APOTEX: Barry Sherman, fundador, hallado muerto en circunstancias «sospechosas» ...

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Canadian pharmaceutical giant Apotex has confirmed its founder Barry Sherman and his wife, Honey Sherman, are dead, amid reports that two bodies were found in their Toronto home.

"All of us at Apotex are deeply shocked and saddened by this news and our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time," the company said in a statement late Friday afternoon, adding that the deaths were "unexpected."

Emergency crews were called to the home at 50 Old Colony Rd. in the Bayview Avenue and Highway 401 area around 11:45 a.m. ET for a medical emergency.

That's where Toronto police say a male and a female were pronounced dead on the scene. Deaths deemed 'suspicious'

Police have not yet confirmed the victims' identities, nor where in the home they were found. They would also not say if there were any signs of trauma to the bodies.(...)

Sherman founded Apotex in 1974 after buying out his uncle's smaller company. The pharmaceutical giant produces and exports generic drugs to more than 115 countries worldwide, according to its website.

Ver:
Barry Sherman: A fierce fighter who helped revolutionize Canada's drug industry (Obituary)

Along the way he amassed a vast fortune, recently estimated by Canadian Business magazine at $4.77 billion, making him the 15th richest person in the country. 
The North York home where their bodies were found was registered to both Shermans, and had recently been put on the market for approximately $7 million.

But while he was known for his success in the drug business, he was perhaps equally known for his generosity. 
The couple made numerous multimillion-dollar donations to hospitals, schools and charities and had buildings named in their honour.

"They were extremely successful in business but also very, very giving people," former Ontario premier Bob Rae told CBC News on Friday.

Ver:
Apotex Philanthropy

"He was the bane of the existence of the branded drug companies in Canada. He was not their favourite person, but he was respected," said Paul Grootendorst, associate professor at the University of Toronto's Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy.

'You can't take it with you, 

so the best alternative is 

to put it to good use 

while you are here'.

Barry and Honey Sherman

 
In a statement, Mount Sinai Hospital board chair Brent Belzberg said the hospital community was shocked at the loss.

"Barry and Honey Sherman's commitment to community, unwavering philanthropic leadership and heartfelt commitment to making a difference in people's lives was palpable in every interaction with them. Their visible leadership on our hospital and foundation board of directors was infused with warmth, passion and a fierce intelligence," the statement said.

A University of Toronto website lists the Apotex Foundation and the Shermans as donors in the range of $10 million to $25 million during 1995 and 2003. They also donated roughly $50 million to the United Jewish Appeal. (Más)