Helix BioPharma Corp. (TSX: HBP, OTC PINK: HBPCF, FRANKFURT: HBP0), a clinical-stage oncology company developing therapies for difficult-to-treat cancers, announced significant changes to its Board of Directors on September 28, 2026. The company appointed Karen Krumeich, Jamieson Bondarenko, Charmaine Lykins, and Dirk Brockstedt to the Board, with Krumeich also named Chair of the Board and Audit Committee. Concurrently, Jacek Antas, Malgorzata Laube, and Jerzy Leszczynski voluntarily resigned. The overhaul reduces the Board to six directors, four of whom are independent, and reconstitutes the Audit Committee with Krumeich as Chair, alongside Zachary T. Stadnyk and Bondarenko.
These changes are material because they inject a deep bench of expertise precisely when Helix needs it most. The company is advancing L-DOS47, a clinical-stage antibody-enzyme conjugate for non-small cell lung cancer, and earlier-stage candidates LEUMUNA™ and GEMCEDA™. Krumeich brings life sciences financial leadership as a former CFO of Kazia Therapeutics and Soligenix, with direct oncology experience. Bondarenko adds capital markets and corporate development acumen from roles at Eight Capital and Dundee Securities. Lykins offers over 30 years of commercial strategy, having contributed to launches of therapies like COBENFY® and NUPLAZID®. Brockstedt provides scientific and clinical development depth, including as former CSO of RAPT Therapeutics through its 2026 acquisition by GSK.
CEO Thomas Mehrling said, “Together, these Board members bring an exceptional breadth of complementary expertise… Their collective experience significantly strengthens our Board at an important stage in Helix’s evolution.” He added that their insight will be invaluable as Helix advances its pipeline and pursues sustainable, long-term value creation. Krumeich stated, “I am honored to join Helix as Chair… The Board brings together complementary scientific, commercial, financial and capital markets expertise.”
The governance refresh is not merely cosmetic. For a small-cap biotech, board composition often signals credibility to investors and partners. By recruiting directors with public company, financing, and commercialization track records, Helix is positioning itself to execute strategic objectives, potentially including partnerships or capital raises. The voluntary resignations also ensure continuity while allowing a deliberate renewal. The reconstituted Audit Committee, fully independent, enhances financial oversight—a critical factor for companies with ongoing R&D expenditures and no revenue.
Furthermore, the appointments align with Helix’s stated focus on underserved cancers. Brockstedt’s immunology and oncology expertise, Lykins’s commercial launch experience, and Krumeich’s financial stewardship collectively address key gaps in translating clinical assets into market-ready therapies. As Helix’s common shares trade on the TSX, OTC Pink, and Frankfurt exchanges, the strengthened Board may improve investor confidence and access to capital. For stakeholders, these changes underscore a commitment to rigorous governance and strategic execution, essential for navigating the high-risk, high-reward oncology space. Additional details are available on https://www.helixbiopharma.com/ and in public filings at www.sedarplus.ca.
