Here, you will read the Success Story of Pankaj Patel – Man behind Zydus Cadila. Reading success stories of Indian Entrepreneurs stimulates inspirational enzymes within us and we all wish to emulate them on the path of success.
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The Success Story of Pankaj Patel – Man behind Zydus Cadila
Who is Pankaj Patel?
Pankaj Patel is an Indian entrepreneur and billionaire businessperson. He is the chairperson of Cadila Healthcare having the market capitalization of more than 15000 crores., Zydus Cadila is the 5th largest pharmaceutical company in India.
While the threat of Swine Flu is looming large on the nation, Pankaj Patel has taken up the challenge of making Swine Flu vaccine (H1N1) for the first time in India. Pankajbhai Patel makes a tablet named “Aten” used by most to control their Blood pressure or the Sugar-Free meant to be used by Diabetic patients.
He was born in a typical Patel family in Karamsad, Gujarat, India in 1951. He studied from Sheth C. N. Vidyalaya.
He obtained a Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm.) degree from L M Pharmacy, Ahmedabad. Pankaj Patel was the leader of the Rashtriya Vidhyarthi Parishad and active leader of the Navmiraman Movement.
He completed his Bachelor and Masters in Pharmacy from Gujarat University. He also completed a Bachelor of Arts in Science and Law from the University of Mumbai.
Personal life:
He is married to Dr B D Patel’s daughter Priti Patel. Their son Sharvil Patel become a doctor and managing director of Cadila Healthcare Ltd. He is married to Meha. Their daughter Shivani is married to son of Dushyant D Patel, Pranav.
Pankajbhai Patel gives proper time to his family as well. His wife Pritibahen takes care of their home and him of his business. Pankajbhai does not mix family and business.
Pankajbhai has full faith in God but not in luck. He does believe in astrology and not wear any stone on his fingers. He is fond of traveling. Pankajbhai would go out for outing every vacation especially near rivers or mountains.
Career:
He became the president of FGICCI in 2017. He is the chairperson of the board of governors of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar.
He is a member of the Board of Governors and Chairperson of the Finance Committee of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.
He is also Chairperson of IIM Udaipur and Member Governing Board of the Ahmedabad University. He is the Chairperson of the School of Life Sciences, Ahmedabad University.
He is also Member of the Board of Management of the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies and exclusive chairperson, vice-president and trustee of the Gujarat Cancer Society. He is the Chairperson of the Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute.
The journey of an entrepreneur
Cadila Laboratories founded by his father Ramanbhai Patel along with Indravadan Modi in 1953. Since Pankajbhai was 8 years old, he would go to the factory with his father and would watch employees working on tablets machines. It is believed that Pankajbhai may have decided to become a pharmacist ever since
Pankajbhai Patel joined Cadila Laboratories in the year 1976. When he took over the Cadila Healthcare, he was faced with two challenges: His was a Rs 200-crore company whereas his overheads including management, research, company expenses, and staff worked out to Rs 400 crore. It was difficult to make two ends meet.
In 1995, Cadila Laboratories went for a split, as his father and Indravadanbhai Modi parted. Both partners sons had their respective companies.
In 1995, Cadila Laboratories and Cadila Healthcare split under Zydus Group. Zydus word is taken from the Greek god, Zeus. The letter D was added to Zeus, and it became Zydus.
The Rs 250-crore Zydus Group zoomed to Rs 4000 crore in a short span becoming the fifth-largest pharmaceuticals company in India. His companies are now on par with any global pharma company.
Pankajbhai Patel always emphasized on Research and Development and made a state-of-the-art R & D center at Zydus Cadila.
In Zydus Cadila, more than 1000 scientists are working on new vaccines and drugs. Pankajbhai Patel has full faith in the talents of Indian scientists.
Zydus Group has in its repertoire more than 300 products in India and 500 healthcare products and branded drugs in international markets.
Today Cadila Healthcare Ltd has a presence in more than 70 countries including Japan and France.
In 1995 there were 1500 employees working in Cadila Laboratories. Today his pharmaceutical company has a mammoth staff strength of 15,000.
Facts about Pankaj Patel:-
- In 2003, Pankajbhai was named the “Best Pharma Man of the year” by the Foundation of Indian Industry and Economists for the recognition of the growth of Cadila under his leadership.
- His name has also figured in the list of the most influential people in the healthcare and pharmaceuticals sector (World Pharmaceuticals Frontiers)
- he was placed on the 24th position in Forbes magazine In 2004.
- He is the Chairperson of Zydus Hospitals; Zydus is the largest chain of hospitals in Gujarat.
- In August 2012, along with Sintex Industry’s chairperson Dinesh Patel, he purchased a Challenger-604 jet.
Pankaj Patel is a man of few words but speaks clearly and with determination.
We hope you find the success story of Pankaj Patel, Indian entrepreneur, chairperson of Cadila Healthcare & Zydus Hospitals inspiring through your entrepreneurial journey and will keep you inspired.
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