BioNova Executive Director Scott Moffitt has resigned from the Nova Scotia life sciences industry group, with Director of Operations Kerri Manette stepping in as interim director.

Moffitt started at BioNova as managing director in 2013 and became executive director in 2018. Before that, he was the senior investment officer for bioscience at provincial economic development agency Innovation PEI. BioNova has hired Halifax-based Venor Recruitment to find his replacement.

While he was at BioNova, Moffitt helmed the development of the organization’s BioFuture 2030 plan for expanding the sector within Nova Scotia. He also helped to develop its annual BioPort Atlantic conference and associated BioInnovation Challenge startup competitions.

“First and foremost, we want to thank Scott for all the work that he's done,” said BioNova Chair Jon Geske in an interview. “We've had some great successes here at BioNova as well as in health and life sciences in Nova Scotia … He’s done an excellent job, and we wish him well.”

Geske — who is also chief scientific officer at Halifax-based diagnostic testing specialist Precision BioLogic — added that, despite the tight market for high-end talent, he is optimistic about finding a suitable replacement for Moffitt.

“This is a very good time to be in health and life sciences,” added Geske. “Our companies have grown tremendously in spite of a pandemic, and maybe in some regards with the help of a pandemic.

“I think we've shown the importance of the health and life sciences sector in Nova Scotia and in all of Atlantic Canada.”