Barry Sherman wasn’t involved in day-to-day operations at Apotex since stepping down as CEO

TORONTO – Apotex Inc. says it wants to set the record straight about how the pharmaceutical company will be managed following the death of its founder, Barry Sherman, and his wife Honey.

Apotex says that Sherman, 75, hadn’t been involved in day-to-day operations since he stepped down as chief executive officer five years ago.

Jeremy B. Desai has been president and CEO of Apotex Inc. since 2014 and, prior to that, the CEO’s job had been transferred from Sherman to Jack Kay, who is now the company’s vice-chairman.

READ MORE: Mourners pay tribute to Canadian billionaire couple Barry and Honey Sherman

Questions about the future of Apotex – one of Canada’s biggest generic drug makers – arose after the bodies of the billionaire couple were found in their Toronto home last week.

Many of the personal anecdotes in the wake of Sherman’s death focused on his hands-on approach to running Apotex, which he founded in 1974 and grew into a company with more than $2 billion in annual revenue.

READ MORE: Jewish community mourns billionaire couple Barry and Honey Sherman

An Apotex spokesman – who had declined to discuss specific details prior to their funeral, out of respect for the Shermans – said Friday that he wanted to set the record straight.

“Barry had developed a robust succession plan which he began implementing five years ago when he stepped down as CEO. From that point on until his tragic death, Dr. Sherman was no longer involved in day-to-day operations at Apotex rather, focused on some specific aspects of the business,” Apotex spokesman Jordan Berman said in an email Friday.

2:15 Thousands turn out for the memorial service for Canadian billionaires Barry and Honey Sherman

• Thousands turn out for the memorial service for Canadian billionaires Barry and Honey Sherman
• Barry, Honey Sherman had ‘profound impact’ on country: Wynne
• John Tory says Barry, Honey Sherman’s ‘humanity knew no bounds’
• Honey Sherman’s sister tearfully says ‘I’ll always treasure them’
• Barry Sherman’s son calls father ‘real life superhero’ in eulogy
• Honey Sherman’s son gives mother’s eulogy, calls her the ‘glue that pulled us together’
• Shermans’ son says family has dealt with ‘terrifying maze’ of ‘non-information’
• Eric Hoskins ‘shocked’ by death of billionaire Barry Sherman, wife Honey

Previous Video

Next Video