11:28 AM EDT, 05/14/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Pliant Therapeutics ( PLRX ) said Tuesday a 12-week treatment in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with Bexotegrast resulted in a reduction of total lung collagen based on topline results from a phase 2a trial.

"These imaging data continue to demonstrate the antifibrotic mechanism of action of bexotegrast and build on previous results, including from our INTEGRIS-IPF Phase 2a trial," said Chief Medical Officer Eric Lefebvre.

People given Bexotegrast had reduced total lung collagen post treatment, measured by positron emission tomography imaging, compared with increased total lung collagen in the placebo group, suggesting potential reversal of fibrosis, the firm said.

The patients also showed improvements in forced vital capacity and a reduction in cough severity, Pliant said, adding that the drug in a 160-milligram daily dosage was well tolerated and there were no serious adverse events.

The company's shares were rising about 1.8% in recent trading.

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