Helus Pharma, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing novel serotonergic agonists (NSAs), has announced two key appointments aimed at strengthening its organizational and scientific leadership. The company, which operates under the commercial name of Cybin Inc., named Regina Donohue as Chief People Officer and Suresh Durgam, M.D., to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). These moves come as Helus Pharma advances its pipeline toward potential commercialization, highlighting its strategic focus on building a robust team and expert guidance.
Regina Donohue brings extensive experience in human resources, having most recently served as Chief Human Resources Officer at Intra-Cellular, where she was instrumental in building the company’s people strategy and infrastructure. During her tenure, Intra-Cellular grew to over 1,000 employees as it transitioned into a commercial-stage organization. Notably, Intra-Cellular was acquired by Johnson & Johnson in April 2025, a testament to the effectiveness of its leadership and operational strategies. Donohue's appointment underscores Helus Pharma's commitment to fostering a strong corporate culture and supporting its workforce as it scales.
Suresh Durgam, M.D., joins the Scientific Advisory Board with more than two decades of experience in CNS drug development, clinical development, medical affairs, regulatory strategy, and pharmacovigilance. He most recently 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 as Helus Pharma navigates the complex regulatory landscape and advances its clinical programs.
Helus Pharma CEO Michael Halstead commented on the appointments, stating that they strengthen the company's organizational capabilities and scientific leadership as it advances its pipeline. The company is currently developing 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 for generalized anxiety disorder. These programs represent significant opportunities to address unmet needs in mental health, and the new appointments are expected to support their progress.
The appointments signal Helus Pharma's proactive approach to building a team capable of handling the challenges of late-stage development and potential commercialization. With Donohue's expertise in scaling organizations and Durgam's deep regulatory and clinical knowledge, the company is well-positioned to advance its mission of helping minds heal through innovative serotonergic agonists. As the company moves forward, these leadership additions are likely to play a crucial role in its success.
