Canadian billionaire and wife found dead

Honey and Barry Sherman. Photo: The Globe and Mail via Reuters
Honey and Barry Sherman. Photo: The Globe and Mail via Reuters

The billionaire founder of a Canadian pharmaceutical firm Apotex Inc and his wife have been found dead in their Toronto home under circumstances police described as "suspicious."

Police told reporters on Friday they were investigating the deaths after finding Barry and Honey Sherman in their northeast Toronto home when responding to a medical call just before noon (local time).

"The circumstances of their death appear suspicious and we are treating it that way," Constable David Hopkinson said.

Sherman founded Apotex in 1974, a company the firm says is now the world's No 7 generic drugmaker. He stepped down as chief executive in 2012, but stayed on as executive chairman.

"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.

Privately held Apotex says it is the largest Canadian-owned pharmaceutical firm, with annual sales of more than $C2 billion ($NZ2.2 billion).

Ontario's health minister, Eric Hoskins, described the couple in a tweet as "wonderful human beings, incredible philanthropists, great leaders in healthcare."