Form 4: Pliant Therapeutics COO Sells Shares for Tax Obligations

Pliant Therapeutics' Chief Operating Officer, Minnie Kuo, sold 6,917 shares of common stock at an average price of $1.28 to cover tax liabilities from restricted stock unit vesting.

Summary

• Minnie Kuo, Chief Operating Officer of Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (PLRX), reported a sale of 6,917 shares of common stock.
• The transaction occurred on January 20, 2026, and was executed under a Rule 10b5-1 plan.
• The shares were sold at a weighted average price of $1.28 per share, with prices ranging from $1.245 to $1.33.
• The sale was nondiscretionary and intended to satisfy withholding tax liability related to the vesting of previously granted restricted stock units.
• Following this transaction, Minnie Kuo beneficially owns 37,806 shares of Pliant Therapeutics common stock.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: The transaction is a routine, nondiscretionary sale for tax purposes related to RSU vesting, not indicative of management's sentiment towards the company's future prospects.

Positives

• The vesting of previously granted restricted stock units indicates compensation for the Chief Operating Officer, reflecting past performance or retention incentives.

Negatives

• A key executive, Minnie Kuo, reduced her direct holdings by 6,917 shares of common stock.

Future Outlook

NA

Industry Context

NA

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Minor dilution from the sale, but the transaction is routine and not indicative of a change in company fundamentals.
• Employees (Minnie Kuo): Received compensation through RSU vesting, with a portion sold to cover tax obligations.

Key Dates

Recommendation

The Form 4 filing reports a routine, nondiscretionary sale of shares by the Chief Operating Officer to cover tax liabilities associated with restricted stock unit vesting. This type of transaction is common and does not typically signal a change in the company's fundamental outlook or the executive's confidence. Therefore, it does not warrant a change in investment recommendation based solely on this filing.

Keywords

PLIANT THERAPEUTICS, PLRX, Minnie Kuo, Form 4, Insider Trading, Stock Sale, Restricted Stock Units, Tax Withholding, Rule 10b5-1