Helix BioPharma Corp. has bolstered its leadership team with two key executive appointments aimed at driving the company's oncology research and communication strategies forward. Veronika Kandziora joins as Chief Operating Officer, bringing over 20 years of leadership experience across biopharma, financial, and consulting sectors, while Dr. Jessica Kourniaktis takes on the role of Director of Communications with a decade of experience in life sciences communication.
Kandziora's appointment brings deep institutional knowledge to the role, having previously served as Corporate Secretary and strategic consultant to Helix. With a background in international finance and compliance, she is positioned to provide strategic alignment and operational strength to the organization. Her expertise spans complex international projects and includes advanced training in regulatory and governance environments.
Dr. Kourniaktis enters her role with a unique background that combines academic research with strategic communications. Her 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 approach is characterized by analytical depth and compelling storytelling, with a focus on articulating scientific ventures' visions.
CEO Thomas Mehrling emphasized the strategic importance of these appointments, noting that Kandziora's organizational leadership and Kourniaktis's strategy-first communications approach will be critical in advancing the company's mission of developing treatments for hard-to-treat cancers.
Helix BioPharma's pipeline is centered on a proprietary technology platform targeting CEACAM6-expressing solid tumors. The company's lead candidate, Tumour Defence Breaker™ L-DOS47, is a clinical-stage antibody-enzyme conjugate designed to neutralize tumor microenvironments and enhance anti-cancer immunity.
These leadership changes signal Helix BioPharma's commitment to accelerating its oncology research and improving communication about its innovative approaches to cancer treatment. The appointments reflect a strategic effort to strengthen the company's operational capabilities and public engagement in the complex and competitive field of oncological drug development.
