Helix BioPharma Corp. has strengthened its leadership team with two key executive appointments designed to advance the company's oncology research and communication strategies. Veronika Kandziora joins as Chief Operating Officer, bringing over 20 years of leadership experience across biopharma, financial, and consulting sectors, while Dr. Jessica Kourniaktis assumes the role of Director of Communications with a decade of experience in life sciences communication.
Kandziora's appointment brings substantial institutional knowledge to the position, having previously served as Corporate Secretary and strategic consultant to Helix. With her background in international finance and compliance, she is well-positioned to provide strategic alignment and operational strength to the organization. Her expertise encompasses complex international projects and includes advanced training in regulatory and governance environments, which will be crucial for navigating the challenging landscape of oncology drug development.
Dr. Kourniaktis enters her role with a distinctive background that combines academic research with strategic communications. Her professional experience includes founding a boutique consultancy, serving as an executive in multiple biopharma startups, and previously working as a Board Member of ESGTI AG. Her communications methodology is characterized by analytical depth and compelling storytelling, with a particular emphasis on articulating scientific ventures' visions to various stakeholders.
CEO Thomas Mehrling emphasized the strategic significance of these appointments, noting that Kandziora's organizational leadership and Kourniaktis's strategy-first communications approach will be essential in advancing the company's mission of developing treatments for hard-to-treat cancers. These leadership changes demonstrate Helix BioPharma's commitment to accelerating its oncology research and enhancing communication about its innovative approaches to cancer treatment.
Helix BioPharma's research pipeline focuses on a proprietary technology platform targeting CEACAM6-expressing solid tumors. The company's lead candidate, Tumour Defence Breaker™ L-DOS47, represents a clinical-stage antibody-enzyme conjugate designed to neutralize tumor microenvironments and enhance anti-cancer immunity. The appointments reflect a strategic initiative to strengthen the company's operational capabilities and public engagement in the complex and competitive field of oncological drug development, positioning Helix BioPharma for continued progress in addressing challenging cancer types.
