Helus Pharma co-founders step down from executive roles, stay on board

Helus Pharma Inc. said on October 27, 2026 that co-founders Eric So and Paul Glavine have stepped down from their executive and consulting roles while remaining members of Helus Pharma's Board of Directors.¹ The company described the move as part of its evolution into its next stage of growth, with the co-founders expressing confidence in the company's leadership and strategic direction.¹

So had served as the company's President and Executive Chairman since incorporation and had previously acted as Interim Chief Executive Officer.¹ Glavine had served as Chief Growth Officer since 2021, and before that as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer.¹

The board named Mark Lawson as independent Chair of the Board of Directors, effective immediately.¹ Lawson has over 20 years of experience in private equity and investment banking and has served on Helus Pharma's board since November 2020.¹ He also chairs the Audit Committee and sits on the Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee.¹ Separately, the board gave So the honorary title of Chairman Emeritus, recognizing his contributions to the company and its board.¹

On the pipeline, Helus Pharma said it continues to anticipate reporting topline data from its Phase 3 "APPROACH" pivotal study of HLP003 in major depressive disorder in the fourth quarter of 2026.¹ According to the company's background description, HLP003 is a proprietary serotonergic agonist in Phase 3 development as an adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder that has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA, while HLP004, another proprietary serotonergic agonist, is in Phase 2 testing for generalized anxiety disorder.¹