Adar Poonawalla
CEO, Serum Institute of India- Stake in SII
- Rising Sun Holdings Ltd (RSHPL
Adar Poonawalla's Journey so far ...
- After completing his schooling at the Bishop's School in Pune, Adar Poonawalla went to England for higher studies. In 2001, he graduated from the University of Westminster in London
- He came back from England after graduation and joined the Serum Institute of India (SII), founded by his father Cyrus Poonawalla in 1966. The first role he took up was to focus on exporting the company's products
- He was appointed as CEO of SII in 2011 and within four years, the vaccine maker's products were being exported to around 140 countries
- Under his leadership, SII acquired Netherlands-based Bilthoven Biologicals and soon became the world's biggest vaccine producer
- In 2014, the Pune-based businessman launched SII's oral polio vaccine which helped in overcoming a global shortage
- Poonawalla came into the limelight in 2020 when the world and India were battling Covid-19. He led SII in tying up with AstraZeneca to manufacture its vaccine which the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker developed with the Oxford University
- Poonawalla is spearheading the production of millions of doses of Covishield, a licensed version of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is India's most used Covid vaccine
- He also led SII in tying up with American vaccine maker Novavax to produce 2 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccine
- In early 2021, Adar Poonawalla-controlled Rising Sun Holdings Ltd (RSHPL) bought a majority stake in shadow lender Magma Fincorp which operates in retail finance, SME finance, housing finance and general insurance business. The deal was valued at around $475 million
- Later in 2021, Magma Fincorp appointed him as chairman of the company
- The head of SII transferred his entire stake in Panacea Biotec, worth Rs 118 cr, to Serum Institute in May 2021. The company is known for contract manufacturing in the pharma sector and is involved in manufacturing of both human and animal vaccines
- In 2021, he announced that SII would invest $334 million in the United Kingdom to grow its vaccine business and create jobs
- Poonawalla raised his voice against the US ban on the export of critical raw materials used in the manufacture of vaccines; the ban has since been overturned
- He created a flutter when he told a London-based newspaper that he was getting constant threats and pressure from “powerful people” seeking vaccine doses on priority
- The central government granted Y category security to the Pune-based industrialist
Before you go ...
- Adar Poonawalla rented his London mansion earlier in 2021 for $69,000 a week, a Mayfair record
- India's vaccine hero was awarded The Economic Times Entrepreneur of The Year award in 2020
- In 2015, he started the Clean City Initiative in his home city of Pune to improve waste management and environment
- Belonging to one of the world's richest families, Adar keenly takes part in philanthropy. He started the Villoo Poonawalla Foundation in 2011 in memory of his late mother Villoo Poonawalla, which runs schools and hospitals
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appointed him as one of the brand ambassadors of the Swachh Bharat Mission
Adar Poonawalla News
Overseas luxury real estate is a high-involvement play. It demands due diligence, regulatory awareness, and trusted local partnerships. Done right, a home abroad can be more than a financial asset. It becomes a gateway to global living, future-proofing one’s wealth, and passing on a legacy with international roots.
Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Ayurved, along with Dharampal Satyapal Group, has acquired a majority stake in Magma General Insurance from Sanoti Properties, valuing the insurer at ₹4,500 crore. This deal signifies Patanjali's expansion into the general insurance market and broader financial services sector.
Serum Institute of India is planning to introduce chikungunya and monkeypox vaccines in about a year and a half and a dengue vaccine in approximately three years. The company is focusing on vaccine development and aims to supply new vaccines globally after meeting India's needs. The investment in Karan Johar's Dharma Productions reflects their broader strategic interests.
L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan's call for a 90-hour work week sparked widespread online mockery and humorous reactions. Prominent figures like SII's Adar Poonawalla and Mahindra Group's Anand Mahindra responded with witty comments, while others joined the conversation with playful social media posts, highlighting the ongoing work-life balance debate.
The work-life balance debate intensified as RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka humorously suggested renaming Sunday as “Sun-duty” on social media. Emphasizing the pitfalls of excessive work hours, he warned against burnout and declared, “Work-life balance isn’t optional; it’s essential for sustained success and well-being.”
JetSynthesys, backed by Adar Poonawalla and Sachin Tendulkar, may go public within 18-36 months to fund expansion. The company targets 20-fold growth in gaming, entertainment, and wellness sectors. It recently invested $4.5 million in Saudi game developer UMX Studio and launched the Global eCricket Premier League, aiming to combine cricket, gaming, and entertainment.
Billionaire Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, is set to invest Rs 1000 crore for a 50% stake in Karan Johar's Dharma Production and Dharmatic Entertainment. The partnership aims to leverage Poonawalla's financial muscle to cater to digitally savvy consumers and expand content for global platforms.
Rising Sun Holdings, co-owned by Adar Cyrus Poonawalla, has acquired a large office space in Pune's Hinjewadi IT hub for Rs 395 crore. The purchase includes four floors of Cerebrum IT Park, covering 2.2 lakh sq ft. This acquisition is part of Rising Sun Holdings' expanding real estate portfolio.
Sonam Kapoor's father-in-law and Indian tycoon Harish Ahuja has purchased a £21 million home in London's Notting Hill. The property, which spans over 20,000 square feet, will be partially redeveloped for his son Anand Ahuja and daughter-in-law Sonam Kapoor. This deal is among the few high-value transactions in London's luxury real estate market this year.
Mpox Vaccine: Adar Poonawalla of the Serum Institute of India announced that the company was developing a Mpox vaccine, with results expected within a year. The government issued isolation guidelines for suspected cases, and the NIV in Pune tested samples. Experts highlighted concerns about the new CLADE 1B lineage but did not foresee a lockdown.
