WESTMINSTER, Colo., April 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Plato BioPharma, Inc. ("PBI") announced today that the company has committed to sponsor The American Physiological Society's (APS) Novel Disease Model Awards for 2011 through 2013.  Each year, the APS's Physiologists in Industry Committee selects a Predoctoral and Postdoctoral fellow at the Experimental Biology conference as award recipients based on competitive abstract submissions.

"PBI embraces sponsorship of these awards to recognize outstanding trainees participating in, and driving toward approaches to study physiological mechanisms and consequences of diseases in integrative and mechanistically novel systems," said Craig F. Plato, Ph.D., CEO and founder of PBI.  "Additionally, as PBI is a preclinical contract research organization emphasizing physiological readouts in its assessment of disease models, as well as novel and integrative approaches to evaluate potential new therapeutic approaches to modify pathophysiological derangements, the Novel Disease Model Awards are squarely aligned with our scientific and business focus.  Thus, PBI truly appreciates the impact of recognizing young and talented investigators making contributions to the study and development of preclinical models of disease that may yield new avenues in the process of drug discovery."

This year's awards will be announced at the Experimental Biology conference, which is scheduled for April 9-13, 2011 in Washington, D.C.  Craig F. Platoof, PBI, and Martin Frank, Ph.D., Executive Director of The APS, will present the Novel Disease Model awards to the recipients at the APS Business Meeting.

Founded in 2009, Plato BioPharma, Inc. is a leading preclinical contract research organization (CRO).  The company offers expert drug discovery and development capabilities in cardiovascular, renal, pulmonary, and hepatic disease therapeutic areas.  PBI provides an integrated research platform from the in-life phase through clinical chemistry, biomarker and 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, for Plato BioPharma, Inc.

SOURCE Plato BioPharma, Inc.