Pliant Therapeutics Welcomes Dr. Gary Palmer As New Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs

Pliant Therapeutics, Inc., a leading late-stage biotech company focused on developing breakthrough treatments for fibrotic diseases, has announced the appointment of Dr. Gary Palmer, M.D., MBA, as its new Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs. In his new role, Dr. Palmer will oversee global medical affairs initiatives, including scientific communications and patient advocacy efforts.

Dr. Gary Palmer brings over 25 years of extensive global leadership in medical affairs, having worked with biopharmaceutical companies of varying sizes and stages. His expertise spans several therapeutic areas, including pulmonary medicine, immunology, and neurology. Before joining Pliant, Dr. Palmer served as Senior Vice President of Global Medical Affairs for Immunology & Neuroscience at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), where he oversaw a diverse portfolio. This included managing four marketed drugs and over 15 development candidates across fields such as pulmonary fibrosis, dermatology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, and neurology.

Before joining BMS, Dr. Gary Palmer held the position of Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs at Myovant Sciences, where he played a key role in product launches in collaboration with Pfizer, prior to Myovant’s acquisition by Sumitomo Pharma. Earlier in his career, Dr. Palmer served as Senior Vice President of U.S. Medical Affairs at Actelion, now a part of Janssen Pulmonology, as Chief Medical Officer for Neuroscience at Eisai Pharmaceuticals, and as Vice President for Global Development & Medical Affairs at BMS. He also held the role of Vice President of Medical Affairs & Managed Markets at Pfizer. Moreover, Dr. Palmer holds both an M.D. in Family Medicine and an M.B.A. from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Éric Lefebvre, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Pliant, commented, “Gary brings deep global medical affairs leadership and strategic expertise in supporting successful and orphan disease products across a range of therapeutic areas including pulmonary fibrosis. 

Gary’s first-hand experience in building best-in-class Medical Affairs organizations will benefit Pliant as we grow our organization and advance our portfolio toward the commercial stage.”