Hyderabad: Dr.Anji Reddy is the recipient of this years Padmashree award for his outstanding contribution to trade and economic activity.

A doctorate from the National Chemical Laboratory,Pune, is among the very few entrepreneurs who has placed the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry on the world map. To a large extent he personifies Andhra Pradesh in its industrialization and heads Dr.Reddy's Labs-a giant in its own right, with over 2000 employees whose company is the fifth largest Pharma company in the country.

A man of vision with a strong commitment on innovation, he spearheaded the revolution to make Hyderabad the bulk drug capital of India. He is also a crusader for intellectual property rights in India.

Dr.Anji Reddy floated Dr.Reddy's laboratories in 1984 and since then it has become a major force to reckon with a very strong emphasis on discovery of new molecules and patenting. The company has retained its focus on bulk drugs and provided the raw material for a number of formulation manufacturers. Last year Dr.Reddy's Laboratories acquired a controlling stake in the Chennai-based American Remedies Limited. This takeover is expected to help DRL touch a formulations sales of Rs 350 crore in 2000.Dr.Anji Reddy has guided DRL's forays into overseas
marketing- its bulk drugs are exported to over 50 countries.

Dr.Reddy has also pioneered the basic drug discovery research and founded Dr.Reddy's Foundation in 1993 and has filed for 21 patents. The company has allocated over 5 per cent of its total income annually for research purposes and is also actively involved in social development programmers under the aegis of the Dr.Reddy's Foundation for Human and Social Development.

-MK
Reachout's News Bureau
-February '2001

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