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 appointments to bolster its leadership team. Regina Donohue has been named Chief People Officer, and Suresh Durgam, M.D., has joined the company's Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). These strategic moves come as the company advances its pipeline toward potential commercialization, reflecting its commitment to building a robust organizational foundation and enhancing its scientific capabilities.
Donohue brings a wealth of experience in human resources, having most recently served as Chief Human Resources Officer at Intra-Cellular, where she played a pivotal role in building the company's people strategy and infrastructure. During her tenure, she managed the company's growth to over 1,000 employees as it transitioned into a commercial-stage organization. Notably, Intra-Cellular was acquired by Johnson & Johnson in April 2025, underscoring Donohue's experience in scaling organizations for success. In her new role at Helus Pharma, she will be responsible for overseeing the company's human capital strategies, ensuring that the organizational culture and talent management align with the company's ambitious goals.
Dr. Durgam, a seasoned expert in central nervous system (CNS) drug development, joins the Scientific Advisory Board, bringing over two decades of experience in 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 was instrumental in securing FDA approvals for CAPLYTA across multiple indications. His deep expertise in CNS therapies will be invaluable to Helus Pharma as it advances its proprietary NSAs, which are designed to promote neuroplasticity and address unmet needs in depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.
Michael Halstead, CEO of Helus Pharma, commented on the appointments, stating that they strengthen the company's organizational capabilities and scientific leadership as it progresses its pipeline. The company's lead candidate, HLP003, is currently in Phase 3 clinical development for the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder and has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Additionally, HLP004, another proprietary NSA, is in Phase 2 for generalized anxiety disorder. These candidates represent a novel approach to mental health treatment, aiming to provide durable improvements in patient outcomes.
The appointments signal Helus Pharma's strategic focus on both operational excellence and scientific innovation. With Donohue's proven track record in scaling organizations and Durgam's regulatory and clinical expertise, the company is well-positioned to navigate the complexities of drug development and commercialization. As the company continues to advance its pipeline, these leadership enhancements are likely to inspire confidence among investors and stakeholders in the company's ability to bring transformative therapies to market.
For more information on Helus Pharma and its pipeline, visit the company's newsroom at https://ibn.fm/HELP.
