Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLRX) appointed David Raben, M.D., as chief medical officer, the clinical-stage biotechnology company announced Sept. 30, 2026.

Dr. Raben, a board-certified radiation oncologist, brings more than 30 years of experience in academic translational research, clinical care, and oncology drug development. He most recently served as chief medical officer at Bicara Therapeutics, where he oversaw clinical development of ficerafusp alfa (BCA101) across multiple indications and led clinical strategy for the company's bifunctional antibody platform.

Before Bicara, Dr. Raben was vice president of global product development and product general manager for oncology at Amgen, where he led strategy and clinical execution for the anti-DLL3 program in neuroendocrine cancers. At Genentech, he served as vice president and franchise leader for oncology clinical development, overseeing late-stage precision medicine and immunotherapy programs. Prior to his industry roles, Dr. Raben spent more than 20 years as a professor at the University of Colorado Cancer Center.

"David's deep expertise in advancing innovative and targeted oncology therapies, alongside a proven track record of leading programs from early development through regulatory approval, will be important as we advance PLN-101095," said Bernard Coulie, M.D., Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Pliant.

In connection with his appointment, Dr. Raben received a non-statutory stock option grant to purchase 575,000 shares of Pliant common stock under the company's 2022 Inducement Plan, in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The exercise price equals the closing price of Pliant's common stock on Sept. 30, 2026. The options vest over four years, with 25% vesting on the one-year anniversary of his start date and the remainder vesting in 36 equal monthly installments, subject to continued employment.

Pliant's lead program, PLN-101095, is a small molecule dual-selective inhibitor being investigated in the FORTIFY Phase 1b trial for patients with non-small cell lung cancer, tumors with high tumor mutational burden, or clear cell renal cell carcinoma.