AURORA, ON -- (Marketwired) -- 09/18/15 -- Helix BioPharma Corp. (TSX: HBP) (FRANKFURT: HBP), a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative drug candidates for the prevention and treatment of cancer, today announced that Robert Verhagen has resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective as of November 1, 2015, and as a member of the Board of Directors, effective immediately. Mr. Verhagen will continue to serve as CEO to assist in the Company's management transition and he has been with Helix since 2012. In the event that the Board has not appointed a new Chief Executive Officer by November 1, 2015, Helix's Board of Directors intends to appoint Yvon Bastien, Chairman of the Board, to assume the role of President and Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis.
"I am proud of the strides I made with Helix over these past few years," said Mr. Verhagen. "It has been a privilege to have led such a strong team, and I am thankful to have been a part of this talented group."
"Helix is entering an exciting time for the company as it continues to develop the DOS47 oncology platform technology," said Yvon Bastien, Chairman of the Board. "We are grateful to Rob for his leadership of the Company and in advancing our lead candidate L-DOS47 through clinical trials in non-small cell lung cancer cell (NSCLC). We are also committed to finding the right management to lead Helix as it progresses its clinical programs and expands its pipeline."
Mr. Bastien joined Helix's Board of Directors in 2013 and has over 30 years of experience in the life sciences industry. His previous leadership roles include CEO and President at Sanofi Canada, Founder and President at Delta Healthcare, and President at Jouveinal. He had also served in various senior roles a CIBA Geigy in Switzerland, Laboratorie Debat in France and IMS Canada. Mr. Bastien is currently the Chair of the Compensation Committee of Telesta Therapeutics and a board member of HLS Therapeutics. His previous board affiliations include Trillium Health Care, Saint Bernard Soap Company, PainCeptor Pharmaceuticals, Enobia Pharmaceuticals and Vitamin Angels.
About Helix BioPharma Corp.
Helix BioPharma Corp. is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the field of cancer therapy. The company is actively developing innovative products for the prevention and treatment of cancer based on its proprietary technologies. Helix's product development initiatives include its novel L-DOS47 new drug candidate and its Topical Interferon Alpha-2b. Helix is currently listed on the TSX and FSE under the symbol "HBP".
This press release is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States. Helix's common shares have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent an exemption from registration thereunder.
Forward-Looking Information and Risks and Uncertainties
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and information (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information means disclosure regarding possible events, conditions or other matters that is based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action and includes statements regarding plans, goals, objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to Helix's future business, operations, research and development, including Helix's intention to appoint a new CEO, the board of directors' intention to appoint Yvon Bastien to serve as interim CEO if a new CEO is not appointed prior to November 1, 2015 and Helix's intention to expand its product pipeline, and other information in future periods. Forward-looking information may be identified by words including, without limitation, "intends" and other similar expressions, which are intended to provide information about management's current plans and expectations regarding the conduct of the clinical studies of L-DOS47 and the other operations of Helix.
Although Helix believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated and no assurance can be given that these expectations will be realized, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Risk factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, without limitation that a suitable candidate for CEO will not be identified in a timely manner or at all, that Mr. Verhagen will cease to act as CEO prior to November 1, 2015, that Mr. Bastien may be unwilling or unable to serve as interim CEO as of that date and that Helix may not be successful in expanding its product pipeline in the manner anticipated or at all, together with the other risk factors more fully described in Helix's most recent Annual Information Form, including under the headings "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors", filed under Helix's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com (together, the "Helix Risk Factors"). Certain material factors or assumptions are applied in making the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, that the Helix Risk Factors will not cause Helix's actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking information.
Forward-looking information is based on the beliefs, assumptions and expectations of Helix's management on the date of this news release, and Helix does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information should those beliefs, assumptions or expectations, or other circumstances change, except as required by law.
Investor Relations:
Maria Lomaka
The Trout Group LLC
Tel: 646 378 2932
mlomaka@troutgroup.com
Helix BioPharma Corp.
3-305 Industrial Parkway South
Aurora, Ontario, Canada, L4G 6X7
Phone: (905) 841-2300
Fax: (905) 841-2244
Web: www.helixbiopharma.com
