ZYUS Life Sciences Appoints Dr. Julie Stakiw as Chief Medical Officer to Advance Phase 2 Oncology Pain Program and Strengthen Clinical Development Leadership
In a pivotal step toward accelerating its clinical development strategy and reinforcing its commitment to addressing the growing need for non-opioid alternatives in pain management, ZYUS Life Sciences Corporation (TSXV: ZYUS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has announced the appointment of Dr. Julie Stakiw, MD, FRCPC, as its new Chief Medical Officer (CMO), effective July 14, 2025. The strategic hire signals a major milestone as the company pushes forward with its flagship clinical program evaluating Trichomylin® softgel capsules, a non-opioid investigational therapy currently in a pivotal Phase 2 clinical trial for managing cancer-related pain.
A distinguished hematologist-oncologist with more than 20 years of frontline experience treating complex blood cancers and leading cutting-edge clinical programs, Dr. Stakiw brings a uniquely integrated perspective to ZYUS at a critical juncture in its drug development lifecycle. Her deep-rooted expertise in oncology, research oversight, and patient advocacy is set to bolster the company’s scientific and clinical rigor as it seeks to deliver safer and more effective therapies for cancer pain—one of the most pervasive and debilitating symptoms experienced by patients with advanced malignancies.
A Transformational Appointment at a Pivotal Time
The appointment of Dr. Stakiw comes at a time when ZYUS is advancing the UTOPIA (Unique Treatment of Oncology Pain in Advanced Cancer) trial—a pivotal Phase 2 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Trichomylin®, the company’s lead oral softgel capsule formulation. Trichomylin is designed to offer a non-opioid therapeutic alternative for managing pain in patients with advanced-stage cancers, where conventional treatments like opioids often pose substantial risks, including tolerance, dependence, and adverse side effects.
“Dr. Stakiw brings a wealth of clinical expertise and firsthand patient experience in oncology care, which is instrumental as we advance our Phase 2 UTOPIA trial,” stated Brent Zettl, President and CEO of ZYUS Life Sciences. “Her strong understanding of research and treatment development will be invaluable in addressing the critical need for effective, non-opioid cancer pain therapies and supporting our commitment to improving patient outcomes.”
In her new role as CMO, Dr. Stakiw will lead ZYUS’ clinical development strategy, ensuring that clinical trial execution adheres to the highest standards of scientific integrity, regulatory compliance, and ethical patient care. Her leadership will span clinical trial design, patient recruitment strategies, safety monitoring, data interpretation, and engagement with key opinion leaders (KOLs) and regulatory stakeholders.
Aligning Clinical Passion with Innovation in Non-Opioid Pain Management
Dr. Stakiw expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to join a company deeply committed to changing the landscape of cancer pain management.
“I’m pleased to take on the role of Chief Medical Officer at ZYUS,” said Dr. Julie Stakiw. “ZYUS’ commitment to developing innovative, non-opioid alternatives for cancer pain aligns with my passion for improving patient care. I look forward to contributing my clinical and research experience to support the advancement of the Phase 2 UTOPIA trial and help bring meaningful new options to patients facing cancer pain.”
Her alignment with ZYUS’ mission is deeply rooted in her extensive experience treating patients with complex hematological malignancies, including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma—conditions where pain management is often a critical, yet underserved, component of comprehensive care. Over her decades-long medical career, Dr. Stakiw has consistently championed patient-centric care models that emphasize quality of life alongside therapeutic efficacy.
A Track Record of Clinical Leadership and Scientific Excellence
Dr. Stakiw’s academic and professional journey exemplifies a steadfast commitment to excellence, collaboration, and clinical innovation. She received her medical degree and completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Saskatchewan, where she later returned to serve as a faculty member. She then pursued specialized training in hematology at Queen’s University, followed by a prestigious clinical fellowship in lymphoma and stem cell transplantation at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, one of Canada’s top cancer centers.
Her leadership experience is both broad and deep, spanning institutional, regional, and provincial levels of Canada’s healthcare system. Highlights of her leadership roles include:
- Provincial Leader of Hematology for Saskatchewan
- Medical Director of Saskatchewan’s Blood and Marrow Transplant Program
- Medical Director of the Saskatoon Cancer Centre
- Director of Clinical Trials at a regional cancer centre in Ontario
- Director of Patient Research and Innovation for the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency
In addition to her executive responsibilities, Dr. Stakiw currently serves as a Clinical Professor in Hematological Oncology at the University of Saskatchewan and maintains an active clinical practice in Saskatoon. Her scholarly contributions and clinical insight have earned her a reputation as a trusted voice in evidence-based care, trial design, and translational research across Canada’s oncology community.
Reinforcing Scientific Oversight Amid Expanding Clinical Programs
As ZYUS navigates the evolving regulatory and clinical landscape for cannabinoid-derived and plant-based therapeutics, Dr. Stakiw’s appointment underscores the company’s dedication to scientific credibility, robust evidence generation, and regulatory alignment. The UTOPIA trial is currently recruiting patients across multiple Canadian sites, and is poised to be a landmark study in non-opioid cancer pain management, particularly as regulatory agencies and health systems worldwide grapple with the dual burdens of cancer and opioid misuse.
Dr. Stakiw’s arrival also marks a seamless leadership transition following the planned departure of Dr. Lionel Marks de Chabris, who previously served as ZYUS’ Chief Medical Officer. While Dr. Marks de Chabris will step down from his executive role, he will remain actively involved with the company as Chair of the Clinical Research Advisory Committee, providing strategic guidance as ZYUS progresses into late-stage development and prepares for potential regulatory submissions.
“The Company is deeply grateful for Dr. Marks de Chabris’s ongoing leadership and his critical contributions to our clinical vision,” added CEO Brent Zettl. “We are fortunate to continue benefiting from his wisdom as we transition into the next phase of clinical execution.”
Trichomylin® and the Future of Non-Opioid Cancer Pain Relief
At the center of ZYUS’ clinical efforts is Trichomylin®, a proprietary formulation designed to leverage the therapeutic properties of cannabinoid-based compounds to manage moderate-to-severe pain in cancer patients. The investigational therapy is encapsulated in oral softgel capsules and is being developed under stringent pharmaceutical standards to ensure reproducibility, safety, and bioavailability.
The UTOPIA Phase 2 trial aims to establish proof-of-concept data on Trichomylin’s efficacy compared to standard-of-care treatments, with key endpoints including reduction in pain intensity, improved patient functionality, and quality-of-life metrics. If successful, Trichomylin could represent one of the first clinically validated, non-opioid options specifically developed for oncology pain—an area that remains largely underserved despite decades of clinical research and growing patient need.
This focus aligns closely with current public health initiatives aiming to curb opioid reliance, especially in vulnerable populations such as those with chronic or terminal conditions. By targeting an indication of high unmet medical need, ZYUS is carving out a meaningful niche in the broader pain management market, one increasingly dominated by demands for non-addictive, accessible, and tolerable therapies.
Positioning ZYUS for Long-Term Growth and Innovation
With Dr. Stakiw at the helm of clinical leadership, ZYUS is well-positioned to accelerate its pipeline goals and deepen its impact across oncology care. Beyond Trichomylin, the company is exploring additional applications of its proprietary cannabinoid formulation technologies across inflammatory, neuropathic, and palliative pain indications.
The integration of a seasoned clinical expert like Dr. Stakiw not only strengthens the company’s internal capabilities, but also enhances its credibility with regulatory authorities, clinical investigators, and potential strategic partners in the biopharmaceutical ecosystem.
Moreover, her reputation within the Canadian and international hematology-oncology community is expected to facilitate smoother collaborations with clinical sites, optimize patient recruitment strategies, and ensure that trial protocols remain grounded in real-world patient needs and emerging scientific insights.
A Vision Grounded in Science, Compassion, and Innovation
Ultimately, the addition of Dr. Julie Stakiw to ZYUS’ leadership team reflects a broader vision of healthcare innovation—one grounded in clinical science, informed by patient realities, and driven by a commitment to redefining therapeutic norms. Her experience managing complex diseases, leading large-scale research initiatives, and advocating for compassionate care gives her the ideal foundation to help guide ZYUS into its next era of growth and impact.
As the company continues to advance the UTOPIA trial and lay the groundwork for potential Phase 3 studies and regulatory filings, the leadership of a physician-scientist with Dr. Stakiw’s credentials ensures that every step forward will be built on a firm foundation of medical excellence and ethical responsibility.
With the opioid crisis continuing to shape public health discourse and healthcare delivery strategies, the work being done by ZYUS—and now, under the medical stewardship of Dr. Stakiw—represents a new frontier in pain management. One that prioritizes innovation, mitigates harm, and most importantly, puts the patient at the center of every decision.
About ZYUS Life Sciences Corporation
ZYUS (TSXV: ZYUS) is a life sciences company focused on the development and commercialization of novel cannabinoid-based pharmaceutical drug candidates for pain management. Through rigorous scientific exploration and clinical research, ZYUS aims to secure intellectual property protection, safeguarding its innovative therapies and bolstering shareholder value. ZYUS’ unwavering commitment extends to obtaining regulatory approval of non-opioid-based pharmaceutical solutions, in pursuit of transformational impact on patients’ lives. For additional information, visit www.zyus.com or follow us on X @ZYUSCorp.
