<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!--Copyright 2023 Workiva-->
<!--r:a49c9389-c67d-4391-930a-4500e02d093d,g:81e83bce-27b0-4708-9f05-028dfcfb01a5-->
<xs:schema xmlns:xs="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:plrx="http://www.pliantrx.com/20221231" xmlns:xbrli="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" xmlns:dtr-types="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/2020-01-21" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" attributeFormDefault="unqualified" elementFormDefault="qualified" targetNamespace="http://www.pliantrx.com/20221231">
  <xs:import namespace="http://fasb.org/srt/2022" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2022" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xlink-2003-12-31.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-instance-2003-12-31.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/2020-01-21" schemaLocation="https://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/2020-01-21/types.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2022" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2022/stpr-2022.xsd"/>
  <xs:annotation>
    <xs:appinfo>
      <link:linkbaseRef xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="plrx-20221231_lab.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/labelLinkbaseRef" xlink:type="simple"/>
      <link:linkbaseRef xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="plrx-20221231_pre.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationLinkbaseRef" xlink:type="simple"/>
      <link:linkbaseRef xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="plrx-20221231_cal.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/calculationLinkbaseRef" xlink:type="simple"/>
      <link:linkbaseRef xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="plrx-20221231_def.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/definitionLinkbaseRef" xlink:type="simple"/>
      <link:roleType id="Cover" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/Cover">
        <link:definition>0000001 - Document - Cover</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="AuditInformation" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/AuditInformation">
        <link:definition>0000002 - Document - Audit Information</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="BalanceSheets" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/BalanceSheets">
        <link:definition>0000003 - Statement - Balance Sheets</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="BalanceSheetsParenthetical" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/BalanceSheetsParenthetical">
        <link:definition>0000004 - Statement - Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StatementsofOperationsandComprehensiveLoss" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/StatementsofOperationsandComprehensiveLoss">
        <link:definition>0000005 - Statement - Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StatementsofStockholdersEquityDeficit" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/StatementsofStockholdersEquityDeficit">
        <link:definition>0000006 - Statement - Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StatementsofCashFlows" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/StatementsofCashFlows">
        <link:definition>0000007 - Statement - Statements of Cash Flows</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="OrganizationandDescriptionofBusiness" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/OrganizationandDescriptionofBusiness">
        <link:definition>0000008 - Disclosure - Organization and Description of Business</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SummaryofSignificantAccountingPolicies" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPolicies">
        <link:definition>0000009 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="FinancialInstruments" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/FinancialInstruments">
        <link:definition>0000010 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="PropertyandEquipmentnet" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentnet">
        <link:definition>0000011 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment, net</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="PrepaidExpensesandOtherCurrentAssets" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/PrepaidExpensesandOtherCurrentAssets">
        <link:definition>0000012 - Disclosure - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="AccruedandOtherLiabilities" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/AccruedandOtherLiabilities">
        <link:definition>0000013 - Disclosure - Accrued and Other Liabilities</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="Debt" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/Debt">
        <link:definition>0000014 - Disclosure - Debt</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="NovartisCollaborationandLicenseAgreementtheNovartisAgreement" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/NovartisCollaborationandLicenseAgreementtheNovartisAgreement">
        <link:definition>0000015 - Disclosure - Novartis Collaboration and License Agreement (the "Novartis Agreement")</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CommonStock" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/CommonStock">
        <link:definition>0000016 - Disclosure - Common Stock</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StockBasedCompensation" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/StockBasedCompensation">
        <link:definition>0000017 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="IncomeTaxes" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/IncomeTaxes">
        <link:definition>0000018 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CommitmentsandContingencies" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/CommitmentsandContingencies">
        <link:definition>0000019 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="Leases" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/Leases">
        <link:definition>0000020 - Disclosure - Leases</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="RelatedPartyTransactions" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactions">
        <link:definition>0000021 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="DefinedContributionPlan" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/DefinedContributionPlan">
        <link:definition>0000022 - Disclosure - Defined Contribution Plan</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="NetLossPerShareAttributabletoCommonStockholders" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/NetLossPerShareAttributabletoCommonStockholders">
        <link:definition>0000023 - Disclosure - Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SubsequentEvents" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/SubsequentEvents">
        <link:definition>0000024 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies">
        <link:definition>0000025 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables">
        <link:definition>0000026 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="FinancialInstrumentsTables" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsTables">
        <link:definition>0000027 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="PropertyandEquipmentnetTables" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentnetTables">
        <link:definition>0000028 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment, net (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="PrepaidExpensesandOtherCurrentAssetsTables" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/PrepaidExpensesandOtherCurrentAssetsTables">
        <link:definition>0000029 - Disclosure - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="AccruedandOtherLiabilitiesTables" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/AccruedandOtherLiabilitiesTables">
        <link:definition>0000030 - Disclosure - Accrued and Other Liabilities (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="DebtTables" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/DebtTables">
        <link:definition>0000031 - Disclosure - Debt (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CommonStockTables" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/CommonStockTables">
        <link:definition>0000032 - Disclosure - Common Stock (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StockBasedCompensationTables" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/StockBasedCompensationTables">
        <link:definition>0000033 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="IncomeTaxesTables" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables">
        <link:definition>0000034 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="LeasesTables" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/LeasesTables">
        <link:definition>0000035 - Disclosure - Leases (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="NetLossPerShareAttributabletoCommonStockholdersTables" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/NetLossPerShareAttributabletoCommonStockholdersTables">
        <link:definition>0000036 - Disclosure - Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="OrganizationandDescriptionofBusinessDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/OrganizationandDescriptionofBusinessDetails">
        <link:definition>0000037 - Disclosure - Organization and Description of Business (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>0000038 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesSummaryofUsefulLivesofPropertyandEquipmentDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesSummaryofUsefulLivesofPropertyandEquipmentDetails">
        <link:definition>0000039 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Useful Lives of Property and Equipment (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="FinancialInstrumentsNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>0000040 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments - Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="FinancialInstrumentsSummaryofCashandCashEquivalentsMoneyMarketFundsandShorttermInvestmentsbySignificantInvestmentCategoryDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsSummaryofCashandCashEquivalentsMoneyMarketFundsandShorttermInvestmentsbySignificantInvestmentCategoryDetails">
        <link:definition>0000041 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments - Summary of Cash and Cash Equivalents, Money Market Funds and Short-term Investments by Significant Investment Category (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="FinancialInstrumentsSummeryofRemainingContractualMaturitiesofCompanysShorttermInvestmentsDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsSummeryofRemainingContractualMaturitiesofCompanysShorttermInvestmentsDetails">
        <link:definition>0000042 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments - Summery of Remaining Contractual Maturities of Company's Short-term Investments (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="PropertyandEquipmentnetScheduleofPropertyandEquipmentNetDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentnetScheduleofPropertyandEquipmentNetDetails">
        <link:definition>0000043 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment, net - Schedule of Property and Equipment Net (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="PropertyandEquipmentnetNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentnetNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>0000044 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment, net - Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="PrepaidExpensesandOtherCurrentAssetsDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/PrepaidExpensesandOtherCurrentAssetsDetails">
        <link:definition>0000045 - Disclosure - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="AccruedandOtherLiabilitiesSummaryofAccruedLiabilitiesDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/AccruedandOtherLiabilitiesSummaryofAccruedLiabilitiesDetails">
        <link:definition>0000046 - Disclosure - Accrued and Other Liabilities - Summary of Accrued Liabilities (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="DebtNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/DebtNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>0000047 - Disclosure - Debt - Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="DebtScheduleofMaturitiesofLongTermDebtDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/DebtScheduleofMaturitiesofLongTermDebtDetails">
        <link:definition>0000048 - Disclosure - Debt - Schedule of Maturities of Long-Term Debt (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="NovartisCollaborationandLicenseAgreementtheNovartisAgreementAdditionalInformationDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/NovartisCollaborationandLicenseAgreementtheNovartisAgreementAdditionalInformationDetails">
        <link:definition>0000049 - Disclosure - Novartis Collaboration and License Agreement (the "Novartis Agreement") - Additional Information (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="NovartisCollaborationandLicenseAgreementtheNovartisAgreementPerformanceObligationDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/NovartisCollaborationandLicenseAgreementtheNovartisAgreementPerformanceObligationDetails">
        <link:definition>0000050 - Disclosure - Novartis Collaboration and License Agreement ("the Novartis Agreement") - Performance Obligation (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="NovartisCollaborationandLicenseAgreementtheNovartisAgreementPerformanceObligationDetails_1" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/NovartisCollaborationandLicenseAgreementtheNovartisAgreementPerformanceObligationDetails_1">
        <link:definition>0000050 - Disclosure - Novartis Collaboration and License Agreement ("the Novartis Agreement") - Performance Obligation (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CommonStockNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/CommonStockNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>0000051 - Disclosure - Common Stock - Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CommonStockScheduleofSharesReservedforFutureIssuanceDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/CommonStockScheduleofSharesReservedforFutureIssuanceDetails">
        <link:definition>0000052 - Disclosure - Common Stock - Schedule of Shares Reserved for Future Issuance (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StockBasedCompensationEquityIncentivePlanNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/StockBasedCompensationEquityIncentivePlanNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>0000053 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Equity Incentive Plan - Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StockBasedCompensationRestrictedCommonStockAwardsNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/StockBasedCompensationRestrictedCommonStockAwardsNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>0000054 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Restricted Common Stock Awards - Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StockBasedCompensationSummaryofRestrictedStockActivityDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/StockBasedCompensationSummaryofRestrictedStockActivityDetails">
        <link:definition>0000055 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Restricted Stock Activity (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StockBasedCompensationIncentiveStockOptionsandNonqualifiedStockOptionsNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/StockBasedCompensationIncentiveStockOptionsandNonqualifiedStockOptionsNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>0000056 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Incentive Stock Options and Nonqualified Stock Options - Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StockBasedCompensationSummaryofBlackScholesOptionPricingModeltoEstimateStockbasedCompensationExpenseforStockOptionAwardsDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/StockBasedCompensationSummaryofBlackScholesOptionPricingModeltoEstimateStockbasedCompensationExpenseforStockOptionAwardsDetails">
        <link:definition>0000057 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model to Estimate Stock-based Compensation Expense for Stock Option Awards (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StockBasedCompensationSummaryofOptionActivityUnderthe2015Planand2020PlanDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/StockBasedCompensationSummaryofOptionActivityUnderthe2015Planand2020PlanDetails">
        <link:definition>0000058 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Option Activity Under the 2015 Plan and 2020 Plan (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StockBasedCompensationRestrictedStockUnitsandPerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/StockBasedCompensationRestrictedStockUnitsandPerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>0000059 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Restricted Stock Units and Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units - Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StockBasedCompensationScheduleofTSRPSUValuationAssumptionsDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/StockBasedCompensationScheduleofTSRPSUValuationAssumptionsDetails">
        <link:definition>0000060 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of TSR PSU Valuation Assumptions (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StockBasedCompensation2020EmployeeStockPurchasePlanNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/StockBasedCompensation2020EmployeeStockPurchasePlanNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>0000061 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StockBasedCompensation2020EmployeeStockPurchasePlanSummaryofBlackScholesOptionPricingModeltoEstimateStockbasedCompensationExpensefor2020EmployeeStockPurchasePlanDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/StockBasedCompensation2020EmployeeStockPurchasePlanSummaryofBlackScholesOptionPricingModeltoEstimateStockbasedCompensationExpensefor2020EmployeeStockPurchasePlanDetails">
        <link:definition>0000062 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan - Summary of Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model to Estimate Stock-based Compensation Expense for 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StockBasedCompensationSummaryofClassificationofStockbasedCompensationExpenseDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/StockBasedCompensationSummaryofClassificationofStockbasedCompensationExpenseDetails">
        <link:definition>0000063 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Classification of Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>0000064 - Disclosure - Income Taxes -Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="IncomeTaxesSummaryofReconciliationofUSFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRatetoCompanysEffectiveIncomeTaxRateDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/IncomeTaxesSummaryofReconciliationofUSFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRatetoCompanysEffectiveIncomeTaxRateDetails">
        <link:definition>0000065 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Summary of Reconciliation of U.S. Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate to Company&#8217;s Effective Income Tax Rate (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="IncomeTaxesSummaryofDeferredTaxAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/IncomeTaxesSummaryofDeferredTaxAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails">
        <link:definition>0000066 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Summary of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="IncomeTaxesSummaryofNetOperatingLossesandTaxCreditCarryForwardsDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/IncomeTaxesSummaryofNetOperatingLossesandTaxCreditCarryForwardsDetails">
        <link:definition>0000067 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Summary of Net Operating Losses and Tax Credit Carry Forwards (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="IncomeTaxesSummaryofChangesinValuationAllowanceforDeferredTaxAssetsDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/IncomeTaxesSummaryofChangesinValuationAllowanceforDeferredTaxAssetsDetails">
        <link:definition>0000068 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Summary of Changes in Valuation Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="IncomeTaxesSummaryofReconciliationofUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/IncomeTaxesSummaryofReconciliationofUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDetails">
        <link:definition>0000069 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Summary of Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails">
        <link:definition>0000070 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="LeasesNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/LeasesNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>0000071 - Disclosure - Leases - Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="LeasesScheduleofOperatingLeaseLiabilityDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/LeasesScheduleofOperatingLeaseLiabilityDetails">
        <link:definition>0000072 - Disclosure - Leases - Schedule of Operating Lease Liability (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="LeasesScheduleofOperatingLeaseLiabilityDetails_1" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/LeasesScheduleofOperatingLeaseLiabilityDetails_1">
        <link:definition>0000072 - Disclosure - Leases - Schedule of Operating Lease Liability (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="LeasesWeightedaverageRemainingLeaseTermsandDiscountRatesDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/LeasesWeightedaverageRemainingLeaseTermsandDiscountRatesDetails">
        <link:definition>0000073 - Disclosure - Leases - Weighted-average Remaining Lease Terms and Discount Rates (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails">
        <link:definition>0000074 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions - (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="DefinedContributionPlanDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/DefinedContributionPlanDetails">
        <link:definition>0000075 - Disclosure - Defined Contribution Plan (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="NetLossPerShareAttributabletoCommonStockholdersSummaryofPotentiallyDilutiveSecuritiesExcludedfromComputationofDilutedNetLossPerShareDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/NetLossPerShareAttributabletoCommonStockholdersSummaryofPotentiallyDilutiveSecuritiesExcludedfromComputationofDilutedNetLossPerShareDetails">
        <link:definition>0000076 - Disclosure - Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders - Summary of Potentially Dilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Diluted Net Loss Per Share (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="NetLossPerShareAttributabletoCommonStockholdersReconciliationofNumeratorandDenominatorUsedinCalculationofBasicandDilutedNetLossPerShareDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/NetLossPerShareAttributabletoCommonStockholdersReconciliationofNumeratorandDenominatorUsedinCalculationofBasicandDilutedNetLossPerShareDetails">
        <link:definition>0000077 - Disclosure - Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders - Reconciliation of Numerator and Denominator Used in Calculation of Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SubsequentEventsDetails" roleURI="http://www.pliantrx.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails">
        <link:definition>0000078 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
    </xs:appinfo>
  </xs:annotation>
  <xs:element id="plrx_MatureInOneToTwoYearsMember" abstract="true" name="MatureInOneToTwoYearsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_CollaborationAndLicenseAgreementIntegrinResearchTargetsAmountRemaining" abstract="false" name="CollaborationAndLicenseAgreementIntegrinResearchTargetsAmountRemaining" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_AccountingPoliciesTable" abstract="true" name="AccountingPoliciesTable" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_LongTermDebtAccretionOfFinalPayment" abstract="false" name="LongTermDebtAccretionOfFinalPayment" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsTSRGoalMember" abstract="true" name="PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsTSRGoalMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_OperatingLeaseAnnualIncreaseToBaseRentPercent" abstract="false" name="OperatingLeaseAnnualIncreaseToBaseRentPercent" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_NovartisAgreementRDForPLN1474Member" abstract="true" name="NovartisAgreementRDForPLN1474Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_RestrictedCommonStockAwardsMember" abstract="true" name="RestrictedCommonStockAwardsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_AuditorInformationAbstract" abstract="true" name="AuditorInformationAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_ScheduleOfNetOperatingLossesAndTaxCreditCarryforwardsTableTableTextBlock" abstract="false" name="ScheduleOfNetOperatingLossesAndTaxCreditCarryforwardsTableTableTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_ReclassificationOfRestrictedStockAwardsFromLiabilitiesToCommonStockUponVesting" abstract="false" name="ReclassificationOfRestrictedStockAwardsFromLiabilitiesToCommonStockUponVesting" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_NonemployeeDirectorMember" abstract="true" name="NonemployeeDirectorMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_AchievementOfFirstPatientDosingMilestoneMember" abstract="true" name="AchievementOfFirstPatientDosingMilestoneMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_UnderwritersMember" abstract="true" name="UnderwritersMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_ContractualArrangementsCancellationPeriod" abstract="false" name="ContractualArrangementsCancellationPeriod" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_NovartisAgreementRDForIntegrinResearchTargetsMember" abstract="true" name="NovartisAgreementRDForIntegrinResearchTargetsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_ShareBasedCompensationOptionsUnderPlanMayBeGrantedForPeriods" abstract="false" name="ShareBasedCompensationOptionsUnderPlanMayBeGrantedForPeriods" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_DebtInstrumentTrancheOneAmountUndrawn" abstract="false" name="DebtInstrumentTrancheOneAmountUndrawn" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_ProceedsFromIssuancesOfCommonStockUnderBenefitPlans" abstract="false" name="ProceedsFromIssuancesOfCommonStockUnderBenefitPlans" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_TwoThousandAndTwentyEmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember" abstract="true" name="TwoThousandAndTwentyEmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_ScheduleOfCommonStockReservedForFutureIssuanceTableTableTextBlock" abstract="false" name="ScheduleOfCommonStockReservedForFutureIssuanceTableTableTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions" abstract="false" name="UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember" abstract="true" name="PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_ComputerEquipmentAndSoftwareMember" abstract="true" name="ComputerEquipmentAndSoftwareMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_AccountingPoliciesLineItems" abstract="true" name="AccountingPoliciesLineItems" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_OperatingLossCarryforwardsExpirationYear" abstract="false" name="OperatingLossCarryforwardsExpirationYear" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:gYearItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTargetLevelOfAchievementPercentage" abstract="false" name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTargetLevelOfAchievementPercentage" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_IncomeTaxExaminationNumberOfExaminationsPending" abstract="false" name="IncomeTaxExaminationNumberOfExaminationsPending" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_InterestAndOtherIncomeNet" abstract="false" name="InterestAndOtherIncomeNet" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_CollaborationAndLicenseAgreementIntegrinResearchTargetsAmount" abstract="false" name="CollaborationAndLicenseAgreementIntegrinResearchTargetsAmount" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_TwoThousandFifteenAndTwoThousandTwentyEquityIncentivePlanMember" abstract="true" name="TwoThousandFifteenAndTwoThousandTwentyEquityIncentivePlanMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_TaxCreditCarryforwardsExpirationYear" abstract="false" name="TaxCreditCarryforwardsExpirationYear" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:gYearItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_MatureInOneYearOrLessMember" abstract="true" name="MatureInOneYearOrLessMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExercisePriceWithPurchasePriceOfCommonStockPercentageOfEstimatedGrantDateFairValueForShareholders" abstract="false" name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExercisePriceWithPurchasePriceOfCommonStockPercentageOfEstimatedGrantDateFairValueForShareholders" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsTextBlock" abstract="false" name="PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_DeferredTaxAssetsLeaseLiability" abstract="false" name="DeferredTaxAssetsLeaseLiability" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_PercentageOfRevenueContributedByRelatedParty" abstract="false" name="PercentageOfRevenueContributedByRelatedParty" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_LoanAgreementMember" abstract="true" name="LoanAgreementMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationGeneralBusinessTaxCreditsFederal" abstract="false" name="EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationGeneralBusinessTaxCreditsFederal" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_DebtDrawPeriodAxis" abstract="true" name="DebtDrawPeriodAxis" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_NovartisMember" abstract="true" name="NovartisMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_NumberOfVotesPerShareOfCommonStock" abstract="false" name="NumberOfVotesPerShareOfCommonStock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_UnderlyingCommonStockFairValue" abstract="false" name="UnderlyingCommonStockFairValue" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:perShareItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_AssetsAndLiabilitiesLesseeTableTextBlock" abstract="false" name="AssetsAndLiabilitiesLesseeTableTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAveragePeerGroupCorrelationCoefficient" abstract="false" name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAveragePeerGroupCorrelationCoefficient" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:decimalItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_DebtDrawPeriodDomain" abstract="true" name="DebtDrawPeriodDomain" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_DebtInstrumentNumberOfTranches" abstract="false" name="DebtInstrumentNumberOfTranches" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLivesTableTableTextBlock" abstract="false" name="PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLivesTableTableTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_PeriodOfBaseRentAbatement" abstract="false" name="PeriodOfBaseRentAbatement" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_ScheduleOfShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsValuationAssumptionsTableTextBlock" abstract="false" name="ScheduleOfShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsValuationAssumptionsTableTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_PrepaidResearchAndDevelopmentCurrent" abstract="false" name="PrepaidResearchAndDevelopmentCurrent" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_DebtInstrumentRemainingMaturityPeriodAtDateOfPurchase" abstract="false" name="DebtInstrumentRemainingMaturityPeriodAtDateOfPurchase" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesMember" abstract="true" name="AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_AccruedResearchAndDevelopmentExpensesCurrent" abstract="false" name="AccruedResearchAndDevelopmentExpensesCurrent" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_LeaseTermExtensionNoticePeriod" abstract="false" name="LeaseTermExtensionNoticePeriod" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_BaseRentAbatedAmount" abstract="false" name="BaseRentAbatedAmount" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_StartingFromJanuary12018Member" abstract="true" name="StartingFromJanuary12018Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_PerformanceStockUnitsMember" abstract="true" name="PerformanceStockUnitsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_IncentiveStockOptionsAndNonqualifiedStockOptionsMember" abstract="true" name="IncentiveStockOptionsAndNonqualifiedStockOptionsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_PublicOfferingMember" abstract="true" name="PublicOfferingMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_ThirdRockVenturesMember" abstract="true" name="ThirdRockVenturesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_PrepaidLicensesCurrent" abstract="false" name="PrepaidLicensesCurrent" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodFairValue" abstract="false" name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodFairValue" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_ScheduleOfPrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsTableTextBlock" abstract="false" name="ScheduleOfPrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsTableTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAveragePeerGroupVolatility" abstract="false" name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAveragePeerGroupVolatility" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_CommonStockFairMarketValuePercentage" abstract="false" name="CommonStockFairMarketValuePercentage" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsClinicalDevelopmentMilestonesMember" abstract="true" name="PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsClinicalDevelopmentMilestonesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsCorrelationCoefficient" abstract="false" name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsCorrelationCoefficient" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:decimalItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_DeferredTaxAssetsCapitalizedResearchAndDevelopment" abstract="false" name="DeferredTaxAssetsCapitalizedResearchAndDevelopment" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_EmployeeStockOptionAndPurchasePlanMember" abstract="true" name="EmployeeStockOptionAndPurchasePlanMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_TermLoanFacilityMember" abstract="true" name="TermLoanFacilityMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesFixedAssetBasis" abstract="false" name="DeferredTaxLiabilitiesFixedAssetBasis" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_TwoThousandAndTwentyTwoInducementPlanMember" abstract="true" name="TwoThousandAndTwentyTwoInducementPlanMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_LeasedSpaceUnderNonCancellableOperatingLease" abstract="false" name="LeasedSpaceUnderNonCancellableOperatingLease" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:areaItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_DebtDrawTrancheOneMember" abstract="true" name="DebtDrawTrancheOneMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_PublicOfferingAndPrivatePlacementMember" abstract="true" name="PublicOfferingAndPrivatePlacementMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_DebtDrawTrancheTwoMember" abstract="true" name="DebtDrawTrancheTwoMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_DebtInstrumentAmountAvailableAfterTrancheOne" abstract="false" name="DebtInstrumentAmountAvailableAfterTrancheOne" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_NumberOfIntegrinResearchTargets" abstract="false" name="NumberOfIntegrinResearchTargets" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_ValuationAllowanceAsPercentageOnDeferredTaxAssets" abstract="false" name="ValuationAllowanceAsPercentageOnDeferredTaxAssets" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_RestrictedStockAwardsMember" abstract="true" name="RestrictedStockAwardsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_NovartisAgreementMember" abstract="true" name="NovartisAgreementMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_BeforeJanuary12018Member" abstract="true" name="BeforeJanuary12018Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_InterestAndOtherIncomeExpenseNet" abstract="false" name="InterestAndOtherIncomeExpenseNet" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_ProceedsFromUpfrontNonRefundableLicenseFee" abstract="false" name="ProceedsFromUpfrontNonRefundableLicenseFee" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_SupplementalCashFlowDisclosuresAbstract" abstract="true" name="SupplementalCashFlowDisclosuresAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanOfferingPeriod" abstract="false" name="EmployeeStockPurchasePlanOfferingPeriod" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_TwoThousandAndTwentyStockOptionsAndIncentivePlanMember" abstract="true" name="TwoThousandAndTwentyStockOptionsAndIncentivePlanMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="plrx_DebtDrawTrancheThreeMember" abstract="true" name="DebtDrawTrancheThreeMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
</xs:schema>
