Helus Pharma (NASDAQ: HELP) (Cboe CA: HELP), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on 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 prepares for significant 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 the pharmaceutical industry, having previously served in executive roles at several biotech and pharmaceutical companies. His appointment is aimed at guiding Helus Pharma through its transition toward later-stage development, regulatory engagement, and long-term commercial planning. The company is also expanding its global intellectual property portfolio, which includes proprietary novel serotonergic agonists (NSAs) designed to activate serotonin pathways believed to promote neuroplasticity.
Helus Pharma's lead candidate, HLP003, is in Phase 3 clinical development for the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder and has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Meanwhile, HLP004 is in Phase 2 for generalized anxiety disorder. The company also maintains an extensive research portfolio of investigational NSAs.
The appointment of Cola signals a strategic shift as Helus Pharma advances its pipeline toward key data readouts and prepares for potential commercialization. The company operates in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, and continues to build on its foundation of class-leading data aimed at improving the treatment landscape for mental health conditions. For more information, visit the company's newsroom at https://ibn.fm/HELP.
