Who we are – Life Sciences Nova Scotia

About Life Sciences Nova Scotia

Life Sciences Nova Scotia is the organization to fuel your success. Whether you are looking to invest, shift your start-up to a more supportive environment, or punch above your weight as a life sciences company, you can make it count in Nova Scotia. This place is the perfect size to knock down walls and open doors. Life Sciences Nova Scotia is here to help you multiply your impact and take your ambition further.

At Life Sciences Nova Scotia (formerly BioNova), we value innovation in life sciences to advance the health and well being of people here at home and around the world. BioInnovation fuels life – transforming research, discovery and new ideas into products and solutions that can be commercialized to cure and prevent disease, provide healthier food, and develop clean energy.

Life Sciences Nova Scotia is a champion of our world-class research driven universities, an innovative health system, incubator programs, and risk capital and government infrastructure support. We help position our province to attract foreign direct investment, high global export demand for strong GDP and sector growth.

Since 1993, we have been fostering the growth and success of our members by building a community through intention. We work to provide the resources and tools our members need. We help them navigate through different stages of their development, from early start up to scaling and commercializing. We create opportunities for education, mentoring and networking, and generate connections for funding, talent recruitment and cost savings.

Vision

A thriving, resilient, connected Life Sciences ecosystem for a better tomorrow.

Mission

Generate a thriving Life Sciences community for Nova Scotia’s economic and social prosperity.

We Value

Amplifying the voices of others
Building a community to take us further, faster
Being intentional about sector growth
Demonstrating inclusivity
Seeking global opportunities
Celebrating collective success

Meet The Life Sciences Nova Scotia Team

Doris Grant

Chief Executive Officer

For over 20 years, Doris has led commercialization, intellectual property protection and business development initiatives with a proven track record of building impactful partnerships and securing transformational funding to advance innovation mandates. Most recently Doris served as Senior Director of Innovation at Nova Scotia Health where she led the implementation of multiple high-priority, transformative and innovative initiatives to enhance healthcare and the health of Nova Scotians.

Krista Bezanson

Vice President, Business Development & Strategy

Krista Bezanson is a seasoned professional with a strong background in economic development and supporting the growth of innovative industries. She has recently joined Life Sciences Nova Scotia after her tenure with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), where she was instrumental in driving initiatives that promoted business growth, job creation, and regional innovation. With a deep understanding of the Atlantic Canadian business landscape, Krista is passionate about advancing the life sciences sector. Her expertise in strategic partnerships, project management, and economic development positions her as a valuable contributor to Life Sciences Nova Scotia’s mission to strengthen and expand the life sciences community locally and globally.

Kerri Mannette

Director of Operations

Kerri Mannette is the Director of Operations at Life Sciences Nova Scotia (LSNS), where she plays a crucial role in advancing the province’s life sciences sector. With a strong background in operation management, Kerri brings over a decade of experience in fostering innovation and collaboration among Nova Scotia’s life sciences companies, research institutions, and government bodies.

Her passion for the life sciences is evident in her dedication to supporting startups, promoting research and development, and advocating for programs that drive the industry forward. Kerri’s leadership has been instrumental in creating a vibrant and supportive ecosystem for life sciences in Nova Scotia.

Laurie Ann Coring

Marketing & Communications Manager

Laurie Ann Coring is a marketing professional with over 20 years of experience in agency and corporate settings. As the Marketing & Communications Manager at Life Sciences Nova Scotia, she leads strategic initiatives to enhance brand awareness, foster stakeholder engagement, and support the growth of the province’s life sciences sector. Passionate about the transformative potential of this industry, Laurie Ann is excited to help Nova Scotia’s entrepreneurs grow and succeed on a global stage.

She leverages her experience to craft compelling campaigns, collaborates with partners to deliver high-impact events and content. Her work focuses on driving success for Life Sciences Nova Scotia and its members.

Connor Dalton

Social Media Coordinator

Connor Dalton joins Life Sciences Nova Scotia as Social Media Coordinator with proven expertise in digital engagement from Dalhousie University and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. A University of King’s College journalism graduate, Connor brings strategic communications experience to advance Life Sciences Nova Scotia’s mandate to boost sector growth and innovation across the province.

Aya Appleby

Community and Stakeholder Engagement Intern

Aya Appleby is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce degree at Dalhousie University, majoring in Entrepreneurship. Aya brings a strong interest in sustainability, regenerative entrepreneurship, and creating positive impact through business. She also serves as the Sustainability & Strategic Growth Coordinator for the Dalhousie Women in Business Association, where she supports initiatives that promote responsible business practices and sustainable growth across sectors. At Life Sciences Nova Scotia, Aya contributes to building meaningful connections across the life sciences ecosystem, supporting engagement efforts that foster collaboration and innovation.

Board of Directors

A warm welcome to our incoming Board of Directors. These special advisors are a representation of industry leaders and stakeholders within the life sciences sector.

Directors provide leadership, counsel and govern the mandate of the Association.

Chief Executive Officer, 3D BioFibR Inc. / Board Chair
Kevin Sullivan

Senior Manager, Assurance and Accounting, MNP LLP/Treasurer

Jake Corcoran, CPA

Founder and CEO, NovaResp Technologies Inc./Director
Dr. Hamed Hanafi

Vice Chair, Nova Scotia Securities Commission/Director

Heidi Walsh-Sampson, K.C.

Executive Advisor to the Premier on Economic Development/Director
Lisa Manninger

Chief Executive Officer, 3D BioFibR Inc. / Board Chair

Kevin Sullivan

Kevin Sullivan is a highly accomplished Life Science executive. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree (Honours) in Microbiology & Immunology from Dalhousie University, Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology from McGill University, and a Master of Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.

Throughout his career, Sullivan has held several key leadership positions in various biotech companies. He is currently the CEO of 3D BioFibR Inc., and previously was CEO at Appili Therapeutics Inc., and DeNovaMed Inc. Additionally, he held the positions of Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Business Development at Viron Therapeutics Inc., which was funded by Amgen and Novartis Ventures. He is highly regarded for his ability to introduce innovative therapeutic approaches into clinical settings, and has a remarkable record of successful fundraising, having raised over $90 million in equity, debt, and non-dilutive financing for both public and private companies.

Sullivan’s career has been focused on the commercialization of life-science technologies, with a particular emphasis on novel biomaterials, protein-based therapeutics, small molecule therapies, and vaccines.

Senior Manager, Assurance and Accounting, MNP LLP/Treasurer

Jake Corcoran, CPA

Jake is a Senior Manager at MNP LLP within their Assurance and Accounting division. Jake has worked with a wide range of industries, with a concentration on tech, bio tech and life science companies. He has supported and serviced companies in all business life cycles; from startup, through to commercialization and sale of the business. He has a passion for working with companies as they grow and evolve.

Jake is well versed in helping companies secure funding from government agencies, tax programs, and other sources. He also assists in strengthening accounting processes and controls, while ensuring compliance with accounting and tax standards. Jake has successfully guided several startups through complex financial landscapes to achieve their growth objectives.
Originally from Ottawa, Jake attended Saint Francis Xavier University where he obtained a Bachelor of Business in 2016. Jake then obtained his CPA designation in 2019 and is a licensed public accountant in Nova Scotia.

Founder and CEO, NovaResp Technologies Inc./Director

Dr. Hamed Hanafi

Hamed Hanafi is the founder and CEO of NovaResp Technologies Inc., the company that has developed a patented software compatible with any positive airway pressure (PAP) machine to dramatically improve comfort and adherence to therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients.

The company’s platform software uses artificial intelligence and machine learning during PAP therapy to predict and prevent episodes of apnea before they would occur. As a result, personalized therapy can be delivered via PAP machines at lower, more comfortable air pressure levels. Hamed holds a B.Sc. in electrical engineering, a M.Sc. in microelectronics and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering. He is also an adjunct professor with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering as well as the School of Biomedical Engineering at Dalhousie University, following a research-based entrepreneurial path.

Vice Chair, Nova Scotia Securities Commission/Director

Heidi Walsh-Sampson, K.C.

Heidi Walsh Sampson, K.C. is a senior legal counsel and strategic advisor with over 25 years of practice experience specializing in commercialization of intellectual property, corporate governance and commercial law. Heidi is currently a Strategic Contracts Advisor for the National Research Council of Canada. Heidi also serves as the Vice Chair of the Nova Scotia Securities Commission where she serves in both an adjudicatory and policy-making function.

Heidi also sits on the national executive for the Canadian Securities Administrators. Heidi is called to the bar in three Canadian jurisdictions (LSA 2000, LSBS 2000, NSBS 2009) and has taught commercial law and risk management for over 15 years at both the undergraduate and graduate level at both Dalhousie University and the Sobey School of Business, Saint Mary’s University. Heidi was formerly legal counsel to the Office of Commercialization and Industry Engagement at Dalhousie University and has represented a variety of publicly listed and private enterprises in capital raising activities and protection of IP. Heidi holds a Bachelor of Arts (Dalhousie University ’91), Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Social Policy Issues (Simon Fraser University ’94), Bachelor of Laws (University of Calgary ’99), Masters of Laws (Osgoode Hall ’08) and Certified In-house Counsel Designation (2016).

Executive Advisor to the Premier on Economic Development/Director

Lisa Manninger

Lisa Manninger brings more than 30 years of public policy and communications leadership experience. Following her role as Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Legislative Affairs in Premier Tim Houston’s office, Lisa now serves in the role of Executive Advisor to the Premier on Economic Development.

She began her career as a newspaper reporter in Ontario, British Columbia and Nova Scotia before working in the governments of Premier John Hamm and Premier Rodney MacDonald. Lisa is a problem solver who is skilled at identifying key priorities, aligning resources and achieving results. She is a graduate of McMaster University and lives with her family in Porters Lake.