Former CEO, QLT | UBC Professor Emerita
Dr. Julia Levy was a pioneering Canadian scientist, educator, and entrepreneur whose contributions transformed the fields of biotechnology and ophthalmology. After earning her undergraduate degree from the University of British Columbia and completing her PhD at the University of London at just 23, she returned to UBC and became the first woman appointed as a professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Her groundbreaking career opened doors for generations of women in science and business.
In 1981, Dr. Levy co-founded QLT Inc., a biotechnology company that became a global leader in photodynamic therapy. She served as Chief Scientific Officer and later as Chief Executive Officer, guiding QLT through the discovery and regulatory approval of Visudyne, a revolutionary treatment for age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness among the elderly. Visudyne’s success marked one of Canada’s greatest biotechnology achievements, improving the lives of thousands worldwide.
Dr. Levy was deeply committed to mentorship and community. While leading QLT, she fostered an environment that valued collaboration and learning. In retirement, she continued to mentor young entrepreneurs through the Creative Destruction Lab at UBC’s Sauder School of Business, helping to shape the next generation of life science innovators.
Her accomplishments earned her numerous honours, including appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada, membership in the Royal Society of Canada, and recognition as Pacific Canada Entrepreneur of the Year. She received the BC Life Sciences Lifetime Achievement Award, the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award, the Helen Keller Award for Contributions to Vision, and nine honorary degrees. Chairs of Ophthalmology at both Johns Hopkins University and the University of British Columbia are named in her honour.
Dr. Levy also served on the boards of many companies and charitable organizations, including her family’s philanthropic initiative, The ILLAHIE Foundation. Her legacy continues to inspire those dedicated to advancing science, innovation, and compassion in the service of humanity.