Innovotech Appoints New COO and CCO, Announces Facility Lease
Edmonton, Alberta — February 5, 2026 — Leads & Copy — Innovotech Inc. (TSXV:IOT) has appointed Jodi McDonald as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Rod Szarka as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), effective February 1, 2026. The company also announced a new facility lease in Edmonton, Alberta.
McDonald previously served as President of Keystone Labs Inc., which recently merged with Innovotech Labs Corporation (Labs). The amalgamation of Keystone and Labs, both wholly-owned subsidiaries of Innovotech Inc., into Innovotech Labs Corporation was completed on January 1, 2026, and previously announced on January 2, 2026.
During her 20-year tenure at Keystone, McDonald focused on quality, client service, and team development in building and scaling a regulated laboratory business. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of Alberta.
According to Dr. Craig Milne, CEO of Innovotech, McDonald understands how to deliver high-quality science while prioritizing people. He said her experience integrating quality, operations, and people leadership will be central to growing Innovotech as a life sciences CRO.
McDonald said she is honored to take on the COO role at Innovotech, citing the depth of talent across the laboratories and expressing her focus on empowering people, strengthening operational and quality systems, and ensuring client satisfaction.
Szarka was previously Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at Keystone, where he built client relationships and expanded service offerings. As CCO of Innovotech, Szarka will oversee revenue generation across the company, including business development, client relationships, and building a dedicated sales and client service team for all Innovotech business lines.
Milne stated that Szarka’s experience growing Keystone’s client base and understanding the needs of regulated life sciences companies make him the right leader to build out Innovotech’s commercial engine.
Szarka said Innovotech’s capabilities in analytical chemistry, microbiology, and specialized testing position it as a valuable partner for life science and medical device clients. His priority will be to deepen relationships with existing clients, expand reach to new partners, and build a high-performing commercial team.
The company also announced that the lease for the space currently occupied by the former Keystone segment of Innovotech is expected to end on or about March 31, 2026. Innovotech has signed a new lease for premises located at 9407 20 Ave., Edmonton, Alberta, commencing February 1, 2026. The lease has a 14-month term, running to March 31, 2027, and includes month-to-month extensions thereafter.
Milne noted that the new space will encompass analytical chemistry and GMP microbiology-related work, giving the company flexibility as it seeks a more permanent solution and expands specialized services for drug development and manufacturing clients. Innovotech’s offices and antimicrobial contract research labs remain at 2011 94 St NW.
Innovotech Inc. specializes in laboratory services and commercializing proprietary technologies. It provides expertise in antimicrobial testing, pharmaceutical analysis, and industrial laboratory solutions. Its MBEC Assay® kit is used for antimicrobial and antibiotic testing. Innovotech serves clients across multiple sectors, delivering customized research and testing services designed to meet regulatory and scientific standards through its ISO-certified and GMP-accredited laboratories.
Source: Innovotech Inc.
Share this story:
