Helix BioPharma Corp. Announces Important Additions to Its Leadership Team

AURORA, ON--(Marketwired - Apr 20, 2016) - Helix BioPharma Corp. (TSX: HBP) (FRANKFURT: HBP) ("Helix" or the "Company"), a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative drug candidates for the prevention and treatment of cancer, today announced the appointment of Dr. Patrick Frankham to Chief Operating Officer and the promotion of Mr. Steve Demas to the position of Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Frankham and Mr. Demas will both report directly to Dr. Sven Rohmann, Helix's newly appointed Chief Executive Officer.

Dr. Rohmann commented "I'm delighted we were able to promote from within and to add experienced leadership to the Helix team. Our lead immuno-oncology product, L-DOS47, which is currently in clinical trials both in Europe and in the U.S. for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, continues to advance as planned." 

Dr. Frankham has over 20 years' experience in the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and services industries. Dr. Frankham has lead successful development programs in oncology and held executive roles in research and commercial activities. He has had leadership roles at Boehringer Ingelheim, ICON Clinical Research Canada Inc. and Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

Mr. Steve Demas has been with the Company since April 2013 as Director, Clinical Operations. Mr. Demas has 25 years' experience in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies including Bayer Canada Inc., Sanofi Synthelabo Canada and BioMS Medical Corp.

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. Helix is currently listed on the TSX and FSE under the symbol "HBP".

Forward-Looking Statements and Risks and Uncertainties

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, including, without limitation, those relating to Helix's financing needs and research and development activities, which may be identified by words including, without limitation, "continues", "to advance", "as planned" and other similar expressions, are intended to provide information about management's current plans and expectations regarding the conduct of the clinical study and the other operations of Helix.

Although Helix believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements 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, those risks and uncertainties affecting the company as 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 statements, including, without limitation, that the Helix Risk Factors will not cause Helix's actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. These cautionary statements qualify all such forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements and information are 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 statement or information should those beliefs, assumptions or expectations, or other circumstances change, except as required by law.