Helus Pharma (NASDAQ: HELP) (Cboe CA: HELP) announced the appointment of Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall, DFAPA, MFPM, to its board of directors, where she will also serve as chair of the company's Scientific Advisory Committee, subject to approval by Cboe Canada. This strategic addition brings more than four decades of expertise across clinical care, research, academia, and senior biopharmaceutical leadership, including a decade on Pfizer's executive leadership team as executive vice president and chief medical officer.
Dr. Lewis-Hall's career includes leadership roles at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Bristol Myers Squibb, Pharmacia Corporation, and Eli Lilly and Company. She is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a former advisor to the National Institute of Mental Health. Her experience in drug development and regulatory affairs is expected to provide critical governance across Helus Pharma's portfolio as the company advances its proprietary serotonergic agonist programs targeting serious mental health conditions.
Helus Pharma, the commercial operating name of Cybin Inc., is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing novel serotonergic agonists (NSAs) designed to activate serotonin pathways thought to promote neuroplasticity. The company's lead candidate, HLP003, is in Phase 3 clinical development for the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder and has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Another candidate, HLP004, is in Phase 2 for generalized anxiety disorder. The company also has an extensive research portfolio of investigational NSAs.
The appointment of Dr. Lewis-Hall is expected to enhance the company's ability to navigate the regulatory landscape and advance its pipeline. According to the press release, she will provide scientific, clinical, and regulatory governance across Helus' portfolio. Her background in psychiatry and senior leadership in major pharmaceutical companies positions her to offer valuable insights into the development of treatments for mental health conditions, an area with significant unmet need.
This announcement comes as Helus Pharma continues to progress its clinical programs. The company operates in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. For more information, visit the company's website at www.helus.com or follow the team on social media platforms. The full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/fcqsQ.
