Helix BioPharma Corp., a clinical-stage oncology company developing therapies for difficult-to-treat cancers, announced a significant overhaul of its Board of Directors effective September 28, 2026. The company appointed Karen Krumeich, Jamieson Bondarenko, Charmaine Lykins, and Dirk Brockstedt to the Board, with Krumeich also serving as Chair of the Board and Audit Committee. Concurrently, Jacek Antas, Malgorzata Laube, and Jerzy Leszczynski voluntarily resigned. This move is part of an ongoing board renewal aimed at strengthening governance with complementary expertise across biotechnology leadership, corporate governance, finance, scientific and clinical development, commercialization, and capital markets.
The implications of this announcement are substantial for Helix BioPharma as it seeks to advance its pipeline and create long-term shareholder value. The new directors bring a wealth of experience that directly aligns with the company's strategic needs. Karen Krumeich, a seasoned life sciences financial executive, has served as CFO for several public and private life-sciences companies, including Kazia Therapeutics and Soligenix, and brings direct experience supporting oncology programs. Her expertise in venture and public equity financing, investor relations, and corporate governance will be critical as Helix navigates the complex financial landscape of clinical-stage drug development. Jamieson Bondarenko, an active investor and capital markets executive, currently serves as Chairman of BriaCell Therapeutics and brings a deep understanding of capital markets strategy for early-stage life sciences companies. His background in equity capital markets and investment banking will be invaluable for future financing activities.
Charmaine Lykins, a biopharmaceutical executive with over 30 years of commercial experience, has held senior roles at Karuna Therapeutics, Acadia Pharmaceuticals, and Lundbeck. Her track record in commercial strategy, product launch, and lifecycle management, including contributions to therapies like COBENFY and NUPLAZID, will be essential as Helix looks to eventually commercialize its pipeline candidates. Dirk Brockstedt, a scientist with over 25 years of experience in immunology and oncology, previously served as CSO of RAPT Therapeutics and EVP of R&D at Aduro BioTech. His deep expertise in drug development from discovery through Phase 2, coupled with his experience in taking companies public, will provide critical scientific and strategic guidance.
Dr. Thomas Mehrling, CEO of Helix BioPharma, emphasized the importance of these appointments: “Together, these Board members bring an exceptional breadth of complementary expertise across biotechnology leadership, scientific and clinical development, capital markets, corporate governance, and commercialization. Their collective experience significantly strengthens our Board at an important stage in Helix’s evolution.” He also expressed gratitude to the departing directors for their service.
Following these changes, the Board comprises six directors, four of whom are independent. The reconstituted Audit Committee is entirely independent, with Krumeich as Chair, alongside Zachary T. Stadnyk and Jamieson Bondarenko. This governance structure aligns with best practices and enhances oversight, which is crucial for maintaining investor confidence.
Helix BioPharma’s pipeline is led by L-DOS47, a clinical-stage antibody-enzyme conjugate for non-small cell lung cancer, and includes pre-IND candidates LEUMUNA and GEMCEDA. The strengthened Board is expected to provide strategic insight and industry relationships to advance these programs. For more information, visit https://www.helixbiopharma.com/. The company’s filings are available on www.sedarplus.ca. This board renewal positions Helix to execute its strategic objectives and potentially unlock value in its oncology pipeline, which addresses significant unmet needs in difficult-to-treat cancers.
