In recognition of a lifetime dedicated to humanity and ensuring the good health of future generations billionaire Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, founder chairman of the Poona based Serum Institute of India (SII), was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award at the CNBC-TV18 India Business Leader Awards 2024 on December 7, 2024.
Poonawalla’s vision of health for all by 2000 AD was realized through the national program of immunization. The government of India honored him with the Padma Shri in 2005 followed by the Padma Bhushan in 2022.
Dr Cyrus Poonawalla (r) receiving award from Piyush Goyal
Not only is SII India’s leading biotech company, it’s the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by volume, having produced over 1.3 billion doses. About 65% of the children in the world are administered at least one vaccine manufactured by the SII, a fulfillment of Poonawalla’s dream dating back to 1966 — to ensure that every child should have a healthy childhood, at an affordable price.
Two years after it began operations, SII launched its first therapeutic anti-tetanus serum. Over the next half century many life-saving vaccines have been produced which are used in over 140 countries.
Poonawalla’s efforts have resulted in Indians having access to affordable life-saving vaccines. The country first became self-sufficient in tetanus anti-toxin and anti-snake venom serum, followed by the DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis) group of vaccines, the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) group of vaccines and the polio vaccine.
As a result of Poonawalla’s focus on quality and innovation, SII has accreditations with global organizations like the World Health Organisation, and collaborations with international agencies like PATH, an international global health nonprofit organization and the National Institute of Health, world’s foremost medical research centers, to develop vaccines to protect against Meningococcal A, H1N1 Influenza, Rotavirus and even Coronavirus.
Poonawalla and his son Adar have also been involved in the Parsi community and local welfare projects.
Sherene Vakil