A pioneer scientist-entrepreneur for the Canadian bio-pharmaceutical industry, he was co-founder of Biochem Pharma, as well as chairman and chief executive officer from 1986 to 2001. He authored or co-authored more than twenty-five patents over his 20-year career as a research scientist.
Background
Born on 20 November 1947 in Ascoli Piceno, Italy, Bellini immigrated to Canada in 1967. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Loyola College (now Concordia University) in 1972 and his Doctor of Philosophy specializing in organic chemistry from the University of New Brunswick in 1977. He was the author and co-author of some 30 patents and published numerous articles and papers based on his research.[citation needed]
Bellini died on 10 July 2025, at the age of 77.
Sport
On 3 February 2014, Bellini refounded Ascoli Picchio F.C. 1898, and three days later the new club acquired all the rights of the bankrupted Ascoli Calcio 1898, the historical football team of Bellini's hometown.
Philanthropy
Bellini donated $10 million towards a new life sciences building at McGill University. He made a major donation toward a new residence and centre for people with Alzheimer's in Laval.
Special honours
For his major contribution in the fields of entrepreneurship, research and economy, Bellini received the title of "Cavaliere del Lavoro".
1996 – Italian Entrepreneurs Around The World Yesterday and Today – Canada: New Frontiers in Pharmacology «5 Imprenditori Italiani nel mondo ieri eoggi, Milan: Libri Scheiwiller, 1996. Canada: Le nuove frontiere della farmacologia di Dott. Francesco Bellini»
1996 – Award of Distinction Concordia University Faculty of Commerce and Administration – Montreal, Canada
1997 – Imprenditore dell’anno-Premio International Ernst & Young «Camera di Commercio di Milano di Unioncamere»
