Helus Pharma (NASDAQ: HELP) (Cboe CA: HELP), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing novel serotonergic agonists (NSAs), has announced the appointment of Regina Donohue as chief people officer and Suresh Durgam, M.D., to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). These strategic hires come as the company advances its pipeline toward potential commercialization, signaling a focus on building a robust corporate infrastructure and reinforcing its scientific expertise.
Donohue brings extensive human resources leadership experience, having most recently served as chief human resources officer at Intra-Cellular, where she was instrumental in building the company's people strategy and infrastructure. During her tenure, she managed the organization's growth to more than 1,000 employees as it transitioned into a commercial-stage entity. Intra-Cellular was acquired by Johnson & Johnson in April 2025, a testament to the value of the organization she helped cultivate. In her new role at Helus Pharma, Donohue will be responsible for aligning the company's human capital with its strategic objectives, ensuring that the team is positioned to support its growth and operational needs.
Durgam, a seasoned expert in central nervous system (CNS) drug development, adds significant scientific depth to Helus Pharma's advisory board. With over two decades of experience spanning clinical development, medical affairs, regulatory strategy, and pharmacovigilance, he previously served as executive vice president and chief medical officer at Intra-Cellular. There, he played a pivotal role in securing FDA approvals for CAPLYTA across multiple indications, demonstrating his ability to navigate complex regulatory pathways and bring innovative treatments to market. His insights will be invaluable as Helus Pharma advances its lead candidates, HLP003 and HLP004, which are in Phase 3 and Phase 2 trials, respectively.
Helus Pharma CEO Michael Halstead emphasized the importance of these appointments, stating that they strengthen the company's organizational capabilities and scientific leadership. The timing is critical, as the company works to advance its pipeline and prepare for the possibility of market entry. HLP003, a proprietary NSA for the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder, has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, underscoring its potential to address a significant unmet need. HLP004 is in Phase 2 for generalized anxiety disorder, and the company maintains an extensive research portfolio exploring other NSAs.
The appointments reflect Helus Pharma's commitment to building a strong foundation for future success. By bringing on leaders with proven track records in scaling organizations and guiding CNS drugs through regulatory approval, the company is positioning itself to navigate the complexities of drug development and commercialization. As it continues to progress its clinical programs, the addition of Donohue and Durgam is likely to enhance its ability to execute on its strategic goals and deliver innovative treatments to patients suffering from mental health conditions.
For more information, visit www.helus.com.
