London-area Investor Faces Potential Loss in Biotech Investment Amid OSC Investigation

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:12:00 +0200

Don Vanhevel, a businessman from Arva, Ontario, fears he may have lost nearly $450,000 invested in Vancouver-based Qu Biologics Inc. His investments began in 2013 after attending a meeting hosted by Robert Freeman, a Thorndale businessman who now faces charges from the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) for allegedly breaching securities rules. The OSC alleges Freeman sold $4.8 million in shares to 190 investors without proper authorization, sometimes selling his own shares without disclosure. Vanhevel initially invested over $200,000 in Qu Biologics shares and continued purchasing over the years, trusting in Freeman's updates and reassurances about the company’s promising clinical trials. However, setbacks in trials, including a failed immune response study, and layoffs of Qu Biologics staff further weakened investor confidence. Freeman has stated he still believes in the company's treatments but sold some shares to cover loans. The OSC has the authority to return funds to harmed inv