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.
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. His appointment is expected to support Helus Pharma as it advances its CNS pipeline through late-stage development toward potential commercialization.
The move matters because Helus Pharma is in a critical phase. Its lead NSA, HLP003, is in Phase 3 clinical development for the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder and has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA. A second NSA, HLP004, is in Phase 2 for generalized anxiety disorder. These programs target large unmet needs in mental health, where existing therapies often fail to provide durable relief. Durgam's experience in navigating regulatory pathways and bringing CNS drugs to market could be instrumental in guiding Helus Pharma through the complexities of late-stage trials and eventual commercialization.
David Hough, CEO of Helus Pharma, commented, "We are thrilled to welcome Suresh to our board. His deep expertise in CNS drug development and his proven track record of successful FDA approvals will be invaluable as we advance our pipeline." The appointment comes at a time when investor interest in psychedelic-inspired and serotonergic therapies is growing, and Helus Pharma aims to differentiate itself with proprietary synthetic molecules designed to activate serotonin pathways that are believed to promote neuroplasticity.
For investors, the addition of a board member with Durgam's credentials signals a strengthening of the company's leadership as it moves closer to potential commercialization. It also underscores Helus Pharma's commitment to rigorous clinical and regulatory execution. The company operates in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, and is focused on helping minds heal through its novel serotonergic agonists.
To view the full press release, visit https://ibn.fm/lTfIt. For more information about Helus Pharma, visit www.helus.com. The latest news and updates relating to HELP are available in the company's newsroom at https://ibn.fm/HELP.
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