Helus Pharma (CYBN) CEO steps down as co-founder Eric So becomes interim chief
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
6-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Cybin Inc., operating as Helus Pharma, reports a leadership change, with Michael Cola stepping down as Chief Executive Officer effective immediately at the request of the Board. Co-founder and Executive Chairman Eric So has been appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer while a search for a permanent CEO is conducted.
The company reiterates its focus on advancing its clinical pipeline of novel serotonergic agonists, including HLP003 in Phase 3 for adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder and HLP004 in Phase 2 for generalized anxiety disorder. Helus highlights an upcoming topline data readout from the Phase 3 APPROACH trial of HLP003 expected in the fourth quarter.
Positive
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Negative
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Insights
CEO transition is notable but positioned as orderly, with pipeline focus reaffirmed.
Helus Pharma, the commercial name of Cybin Inc., is undergoing a leadership change as Michael Cola steps down as CEO at the Board’s request. Co-founder and Executive Chairman Eric So resumes the role of Interim CEO, providing continuity from someone already deeply involved in strategy and operations.
The company explicitly re-centers attention on its clinical assets: HLP003, a novel serotonergic agonist in Phase 3 for adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder with Breakthrough Therapy Designation, and HLP004 in Phase 2 for generalized anxiety disorder. This underscores that the core value drivers remain in late-stage development.
A key near-term milestone is topline data from the APPROACH Phase 3 trial of HLP003, expected in the fourth quarter as stated. The Board’s initiation of a search for a permanent CEO suggests governance is focused on longer-term leadership while maintaining short-term operational stability through So’s interim role.
Key Figures
Effective date of CEO change: April 20, 2026
HLP003 development stage: Phase 3
HLP004 development stage: Phase 2
+2 more
5 metrics
Effective date of CEO change
April 20, 2026
Michael Cola steps down; Eric So appointed Interim CEO effective immediately
HLP003 development stage
Phase 3
Adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder
HLP004 development stage
Phase 2
Generalized anxiety disorder program
HLP003 FDA designation
Breakthrough Therapy Designation
For adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder
Topline data timing for APPROACH trial
Fourth quarter
Expected timing of HLP003 Phase 3 APPROACH trial topline data
Key Terms
novel serotonergic agonists, Breakthrough Therapy Designation, Phase 3 clinical development, designated news release, +1 more
5 terms
novel serotonergic agonists medical
"developing proprietary NSAs - novel serotonergic agonists: synthetic molecules designed"
Breakthrough Therapy Designation regulatory
"HLP003... in Phase 3 clinical development... that has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration"
A breakthrough therapy designation is a regulatory fast-track given to a drug or treatment that shows early signs of providing a major improvement over existing options for a serious condition. Think of it as a VIP lane that can speed up development and more intensive guidance from regulators, which matters to investors because it can shorten time to market, reduce development risk and potentially increase a company’s value — though it does not guarantee approval.
Phase 3 clinical development medical
"HLP003, a proprietary NSA, in Phase 3 clinical development for the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder"
designated news release regulatory
"This news release constitutes a “designated news release” for the purpose of the Company’s prospectus supplement"
A designated news release is an official company announcement labeled and distributed as the formal disclosure of important information through approved channels. Investors pay attention because it is the authoritative source that triggers regulatory obligations and ensures everyone receives the same facts at the same time, reducing confusion and often influencing share prices—like a formal public notice versus an informal comment.
adjunctive treatment medical
"HLP003... in Phase 3 clinical development for the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder"
An adjunctive treatment is a therapy given in addition to a primary treatment to improve overall effectiveness or manage side effects—think of it as a booster or supportive sidekick to the main medicine. For investors, adjunctive therapies matter because they can expand a product’s market use, create additional revenue streams, affect regulatory pathways and clinical trial design, and influence competitive positioning and pricing in a therapeutic area.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of April, 2026.
Commission File Number: 001-40673
Cybin Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
100 King Street West, Suite 5600, Toronto, Ontario, M5X 1C9
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F □ Form 40-F ⊠
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Exhibit 99.1 of this Form 6-K of Cybin Inc. (the "Company") is hereby incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement on Form F-10 (File No. 333-292294) of the Company, as amended or supplemented.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| CYBIN INC. | ||||||||||||||
| (Registrant) | ||||||||||||||
| Date: | April 20, 2026 | By: | /s/ Greg Cavers | |||||||||||
| Name: | Greg Cavers | |||||||||||||
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |||||||||||||
EXHIBIT INDEX
| 99.1 | News Release dated April 20, 2026 | ||||
Helus Pharma Announces Chief Executive Officer Transition; Eric So to Resume Role as Interim Chief Executive Officer
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.
NEW YORK & TORONTO – April 20, 2026 Helus PharmaTM (Nasdaq: HELP) (Cboe CA: HELP), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company committed to helping minds heal by developing novel serotonergic agonists (“NSAs”), today announced that Michael Cola is stepping down as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately, at the request of the Board of Directors.
The Board has appointed co-founder and Executive Chairman Eric So to resume his role as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately, while a search for a successor is conducted. Mr. So previously served as Interim Chief Executive Officer and brings continuity of leadership during this transition.
“Helus Pharma was founded with a clear mission: to advance innovative therapies that address serious unmet needs in mental health,” said Eric So, Interim Chief Executive Officer. “With a strong foundation of clinical progress, regulatory recognition, and dedicated teams, we remain well-positioned to continue advancing our programs. I am committed to ensuring continuity during this transition and maintaining our focus on creating long-term value for both patients and shareholders.”
Mr. So continued, “Our priorities remain clear as we execute on our strategy, advance our clinical pipeline, and work closely with our partners to deliver meaningful therapeutic options for patients. In particular, our focus remains on the upcoming topline data readout from the APPROACH trial of HLP003 expected in the fourth quarter, and we remain committed to disciplined execution and supporting our teams as we move forward.”
Mr. So is a Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Helus Pharma. He is a veteran owner and operator over the last 20 years and has led corporate strategy, development, and finance at all stages of the business life cycle from start-up to growth stage and multinational.
The Board of Directors has initiated a search process to identify a permanent Chief Executive Officer.
About Helus Pharma
Helus Pharma™, the commercial operating name of Cybin Inc. (the “Company” or “Helus Pharma”) is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company committed to helping minds heal by developing proprietary NSAs - novel serotonergic agonists: synthetic molecules designed to activate serotonin pathways that are believed to promote neuroplasticity. The Company’s proprietary NSAs are intended to address the large unmet need for people who suffer from depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.
With class leading data, Helus Pharma aims to improve the treatment landscape through the introduction of NSAs that aim to provide durable improvements in mental health. Helus Pharma is currently developing HLP003, a proprietary NSA, in Phase 3 clinical development for the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder that has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and HLP004, also a proprietary NSA in Phase 2 for generalized anxiety disorder. Additionally, Helus Pharma has an extensive research portfolio of investigational NSAs.
The Company operates in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. For Company updates and to learn more about Helus Pharma, visit www.helus.com or follow the team on X, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram. Helus PharmaTM is a trademark of Cybin Corp.
Cautionary Notes and Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this news release relating to the Company are forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) and are prospective in nature. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “may”, “should”, “could”, “potential”, “possible”, “intend”, “estimate”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “believe” or “continue”, or the negative thereof or similar variations. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the Interim Chief Executive Officer’s ability to ensure continuity during the transaction and to create long-term value for patients and shareholders, the Company’s timeline to release topline data from the APPROACH trial of HLP003 in the fourth quarter, the Company’s ability to identify a permanent Chief Executive Officer, and the Company’s plans to engineer proprietary drug discovery platforms, innovative drug delivery systems, novel formulation approaches and treatment regimens for mental health conditions.
These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; expectations regarding the size of the NSA market; the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives; plans for growth; political, social and environmental uncertainties; employee relations; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions in the markets where the Company operates; implications of disease outbreaks on the Company's operations; and the risk factors set out in each of the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2025, and the Company’s annual information form for the year ended March 31, 2025, which are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.
The Company makes no medical, treatment or health benefit claims about the Company’s proposed products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada or other similar regulatory authorities have not evaluated claims regarding NSAs or HLP003, HLP004 and other programs of the Company. The efficacy of such products has not been confirmed by approved research. There is no assurance that the use of NSAs, HLP003, HLP004 or other programs of the Company can diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. Rigorous scientific research and clinical trials are needed. If Helus Pharma cannot obtain the approvals or research necessary to commercialize its business, it may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s performance and operations.
Neither Cboe Canada, nor the Nasdaq Global Market stock exchange, have approved or disapproved the contents of this news release and are not responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the contents herein.
Gabriel Fahel
Chief Legal Officer
Helus Pharma
1-866-292-4601
irteam@helus.com – or – media@helus.com
Investor Contact:
Matthew Beck
astr partners
Managing Partner
(917) 415-1750
Matthew.beck@astrpartners.com
Media Contact:
Johnny Tokarczyk
RXMD
Public Relations Director
jtokarczyk@rxmedyn.com
(914) 772-7562
FAQ
What leadership change did Cybin (CYBN) announce for Helus Pharma?
Cybin’s Helus Pharma unit announced that Michael Cola has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately at the Board’s request. Co-founder and Executive Chairman Eric So has been appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer while the Board conducts a search for a permanent CEO.
Who is Eric So, the new Interim CEO of Helus Pharma (CYBN)?
Eric So is a co-founder and Executive Chairman of Helus Pharma and has previously served as Interim Chief Executive Officer. He has led corporate strategy, development, and finance over roughly 20 years, across start-up, growth-stage, and multinational business environments, providing continuity during the current leadership transition.
What are Helus Pharma’s key drug programs mentioned in the Cybin (CYBN) filing?
Helus Pharma highlights two proprietary novel serotonergic agonists: HLP003, in Phase 3 clinical development for adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder, and HLP004, in Phase 2 for generalized anxiety disorder. Both are part of a broader portfolio aimed at addressing unmet needs in mental health conditions.
When is Helus Pharma expecting topline data from the APPROACH trial of HLP003?
Helus Pharma states that topline data from the APPROACH trial of HLP003 are expected in the fourth quarter. This Phase 3 trial evaluates HLP003 as an adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder and represents a key upcoming clinical milestone for Cybin’s mental health-focused pipeline.
What regulatory recognition has HLP003 received according to the Cybin (CYBN) disclosure?
HLP003, Helus Pharma’s proprietary novel serotonergic agonist for adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder, has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This recognition is intended for therapies that may offer substantial improvement over existing treatments for serious conditions.
In which regions does Helus Pharma, the commercial name of Cybin (CYBN), operate?
Helus Pharma operates across several regions, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. This geographic footprint supports its clinical development and research activities for novel serotonergic agonists targeting depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.