Francesco Bellini

Francesco Bellini is one of our greatest builders. An entrepreneur and a visionary, he succeeded in achieving what few people thought possible: founding a prosperous pharmaceutical company capable of vying with the largest European and American multinationals in the area of research and development and the marketing of new products.

BioChem Pharma’s phenomenal growth and the success garnered by 3TC, the world’s most widely prescribed medication for the treatment of HIV infection and AIDS, are undeniable proof of Francesco Bellini’s abilities as a builder. Indeed, in recognition of the discovery of this particularly innovative product, BioChem Pharma was awarded the Prix Galien Canada in 1996 and 1997.

Before founding BioChem Pharma in 1986, Francesco Bellini enjoyed a successful career as a researcher with a pharmaceutical multinational from 1968 to 1984, and subsequently with the Biochemicals Division of the Institut Armand-Frappier at the Université de Montréal, an organization he established and headed from 1984 to 1986.

Born in 1947 in Ascoli Piceno, Italy, Francesco Bellini came to Canada in 1967. He received his bachelor of science degree from Loyola College (now Concordia University) in 1972 and his doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of New Brunswick in 1977.

Francesco Bellini shows a consistent willingness to devote significant time and energy to defend and support the causes dear to him. He is a member of the Cercle des chefs mailleurs du Québec, Inno-Centre Québec, the Foundation for Canadian Studies in the United Kingdom, the Douglas Hospital, the Chemical Institute of Canada and Concordia University. He also serves on the board of directors of the Italian Chamber of Commerce, Molson Companies, Industrial Alliance, the Société générale de financement du Québec and North American Vaccine.

Throughout his career, Francesco Bellini has been singled out for a number of awards, notably honorary degrees from the universities of Ottawa and New Brunswick, the National Merit Award presented by the Ottawa Life Sciences Council and the Onorificenza Di Grande Ufficiale, the highest distinction awarded by the Italian government to a civilian in recognition of that individual’s contribution in or outside the country.

Francesco Bellini was inducted into the Academy of Great Montrealers in the Economic category in 1999 and was named a Commander of the Ordre de Montréal in 2016.

Source: Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal

The picture and biographical information appearing on this page were current at the time this person was admitted to the Academy of Great Montrealers.