Charlottetown, PE – The Prince Edward Island BioAlliance is pleased to announce the appointment of Charmaine Noonan, Senior Director and Site Head PEI Merck Animal Health, as the new Chair of the Board of Directors. Charmaine has been an executive member of the PEI BioAlliance Board for two years and brings a wealth of experience and leadership to her new role.

As Chair, Charmaine guides the PEI BioAlliance Board in its role of developing and monitoring the strategy for growing the PEI Bioscience Cluster and its economic impact in Prince Edward Island.

“I am excited to step into the role of Chair of the Board,” said Noonan. “I look forward to the ongoing close collaboration with business, academia and research, investors, and government partners to drive innovation and growth in our bioscience sector, ensuring that Prince Edward Island remains a leader in bioscience-based human, animal, and fish health and nutrition.”

“Charmaine has been a leader in the PEI bioscience community, contributing significantly to our ecosystem’s growth and success in her role as Site Manager for Elanco’s Aqua business here in PEI, and now under the new ownership of Merck Animal Health,” said Rory Francis, CEO of the BioAlliance. “Charmaine will lead a knowledgeable and committed Board that will ensure Prince Edward Island continues to demonstrate outstanding results as a centre for bioscience business development in Canada.”

The PEI BioAlliance extends gratitude to Oliver Technow, CEO of BIOVECTRA, for his exceptional service and dedication as Chair of the Board of Directors since 2021. Under Oliver’s leadership, the PEI BioAlliance achieved significant milestones, including the development and construction of the Bioscience Manufacturing Incubator, announcement of the $50 million BioAccelerator, the launch of CASTL as Canada’s national leader in biopharmaceutical manufacturing skills and training, being awarded the Gold Label of Cluster Management Excellence, and supporting PEI’s bioscience community in exceeding over $600 million in private sector revenue (2022).

The PEI BioAlliance also welcomes Heather Delage, CCO of BIOVECTRA, and Dr. Wendy Rodgers, President and Vice-Chancellor of UPEI, to the Board of Directors.