Helus Pharma announced that Chief Executive Officer Michael Cola is stepping down effective immediately at the request of the Board of Directors. Co-founder and Executive Chairman Eric So has been appointed to resume his role as Interim Chief Executive Officer while the company conducts a search for a permanent successor. So previously served as Interim Chief Executive Officer and brings continuity of leadership during the transition.
Helus Pharma is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company committed to developing novel serotonergic agonists—synthetic molecules designed to activate serotonin pathways believed to promote neuroplasticity. The company 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. The company is also advancing HLP004, another proprietary NSA in Phase 2 for generalized anxiety disorder.
So stated that Helus Pharma’s priorities remain clear as it executes strategy, advances its clinical pipeline, and works with partners. He emphasized the company’s focus on “the upcoming topline data readout from the APPROACH trial of HLP003 expected in the fourth quarter” and remained “committed to disciplined execution and supporting our teams as we move forward.” So, a co-founder and executive chairman, is a veteran owner and operator who has led corporate strategy, development, and finance at all stages of the business life cycle from start-up to growth stage and multinational companies.
The company operates in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. The Board of Directors has initiated a search process to identify a permanent Chief Executive Officer, with So ensuring continuity during the transition period.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.biospace.com/press-releases/helus-pharma-announces-chief-executive-officer-transition-eric-so-to-resume-role-as-interim-chief-executive-officer