Helus Pharma (NASDAQ: HELP) (Cboe CA: HELP), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing novel serotonergic agonists (NSAs), announced the appointment of Suresh Durgam, M.D., to its board of directors, subject to approval by Cboe Canada. Durgam, who previously served on the company's scientific advisory board, brings more than 20 years of experience in central nervous system (CNS) drug development, clinical research, and regulatory strategy. His appointment is expected to support Helus Pharma as it advances its CNS pipeline through late-stage development toward potential commercialization.
Most recently, Durgam served as executive vice president and chief medical officer of Intra-Cellular Therapies, where he helped secure U.S. Food and Drug Administration approvals for CAPLYTA® across multiple indications, including schizophrenia, bipolar depression, and major depressive disorder. That track record is directly relevant to Helus Pharma's mission: the company is developing proprietary NSAs—synthetic molecules designed to activate serotonin pathways that are believed to promote neuroplasticity—intended to address the large unmet need for people suffering from depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.
Helus Pharma's lead candidate, HLP003, is in Phase 3 clinical development for the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder and has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA. Another candidate, HLP004, is in Phase 2 for generalized anxiety disorder. Additionally, the company has an extensive research portfolio of investigational NSAs. 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. The company operates in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.
Durgam's appointment matters because late-stage CNS drug development is notoriously challenging, with high failure rates and complex regulatory hurdles. His experience in securing FDA approvals for psychiatric drugs could be instrumental in guiding Helus Pharma's NSAs through the final stages of development and toward market. For investors, the addition of a proven chief medical officer to the board may signal increased confidence in the company's ability to execute on its pipeline and potentially bring these novel treatments to patients.
To view the full press release, visit https://ibn.fm/lTfIt. For more information about Helus Pharma, visit www.helus.com.
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