PLIANT THERAPEUTICS, INC.PLRX
PLIANT THERAPEUTICS, INC. Debt Disclosure
Debt
In May 2022, as amended in October 2022, we entered into a term loan facility (the “Oxford Loan Agreement”) with Oxford Finance LLC (the "Lender") for up to $100.0 million. In connection with the Oxford Loan Agreement, we granted a security interest in substantially all of our current and future assets. At closing, we entered into a term loan for $10.0 million and we decided not to draw upon the additional $65.0 million that became available to us over the course of 2023
as certain conditions related to the development of bexotegrast and one of our preclinical product candidates were satisfied. As of December 31, 2023, the time period to draw upon the additional $65.0 million had lapsed.
On March 11, 2024, we entered into an Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “Amended Loan Agreement”) with the Lender to borrow a series of term loans up to an aggregate principal amount of $150.0 million (the “Term Loans”), of which $50.0 million is subject to the Lender’s sole discretion. The availability of additional term loans is dependent upon the status of BEACON-IPF, a global Phase 2b trial in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
Pursuant to the Amended Loan Agreement, we drew an initial Term Loan of $30.0 million, inclusive of $10.0 million in principal amount previously outstanding under the Oxford Loan Agreement. Under the agreement, additional borrowing of up to an additional $70.0 million of Term Loans would be available at our option, $35.0 million being available commencing October 1, 2025 contingent upon the continued operation of the BEACON-IPF study and a further $35.0 million being available upon demonstrating that BEACON-IPF had achieved positive Phase 2b data sufficient to support continued development, in the sole discretion of Oxford. Given the discontinuation of the BEACON-IPF trial, we do not expect to have access to additional borrowing under the Oxford Agreement. Refer to Note 19 for further discussion regarding the discontinuation of BEACON-IPF.
In connection with the Amended Loan Agreement, the Company granted the Lender a security interest in substantially all of the Company’s assets now owned or hereafter acquired, excluding intellectual property to the extent the aggregate amount of Term Loans advanced and outstanding does not exceed $50.0 million (but including the right to payments and proceeds of intellectual property) and certain customary exceptions. There are no warrants or current financial covenants associated with the Amended Loan Agreement, however, if the aggregate original principal amount of Term Loans exceeds $30.0 million and, in Oxford’s sole discretion, bexotegrast demonstrates negative Phase 2b or Phase 3 data in IPF, or the Company has been issued a complete response letter by the FDA for its IPF new drug application submission, the Company is required to maintain a cash balance of at least 50% of the aggregate outstanding principal of Term Loans then outstanding.
The principal amount outstanding under the Term Loans will accrue interest at a floating per annum rate equal to (i) the greater of (a) 1-month term Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”) Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) on the last business day of the month that immediately precedes the month in which the interest will accrue and (b) three and one-half percent (3.50%) plus (ii) five and one-quarter percent (5.25%), subject to an agreed upon floor of 8.75%. Beginning on July 1, 2028, which may be extended to July 1, 2029 (subject to certain conditions set forth in the Amended Loan Agreement), the Company is required to repay the Term Loans in consecutive equal monthly payments of principal, together with applicable interest, in arrears. Interest on the Term Loans is paid on a monthly basis. All unpaid principal and accrued and unpaid interest with respect to each Term Loan will be due and payable in full on March 1, 2029, which may be extended to March 1, 2030 (subject to certain conditions set forth in the Amended Loan Agreement). Accrued interest as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 is included in other accrued liabilities.
The Company will be required to make a final payment of 5.50% (or 7.25% if the amortization date of the Term Loans has been extended to July 1, 2029 (as discussed above)) of the original principal amount of the Term Loans that were drawn, payable at maturity or upon any earlier acceleration or prepayment of the Term Loans. The Company may prepay the Term Loans in whole or in part, subject to a prepayment fee equal to (i) if prepaid on or before the first anniversary date of the funding date of such Term Loan, 3.00% of the principal amount of the applicable Term Loan prepaid, (ii) if prepaid after the first anniversary and on or before the second anniversary of the funding date of such Term Loan, 2.00% of the principal amount of the applicable Term Loan prepaid, and (iii) if prepaid after the second anniversary and on or before the third anniversary of the funding date of such Term Loan prepaid, 1.00% of the principal amount of the applicable Term Loan prepaid.
The Agreement contains representations and warranties, affirmative, and negative covenants, and events of default that are customary for loans of this type. The occurrence of an event of default could result in the acceleration of the obligations under the Amended Loan Agreement, termination of the Term Loan commitments and the right by the Lender to foreclose on the collateral securing the obligations. During the existence of an event of default, the Term Loans would accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to 5.00% above the otherwise applicable interest rate.
The estimated fair value of the term loan as of December 31, 2024 was measured using Level 3 inputs and approximates the carrying value recorded to the balance sheet. The effective interest rate for the term loan is 11.51% for December 31, 2024 and 12.69% for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Interest expense during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 was $3.0 million, $1.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively.
Future maturities of debt as of December 31, 2024 are as follows (in thousands):
| As of December 31, 2024 | |||||
| 2028 | $ | 20,000 | |||
| 2029 | 10,000 | ||||
| Thereafter | — | ||||
| Total | 30,000 | ||||
| Less: unamortized debt issuance costs | (166) | ||||
| Accretion of final payment | 377 | ||||
| Total | $ | 30,211 | |||
About Debt Disclosures
Debt disclosures detail a company's borrowing structure — the types of instruments, interest rates, maturity schedule, and covenant restrictions that define its financial obligations and flexibility. This section is essential for assessing refinancing risk, interest rate exposure, and the margin of safety against financial distress.
Key signals: the maturity schedule reveals concentration risk — large maturities within 1-2 years during tight credit markets can force dilutive refinancing or asset sales. Compare the fair value of debt against carrying amount to gauge whether the market views the company's credit risk differently than the balance sheet suggests. Watch covenant compliance disclosures for tightening cushions, especially leverage and interest coverage ratios. Variable-rate debt exposure quantifies sensitivity to interest rate changes. Secured versus unsecured mix affects recovery rates and future borrowing capacity. Compare net debt-to-EBITDA against industry peers and covenant limits to assess financial health.