Adar Poonawalla - Vaccine Prince of India

India’s biotechnology industry is moving towards new leaps and bounds keeping with the pace of global development. The main concentration of the biotech industry is biopharmaceuticals as India is one of the largest manufacturers of generic drugs.

Adar Poonawalla one of the leading businessmen of India and the chief executing officer at Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturing company has revolutionized the way of manufacturing drugs and vaccines. Adar Poonawalla is also a big philanthropist, recently featured in Forbes Asia’s heroes list.

Adar Poonawalla– Biography
Personal Life of Adar Poonawalla
Career of Adar Poonawalla
About Serum Institute of India
Philanthropy work by Adar Poonawalla
Awards & Recognition of Adar Poonawalla
FAQ

Adar Poonawalla– Biography

Personal Life of Adar Poonawalla

Adar Poonawalla was born in Pune and did his early schooling at the Bishop’s School in Pune. He was then sent to St. Edmunds School, Canterbury where he completed his higher secondary education. To complete his bachelor’s degree in polytechnic he went to the University of Westminster In London. Returning he joined his father’s company.

In 2005 he met Natasha Poonawalla at a New Year party which was hosted by Mr. Vijay Mallya in Goa. The two struck together and fell in love. The couple got married in 2006 and have two children Cyrus and Darius Poonawalla.

Career of Adar Poonawalla

In 2001, when Adar Graduated from the University of Westminister, London he joined the Serum Institute of India. At that time his company was exporting its products to 35 countries, Adar having the vision to expand the company’s international market he focused upon the licensing of drugs and getting pre-qualified by the World Health Organization (WHO) to supply for United Nations Agencies including UNICEF and PAHO.

In 2011 Adar became the CEO of Serum Institute of India and with sheer will and to make a prominent position in the biopharmaceutical company he acquired Bilthoven Biochemicals, a Netherlands-based government vaccine manufacturing company. He also launched the oral polio vaccine which was the best seller of the company in 2014.

By his reach, he expanded his exports from 35 countries to 140 countries by 2015. Adar also included vaccines for Dengue, Flu, and cervical cancer in its company portfolio. He also acquired Praha Vaccine Limited in 2017.

Adar is not only a member of Serum Institute but also a board member of the GAVI alliance, which stands for the Global Vaccine Alliance. It was a big position to stand in such a short period. He is one of India’s leading and influential people.

About Serum Institute of India

Serum Institute of India is a biotech and biopharma firm. Founded by Mr. Cyrus Poonawalla in 1966 which now is the biggest vaccine manufacturing company in the world in terms of the number of doses. The Company was recognized after they began developing an Intranasal Swine Flu Vaccine in 2009.

The company initially faced many ups and downs but after working under the guidance of Adar Poonawalla company has been recognized all over the world. The products made here include the tuberculosis vaccine Tubervac (BCG), Poliovac for poliomyelitis, and other vaccinations for the childhood vaccination schedule.

Serum Institute is presently providing the Covid-19 vaccines all over the world with the name of Covisheild. It is reported that Serum Institute will provide 100 million doses of the vaccine to India and other low and Middle income developing countries.

Philanthropy work by Adar Poonawalla

Along with being a successful businessman, Adar Poonawalla has been a big philanthropist too. He is one of the leading philanthropists of Pune, also featured in the Forbes philanthropy list of Asia’s Heroes.

Adar established The Villoo Poonawalla Foundation in 2012 in memory of his mother. The main objective was to make top healthcare services affordable to help low-income families.

Along with healthcare, they focus on educational space by educating over 49,000 students through their elementary schools. The chairperson of Villoo Foundation is Natasha Poonawalla.

Adar being in the pharmacy industry knows the value of proper sanitization and cleanliness thus has a goal to enhance the overall quality of life. He has pledged INR 1.5 crores to clean up the Pune city with a fleet of 50 Garbage trucks and a crew of 70 people to complete the job.

He has also installed water ATM’s in the city to provide safe drinking water. He donates approximately 20% of the wealth of his income to the Villoo Foundation and has a lot of fame in the Parsi Community for his philanthropy.

Awards & Recognition of Adar Poonawalla

2016: He was awarded the Philanthropist of the year by the GQ magazine.

2017: Humanitarian Endeavour Award in the Hall of Fame Awards and also Indian of the Year in CSR Business Category on CNN-News-18

2018: ET Edge Maharashtra Achievers Awards of Business Leader of the Year which was given by former CM Devendra Fadnavis. Also awarded with CNBC Asia's award for Corporate Social Responsibility

2021: Entrepreneur of the Year by Economic Times for manufacturing of Covishield

Adar Poonawalla has been a very successful businessman and also a true achiever who is expanding his reach by pure talent and diligence. He has helped the nation to grow and worked towards the economic development of India. Being a drug maker and saving people’s lives with his medicines he is the actual vaccine prince of India.

FAQ

What is the net worth of Adar Poonawalla?

The net worth of Adar Poonawalla is $12 billion.

Who is the father of Adar Poonawalla?

Cyrus S. Poonawalla is the father of Adar Poonawalla.

What is the age of Adar Poonawalla?

Adar Poonawalla was born on 14 January 1981 and is 40 years old.