Helix BioPharma Corp. (TSX: HBP, OTC PINK: HBPCD, FRANKFURT: HBP0), a clinical-stage oncology company, today announced the appointments of Helen Middleton as General Counsel and David Browning as Vice President of Clinical Operations. The moves are designed to strengthen the company's executive leadership as it prepares for a planned U.S. securities exchange listing and advances the next stage of development for its lead drug candidate, L-DOS47.
L-DOS47 is an antibody-enzyme conjugate designed to target CEACAM6-expressing tumors. The company is preparing for LDOS007, a planned Phase IB/Randomized Phase II study in first-line non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). According to the press release, Helix is also building the legal, governance and operational infrastructure required to support its next phase of growth.
“The next stage of Helix’s evolution demands a different kind of company than the one we were building two years ago,” said Thomas Mehrling, MD, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of the Company. “As we prepare for our planned U.S. securities exchange listing and advance L-DOS47 into its next stage of clinical development, we are deliberately strengthening every part of the organization.”
Mehrling added that the preparation of a base shelf prospectus is underway and the auditor review of second-quarter financials is completed, indicating a clear capital markets roadmap. “Helen and David are exceptional additions to Helix. Helen brings decades of experience navigating the legal and governance challenges faced by growing life sciences companies, while David has successfully led complex global oncology programs from planning through execution.”
Helen Middleton, BPharm, LPC, brings more than 30 years of experience across pharmacy, law, and the global life sciences industry. She is a qualified life sciences lawyer and registered clinical pharmacist, having held senior legal roles at firms including Sidley Austin LLP, Matheson LLP, Mundipharma International, Ipsen, and Abcam. Most recently, she served as Legal Consultant to Kyowa Kirin International. As General Counsel, she will oversee Helix’s legal affairs, governance, compliance and strategic transactions.
David Browning, MBA, brings more than 30 years of experience leading global clinical development programs. He has overseen more than 30 Phase I-III clinical studies across various oncology indications and therapeutic modalities, including immunotherapies, targeted therapies, antibody-drug conjugates, and cell therapies. As Vice President of Clinical Operations, he will lead operational planning and execution for Helix’s clinical programs, including LDOS007.
“The opportunity ahead for Helix is compelling,” Browning said. “The Company has built an encouraging clinical foundation for L-DOS47, and I look forward to helping execute its next stage of development with the operational excellence required to bring this program forward, and, ultimately, to patients.”
Helix BioPharma is focused on developing therapies for hard-to-treat cancers. Its pipeline includes L-DOS47, next-generation bi-specific antibody-drug conjugates, and two pre-IND candidates: LEUMUNA™, an oral immune checkpoint modulator for post-transplant leukemia relapse, and GEMCEDA™, an oral gemcitabine prodrug. The company is listed on the TSX, OTC PINK, and Frankfurt Stock Exchange. More information is available at https://www.helixbiopharma.com/.
