Leslie Dan
Leslie Lewis Dan | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 26, 1929 Budapest, Hungary |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, pharmacist |
| Years active | 1960–present |
| Known for | Founder of Novopharm |
Leslie Lewis Dan, born on November 26, 1929, is a Canadian-Hungarian entrepreneur and pharmacist renowned for founding Novopharm, a major player in the generic pharmaceutical industry that was eventually acquired by Teva Pharmaceuticals. Recognized for his extensive philanthropic efforts, Dan has been honored with both the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario.
Early life
Originally from Budapest, Dan escaped the Holocaust by using forged identity documents before relocating to Canada in 1947. He completed a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Toronto School of Pharmacy in 1954 and earned his MBA five years later in 1959. In 1960, he initiated a business specializing in the distribution of non-prescription medications.
Business ventures
Dan established Novopharm in 1965, which expanded to achieve $750 million in revenue and employed approximately 3,000 staff members by the year 2000. That same year, he sold the company to Israel-based Teva Pharmaceuticals for an estimated $430 million. After this transaction, he founded Viventia (previously known as Novopharm Biotech), a firm dedicated to developing cancer therapies, where he currently holds the position of chairman.
As of April 2021, Dan’s wealth is approximated at C$1.04 billion (around US$830 million), placing him among the top 100 richest Canadians.
Philanthropy
Guided by Jewish principles that emphasize the importance of giving, Dan’s charitable work includes:
- A $15 million endowment to the University of Toronto supporting the Leslie L. Dan Pharmacy Building and Faculty of Pharmacy
- Establishment of the Canadian Medicine Aid Programme (CAN-MAP) in 1985 to supply vital medications to nations in need
- Contributions made to Yad Vashem
Honours
Among his notable recognitions are:
- Leadership Award from the Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences (CSPS) in 2012
- The Leslie L. Dan Pharmacy Building at the University of Toronto, completed in 2006 and designed by Sir Norman Foster, bears his name
- Appointment as a Member of the Order of Canada and recipient of the Order of Ontario in 1996
- Honorary Doctorate of Laws awarded by Dalhousie University (1996) and University of British Columbia (1995)
- Distinguished Business Alumnus Award from the University of Toronto Joseph L. Rotman Faculty of Management in 1997
- The Dan Family Building at Aish HaTorah named to honor him
Family
Dan wed Judith in 1958; they had three children: Dr. Michael D. Dan, Aubrey Dan, and Andrea Dan-Hytman. Judith died in 1995. He remarried Anna in 1996; they do not have children together. Aubrey Dan heads Dancap Private Equity, while Andrea Dan-Hytman is a co-owner of Viventia Biotech Inc.