Peter Besler

Peter Besler (b. October 5, 1963) is an investment banker residing in Toronto, Canada. Born in Waterloo, Ontario, Peter is known for raising public funds in order to finance Canadian companies conducting research into the treatment of serious and terminal illnesses. Since 1986, his efforts have benefited numerous biotechnology and medical research companies conducting pre-clinical and phase I , II, and III human clinical trials.

Areas of medical research which have received financing through Peter Besler's efforts include, scleroderma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, prostate cancer, breast cancer and multiple sclerosis. Peter has directed his support towards researchers with promising results who no longer are receiving research grants from charitable organizations. "It is surprising to the public that most advanced research into treatments for serious illnesses is not funded by charities nor governments. Private investors are often the only source available to companies seeking to cover the enormous funding costs associated with clinical trials." Besler has stated.

After starting out as a co-op chemistry student at University of Waterloo in 1982, Besler grew concerned that scientific research in Canada was inadequately funded. He co-led the Progressive Conservative Party Campus Youth in 1983. Switching his area of study, he graduated with a degree in Economics in 1986. Shortly after graduation, he moved to Toronto and studied investment banking under the auspices of Gerzon Taichman. In 1994, Besler traveled to China with the purpose of establishing in-vitro fertilization clinics with researchers from Cornell University. In 2001, Besler became aware of promising research conducted by Dr. Ingrid Katz into a treatment for multiple sclerosis at the University of Edmonton. In 2003, he was instrumental in obtaining the financing required to receive Health Canada approval for advancing this research through phase II human clinical trials.

Besler is involved in philanthropic and volunteer work for several Canadian charitable organizations together with his wife Zheng.