Helius Medical Technologies Appoints CFO/COO

Newtown, Pa.-based Helius Medical Technologies Inc. has appointed Joyce LaViscount as chief financial officer (CFO) and chief operating officer (COO). LaViscount has extensive experience in finance and operations roles after spending the last 28 years in the pharmaceutical industry, including Endo Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Aptalis.

She joins Helius from MediMedia Health where she was CFO and COO for the private equity-owned company. LaViscount has been a member of Helius’ board of directors since March.

“I am excited to lead finance and operations for Helius Medical Technologies and look forward to capitalizing on the diversity of my experiences and provide leadership across a broad range of areas,” said LaViscount.”

“We are delighted to have someone with Joyce’s exceptional skills in this role,” said Helius’ CEO Philippe Deschamps. “Joyce has a proven track record of success in leading finances and operations for healthcare companies. Her passion, enthusiasm and expertise for the proper financial and operational systems will continue to drive shareholder value as we prepare to commercialize our PoNS technology.”

LaViscount fills the vacancy created by the resignation of the company’s former CFO, Amanda Tseng.

Helius’ Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (PoNS) device is an investigational medical device being studied for the treatment of neurological symptoms caused by disease or trauma. The PoNS is currently being studied in the United States and Canada for the treatment of balance disorder for subjects with mild to moderate traumatic brain injury, and in Canada for the treatment of gait and balance disorder for subjects with Multiple Sclerosis.

The PoNS device is a non-invasive means for delivering neurostimulation through the tongue. According to the company, the use of the tongue as a gateway to the brain may be one of the most natural, noninvasive and direct ways to stimulate the brain. The tongue is anatomically unique, being richly innervated by thousands of nerve fibers and interconnected to the brainstem by two major cranial nerves. Helius is preparing to file for U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance for the PoNS device.