Helus Pharma has announced the appointment of Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall 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. Dr. Lewis-Hall brings more than 40 years of experience across clinical care, research, academia and senior biopharmaceutical leadership, including more than a decade on Pfizer's executive leadership team as executive vice president and chief medical officer. Her career also includes leadership roles at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Bristol Myers Squibb, Pharmacia Corporation and Eli Lilly and Company.
A Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and former advisor to the National Institute of Mental Health, Dr. Lewis-Hall will provide scientific, clinical and regulatory governance across Helus Pharma's portfolio as the company advances its novel serotonergic agonist programs targeting serious mental health conditions. This appointment comes at a critical juncture for the clinical stage pharmaceutical company, which is developing proprietary NSAs – novel serotonergic agonists designed to activate serotonin pathways believed to promote neuroplasticity.
Helus Pharma 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 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The company is also advancing HLP004, another proprietary NSA in Phase 2 for generalized anxiety disorder, with an extensive research portfolio of investigational NSAs. The company's approach aims to address the large unmet need for people who suffer from depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.
The appointment of Dr. Lewis-Hall represents a significant strategic move for Helus Pharma as it seeks to navigate the complex regulatory landscape of mental health therapeutics. Her extensive experience in both clinical development and regulatory affairs positions her to provide valuable guidance as the company moves its lead candidates through late-stage clinical trials. With class leading data, Helus Pharma aims to improve the treatment landscape through the introduction of NSAs that aim to provide durable improvements in mental health.
For investors and stakeholders following the company's progress, this leadership addition signals Helus Pharma's commitment to strengthening its scientific and regulatory expertise. The company operates in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland, and maintains an online presence at https://www.helus.com. Additional information about the company is available through its newsroom at https://ibn.fm/HELP.
The mental health treatment landscape continues to evolve, with increasing recognition of the need for innovative approaches that address the limitations of existing therapies. Dr. Lewis-Hall's appointment brings substantial pharmaceutical industry experience to Helus Pharma's leadership team at a time when the company is advancing multiple clinical programs. Her background in both psychiatric medicine and pharmaceutical development positions her to provide comprehensive oversight of the company's scientific direction and regulatory strategy.
This development comes as the global mental health market faces growing demand for effective treatments, with depression and anxiety disorders affecting millions worldwide. Helus Pharma's focus on novel serotonergic agonists represents a distinct approach to mental health treatment, and the addition of Dr. Lewis-Hall's expertise could prove instrumental in advancing these therapies through clinical development and potential regulatory approval processes.
