Helus Pharma CEO Steps Down, Co-founder Eric So Appointed Interim Chief
Helus Pharma announced the immediate resignation of CEO Michael Cola and appointment of co-founder Eric So as interim CEO, aiming to ensure continuity during a pivotal phase with upcoming Phase 3 trial results.
Helus Pharma (NASDAQ: HELP) (Cboe CA: HELP) announced that Michael Cola has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer effective immediately at the request of the Board. Co-founder and Executive Chairman Eric So has been appointed as Interim CEO while a search for a permanent successor is underway. The leadership transition is intended to ensure continuity as the company advances its clinical pipeline, including the anticipated fourth-quarter topline data readout from the APPROACH trial of HLP003, while maintaining focus on long-term value creation for patients and shareholders.
Helus Pharma, the commercial operating name of Cybin Inc., is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company committed to developing proprietary novel serotonergic agonists (NSAs) — synthetic molecules designed to activate serotonin pathways believed to promote neuroplasticity. The company’s NSAs target the large unmet need for people suffering from depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Helus Pharma is currently developing HLP003, a proprietary NSA in Phase 3 clinical development for the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder, which has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Additionally, HLP004, another proprietary NSA, is in Phase 2 for generalized anxiety disorder. The company also has an extensive research portfolio of investigational NSAs.
The departure of Cola comes at a critical juncture, with the APPROACH trial results expected in the fourth quarter. The leadership change aims to provide stability and continuity as the company navigates this important milestone. Eric So, who co-founded the company, brings deep institutional knowledge and a strategic vision that aligns with Helus Pharma’s mission to improve the treatment landscape for mental health conditions through durable improvements.
Helus Pharma operates in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. For company updates and more information, visit www.helus.com or follow the team on X, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. The latest news and updates relating to HELP are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/HELP.