An innovative laboratory researcher and builder of Canadian pharmaceutical production
Over a long and productive scientific career in biochemistry at the University of Ottawa and McGill University in Montreal, Dr. Belleau carried out fundamental research on the chemistry of several groups of drugs effective in combatting infections and cancer. His highly creative work in the 1980s led to the discovery of 3TC (lamivudine), a medication which presently plays a key role in the therapy of AIDS. Lamivudine is also active against the hepatitis B virus. In 1985, Dr. Belleau was instrumental in the founding of BioChem Pharma Inc., one of Canada’s most successful producers of new pharmaceuticals. This firm brought great economic and scientific benefits to Canada, annually investing over 80 million dollars in basic and applied medical research.
