumor types, including cholangiocarcinoma and melanoma.
On January 20, 2026, Minnie Kuo, the Chief Operating Officer at Pliant Therapeutics (NASDAQ: PLRX), disposed of 6,917 shares of the pharmaceutical company’s common stock. The transaction, detailed in a Form 4 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, involved share prices fluctuating between $1.245 and $1.33, culminating in proceeds near $8,853. Following this sale, Kuo retains ownership of 37,806 PLRX shares.
This disposition of shares was executed through a nondiscretionary plan aligned with Rule 10b5-1, designed to address withholding tax liabilities arising from the vesting of previously granted restricted stock units. The reported sale represents a collective broker-driven transaction on behalf of a group of company employees, including Kuo, spanning January 20 to January 22, 2026. Kuo has committed to providing comprehensive details regarding share quantities sold at various prices within the stipulated range upon request by Pliant Therapeutics, its shareholders, or regulatory authorities.
Pliant Therapeutics shares have encountered a sharp reduction, currently trading at approximately $1.30, down about 88% from the prior year’s peak of $12.88. Nonetheless, according to recent valuations by InvestingPro using a combination of seventeen established industry valuation models, the stocks are assessed as undervalued relative to their fair value estimates.
Amid these financial movements, Pliant Therapeutics announced encouraging interim results from its Phase 1 clinical trial of PLN-101095, an innovative oncology drug candidate. The trial investigated the combination of PLN-101095 with pembrolizumab across patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors that had not responded to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Outcomes included one confirmed complete response and three partial responses across diverse cancer types, notably cholangiocarcinoma and melanoma.
Additionally, the company has undergone several executive adjustments. Minnie Kuo’s appointment as Chief Operating Officer was one of the key leadership updates. Conversely, Chief Business Officer Hans Hull resigned, and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Éric Lefebvre was formally notified of his departure, although he will continue to consult to ensure a smooth transition. These changes were disclosed through Pliant’s recent SEC filings and press announcements.
These developments highlight Pliant Therapeutics' continued focus on advancing its pipeline while navigating leadership transitions and stock valuation challenges.
Risks
- The material decline in Pliant Therapeutics’ share price reflects market valuation pressures and potential investor concerns, introducing risk to shareholder value in the biotechnology sector.
- Ongoing leadership changes, including key executive departures, may impact organizational stability and strategic execution within the company.
- Despite promising early clinical trial results, the outcomes are interim and limited in scope, representing typical uncertainty inherent in drug development and regulatory approval processes.