Helix BioPharma Corp. Provides Corporate Update

RICHMOND HILL, Ontario, April 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Helix BioPharma Corp. (TSX: HBP) (“Helix” or the “Company”), an immuno-oncology company developing innovative drug candidates for the prevention and treatment of cancer, today provides a corporate update.

COVID-19

As countries across the globe face an unprecedented public health crisis due to COVID-19, Helix has taken various measures to protect the health and well-being of our staff while maintaining business continuity.

The office and laboratory of Helix in Canada have been following the recommendations of federal, provincial and regional authorities.  This includes operating a safe and clean working environment, providing work at home facility and observing latest public health guidance such as ‘social distancing’.  Except for a limited number of staff at the laboratory to maintain critical infrastructure operation, all Helix personnel are working from remote locations.

Clinical Development initiatives

The Company’s U.S. Phase I L-DOS47 lung cancer study in combination with pemetrexed and carboplatin (LDOS001) has completed patient recruitment.  Study reports are being compiled and an abstract has been submitted to a conference.  As previously reported in the Company’s recently filed Q2 fiscal 2020 filings, the Company’s European Phase II L-DOS47 lung cancer study in Poland and Ukraine (LDOS003) no longer requires patient enrollment.  The Company indicated that the first stage of the study related to dose escalation would be concluded  and progression to the second stage of the study would only proceed if a third-party was willing to partner with the Company on the study and upon a confirmatory medical review.

The Company’s U.S. Phase 1b/II pancreatic study of L-DOS47 in combination with doxorubicin (LDOS006) continues to enroll patients and has dosed two patients.  Given the COVID-19 crisis however, the Company expects patient enrollment will be impacted.  Helix is working closely with the clinical trial site and the hospital to ensure best care is being provided to patients while ensuring Helix complies with their COVID-19 protocols.

Corporate initiatives

COVID-19 has created significant uncertainty and has materially impacted equity markets globally at a time when the Company was in the planning process of up-listing to the U.S. and raising additional capital. Nevertheless, the Company continues to engage both U.S. and Canadian investment bankers and is preparing for a capital raise in combination with an up-listing on the NASDAQ.  Though the Company previously expected to conduct road shows and face-to-face meetings with potential investors during the month of April 2020, COVID-19 has made it impossible to do so.  Instead, the Company expects to conduct online meetings and conference calls.