Plato BioPharma Scientists Coauthor Science Translational Medicine Paper

WESTMINSTER, Colo., March 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Plato BioPharma, Inc. (PBI) Founder and CEO, Dr. Craig F. Plato, announced the co-authorship of a research paper appearing in the 12 March, 2014 issue of Science Translational Medicine. The paper, titled "Intestinal Inhibition of the Na⁺/H⁺ Exchanger 3 Prevents Cardiorenal Damage in Rats and Inhibits Na⁺ Uptake in Humans" describes the effects of tenapanor, a compound that reduces the absorption of dietary sodium in the GI tract. Ardelyx, a Fremont-based biotechnology company, and their pharmaceutical partner AstraZeneca, are studying tenapanor in patients with chronic kidney disease to reduce sodium and fluid overload which are believed to exacerbate kidney and heart disease.

"We're grateful to our colleagues at Ardelyx for the opportunity and delighted we could contribute to this important research effort," said Dr. Plato. "These studies confirm that restricting absorption of dietary sodium in animals can prevent and treat salt-sensitive arterial hypertension and its complications - progressive renal disease and cardiovascular remodeling and dysfunction. The conservation of tenapanor's mechanism in humans makes this story quite compelling."

Dr. Plato also commented, "PBI strives to differentiate itself by integrating Physiological, Pharmacological and Biochemical information to provide insight to target engagement and disease mechanisms. Our studies are implemented to provide high quality tractable data to enable our client's timely and insightful decision-making. This paper reflects PBI's commitment to rigorous, disciplined and detailed characterization of all our models and assay systems in striving to be an integral drug discovery partner."

Founded in Spring 2010, Plato BioPharma, Inc. is a leading preclinical contract research organization (CRO) offering expert pharmaceutical discovery and development capabilities in cardiovascular, renal, pulmonary, diabetic complications and hepatic disease therapeutic areas. PBI provides an integrated research platform from the in-life phase through clinical chemistry, all manner of tissue and fluid biomarkers as well as histological analyses. The company specializes in custom study design and execution engagements ranging from pharmacokinetics through disease model and proof-of-concept evaluation. PBI is headquartered in Westminster, Colorado.

CONTACT: Bob Leahy, 1-303-506-6960, bleahy@platobiopharma.com

SOURCE Plato BioPharma, Inc.