Helus Pharma Shares Plunge 33% Following 10.4-Point Phase 2 Anxiety Improvement
Helus Pharma shares plunged 33.2% to $6.41 after topline Phase 2 data for HLP004 in generalized anxiety disorder showed a 10.4-point improvement in 36 patients but fell short of investor expectations. At six months 67% responded and 39% remitted, while Vistagen’s PALISADE-3 Phase 3 trial failed its primary endpoint.
1. Phase 2 Signal Detection Study Results
The Phase 2 study for HLP004 in generalized anxiety disorder randomized 36 patients across placebo, 2 mg and 20 mg dosing arms. Results indicated a 10.4-point improvement over standard care, with 59% responders and 32% remitters at 20 mg at week 6, 30% in the 2 mg arm, and a six-month pooled response/remission rate of 67%/39%, with no drug-related serious adverse events or suicidality signals.
2. Market Reaction and Technical Indicators
Helus Pharma shares fell 33.19% to $6.41, trading 10.43% below the 20-day SMA and 12.5% below the 100-day SMA, suggesting a bearish trend. The RSI sits at 50 (neutral), MACD at 0.10 versus a 0.15 signal line (bearish), with key support at $7.50 and resistance at $8.00.
3. Competitive Landscape
Vistagen’s PALISADE-3 Phase 3 intranasal fasedienol study for social anxiety disorder failed to achieve its primary endpoint. By contrast, AtaiBeckley’s EMP-01 Phase 2a trial reported 49% of patients as “very much” or “much improved” versus 15% for placebo, highlighting mixed momentum in the anxiety disorder treatment space.