Helus Pharma (NASDAQ: HELP) (Cboe CA: HELP), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing novel serotonergic agonists for mental health disorders, has announced the appointment of Michael Cola as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. The leadership change comes as the company approaches critical clinical milestones, including expected Phase 2 data for HLP004 this quarter and Phase 3 topline data for HLP003 in Q4 2026.
Cola brings extensive experience in pharmaceutical leadership, having previously served as CEO of several biotech firms. His appointment is intended to guide Helus Pharma through the transition from early-stage development toward later-stage clinical trials, regulatory engagement, and commercial planning. The company is also expanding its global intellectual property portfolio, which includes patents for its proprietary novel serotonergic agonists (NSAs).
Helus Pharma’s pipeline focuses on NSAs designed to activate serotonin pathways that promote neuroplasticity, addressing unmet needs in depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. HLP003, which is in Phase 3 for adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder, has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. HLP004 is currently in Phase 2 for generalized anxiety disorder.
The company operates in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. For more information, visit www.helus.com. The full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/VugQZ. Updates on the company can be found in its newsroom at https://ibn.fm/HELP.
