Pliant Therapeutics adds two directors with oncology backgrounds

Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLRX) announced the appointments of Flavia Borellini, Ph.D. and Robert Iannone, M.D., M.S.C.E. to its Board of Directors, according to a press release issued July 13, 2026.

Dr. Borellini has more than 25 years of experience in pharmaceutical and biotechnology executive roles, with a focus on targeted oncology drug development. She most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Acerta Pharma, where she oversaw the development and approval of Calquence (acalabrutinib). She previously held senior positions at AstraZeneca, including Global Franchise Head of Hematology, and led the development of Tagrisso (osimertinib). Earlier in her career at Genentech, she was involved in the development of Zelboraf (vemurafenib), Herceptin (trastuzumab), and Tarceva (erlotinib). She holds a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology from the University of Modena. She currently serves on the boards of Cantargia AP, Kartos Therapeutics, and Revolution Medicines.

Dr. Iannone currently serves as Executive Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer at Jazz Pharmaceuticals. He previously held the role of Chief Medical Officer and Head of Research and Development at Immunomedics, and prior to that served as Senior Vice President and Head of Immuno-oncology, Global Medicines Development at AstraZeneca, where he oversaw development of Imfinzi (durvalumab). Earlier at Merck, he served as a development leader for Keytruda (pembrolizumab). He holds an M.D. from Yale University School of Medicine and a Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology from the University of Pennsylvania. He also serves on the board of Autolus Therapeutics.

Pliant is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company whose lead program, PLN-101095, is a dual-selective inhibitor of αvß8 and αvß1 integrins being investigated in a Phase 1b trial for solid tumor indications.

You May Also Be Interested In

• Pliant Therapeutics gets FDA Fast Track for PLN-101095 in solid tumors
• Kennametal adds two directors with industrial, aerospace backgrounds
• Cizzle Brands files SEC Form F-10, plans U.S. exchange listing