Helus Pharma (NASDAQ: HELP) (Cboe CA: HELP), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing novel serotonergic agonists (NSAs) for mental health conditions, has announced two key appointments aimed at bolstering its organizational and scientific capabilities. Regina Donohue has been named Chief People Officer, and Suresh Durgam, M.D., has joined the company’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). These moves come as Helus Pharma advances its pipeline toward potential commercialization.
Donohue brings extensive experience in human resources leadership, having most recently served as Chief Human Resources Officer at Intra-Cellular, where she played a pivotal role in building the company’s people strategy and infrastructure. During her tenure, Intra-Cellular grew to more than 1,000 employees and transitioned into a commercial-stage organization before being acquired by Johnson & Johnson in April 2025. Her expertise in scaling organizations will be instrumental as Helus Pharma prepares for potential market entry.
Durgam adds deep scientific and clinical expertise to the SAB, with over two decades of experience in CNS drug development, clinical development, medical affairs, regulatory strategy, and pharmacovigilance. He previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Intra-Cellular, where he helped secure FDA approvals for CAPLYTA across multiple indications. His regulatory and clinical insights will be valuable as Helus Pharma navigates late-stage development and regulatory interactions.
Helus Pharma CEO Michael Halstead emphasized the significance of these appointments, stating that they strengthen the company’s organizational capabilities and scientific leadership as it advances its pipeline. The company’s lead candidate, HLP003, is in Phase 3 clinical development for the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) and has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Additionally, HLP004 is in Phase 2 for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
These appointments underscore Helus Pharma’s commitment to building a robust infrastructure and expert team to support its innovative NSA pipeline. With a focus on addressing unmet needs in depression and anxiety, the company aims to provide durable improvements in mental health through its proprietary compounds. As the pipeline progresses, strong leadership in human resources and scientific advisory will be critical to navigating the complexities of commercialization and regulatory approval.
The company continues to expand its research portfolio of investigational NSAs and operates in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. For more information, visit www.helus.com or follow the team on social media platforms.
