Helus Pharma(TM) (NASDAQ: HELP) (Cboe CA: HELP), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing novel serotonergic agonists for mental health treatments, announced that co-founders Eric So and Paul Glavine have stepped down from their executive and consulting roles but will remain on the board of directors. So, who previously served as president and executive chairman, has been named chairman emeritus, while Glavine, the former chief growth officer, retains his board seat. The company also appointed Mark Lawson as independent chair of the board, effective immediately.
The leadership changes follow the recent appointment of Michael Halstead as CEO and are intended to support the company's next stage of development. Lawson, a board member since November 2020, brings more than 20 years of private equity and investment banking experience. Both co-founders expressed confidence in the current leadership team and will continue supporting Helus Pharma through their board positions.
The transition comes at a critical juncture for Helus Pharma, which is focused on advancing its HLP003 and HLP004 clinical programs. The company continues to anticipate reporting topline data from its Phase 3 APPROACH pivotal study of HLP003 for major depressive disorder in the fourth quarter of 2026. HLP003 has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, underscoring its potential to address the large unmet need for people who suffer from depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.
For investors, the reshuffle may signal a maturing governance structure as the company moves closer to pivotal data readouts. An independent chair with extensive financial experience could enhance oversight and strategic guidance, particularly as Helus Pharma prepares for potential commercialization. The co-founders' continued board presence ensures continuity of institutional knowledge while allowing new leadership to steer day-to-day operations. The full press release can be viewed at https://ibn.fm/ayQkS.
Helus Pharma, the commercial operating name of Cybin Inc., was founded in 2019 and is committed to helping minds heal by developing proprietary novel serotonergic agonists—synthetic molecules designed to activate serotonin pathways believed to promote neuroplasticity. The company operates in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. For more information, visit www.helus.com.
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