Kallam Anji Reddy, Pharmaceutical Entrepreneur
Pharmaceutical Entrepreneur

Kallam Anji Reddy

Born 10 June 1940 · Andhra Pradesh — Died 15 March 2013

Founded Dr. Reddy's Laboratories in 1984, pioneering affordable generic medicines in India.

Kallam Anji Reddy was an Indian entrepreneur in the pharmaceutical industry, the founder-chairman of Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, which he established in 1984, and chairman of Dr Reddy's Foundation (DRF), the corporate social responsibility arm of the group, established 1996. He was a member of the Indian Prime Minister's Council on Trade and Industry.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Dr. Anji Reddy deliberately located his research labs next to his grape garden to create a serene environment for scientists, blending nature with innovation.

The Story

1
In 1984, in Hyderabad, Dr. Kallam Anji Reddy founded Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, aiming to produce affordable medicines by leveraging India's 1970 Patents Act, focusing initially on cost-efficient bulk drug manufacturing.
2
🌍 By 1987, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories became the first Indian company to export an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (Methyldopa) to the United States, marking a breakthrough in global pharma exports.
3In 1996, he established Dr. Reddy's Foundation to empower disadvantaged youth through education and skill development, extending his vision beyond pharmaceuticals to social upliftment.
4🎓 Dr. Reddy earned his PhD in chemical engineering in 1969 from the National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, under L.K. Doraiswamy, laying the scientific foundation for his pharmaceutical innovations.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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Dr. Reddy attributed his inspiration to the 1969 moon landing, believing that 'nothing is impossible in science for a prepared mind with a dream and passion to achieve it.'

🖼️

Through the Years

1 photograph from the archives
Kallam Anji Reddy addressing at Patent Symposium at GIM (2005)
Kallam Anji Reddy addressing at Patent Symposium at GIM (2005)
2005

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Birth in Tadepalli, Andhra Pradesh
Kallam Anji Reddy was born into a farming family in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, where his father made herbal medicines distributed free locally.
1941
📚
Education
BSc from A.C. College, Guntur
Completed Bachelor of Science degree marking the start of his scientific education journey.
1958
📚
Education
PhD in Chemical Engineering
Earned PhD from National Chemical Laboratory, Pune under L.K. Doraiswamy, specializing in chemical engineering.
1969
⚡
Career
Founded Dr. Reddy's Laboratories
In Hyderabad, he established the company focused on affordable medicines and domestic API manufacturing.
1984
⚡
Career
First Indian API export to the US
Exported Methyldopa to the United States, opening new international markets for Indian pharma.
1987
⚡
Career
Founded Dr. Reddy's Foundation
Initiated CSR efforts focusing on education and skill development for disadvantaged youth.
1996
⚡
Career
Listed on NYSE and launched biosimilar
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories went public on New York Stock Exchange and launched Grafeel, a biosimilar drug.
2001
🕊️
Death
Passed away in Hyderabad
Died of cancer at Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad, ending a transformative career in Indian pharma.
2013
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In 1987, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories became the first Indian company to export an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) to the United States, breaking global barriers in pharma exports.

02 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

Dr. Reddy’s Foundation, started in 1996, began as an initiative to provide skill-based education to disadvantaged youth, long before CSR became mainstream in India.

03 / 04
🔍LESSER KNOWN

Despite the 1998 Russian financial crisis, Dr. Reddy chose to stay invested in Russia, which later became a major growth market for the company, reflecting his risk tolerance and vision.

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“If the world’s burden of disease is to be diminished, it needs science that is both good and cost-effective. India has the potential to deliver on science that is both.”

— Kallam Anji Reddy

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
EP3 | Visionaries of Indian Pharma/Biotech Industry | Kallam Anji Reddy | Dr. Reddy's
More from this archive
EP3 | Visionaries of Indian Pharma/Biotech Industry | Kallam Anji Reddy | Dr. Reddy's
01
EP3 | Visionaries of Indian Pharma/Biotech Industry | Kallam Anji Reddy | Dr. Reddy's
Dr. Anji Reddy (Part 1) Chairman Dr. Reddy's Labarotaries
02
Dr. Anji Reddy (Part 1) Chairman Dr. Reddy's Labarotaries
Dr. Anji Reddy (Part 2) Chairman Dr. Reddy's Labarotaries
03
Dr. Anji Reddy (Part 2) Chairman Dr. Reddy's Labarotaries
Added Value: Dr Anji Reddy of Dr Reddy's Laboratories
04
Added Value: Dr Anji Reddy of Dr Reddy's Laboratories
Dr. Kallam Anji Reddy's Memorial Lecture
05
Dr. Kallam Anji Reddy's Memorial Lecture
Dr. Reddy's Labs Founder Chairman Anji Reddy success - TV5
06
Dr. Reddy's Labs Founder Chairman Anji Reddy success - TV5
Dr. Anji Reddy
07
Dr. Anji Reddy

🌱 What changed because of them

Dr. Kallam Anji Reddy reshaped the Indian pharmaceutical industry by pioneering affordable generic drug production under the 1970 Patents Act, enabling Indian companies to export globally. His establishment of Dr. Reddy's Foundation in 1996 institutionalized corporate social responsibility focused on education and skill development for disadvantaged youth, influencing CSR models in India’s corporate sector. His advocacy and leadership helped shape national policies on patent laws and drug pricing, fostering a more competitive and accessible drug market.

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