Helix BioPharma Corp. (TSX: HBP, OTC PINK: HBPCD, FRANKFURT: HBP0), a clinical-stage oncology company, announced the appointments of Helen Middleton as General Counsel and David Browning as Vice President of Clinical Operations. These additions to the executive leadership team are part of the company's preparation for a planned U.S. securities exchange listing and the next stage of clinical development for its lead candidate, L-DOS47.
The company is advancing L-DOS47 through LDOS007, a planned Phase IB/Randomized Phase II study in first-line non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Helix is also building the legal, governance, and operational infrastructure needed to support its growth. "The next stage of Helix’s evolution demands a different kind of company than the one we were building two years ago," said Thomas Mehrling, MD, PhD, Chief Executive Officer. "As we prepare for our planned U.S. securities exchange listing and advance L-DOS47 into its next stage of clinical development, we are deliberately strengthening every part of the organization."
Mehrling emphasized the company's progress on its capital markets roadmap, noting the preparation of a base shelf prospectus and the completion of auditor review for second-quarter financials. "Helen and David are exceptional additions to Helix. Helen brings decades of experience navigating the legal and governance challenges faced by growing life sciences companies, while David has successfully led complex global oncology programs from planning through execution," he added.
Helen Middleton, a qualified life sciences lawyer and registered clinical pharmacist, brings over 30 years of experience from roles at Sidley Austin LLP, Matheson LLP, Mundipharma International, Ipsen, and Abcam. Most recently, she served as Legal Consultant to Kyowa Kirin International. As General Counsel, she will oversee legal affairs, governance, compliance, and strategic transactions. "The most exciting opportunities in biopharma are created when strong science is matched by strong execution. Helix has reached an important point in its evolution, and I look forward to helping build the legal and governance framework that supports the Company’s clinical and corporate ambitions," Middleton said.
David Browning, with over 30 years of experience in global clinical development, has overseen more than 30 Phase I-III clinical studies across oncology indications and therapeutic modalities, including immunotherapies, targeted therapies, and antibody-drug conjugates. His career spans roles in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, contract research organizations, and academia. As Vice President of Clinical Operations, he will lead the operational planning and execution of Helix’s clinical programs, including LDOS007. "The opportunity ahead for Helix is compelling. The Company has built an encouraging clinical foundation for L-DOS47, and I look forward to helping execute its next stage of development with the operational excellence required to bring this program forward, and, ultimately, to patients," Browning stated.
These appointments are a milestone in Helix's preparation for its next phase of clinical development and capital markets execution. The company's pipeline is led by L-DOS47, a Tumor Defense Breaker antibody-enzyme conjugate designed to prime CEACAM6-expressing tumors for increased sensitivity to therapy. L-DOS47 has completed Phase Ib studies in NSCLC and shares its targeting foundation with Helix’s next-generation bi-specific antibody-drug conjugates in discovery. Additionally, Helix advances two pre-IND candidates: LEUMUNA, an oral immune checkpoint modulator for post-transplant leukemia relapse, and GEMCEDA, an oral gemcitabine prodrug with bioavailability comparable to IV administration. More information is available at https://www.helixbiopharma.com/.
The appointments strengthen Helix's ability to deliver on its clinical, corporate, and capital markets objectives as it aims to create long-term value for patients and shareholders.
