Pliant Therapeutics names siRNA research veteran as SVP

Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLRX) has appointed Craig Blanchette, Ph.D., as Senior Vice President, Research (siRNA), according to a company statement.

Dr. Blanchette joins Pliant from Switch Therapeutics, where he served as Chief Scientific Officer. At Switch, he built an RNAi discovery organization, developed a three-program pipeline and advanced two programs into IND-enabling studies. Before Switch, he held roles at Genentech, most recently as Head of Protein Chemistry, where he led oligonucleotide delivery strategy. Earlier in his career, he was a staff scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories, where he led vaccine programs using nanoparticle technology.

Dr. Blanchette holds a B.S. in Biology and Physics from Vassar College and a Ph.D. in Biophysics from the University of California, Davis.

Bernard Coulie, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Pliant, said: "Craig's experience in advancing novel delivery platforms and leading siRNA programs from discovery to clinical development will significantly augment Pliant's deep integrin chemistry and biology expertise."

In connection with his appointment, Pliant granted Dr. Blanchette non-statutory stock options to purchase 300,000 shares of common stock on October 19, 2026, 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 the grant date. 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.

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