** Shares of drug developer Pliant Therapeutics PLRX.O fall 65.5% to $2.72 in extended trading

** Company says a mid-stage trial testing experimental drug bexotegrast in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis has been paused

** Says enrollment and dosing has been paused while a Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) reviews its trial data

** A DSMB refers to an independent group of experts that reviews clinical trial data to ensure the safety of participants and the validity of the trial

** Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic lung disease that causes scarring and stiffening of the lung tissue

** Up to last close, stock down 40.9% YTD

(Reporting by Christy Santhosh)

((Christy.Santhosh@thomsonreuters.com))