- Full Name: Cyrus Poonawalla
- Real-Time Net Worth : $20.2 billion
- World Ranking : #81
- Net Worth : $22.6 billion
- Age: 82
- Source of Wealth: Vaccines
- Residence: Pune, India
- Citizenship: Indian
- Marital Status: Widowed
- Children: 1
- Education: Bachelor of Arts/Science and Doctorate from Pune University
- Notable Achievement: Conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Science by the University of Oxford in the U.K.
Cyrus Poonawalla is a highly influential figure in the global healthcare industry, renowned for his role in vaccine manufacturing. Born into a family with a background in horse breeding, he embarked on a remarkable journey that led to the founding and expansion of the Serum Institute of India, ultimately becoming the world’s largest vaccine producer in terms of doses. Here’s a comprehensive look at his life and achievements:
Early Life and Background
- Cyrus Poonawalla, the son of a horse breeder, was born and raised in India.
- Despite his humble beginnings, he embarked on a journey that would leave an indelible mark on the healthcare industry.
Entrepreneurial Journey
- In 1966, Cyrus Poonawalla founded the Serum Institute of India, a pivotal moment that marked the beginning of his journey in vaccine manufacturing.
- Serum Institute has since grown exponentially and is renowned for producing over 1.5 billion vaccine doses annually. These vaccines encompass a wide range of diseases, including measles, polio, and influenza.
COVID-19 Response
- Under the leadership of his U.K.-educated son, Adar Poonawalla, who serves as the CEO of Serum, the company invested a substantial $800 million to construct a cutting-edge facility dedicated to the production of COVID-19 vaccines.
- Serum Institute played a pivotal role in multiple COVID-19 vaccine partnerships and is a major producer of Covishield, a vaccine developed in collaboration with AstraZeneca and Oxford University.
Diversified Portfolio
- In addition to his healthcare ventures, Cyrus Poonawalla holds a significant stake in Poonawalla Fincorp, a publicly-listed financial services firm.
Notable Recognition
- Cyrus Poonawalla was honored with the prestigious Doctor of Science degree by the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.
- His son, Adar Poonawalla, is recognized for his philanthropic contributions and was featured in Forbes Asia’s Heroes of Philanthropy list. Adar is also actively involved as a brand ambassador for the Indian government’s ‘Clean India’ mission.
Cyrus Poonawalla’s journey from modest beginnings to becoming a pivotal figure in global healthcare is a testament to his entrepreneurial vision and unwavering commitment to public health. The Serum Institute’s contributions to vaccine production, particularly amid the COVID
