Helus Pharma(TM) (NASDAQ: HELP) (Cboe CA: HELP), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing novel serotonergic agonists (NSAs), has appointed Suresh Durgam, M.D., to its board of directors, subject to approval by Cboe Canada. Durgam previously served on the company’s scientific advisory board and brings more than 20 years of experience in central nervous system (CNS) drug development, clinical research, and regulatory strategy.
Most recently, Durgam was executive vice president and chief medical officer at Intra-Cellular Therapies, where he helped secure U.S. Food and Drug Administration approvals for CAPLYTA (R) across multiple indications, including schizophrenia, bipolar depression, and major depressive disorder. His appointment is expected to support Helus Pharma as it advances its CNS pipeline through late-stage development toward potential commercialization.
The move matters because CNS drug development is notoriously challenging, with high failure rates and complex regulatory hurdles. Durgam’s direct experience in navigating FDA approvals for a multi-indication psychiatric drug could be instrumental in guiding Helus Pharma’s lead programs. The company is currently developing HLP003, a proprietary NSA in Phase 3 clinical development for the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder that has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA, and HLP004, another proprietary NSA in Phase 2 for generalized anxiety disorder.
For investors, the appointment signals a strengthening of the board’s clinical and regulatory expertise at a critical juncture. Late-stage trials require rigorous design, execution, and regulatory interaction, and Durgam’s background aligns with the company’s stated goal of bringing its NSAs to market. It also reinforces the company’s commitment to addressing the large unmet need in depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions through novel mechanisms that aim to promote neuroplasticity.
Helus Pharma, the commercial operating name of Cybin Inc., was founded in 2019 and operates in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. Its NSAs are synthetic molecules designed to activate serotonin pathways. The company’s strategy focuses on delivering durable improvements in mental health, and with class-leading data, it aims to improve the treatment landscape. For more details, the full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/lTfIt, and company updates can be found at www.helus.com.
The announcement was disseminated by MissionIR, a specialized communications platform that is part of the Dynamic Brand Portfolio at IBN. MissionIR provides services including InvestorWire wire solutions and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets, among other corporate communications solutions. The appointment of Durgam, if approved, positions Helus Pharma with additional seasoned leadership as it navigates the final stages of clinical development and potential commercialization of its CNS therapies.
