# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001746473
**File Stem:** 0001746473-26-000041
**Filing Date:** 2026-3
**Character Count:** 26786
**Document Hash:** 355653ce3ffc00e598e52344389c8a35
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001746473-26-000041.hdr.sgml**: 20260311

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001746473-26-000041

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: S-8

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 15

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20260311

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20260311

**EFFECTIVENESS DATE**: 20260311

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** PLIANT THERAPEUTICS, INC.
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001746473
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 03 Life Sciences
- **EIN:** 474272481
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** S-8
- **SEC ACT:** 1933 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 333-294213
- **FILM NUMBER:** 26743896

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 331 OYSTER POINT BOULEVARD
- **CITY:** SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 94080
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 650-481-6770

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 331 OYSTER POINT BOULEVARD
- **CITY:** SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 94080

**UNITED STATES**

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**

**Washington, D.C. 20549**

__________________________________________

**FORM S-8**

**REGISTRATION STATEMENT**

***UNDER***

***THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933***

________________________________________

**PLIANT THERAPEUTICS, INC.**

**(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)**

__________________________________________

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Delaware** | **47-4272481** |
| **(State or other jurisdiction**<br>**of incorporation)** | **(IRS Employer**<br>**Identification No.)** |
| **331 Oyster Point Boulevard**<br>**South San Francisco, CA** | **94080** |
| **(Address of Principal Executive Offices)** | **(Zip Code)** |

---

**Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. 2020 Stock Option and Incentive Plan**

**Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan**

**(Full title of the plan)**

**Keith Cummings**

**Chief Financial Officer**

**Pliant Therapeutics, Inc.**

**331 Oyster Point Boulevard**

**South San Francisco, CA 94080**

**(Name and address of agent for service)**

 **(650) 481-6770**

**(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)**

__________________________________________

*Copies to*:

**Deepa Rich**

**Marianne Sarrazin**

**Sam Zucker**

**Goodwin Procter LLP**

**601 Marshall Street**

**Redwood City, CA 94063**

**(650) 752-3232**

_______________________________________

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;☐&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Accelerated filer&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ☐

Non-accelerated filer&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;☒&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Smaller reporting company&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ☒

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Emerging growth company&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

------

**EXPLANATORY NOTE**

This Registration Statement on Form S-8 is filed by Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (the "Registrant") for the purpose of registering, (i) 3,072,469 shares of Registrant common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the "Common Stock"), issuable under the Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. 2020 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the "2020 Plan"), as a result of the operation of an automatic annual increase provision therein, and (ii) 614,494 shares of Common Stock issuable under the 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP"), as a result of the operation of an automatic annual increase provision therein. In each case, the additional shares are of the same class as other securities for which a registration statement relating to the 2020 Plan and the ESPP has previously been filed and is effective. Accordingly, in accordance with General Instruction E of Form S-8, this Registration Statement hereby incorporates by reference the contents of the registration statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-238922), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on June 4, 2020, the registration statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-254361), filed with the SEC on March 16, 2021, the registration statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-263127), filed with the SEC on March 1, 2022, the registration statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-270428), filed with the SEC on March 9, 2023, the registration statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-277398), filed with the SEC on February 27, 2024, and the registration statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-285495) filed with the SEC on March 3, 2025, in each case relating to the 2020 Plan and ESPP, except with respect to Item 6. Indemnification and Item 8 Exhibits, thereof.

**Part II**

**INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT**

**Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.**

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL"), authorizes a corporation to indemnify its directors and officers against liabilities arising out of actions, suits and proceedings to which they are made or threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that they have served or are currently serving as a director or officer to a corporation. The indemnity may cover expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the director or officer in connection with any such action, suit or proceeding. Section 145 permits corporations to pay expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by directors and officers in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding. In addition, Section 145 provides that a corporation has the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of its directors and officers against any liability asserted against them and incurred by them in their capacity as a director or officer, or arising out of their status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the director or officer against such liability under Section 145.

The Registrant adopted provisions in its certificate of incorporation and bylaws that limit or eliminate the personal liability of the Registrant's directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as it now exists or may in the future be amended. Consequently, a director or officer will not be personally liable to the Registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages or breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, except for liability for:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any breach of the director or officer's duty of loyalty to the Registrant or its stockholders;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any unlawful payments related to dividends or unlawful stock purchases, redemptions or other distributions; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any transaction from which the director or officer derived an improper personal benefit.

In addition, an officer would be liable for any breach of the officer's fiduciary duty of care if a claim is brought by the Registrant or a derivative claim is brought by stockholders in the name of the Registrant.

These limitations of liability do not alter director liability under the federal securities laws and do not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as an injunction or rescission.

In addition, the Registrant's bylaws provide that:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the Registrant will indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as it now exists or may in the future be amended; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the Registrant will advance reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, to its directors and, at the discretion of its board of directors, to its officers, in connection with legal proceedings relating to their service for or on behalf of the Registrant, subject to limited exceptions.

The Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. These agreements provide that the Registrant will indemnify each of its directors and certain of its executive officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. The Registrant will advance expenses, including attorneys' fees (but excluding judgments, fines and settlement amounts), to each indemnified director or executive officer in connection with any proceeding in which indemnification is available and the Registrant will indemnify its directors and officers for any action or proceeding arising out of that person's services as a director or officer brought on behalf of the Registrant or in furtherance of the Registrant's rights. Additionally, certain of the Registrant's directors or officers may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses or insurance provided by their affiliates or other third parties, which indemnification relates to and

------

might apply to the same proceedings arising out of such director's or officer's services as a director referenced herein. Nonetheless, the Registrant has agreed in the indemnification agreements that the Registrant's obligations to those same directors or officers are primary and any obligation of such affiliates or other third parties to advance expenses or to provide indemnification for the expenses or liabilities incurred by those directors are secondary.

The Registrant also maintains general liability insurance which covers certain liabilities of its directors and officers arising out of claims based on acts or omissions in their capacities as directors or officers, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

**Item 8. Exhibits.**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit**<br>**No.** | **Description** |
| <u>[4.1](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1746473/000156459020039327/plrx-ex31_301.htm)</u> | <u>[Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as currently in effect (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant's quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed August 11, 2020 (File No. 001-39303)).](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1746473/000156459020039327/plrx-ex31_301.htm)</u> |
| <u>[4.2](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1746473/000174647325000105/certificateofamendmenttoam.htm)</u> | <u>[Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as currently in effect(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant's Form 8-K filed June 9, 2025 (File No. 001-39303)).](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1746473/000174647325000105/certificateofamendmenttoam.htm)</u> |
| <u>[4.3](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1746473/000174647324000153/plrx-thirdamendedandrestat.htm)</u> | <u>Third[Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, as currently in effect (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant's current report on Form 8-K filed on September 24, 2024 (File No. 001-39303)).](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1746473/000174647324000153/plrx-thirdamendedandrestat.htm)</u> |
| [5.1\*](a2026ex51goodwinopinionand.htm) | <u>[Opinion of Goodwin Procter LLP.](a2026ex51goodwinopinionand.htm)</u> |
| [23.1](a2026ex231auditorsconsent.htm)\* | <u>[Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.](a2026ex231auditorsconsent.htm)</u> |
| [23.2\*](a2026ex51goodwinopinionand.htm) | <u>[Consent of Goodwin Procter LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).](a2026ex51goodwinopinionand.htm)</u> |
| 24.1\* | Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration Statement). |
| <u>[99.1](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1746473/000119312520150643/d729258dex102.htm)</u> | <u>[Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. 2020 Stock Option and Incentive Plan and forms of award agreements thereunder (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-238146)).](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1746473/000119312520150643/d729258dex102.htm)</u> |
| <u>[99.2](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1746473/000119312520150643/d729258dex103.htm)</u> | <u>[Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-238146)).](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1746473/000119312520150643/d729258dex103.htm)</u> |
| <u>[107](exfilingfees2026.htm)</u>\* | <u>[Calculation of Filing Fee Table](exfilingfees2026.htm)</u> |

---

\*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Filed herewith

------

**SIGNATURES**

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of South San Francisco, State of California, on the 11th day of March, 2026.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| PLIANT THERAPEUTICS, INC. | PLIANT THERAPEUTICS, INC. |
| By: | /s/ Keith Cummings |
|  | Keith Cummings, M.D., M.B.A. |
|  | Chief Financial Officer |

---

**POWER OF ATTORNEY AND SIGNATURES**

KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENT, that each individual whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Bernard Coulie and Keith Cummings, and each of them, either of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form S-8, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated below.

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name** | **Title** | **Date** |
| /s/ Bernard Coulie | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director | March 11, 2026 |
| Bernard Coulie, M.D., Ph.D. | Principal Executive Officer |  |
| /s/ Keith Cummings | Chief Financial Officer | March 11, 2026 |
| Keith Cummings, M.D., M.B.A. | Principal Financial Officer |  |
| /s/ Hoyoung Huh | Chairman of the Board, Director | March 11, 2026 |
| Hoyoung Huh, M.D., Ph.D. |  |  |
| /s/ Suzanne Bruhn | Director | March 11, 2026 |
| Suzanne Bruhn, Ph.D. |  |  |
| /s/ Darren Cline | Director | March 11, 2026 |
| Darren Cline, M.B.A. |  |  |
| /s/ David Pyott | Director | March 11, 2026 |
| David Pyott, M.A., M.B.A. |  |  |
| /s/ Gayle Crowell | Director | March 11, 2026 |
| Gayle Crowell |  |  |
| /s/ John Curnutte | Director | March 11, 2026 |
| John Curnutte, M.D., Ph.D. |  |  |
| /s/ Katharine Knobil | Director | March 11, 2026 |
| Katharine Knobil, M.D. |  |  |
| /s/ Thomas McCourt | Director | March 11, 2026 |
| Thomas McCourt |  |  |
| /s/Steve Krognes | Director | March 11, 2026 |
| Steve Krognes,M.B.A. |  |  |

---

## Ex-Filing

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'? EX-FILING FEES

---

| |
|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Calculation of Filing Fee Tables**  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **S-8**  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **PLIANT THERAPEUTICS, INC.**  |

---

---

| | | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Security Type**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Security Class Title**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Fee Calculation Rule**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Amount Registered**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Maximum Aggregate Offering Price**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Fee Rate**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Amount of Registration Fee**  |
| 1 | Equity | Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share | Other | 3072469 | $1.285 | $3948122.66 | 0.0001381 | $545.24 |
| 2 | Equity | Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share | Other | 614494 | $1.285 | $789624.79 | 0.0001381 | $109.05 |
| Total Offering Amounts: | Total Offering Amounts: | Total Offering Amounts: | Total Offering Amounts: | Total Offering Amounts: |  | $4737747.45  |  | $654.29  |
| Total Fee Offsets:  | Total Fee Offsets:  | Total Fee Offsets:  | Total Fee Offsets:  | Total Fee Offsets:  |  |  |  | $0.00  |
| Net Fee Due:  | Net Fee Due:  | Net Fee Due:  | Net Fee Due:  | Net Fee Due:  |  |  |  | $654.29  |

---

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Offering Note** <br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <sup>1</sup> (1) Pursuant to Rule 416(a) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, this Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of Pliant Therapeutics, Inc's (the "Registrant") common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the "Common Stock") that became issuable under the plan set forth herein by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, or other similar transaction effected that results in an increase to the number of outstanding shares of Registrant's Common Stock, as applicable. (2) Estimated in accordance with Rules 457(c) and (h) solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee on the basis of $1.285 per share, the average of the high and low prices of the Registrant's Common Stock on March 5, 2026 as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. (3) Represents shares of the Registrant's Common Stock that were automatically added to the shares authorized for issuance under the Registrant's 2020 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the "2020 Plan"), on January 1, 2026 pursuant to an "evergreen" provision contained in the 2020 Plan. Pursuant to such provision, the number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2020 Plan automatically increases on January 1 of each year, starting on January 1, 2021 and continuing through the termination of the 2020 Plan by 5% of the total number of shares of the Registrant's Common Stock outstanding on December 31st of the preceding calendar year, or a lesser number of shares determined by the Registrant's board of directors.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <sup>2</sup> (1) Pursuant to Rule 416(a) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, this Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of Pliant Therapeutics, Inc's (the "Registrant") common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the "Common Stock") that became issuable under the plan set forth herein by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, or other similar transaction effected that results in an increase to the number of outstanding shares of Registrant's Common Stock, as applicable. (2) Estimated in accordance with Rules 457(c) and (h) solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee on the basis of $1.285 per share, the average of the high and low prices of the Registrant's Common Stock on March 5, 2026 as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. (3) Represents shares of the Registrant's Common Stock that were automatically added to the shares authorized for issuance under the Registrant's 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "2020 ESPP"), on January 1, 2026 pursuant to an "evergreen" provision contained in the 2020 ESPP. Pursuant to such provision, the number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2020 ESPP automatically increases on January 1 of each year, starting on January 1, 2021 and continuing through the termination of the 2020 ESPP by the lesser of (i) 1% of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding calendar year, (ii) 700,000 shares, or (iii) such lesser amount as determined by the administrator of the 2020 ESPP, which is the compensation committee of the Board of Directors of the Company.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| | |
| **Rule 457(p)** | **Rule 457(p)** |
| Fee Offset Claims | N/A |
| Fee Offset Sources | N/A |

---

## Exhibit 5.1

**<br> Exhibit 23.1**

**CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM**

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated March 11, 2026 relating to the financial statements of Pliant Therapeutics, Inc., appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2025.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

San Francisco, California

March 11, 2026

## Exhibit 23.1

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| ![image_0.jpg](image_0.jpg) | Goodwin Procter LLP<br>525 Market Street<br>San Francisco, CA 94105<br>goodwinlaw.com<br>+1 (415) 733-6000 |

---

March 11, 2026

Pliant Therapeutics, Inc.

331 Oyster Point Boulevard<br>South San Francisco, CA 94080

Re:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<u>Securities Being Registered under Registration Statement on Form S-8</u>

We have acted as your counsel in connection with your filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), on or about the date hereof relating to an aggregate of 3,686,963 shares (the "Shares") of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share ("Common Stock"), of Pliant Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), that may be issued pursuant to the Company's 2020 Stock Option and Incentive Plan and the Company's 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (collectively, the "Plans").

We have reviewed such documents and made such examination of law as we have deemed appropriate to give the opinion set forth below. We have relied, without independent verification, on certificates of public officials and, as to matters of fact material to the opinion set forth below, on certificates of officers of the Company.

For purposes of the opinion set forth below, we have assumed that, at the time Shares are issued, the total number of then unissued Shares, when added to the number of shares of Common Stock issued, subscribed for, or otherwise committed to be issued, does not exceed the number of shares of Common Stock authorized by the Company's certificate of incorporation.

The opinion set forth below is limited to the Delaware General Corporation Law.

Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized and, when delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Plans, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

This opinion letter and the opinion it contains shall be interpreted in accordance with the Core Opinion Principles as published in 74 *Business Lawyer* 815 (Summer 2019).

We hereby consent to the inclusion of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. In giving our consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.

<br>Very truly yours,

/s/ Goodwin Procter LLP

GOODWIN PROCTER LLP

ACTIVE/204984843.4