Helus Pharma (NASDAQ: HELP) (Cboe CA: HELP), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing novel serotonergic agonists (NSAs) for mental health conditions, has announced two key appointments aimed at bolstering its organizational and scientific capabilities as it advances its pipeline toward potential commercialization.
Regina Donohue has been named chief people officer, bringing extensive human resources leadership experience from her previous role as chief human resources officer at Intra-Cellular, where she built the company's people strategy and infrastructure, managing its growth to more than 1,000 employees as it transitioned into a commercial-stage organization. Notably, Intra-Cellular was acquired by Johnson & Johnson in April 2025, underscoring Donohue's experience in scaling organizations for success.
In addition, Suresh Durgam, M.D., has joined the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). Durgam brings over two decades of experience in CNS drug development, clinical development, medical affairs, regulatory strategy, and pharmacovigilance. He most recently served as executive vice president and chief medical officer of Intra-Cellular, where he played a pivotal role in securing FDA approvals for CAPLYTA across multiple indications, demonstrating his deep expertise in navigating regulatory pathways for psychiatric treatments.
These appointments come at a critical time for Helus Pharma as it progresses its lead candidates. HLP003, a proprietary NSA, 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. Additionally, HLP004 is in Phase 2 for generalized anxiety disorder. The company's pipeline aims to address the large unmet need for patients suffering from depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.
CEO Michael Halstead emphasized that Donohue and Durgam's expertise strengthens the company's organizational capabilities and scientific leadership, positioning Helus Pharma to execute on its strategic goals. The appointments signal a focus on building the infrastructure needed to support potential commercialization and regulatory success.
The company, operating under the commercial name Helus Pharma, is dedicated to developing synthetic molecules designed to activate serotonin pathways believed to promote neuroplasticity, offering durable improvements in mental health. With operations in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, Helus Pharma continues to expand its research portfolio of investigational NSAs.
These leadership additions are expected to accelerate the company's progress as it navigates the complex landscape of CNS drug development and prepares for potential market entry. For more information on the full press release, visit https://ibn.fm/Z7rgQ.
