Cyrus Poonawalla's Biography

Cyrus S. Poonawalla, often hailed as the 'Vaccine King,' is a renowned Indian billionaire businessman and philanthropist. Born on May 11, 1941, in Pune, India, he is best known as the founder and chairman of Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by doses produced and sold globally. With a vision to provide affordable vaccines, Poonawalla established the Serum Institute in 1966, revolutionizing access to life-saving immunizations in India and across the globe. Under his leadership, the company played a pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic by producing millions of doses of crucial vaccines. He is a recipient of numerous awards, including the Padma Shri and an honorary doctorate from the University of Oxford. Poonawalla’s business acumen extends beyond pharmaceuticals to finance, horse breeding, and philanthropy. Despite occasional controversies, such as debates over vaccine export during the pandemic, his contributions to global health remain unparalleled. With a current net worth of $24 billion, Cyrus Poonawalla stands as a symbol of innovation, social responsibility, and entrepreneurial success in the healthcare sector. His legacy continues through family involvement in the business and his philanthropic initiatives aimed at improving public health and education.