Helus Pharma Strengthens Leadership with Key Appointments in HR and Scientific Advisory

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 significant leadership appointments. Regina Donohue has been named Chief People Officer, and Suresh Durgam, M.D., has joined the company's Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). These moves are poised to strengthen the company's organizational and scientific capabilities as it progresses its pipeline toward potential commercialization.

Donohue brings extensive experience in human resources leadership, most recently serving as Chief Human Resources Officer at Intra-Cellular Therapies. During her tenure, she built the company's people strategy and infrastructure, managing its growth to over 1,000 employees as it transitioned from a clinical-stage to a commercial-stage organization. Intra-Cellular was acquired by Johnson & Johnson in April 2025, a testament to Donohue's role in scaling the company effectively.

Durgam, a veteran in CNS drug development, brings more than two decades of experience in clinical development, medical affairs, regulatory strategy, and pharmacovigilance. He previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Intra-Cellular, where he played a pivotal role in securing FDA approvals for CAPLYTA across multiple indications. His expertise will be invaluable to Helus Pharma as it advances its own pipeline of novel treatments.

Helus Pharma CEO Michael Halstead expressed enthusiasm about the appointments, stating that they strengthen the company's organizational capabilities and scientific leadership. "We are thrilled to welcome Regina and Suresh to the Helus Pharma team," Halstead said. "Their proven track records and deep expertise will be instrumental as we continue to advance our innovative pipeline and move closer to bringing much-needed treatments to patients."

The company's pipeline includes HLP003, a proprietary NSA in Phase 3 clinical development for the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder, which has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Additionally, HLP004 is in Phase 2 trials for generalized anxiety disorder. These candidates are part of Helus Pharma's broader research portfolio of investigational NSAs designed to promote neuroplasticity and address unmet needs in mental health.

Donohue's appointment underscores the company's commitment to building a strong organizational foundation to support its growth. Her experience in scaling companies from clinical to commercial stages will be critical as Helus Pharma prepares for potential market entry. Meanwhile, Durgam's addition to the SAB brings deep regulatory and clinical expertise, which will guide the company's development strategies and help navigate the complex path to approval.

Helus Pharma, formerly known as Cybin Inc., operates in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. The company is dedicated to helping minds heal by developing synthetic molecules that activate serotonin pathways, believed to promote neuroplasticity. With these key appointments, Helus Pharma is positioning itself for success in the competitive landscape of mental health therapeutics.

For more information about Helus Pharma and its pipeline, please visit the company's website at www.helus.com. For the latest news and updates, visit the company's newsroom at https://ibn.fm/HELP.