Helix BioPharma Corp., a clinical-stage oncology company developing therapies for difficult-to-treat cancers, announced on September 28, 2026, the appointment of Karen Krumeich, Jamieson Bondarenko, Charmaine Lykins, and Dirk Brockstedt to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Ms. Krumeich has also been appointed Chair of the Board and Audit Committee. Concurrently, Jacek Antas, Malgorzata Laube, and Jerzy Leszczynski have voluntarily resigned from the Board. The changes form part of the Company’s ongoing Board renewal, strengthening Helix’s governance with complementary experience spanning biotechnology leadership, corporate governance and finance, scientific and clinical development, commercialization, and capital markets.
This board overhaul matters because it signals a strategic shift for Helix as it advances its pipeline of novel cancer therapies. The new directors bring a rare combination of financial, commercial, and scientific expertise that could accelerate the company’s ability to navigate the complex biotech landscape. The appointments come at a critical stage for Helix, which is developing L-DOS47 for non-small cell lung cancer, along with earlier-stage candidates LEUMUNA and GEMCEDA. A strengthened board with direct oncology development and capital markets experience may improve the company’s access to funding and partnerships, essential for clinical-stage companies.
Thomas Mehrling, Chief Executive Officer of Helix, welcomed the new members, stating, “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 added that their strategic insight and industry relationships will be invaluable as the company advances its oncology pipeline and seeks long-term value creation for shareholders.
Karen Krumeich, the new Chair, is an experienced life sciences financial executive with expertise in venture and public equity financing, investor relations, and corporate governance. She has served as CFO for several public and private life-sciences companies, including Kazia Therapeutics and Soligenix, bringing direct experience with oncology programs in development. Jamieson Bondarenko is an active investor and capital markets executive, currently Chairman of BriaCell Therapeutics, with prior senior roles at Eight Capital and Dundee Securities. Charmaine Lykins is a seasoned biopharmaceutical commercial leader with over 30 years of experience, currently CEO of Transneural Therapeutics and formerly at Karuna Therapeutics and Acadia Pharmaceuticals. Dirk Brockstedt is a biotechnology executive and scientist with more than 25 years in research and clinical development, previously CSO of RAPT Therapeutics and EVP at Aduro BioTech, with deep expertise in immunology and oncology.
The reconstituted Board now comprises six directors, four of whom are independent. The Audit Committee is entirely independent, consisting of Karen Krumeich as Chair, Zachary T. Stadnyk, and Jamieson Bondarenko. This governance structure aligns with best practices and may enhance investor confidence. For a company like Helix, which operates in the high-risk, high-reward field of oncology drug development, robust oversight and strategic guidance are crucial. The new board’s collective experience in taking companies public, securing financing, and commercializing therapies could be instrumental in Helix’s next phase of growth.
Investors and stakeholders can find more information about Helix BioPharma on the company’s website at https://www.helixbiopharma.com/ or review the original release on www.newmediawire.com. Additional details are also available on the company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
The board changes underscore Helix’s commitment to strengthening its leadership as it pursues its strategic objectives. With a renewed board and a clear focus on advancing its pipeline, the company is positioning itself to capitalize on opportunities in the oncology space. The resignations of the previous directors were voluntary and concurrent, facilitating a smooth transition. As Helix continues to develop therapies for underserved patient populations, the expertise of its new board members will likely play a key role in driving clinical and commercial success.
