Helix BioPharma Corp., a clinical-stage oncology company focused on hard-to-treat cancers, announced strategic appointments to its board of directors and corporate secretary position, effective immediately. The moves are part of the company’s broader effort to strengthen its capital markets and governance capabilities as it prepares for a planned Nasdaq listing through the Multijurisdictional Disclosure System (MJDS).
Zachary T. Stadnyk, former TSX Life Sciences Lead and a biotech capital markets executive with over 15 years of experience, has been appointed to the Board of Directors. Natalia L. Butterworth, Director of Corporate Secretarial and Governance at ARO Consulting Inc., has been appointed Corporate Secretary. Both appointees are based in British Columbia, where Helix is relocating its registered and records office from Toronto to Vancouver to align with its governance and capital markets infrastructure.
Stadnyk brings deep expertise in biotechnology financing, public markets, and strategic transactions. He previously served as Head of Life Sciences at the TSX and TSXV, advising biotech issuers, boards, and institutional investors on public listings and capital formation. Over his career, he has led and supported over $100 million in institutional financings and contributed to strategic transactions including the $435 million acquisition of The Supreme Cannabis Company by Canopy Growth. He has also advised public companies across biotech, healthcare, and AI sectors.
Butterworth is a seasoned corporate governance professional with over 15 years of experience supporting public and private companies in governance and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions, spanning pharmaceuticals, technology, and finance. Her appointment strengthens Helix’s governance expertise as the company advances its capital markets strategy.
“As Helix continues to execute on its corporate and clinical development objectives, strengthening our capital markets and governance capabilities remains a key priority,” said Thomas Mehrling, MD, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Helix BioPharma. “Zach brings a wealth of experience across biotechnology financing, public markets and strategic transactions, while Natalia adds strong governance and corporate secretarial expertise. These appointments come at an important time for Helix as we finalize the clinical protocol for L-DOS47 and actively prepare for a Nasdaq listing under the MJDS, including ongoing audit, governance, and capital markets readiness initiatives.”
Stadnyk commented, “I am excited to join Helix at such a pivotal stage in its development. The Company’s differentiated approach to addressing the tumor microenvironment and its clear path toward a Nasdaq listing creates a compelling opportunity. I look forward to supporting the team in advancing its capital markets strategy and unlocking value for its shareholders.”
The appointments come as Helix progresses its lead candidate L-DOS47, a clinical-stage antibody-enzyme conjugate designed to prime CEACAM6-expressing tumors for increased sensitivity to therapy. The company also advances two pre-IND candidates: LEUMUNA, an oral immune checkpoint modulator for post-transplant leukemia relapse, and GEMCEDA, a first-in-class oral gemcitabine prodrug.
For business leaders, the announcement signals Helix’s commitment to achieving a Nasdaq listing, which could enhance its visibility and access to deeper capital markets. The strengthening of governance and capital markets expertise is critical for the company to execute its clinical development plans and potentially unlock shareholder value. The relocation to Vancouver also reflects a strategic alignment with the Canadian capital markets ecosystem.
More details are available on Helix’s website at https://www.helixbiopharma.com/.
