Helus Pharma Appoints Michael Halstead as Chief Executive Officer

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Former President of Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc. was instrumental in building and scaling the company, which was subsequently acquired by Johnson & Johnson

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Experienced executive with a proven track record of guiding pharmaceutical companies through late-stage clinical development and commercialization

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Appointed as Helus Pharma prepares for topline data readout from APPROACH, the first pivotal Phase 3 Study of HLP003 as an adjunctive treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (“MDD”), expected in Q4 2026

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This news release constitutes a “designated news release” for the purpose of the Company’s prospectus supplement dated December 30, 2025, to its short form base shelf prospectus dated September 17, 2025, as amended on December 19, 2025.

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NEW YORK and TORONTO, Aug. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Helus Pharma (Nasdaq: HELP) (Cboe CA: HELP) (the “Company” or “Helus Pharma”), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company committed to helping minds heal by developing novel serotonergic agonists (“NSAs”), today announced the appointment of Michael Halstead as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

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Mr. Halstead’s appointment comes as Helus Pharma advances HLP003 through late-stage clinical development and prepares for potential commercialization. Enrollment is complete in APPROACH, with topline data expected in Q4 2026, while enrollment continues in EMBRACE, the second pivotal study in the Phase 3 PARADIGM program. Participant rollover is ongoing into EXTEND, the long-term extension study.

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Mr. Halstead brings 25 years of industry experience, most recently serving as President of Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc. (“Intra-Cellular”). During his tenure at Intra-Cellular, he played a pivotal role in transforming the company from an early-stage clinical development organization into a fully integrated commercial biopharmaceutical enterprise. He was instrumental in the successful development, launch, and commercialization of CAPLYTA® (lumateperone), which has received approvals across multiple indications, including schizophrenia, bipolar depression and the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder. Mr. Halstead also supported the advancement of the company’s pipeline programs in generalized anxiety disorder and neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, he managed multiple equity offerings and led the company’s US$14.6 billion sale to Johnson & Johnson in 2025.

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“Mr. Halstead’s leadership and operational experience guiding pharmaceutical companies through late-stage development, infrastructure buildout, and commercialization will be invaluable as we execute against our upcoming HLP003 and HLP004 clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestones,” said Eric So, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman.

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“I’m honored to join the Helus Pharma team at this crucial stage in the Company’s evolution,” said Mr. Halstead. “HLP003, a potential differentiated new option in the adjunctive treatment landscape for MDD, and HLP004, a compelling short-acting compound in development for generalized anxiety disorder, position Helus Pharma to pursue a unique approach focused on the outcomes that matter most to patients.”

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“The clinical results in the HLP003 program to date suggest the potential to transform the treatment paradigm for MDD. I am impressed with the program’s rigor and focus on providing the optimal solution for patients, providers, and payors. The Company’s intellectual property portfolio of more than 350 patent applications and more than 100 granted patents worldwide provide a solid foundation for continued growth,” concluded Mr. Halstead.