World-Class Drug Development Capabilities World-Class Drug Development Capabilities

World-Class Drug
Development Capabilities

Program
Indication
Discovery
Preclinical
Clinical
Phase I
Phase IIa
Phase IIb / III
Global Rights
Bexotegrast
(PLN-74809)

Dual selective inhibitor of
αvβ6vβ1

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
Discovery
Preclinical
Clinical

PLN-74809 is an oral small-molecule dual-selective inhibitor of αvβ6 and αvβ1 integrins for the treatment of IPF and PSC.

While present at very low levels in healthy tissues, these integrins are upregulated in the lungs of IPF patients and the bile ducts of PSC patients where they activate TGF-β, a key driver of the fibrotic process. Blocking these integrins is designed to stop TGF-β activation, potentially halting the growth of scar tissue.

PLN-74809 has received Fast Track Designation and Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in IPF and PSC and Orphan Drug Designation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in IPF and PSC.

We announced positive data from the Phase 2a trial in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and initiated BEACON-IPF, a global Phase 2b/3 trial.

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)
Discovery
Preclinical
Clinical

PLN-74809 is an oral small-molecule dual-selective inhibitor of αvβ6 and αvβ1 integrins for the treatment of IPF and PSC.

While present at very low levels in healthy tissues, these integrins are upregulated in the lungs of IPF patients and the bile ducts of PSC patients where they activate TGF-β, a key driver of the fibrotic process. Blocking these integrins is designed to stop TGF-β activation, potentially halting the growth of scar tissue.

We announced positive interim data from the Phase 2a trial of PLN-74809 in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).

PLN-101095

Inhibitor of αvβ8/1

Solid Tumors (Oncology)
Discovery
Preclinical
Clinical

Our oncology program focuses on selective inhibition of αvβ8, an integrin that can activate TGF-β in the tumor microenvironment, causing an anti-inflammatory effect and potential resistance to immuno-oncology therapeutics such as checkpoint inhibitors.

PLN-101325

PLN-101325 is an anti-integrin mAb of α7β1

Other Muscular Dystrophies
Discovery
Preclinical
Clinical

Muscular dystrophy comprises a group of inherited diseases, all characterized by inborn errors in dystrophin, a protein that anchors muscle cells to the extracellular matrix and facilitates contraction.  The lack of dystrophin results in muscle cell damage upon contraction, causing a progressive loss of muscle function over time.

We have identified PLN-101325, an α7β1 integrin activating antibody that acts as a compensatory anchor for muscle cells in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, as well as other types of muscular dystrophy. Utilizing PLN-101325 to activate α7β1, we have shown in animal models the ability to increase muscle strength and decrease muscle damage caused by contraction. This program is currently in preclinical development.

PLN-1474

Selective inhibitor of αvβ1

MASH-Associated Liver Fibrosis
Discovery
Preclinical
Clinical

Our second product candidate, PLN-1474, is a small-molecule selective inhibitor of αvβ1 for the treatment of late stage liver fibrosis associated with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). The integrin αvβ1 activates TGF-β in the liver, leading to fibrosis and, potentially, liver failure.
By blocking αvβ1-mediated TGF-β activation, PLN-1474 has the potential to treat liver fibrosis in MASH patients. PLN-1474 has successfully completed a Phase 1 study with favorable results.

Expanding Possibilities

We are evaluating the potential benefits of our product candidates outside of their lead indications. Our product candidates have shown anti-fibrotic activity in multiple animal models as well as live human tissues in indications outside of IPF, PSC, and MASH. We will continue to evaluate additional indications to maximize the potential of our pipeline.

A man working in a lab

Patient Resources

We have initiated BEACON-IPF, a global Phase 2b/3 clinical trial of bexotegrast in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

We have initiated BEACON-IPF, a global Phase 2b/3 clinical trial of bexotegrast in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.