Helus Pharma (NASDAQ: HELP) (Cboe CA: HELP) announced a collaboration with TARA Mind, working alongside Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS), to support clinical trial recruitment for its PARADIGM HLP003 Phase 3 program targeting major depressive disorder. The partnership aims to expand mental health awareness within the veteran community while leveraging the networks of TARA Mind and VETS to enhance veteran engagement.
The collaboration aligns with the April 18, 2026 Executive Order on accelerating treatments for serious mental illness, as Helus advances its FDA Breakthrough Therapy-designated HLP003 program and broader pipeline of novel serotonergic agonists addressing unmet mental health needs. HLP003 is a proprietary novel serotonergic agonist (NSA) in Phase 3 clinical development for the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder.
Helus Pharma, the commercial operating name of Cybin Inc., is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing proprietary NSAs—synthetic molecules designed to activate serotonin pathways believed to promote neuroplasticity. The company aims to address the large unmet need for people suffering from depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Beyond HLP003, Helus is developing HLP004, another proprietary NSA in Phase 2 for generalized anxiety disorder, and maintains an extensive research portfolio of investigational NSAs.
The partnership with TARA Mind and VETS is expected to facilitate recruitment for the PARADIGM trial, which is evaluating HLP003 as an adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder. The collaboration leverages the reach and credibility of veteran-focused organizations to raise awareness about the trial and mental health treatment options among veterans, a population with high rates of depression and suicide.
"This partnership underscores our commitment to developing innovative treatments for those who have served our country," said a Helus Pharma spokesperson. "By working with TARA Mind and VETS, we can better connect with veterans who may benefit from participating in our Phase 3 trial."
The announcement comes at a time when mental health treatments are under increased scrutiny and demand, particularly for veterans. The Executive Order on accelerating treatments for serious mental illness highlights the urgency of bringing new therapies to market. Helus Pharma's HLP003 has already received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which expedites development and review.
Helus Pharma operates in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland. For more information, visit the company's website at www.helus.com. The full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/o9dCH.
