Helus Pharma, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing novel serotonergic agonists for mental health conditions, announced the appointment of Jill Conwell as chief people officer, effective immediately. Conwell brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in the life sciences industry, with expertise in organizational strategy, talent development, corporate communications and investor relations. She has previously held senior leadership roles at Aclaris Therapeutics, Idera Pharmaceuticals and Shire Pharmaceuticals, where she helped build and scale organizations during periods of growth and pipeline advancement.
Helus Pharma said Conwell will help guide its talent strategy and organizational development as the company advances its clinical programs and prepares for its next phase of growth. The company, which operates as the commercial name of Cybin Inc., is developing proprietary NSAs – novel serotonergic agonists designed to activate serotonin pathways believed to promote neuroplasticity. These synthetic molecules are intended to address the large unmet need for people who suffer from depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.
With class leading data, Helus Pharma aims to improve the treatment landscape through the introduction of NSAs that aim to provide durable improvements in mental health. The company is currently developing HLP003, a proprietary NSA in Phase 3 clinical development for the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder that has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Additionally, HLP004, also a proprietary NSA, is in Phase 2 for generalized anxiety disorder. The company maintains an extensive research portfolio of investigational NSAs.
The appointment comes as Helus Pharma continues to expand its operations across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland. For company updates and to learn more about Helus Pharma, visit https://www.helus.com. The latest news and updates relating to HELP are available in the company's newsroom at https://ibn.fm/HELP.
This development in leadership structure signals Helus Pharma's preparation for scaling operations as its clinical programs progress. The company's focus on novel serotonergic agonists represents a significant approach within the broader psychedelic-inspired pharmaceutical sector, targeting mental health conditions through mechanisms believed to promote neuroplasticity. The advancement of HLP003 with Breakthrough Therapy Designation indicates regulatory recognition of the potential therapeutic value in treating major depressive disorder, while HLP004 addresses the substantial market need for anxiety treatments.
Conwell's experience in building and scaling organizations during growth periods positions Helus Pharma to effectively manage the organizational challenges that accompany clinical advancement and potential commercialization. Her background in corporate communications and investor relations suggests the company is strengthening its external engagement capabilities alongside its scientific development. This strategic hire reflects the maturation of companies within the psychedelic-inspired pharmaceutical space as they transition from research-focused entities to organizations preparing for potential market entry and broader impact on mental health treatment paradigms.
