Cyrus Poonawalla
Chairman and MD, Cyrus Poonawalla GroupBirth Details1941
NationalityIndian
LeagueBusiness Leader
EducationB Com, BMCC; PhD, Pune University
Net Worth$11.8 billion (As of July 31, 2020)
Cyrus Poonawalla's Assets:
Cyrus Poonawalla's Journey so far ...
Before you go ...
- Cyrus Poonawalla Group
Cyrus Poonawalla's Journey so far ...
- Cyrus Poonawalla went to The Bishop’s School in Pune and graduated from the Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce in 1966. He later got a doctorate from Pune University
- He was born in a family that had interest in horse racing and owned the famous Poonawalla Stud Farms, established in 1946, where only thoroughbred horses are bred. Poonawalla soon realised that horse racing had no future in India at that time, and decided to build sports cars with his schoolmate. Their prototype was modelled on the D-type Jaguar; since the car cost around $120, they decided to abandon the idea
- As many vaccines are made from horse serum, a meeting with a veterinary doctor led him to manufacture vaccines. He decided to extract serum from the horses that he bred and make cheap vaccines
- Poonawalla started the Serum Institute of India (SII) in 1966, and, within two years, he launched the anti-tetanus vaccine
- Under his guidance, the Serum Institute launched the DPT vaccine in 1974 that protects children against Diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus. In 1981, the institute launched anti-snake-venom serum for snakebites and by the 1980s, India became self-sufficient in DPT vaccine owing to the production from the institute
- Serum Institute under Poonawalla launched the measles vaccine in 1989 and slowly built a vaccine empire with the launch of doses for flu, hepatitis, mumps, rubella, BCG and polio
- With his mission "Health for all by 2000 AD", the institute started mass-producing vaccines both for India and other countries. Currently, over 170 countries use the vaccines produced by the institute
- In 1994, the Serum Institute was recognised by reputed world bodies like WHO, UNICEF and PAHO and is currently the world's largest vaccine manufacturer and produced over 1.5 billion doses. The institute's vaccine has vaccinated half of the world's children
- In early 2021, the Government of India cleared SII’s coronavirus vaccine ‘Covishield’ for use in the country. SII became one of the first coronavirus vaccine makers in the world
Before you go ...
- The Government of India awarded him with the Padmashree in 2005 for his contribution to the field of medicine
- The University of Oxford awarded him with an honorary Doctor of Science in 2019
Last Updated: 12/02/2021
Cyrus Poonawalla News
- ET Awards: Cyrus Poonawalla reflects on SII’s mission of affordable vaccines and saving lives worldwideCyrus Poonawalla began Serum Institute of India in 1966 with a goal to make India self-reliant in healthcare. His vision was to provide affordable vaccines and save lives. The institute has since become a global leader, supplying vaccines to over 100 countries. It played a crucial role during the Covid-19 pandemic. Poonawalla hopes his son Adar will continue this mission.
- Poonawalla's clear shot at access for all via route socialCyrus S Poonawalla, chairman of Serum Institute of India, has created a legacy where business and social impact go hand in hand. His vaccines have saved over 30 million lives worldwide. The institute's founding values of affordability, quality, and access continue to guide its global efforts. The Villoo Poonawalla Foundation also drives philanthropy in healthcare, education, and community development.
- Funding for innovations key for India to remain vaccine leader: Cyrus PoonawallaSpeaking to ET after receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for 2025 as part of the ET Awards for Corporate Excellence, Cyrus Poonawalla, founder and managing director, Serum Institute of India, stressed on the need for greater investments in R&D, accelerated regulatory approvals and making supply chains stronger to help retain India's global leadership position in vaccines.
- ET Awards for Corporate Excellence 2025: Cyrus Poonawalla honoured with 'Lifetime Achievement Award'Serum Institute of India, founded by Cyrus Poonawalla, has significantly impacted global public health by providing affordable vaccines to low- and middle-income countries for over six decades. The company's commitment to quality and affordability, exemplified by its role in the COVID-19 pandemic with Covishield, has saved millions of lives and positioned it as a leader in vaccine manufacturing.
- Poonawalla Fincorp enters consumer durables loans market to accelerate growth and expand retail reachPoonawalla Fincorp has entered the consumer durables loan market, introducing a digital EMI card to simplify purchases. This move aims to rapidly expand its retail business and boost profitability by leveraging digital onboarding and point-of-sale loans.
- Poonawalla Fincorp appoints Fiserv's Salil Hajarnis as CTOPoonawalla Fincorp appointed Salil Hajarnis as its new Chief Technology Officer, effective December 10, 2024. Hajarnis brings over 20 years of experience in technology leadership, including roles at Fiserv and Capgemini. He will spearhead the company's digital transformation and AI initiatives to enhance customer experiences and drive innovation in the NBFC sector.
- Poonawalla Fincorp Q4 Results: Profit jumps 67% YoY to Rs 332 crorePoonawalla Fincorp on Monday reported a 67 per cent jump in consolidated net profit to Rs 332 crore in the March quarter. The company had posted a net profit of Rs 199 crore during the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year.
- Sharad Pawar advocates Bharat Ratna for SII founder Cyrus PoonawallaNCP chief Sharad Pawar has proposed Cyrus Poonawalla, the founder of the Serum Institute of India (SII), for the prestigious Bharat Ratna award, praising his contributions to the vaccine sector. Pawar presented Poonawalla with the Late Mohan Dharia Nation Building Award, highlighting SII's global vaccine impact. Former CM Prithviraj Chavan joined Pawar in lauding Poonawalla's humanitarian efforts and affordable vaccine pricing, suggesting his eligibility for the Bharat Ratna.
- Cyrus Poonawalla suffers cardiac arrest, stable after angioplastyPoonawalla, 82, suffered cardiac arrest on Thursday. Dr Purvez Grant, a cardiologist from Ruby Hall Clinic said, "Cyrus Poonawalla suffered mild cardiac arrest and is recovering fast." Ali Daruwala, advisor of the hospital, said in a statement, "Dr Cyrus Poonawalla suffered mild cardiac arrest on November 16 and was admitted to the Ruby Hall Clinic early morning on Friday."
- Poonawalla Fincorp gets RBI nod to issue credit cards with IndusInd BankPoonawalla Fincorp received RBI's approval to issue co-branded credit cards with IndusInd Bank, the company said in a press release on Tuesday. The partnership will enable the company to usher in a new age of flexible and versatile retail credit, said the company in a statement.
- Sharad Pawar missed chances to become PM twice, he should retire now as he is ageing: Cyrus Poonawalla"My advice to Sharad Pawar... He had two opportunities to become the PM but he lost them. He is a clever person. He could have served well (as PM) but those chances are gone. I am also getting older and he is also ageing and therefore he should retire," said Poonawalla.
- Not NSE. This vaccine maker is India's most valuable unlisted company: Burgundy Private-HurunSerum Institute's valuation was pegged at Rs 1.92 lakh crore, followed by NSE at Rs 1.65 lakh crore.
- India's top billionaires become poorer, except this Pune-based tycoonCyrus Poonawalla gained this much wealth in 2022. Gautam Adani lost $28 billion wealth over the last one year, according to Hurun Global Rich list, 2023.
- How Indian billionaires’ rich-list ranking and wealth have changed over last 10 years>> For more such web stories click on the ET icon below
- Cyrus Poonawalla is world's richest healthcare billionaireFor more such web stories click on the ET icon below.
- Poonawalla Fincorp CEO Vijay Deshwal steps down; to take up new role in Cyrus Poonawalla Group"Consequently, he has stepped down as the CEO of the Company and ceases to be a Key Managerial Personnel of the Company from the close of business hours of 4 March 2022," the company said in a regulatory filing.
- SII makes available vaccines at price of 'cup of tea' to poor nations, says Cyrus PoonawallaPoonawalla was speaking at the Pune International Business Summit, organised by the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA), where he was felicitated for receiving the Padma Bhushan Award.
- Padma Bhushan to Satya Nadella, Sundar Pichai, N ChandrasekaranThe Padma Bhushan is India's third-highest civilian award behind the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan.
- Top 10 in Forbes India rich listFor more such web stories click on the ET icon below
- No talk of Covid booster shots yet, plan to jab adult population first: Niti Aayog member VK PaulIn response to the chairman of the Serum Institute of India, Cyrus Poonawalla, emphasising the necessity for a third or booster dosage of Covishield vaccine six months after the second treatment, Paul stated that only a few countries around the world had begun with booster doses.
- Indians may need a third dose of vaccine, Serum Chairman Cyrus Poonawalla saysLast week, Poonawalla advised against mixing of vaccines, arguing that no large study had been done to prove better efficacy of a cocktail of a first dose of a vaccine followed by a second dose of another vaccine.
- Mix Covid vaccines only if the second dose of the same jab not available: Serum Chairman Cyrus PoonawallaSerum Institute of India (SII) chairman Cyrus Poonawalla said on Friday that he was against mixing of Covid-19 vaccines, arguing that no large study had been done to prove better efficacy of a cocktail of a first dose of a vaccine followed by a second dose of another vaccine.
- SII chairman Cyrus Poonawalla says booster dose of Covishield desirable"After six months, the antibodies go down and that is why I have taken the third dose. We have given the third dose to our seven to eight thousand SII employees. For those who have completed the second dose, it is my request to take a booster dose (third dose) after six months," he said.
- Serum Institute's Cyrus Poonawalla says mixing vaccine is a bad, bad ideaIf anything misfires, "Serum will say that the other vaccine as not good and they (other vaccine company) will blame us claiming there was an issue with our vaccine," he said.
- ET Awards: Adar Poonawalla, doing India proud with a small jab, and a big gambleVaccine development perils are well known and most companies that embark on the task usually take at least five years to come out with one. The pandemic, however, changed that and Poonawalla’s bet has given the world a much-needed shot of hope.
- Wealth amassed by 100 richest Indians during pandemic can give 13.8 cr poorest Rs 94k each: OxfamThe latest India supplement of the Oxfam report 'The Inequality Virus' said it would take an unskilled worker 10,000 years to make what businessman Mukesh Ambani made in an hour during the pandemic and three years to make what he made in a second.
- The 7 billionaires who added $64 billion to their wealth in the Covid yearMukesh Ambani, the richest Indian, has added $18.1 billion to his fortunes, which stood at $76.7 billion at last count. He was worth $58.6 billion at the end of last year.
- Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute, named 'Asian of the Year' with 6 othersSII has collaborated with Oxford University and AstraZeneca for making the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Serum Institute looking for a $1 billion shot to fight covid, talks on with Blackstone, KKR and othersThe company, privately owned by Cyrus Poonawalla and his son Adar Poonawalla, plans to float a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for its vaccine candidates, ET has learnt. The amount raised would go to this entity and not to SII. The company expects to close the fundraising exercise by September.
- Serum Institute founder Cyrus Poonawalla to keep some vaccine aside for ParsisThe newsletter, Parsi Junction, reported that Poonawalla acceded to the request of former Bombay Parsi Panchayat (BBP) chairman Dinshaw Rusi Mehta, who asked for reserving atleast 60,000 vials for the Parsi community in the first batch.
- Cyrus Poonawalla enters top 100 rich-list, his wealth grows fifth fastest in the world during coronavirus pandemicThe Serum boss climbed 57 places to be the 86th richest person in the world.
- U Gro Capital redeems Sachin Bansal’s NCDs ahead of scheduleThe redemption has come ahead of maturity at a time when most NBFCs are struggling with liquidity stress, U Gro Capital said in a statement.
- Serum eyes Rs 10,000 crore revenues by 2022, unveils new vaccinesThe company is also developing vaccine and drug for dengue fever. It has commenced first phase of trials in Singapore and hopes to launch vaccine in 2020.
- When Cyrus Poonawalla spent £32,500 for a pencil portrait of Gandhi at a UK auctionThe rare portrait by John Henry Amshewitz was originally valued at an estimate of £8,000-12,000.
- When Amitabh Bachchan donated to save Zoroastrian cultureThe museum houses portraits, textiles, porcelain, furniture, and manuscripts dating back to 2000 BC, and is likely to open to the public this year.
- When Sachin Tendulkar inaugurated a hospitaldedicated to Cyrus Poonawalla’s late wifePoonawalla has often spoken about this hospital as a dream project.
- Iconic Madras Race Club searches for successor of India’s oldest horse-racing clubSeveral names are cropping up as contenders, including Ramaswamy’s disowned foster son MAMR Muthiah and Chettinad heir Karti, son of former FM P Chidambaram.
- Action packed: Rana Kapoor, Raghuram Rajan, Vidyasagar Rao seen at Yes Bank International Polo CupSpotted at the event were Rana Kapoor, Suresh Tapuriah, Namita Vikas, K P Bakshi, Amruta Patki, among others.
- From Mukesh Ambani to Uday Kotak, India's top honchos attend reception for Abu Dhabi's crown princeReception for the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, by the UAE ambassador was attended by nearly 100 Indian businessmen.
- Horsing around: Cyrus Poonawalla upset over lack of Indian participation in Asian Racing ConferenceChief organiser for the event, Poonawalla isn't too pleased with the participation of only 20 Indian trainers, jockeys and, owners.
- What Asia’s billionaires bought in 2015 from mansions to monetsThe family led by Indian billionaire patriarch Cyrus Poonawalla, chairman of Serum Institute of India Ltd., paid $120 million for a Mumbai mansion as a weekend home.
- Is real estate the best investment class?If you dig deeper, you will find that return from real estate is not spectacular. In the long term, stocks may churn out higher returns.
- Defence ministry stalls transfer of Lincoln House, purchased by Cyrus PoonawallaThe defence ministry has blocked the transaction of Lincoln House, the property at Breach Candy purchased by industrialist Cyrus Poonawalla.
- Billionaire Cyrus Poonawalla to let Lincoln House keep its nameA month after Lincoln House was bought by the Pune-based industrialist, the buzz over what he intends to do with the property has not subsided.
- Cipla ties up with Serum Institute to sell vaccines in South AfricaCipla said it had agreed to an exclusive deal with Serum Institute to supply vaccines to South Africa, adding a new market to their partnership in India and Europe.
- India's super rich like KM Birla, Cyrus Poonawalla, Godrej strike realty deals in sluggish property marketBirla, Poonawalla, Godrej and others paying stratospheric prices for these iconic properties are buying them for private use.
- At Rs 750 crore, Lincoln House sold below reserve priceRestriction on redevelopment and uncertainty over other approvals have led to the US consulates' South Mumbai property, Lincoln House at Breach Candy, being finally sold about Rs 100 crore below its initial reserve price of Rs 850 crore.
- Cyrus Poonawalla buys iconic Lincoln House in Mumbai for Rs 750 croreThough Grade-III heritage properties are open for redevelopment now, sources said Poonawalla wants to use the Lincoln House as a family residence.
- Selfie fever at this polo matchPolo match selfies ruled the sidelines of the India ARC vs Argentina Arandu match for the YES Bank Polo Cup.
- Sahara Hotel fight: Poonawalla competes with Qatari group and Sultan of BruneiThe Grosvenor House, a 494-room luxury hotel that was built in 1929, was the first of Sahara’s international acquisitions.
- Sea-facing Worli flat goes at Rs 1.23L/sq ft, the costliest in the countryThe deal overrode the Rs 1.2 lakh psf paid for a luxury apartment in Tahnee Heights on Nepean Sea Road in June 2012.
- India's billionaire wealth much above country's fiscal deficitAs per the annual list of world's billionaires, published by business magazine Forbes, India has 55 billionaires with a total networth of $189.1 billion.
- Suzlon bags 21 MW order from Serum InstituteSuzlon Energy today said it has won an order from Serum Institute of India to supply 10 turbines of 2.1 MW capacity each for captive consumption.
- Poonawalla ups stake in Orchid ChemicalsPune-based high net worth individual and race horse enthusiast Cyrus Poonawalla has increased his stake in Chennai-based Orchid Chemicals.
- Top industrialist, horse breeder Cyrus Poonawalla on Chhota Shakeel’s radarOne of the country's most affluent and influential horse breeders Cyrus Poonawalla is allegedly under threat from the underworld.
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