Helus Pharma (NASDAQ: HELP) (Cboe CA: HELP) announced the appointments of Dr. Robert Langer and Dr. Stephen Brannan to its Scientific Advisory Board, bolstering the company's expertise in biotechnology, drug delivery and central nervous system clinical development as it progresses its pipeline of novel serotonergic agonists (NSAs). The additions underscore Helus Pharma’s commitment to disciplined, evidence-based drug development targeting major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), aiming to address unmet needs in mental health.
Dr. Robert Langer is a renowned figure in biotechnology and drug delivery, holding the title of Institute Professor at MIT. His extensive research has led to numerous innovations in controlled-release drug delivery and tissue engineering. Dr. Stephen Brannan brings deep experience in CNS clinical development, having held leadership roles at pharmaceutical companies focused on psychiatric disorders. Their appointments come as Helus Pharma advances HLP003, a proprietary NSA in Phase 3 clinical development for adjunctive treatment of MDD, which has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Additionally, HLP004, another proprietary NSA, is in Phase 2 for GAD.
The addition of these experts is significant for Helus Pharma’s strategy to develop NSAs—synthetic molecules designed to activate serotonin pathways believed to promote neuroplasticity. By targeting these pathways, the company aims to provide durable improvements in mental health for patients who do not respond adequately to existing treatments. The company’s focus on NSAs addresses a large unmet need, as current antidepressants often have limited efficacy and delayed onset of action. With class-leading data, Helus Pharma seeks to improve the treatment landscape for depression and anxiety disorders, which affect millions worldwide.
The implications of these appointments extend to the mental health industry, potentially accelerating the development of novel therapies that could transform patient outcomes. The Breakthrough Therapy Designation for HLP003 underscores the FDA’s recognition of its potential to address a serious condition. If successful, these treatments could offer new options for patients who have not found relief with standard therapies, reducing the burden of mental illness on individuals and healthcare systems.
Helus Pharma, the commercial operating name of Cybin Inc., founded in 2019, operates in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland. For more information, visit the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/HELP. The full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/CyjTq.
