Dr. K. Anji Reddy, founder and chairman of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., has passed away following an illness. Dr. Reddy’s mission was to provide innovative new medicines at a price that the common man could afford. Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. became the first pharmaceutical company of India to initiate basic drug discovery research in 1993.
 
Under his leadership, the company became a pioneer in the Indian pharmaceutical industry. Dr. Reddy also set-up the Institute of Life Sciences at Hyderabad, which is a public-private partnership with the government of Andhra Pradesh for carrying out life sciences research. In 1998, Dr. Reddy set up the Naandi Foundation as a public charitable trust that provides rural safe drinking water and meals to 1.3 million government school-going children and farmers. Dr. Reddy also took up the cause of safe motherhood and newborn care and founded the Neo-Natal Intensive Care and Emergencies (NICE Foundation).
 
Satish Reddy, M.D., chief operating officer of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories and son of Dr. Reddy said, “Dr. Reddy touched millions of lives through his contribution to the Pharmaceutical industry and his Philanthropic efforts. In improving access to affordable, high quality medicines and in innovation, his contributions have been extraordinary. His philanthropic initiatives made a difference in the lives of so many Indians in the areas of livelihood, education, clean drinking water and healthcare. A nation is grateful to a man who paved a way for the delivery of affordable medicines to the masses and made us believe and take pride in innovation as a means to prosperity.”
 
Dr. Reddy served as a member of the Prime Minister’s Council on Trade & Industry, Government of India. He was chairman of Andhra Pradesh Industrial Development Corp. (APIDC), and president of The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance. He also served as a board Member of GAIN, Switzerland (Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition) and was on the board of directors for TB Alliance, New York (Global Alliance for TB Drug Development).