Leslie Dan Canadian businessman Date of Birth: 26.11.1929 Country: Canada

Biography of Leslie Dan

Leslie Dan, a Canadian businessman, is renowned for being the founder of a well-known pharmaceutical company and an outstanding philanthropist. He was born in Budapest and moved to Canada in 1947. Leslie's Jewish heritage almost cost him his life during the Holocaust, but luckily, he managed to obtain false documents and escape the imminent danger.

In Canada, Leslie enrolled in the University of Toronto School of Pharmacy, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in 1954 and a Master's degree in Business Administration in 1959. In 1960, he founded a company that distributed over-the-counter medications. Five years later, Leslie established the group 'Novopharm.'

In 2000, Leslie sold his company to 'Teva Pharmaceuticals,' an Israeli company, for 430 million dollars. At that time, 'Novopharm' generated annual sales of 750 million dollars and employed 3,000 people. Shortly after the sale, Leslie created a new company called 'Viventia,' which focused on the development and research of cancer treatment drugs. Currently, Leslie holds the position of Chairman of this company.

As of December 2008, Leslie Dan's net worth was approximately 1.02 billion Canadian dollars, making him the 53rd richest person in Canada. Leslie is also well-known for his philanthropic endeavors, which are believed to stem from the values he derived from the Torah and Talmud. Among his numerous charitable contributions, it is worth mentioning his donation of 15 million dollars to the University of Toronto and the launch of the 'Canadian Medicine Aid Program' (CAN-MAP), which continues to provide medications to individuals in need in third-world countries.

The University of Toronto named its pharmaceutical building in honor of Leslie Dan. In 1996, he was awarded the Order of Canada, and he was also presented with the Order of Ontario. In 1958, Leslie married Judith, who sadly passed away in 1995. Together, they had three children: Michael Dan, Aubrey Dan, and Andrea Dan-Hytman.

In 1996, Leslie remarried. Aubrey Dan currently heads the company 'Dancap Private Equity,' while Andrea is one of the owners of 'Viventia Biotech Inc.'