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Helus Pharma Appoints Former Pfizer Chief Medical Officer Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall to Board of Directors & Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee
Globenewswire· 2026-02-24 12:45
Core Viewpoint - Helus Pharma has appointed Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall to its Board of Directors and as Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee, aiming to enhance its clinical development strategy and regulatory engagement for its novel serotonergic agonist portfolio [2][6]. Company Overview - Helus Pharma is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing novel serotonergic agonists (NSAs) to address serious mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety [9][10]. - The company operates in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland [11]. Leadership Appointment - Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall brings over 40 years of experience in clinical care, research, and corporate leadership, having previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Pfizer [3][4]. - Her role will involve providing leadership in scientific, clinical, and regulatory governance across Helus' portfolio, advising on discovery opportunities and clinical development strategies [6][7]. Clinical Development Focus - Helus Pharma is currently developing HLP003, a proprietary NSA in Phase 3 clinical development for major depressive disorder, which has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. FDA [10]. - HLP004, another proprietary NSA, is in Phase 2 for generalized anxiety disorder [10]. Strategic Goals - The company aims to improve the treatment landscape for mental health through its innovative NSAs, focusing on delivering meaningful outcomes for patients and long-term value for stakeholders [6][10].