Helix BioPharma Corp., a clinical-stage oncology company, has announced the appointments of Helen Middleton as General Counsel and David Browning as Vice President of Clinical Operations, strengthening its executive leadership as it prepares for a planned U.S. securities exchange listing and the next stage of clinical development for its lead candidate, L-DOS47.
The appointments come at a critical juncture for the company, which is advancing L-DOS47 into LDOS007, a planned Phase IB/Randomized Phase II study in first-line non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). According to a press release, the company is also building the legal, governance and operational infrastructure required to support its next phase of 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 of the Company. “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 that the company is executing on a clear capital markets roadmap, with preparation of its base shelf prospectus underway and auditor review of second-quarter financials completed. The appointments are intended to support Helix’s clinical, corporate and capital markets objectives.
Helen Middleton brings more than 30 years of experience across pharmacy, law, and the global life sciences industry. A qualified life sciences lawyer and registered clinical pharmacist, she has advised pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical technology companies across the product life cycle. Her career includes senior legal roles with leading international law firms and life sciences companies, including Sidley Austin LLP, Matheson LLP, Mundipharma International, Ipsen, and Abcam. As General Counsel, she will oversee Helix’s legal affairs, governance, compliance and strategic transactions.
David Browning brings more than 30 years of experience leading global clinical development programs. He has overseen more than 30 Phase I-III clinical studies, spanning first-in-human studies through regulatory approval, and has built and led global oncology clinical operations teams across North America, Europe, Latin America, South Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region. As Vice President of Clinical Operations, he will lead the operational planning and execution of Helix’s clinical development programs, including LDOS007, while expanding operational capabilities for future pipeline growth.
These appointments are another important milestone in preparing Helix for its next phase of clinical development and capital markets execution. The company’s pipeline is led by Tumor Defense Breaker™ L-DOS47, a clinical-stage 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 CEACAM6-targeting foundation with Helix’s next-generation bi-specific antibody-drug conjugates currently in discovery. The company also advances two pre-IND candidates: LEUMUNA™, an oral immune checkpoint modulator, and GEMCEDA™, a first-in-class oral gemcitabine prodrug.
Helix is listed on the TSX (HBP), OTC PINK (HBPCD), and FWB (HBP0). For more information, visit https://www.helixbiopharma.com/. The forward-looking statements in this article are based on the company's press release and are subject to risks and uncertainties detailed in the company's filings on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
