" It was a dream.
It was not a plan on the
drawing board, no.
But it was a dream."
Dr. Kallam Anji Reddy, a scientist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, is known for his efforts to make medicines more affordable for patients worldwide. His passion for drug discovery and his pioneering role in India's active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) industry have had a lasting impact.
Born in Tadepalli Village, Andhra Pradesh, in a farming family, Dr. Anji Reddy was influenced by his father, who made and distributed herbal pills to those in need. His commitment to science, innovation, and public service continues to guide Dr. Reddy's Laboratories in its mission.
Building on his strong foundation in science, Dr. Anji Reddy completed his B.Sc. Tech degree at the University Department of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, and went on to earn a doctorate in Chemical Engineering from the National Chemical Laboratory, Pune. His career began with six years at the state-owned Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd (IDPL), where his experiences sparked his entrepreneurial ambitions.
In 1973, Dr. Anji Reddy left IDPL and, over the next decade, co-founded two bulk drug manufacturing ventures. In 1984, he collaborated with two technocrat-entrepreneurs to establish Dr. Reddy's Laboratories and Cheminor Drugs, another bulk drug manufacturing company. From the very beginning, Dr. Anji Reddy recognised that for medicines to truly make an impact, they needed to be both affordable and accessible. He envisioned bringing molecules to India at prices that the common man could afford.
Dr. Anji Reddy’s efforts to help others extended beyond his professional work. In addition to supporting a hospital for the elderly, he established the Dr. Reddy's Foundation for Human and Social Development in 1995, with the aim of contributing to social well-being. In 1997, an article in a prominent magazine that highlighted India’s poverty and widening wealth gap deeply moved him. He recognised that limited livelihood opportunities were a key factor contributing to poverty and began to support initiatives aimed at addressing this need. Under his guidance, programmes like the Child and Police Project and the Livelihood Advancement Business School were created to help make a positive difference in people’s lives.
Dr. Anji Reddy’s passion for drug discovery remained his 'unfinished agenda.' He firmly believed that identifying unique opportunities would set Dr. Reddy's Laboratories apart as a discovery-led company. This vision continues to guide us as we strive to meet the unmet needs of patients worldwide and build a future-forward business.
Even towards the end of his life, Dr. Anji Reddy stayed committed to this passion, going so far as to establish a separate company using his own funds. For him, it was not only the drive for innovation that mattered but also the firm belief that medicines should be affordable to all.
The Dr. Anji Reddy Memorial Lecture is an annual series focused on 'Science, Society, Sustainability.' Instituted in 2023, it honours our founder Dr. K. Anji Reddy’s passion for deep science. The event brings together distinguished scientists from both industry and academia. The series has been graced by luminaries from the world of science, including Nobel Laureates.
In his lecture entitled ‘RNA and the Origin of Life,’ Professor Szostak highlighted the RNA molecule's dual role as a villain, seen in the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and a savior, as seen in the mRNA vaccine. He further discussed his lab's current research on the transition from chemical to biological evolution on the planet Earth in its earliest days.
Prof. Yonath spoke on the topic ‘From origin of life to future antibiotics and genetic diseases’. She explained her 2009 Chemistry Nobel-winning work on the structure of ribosomes and the protoribosome concept, which may open new avenues in designing next-generation antibiotics and in tackling antibiotic resistance.
