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Pankaj Patel

Pankaj Patel

P. Patel
-0.34% | - $-27.77M
$8.06 B ₹ 73,275 Cr
Real Time Net Worth #442 Ranking as of 21 Feb 2026 By Forbes

More on Pankaj Patel

Gender

Male

Age

0Y

Country

India

Born On

February, 2026

Deceased

No

Relationship Status

Married

Children

2

Education

Gujarat University – M.Pharm

Designation Info :

Self-Made

No

Entrepreneur Type

Family Wealth (Self-Made Expansion)

Primary Organization

Zydus Lifesciences

Titles

Chairman

Sources of Wealth

Zydus Lifesciences

Industry

Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals

About Pankaj Patel


P ankaj Patel is an Indian pharmaceutical magnate and the chairman of Zydus Lifesciences (formerly Cadila Healthcare). He has been the driving force behind the company's transformation from a domestic pharmaceutical firm into a global, research-driven healthcare company. He joined the company, which was co-founded by his father in 1952, after completing his pharmacy studies. He took over the management following a split in the family business in 1995.

Under Patel's leadership, Zydus has grown exponentially through a focus on research and development, strategic acquisitions, and international expansion. The company produces a wide range of products, including generic drugs, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and consumer wellness products. Patel has pushed the company to invest heavily in innovation, establishing a strong pipeline of new drugs and vaccines. Zydus was notably one of the Indian companies at the forefront of developing a COVID-19 vaccine. Patel's vision has established Zydus as one of India's leading pharmaceutical companies with a significant presence in the United States and other global markets.

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Quick Reads


  • Chairman of the Indian pharmaceutical company Zydus Lifesciences.
  • Took control of the family business after a formal split in 1995.
  • Transformed the company into a global research-focused healthcare firm.
  • Zydus is a major producer of generic drugs, vaccines, and wellness products.
  • His son, Sharvil Patel, now serves as the company's Managing Director.

Early Life and Background


Pankaj R. Patel is an Indian businessman, the self-made billionaire Chairman of Cadila Healthcare Ltd. (NSE: CADILAHC) (known as Zydus Lifesciences), a global leader in generic drugs, APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients), and vaccines. His wealth is generational, tied to the industrial empire founded by his late father, Ramanbhai Patel, in 1952.

Patel holds a B.A. in Pharmacy and an M.A. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Gujarat University. His philosophical approach centers on scale, R&D intensity, and long-term commitment to the global pharmaceutical supply chain.

  • Cadila Healthcare (Zydus Lifesciences) (Chairman): The core publicly traded asset, a major global manufacturer of generic drugs, APIs, and vaccines (specializing in diabetes and cardiovascular drugs).
  • Pharmaceutical Focus: His success is built on scale manufacturing and R&D in essential therapeutic areas.
  • Academic Background: He holds a Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences.
  • Investment Strategy: His philosophy is rooted in long-term investment in industrial assets and leveraging the massive Indian pharmaceutical growth story.

Career Journey of Pankaj Patel


Pankaj Patel's strategic leadership transformed Cadila Healthcare into a global market leader. He joined the company in 1976 and assumed the Chairman role. His structural contribution is immense: pioneering the scale manufacturing and professionalization of the Indian generic drug sector, making India a major global source of affordable medicines.

The company successfully executed its IPO on the NSE and expanded aggressively into international markets. His wealth is secured by the colossal, long-term, stable profitability of the global generic drug and healthcare sector.

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Pankaj Patel's Timeline


1976:

Joins Cadila Healthcare (Corporate Entry).

1990s (approx.):

Pankaj Patel assumes the Chairman role (Executive Ascent).

Ongoing:

Cadila Healthcare executes its successful IPO on the NSE (Financial Milestone).

Ongoing:

Continues as Chairman, guiding the global pharmaceutical giant (Executive Oversight).

Major Business Ventures and Investments


Pankaj Patel's wealth is concentrated in his family's controlling stake and executive leadership of the publicly traded pharmaceutical giant, Cadila Healthcare Ltd. (Zydus Lifesciences) (NSE: CADILAHC), and his private investments.

  • Cadila Healthcare (Zydus Lifesciences) (Chairman): The core publicly traded asset, a major global manufacturer of generic drugs, APIs, and vaccines (specializing in diabetes and cardiovascular drugs).
  • Pharmaceutical Focus: His success is built on scale manufacturing and R&D in essential therapeutic areas.
  • Academic Background: He holds a Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences.
  • Investment Strategy: His philosophy is rooted in long-term investment in industrial assets and leveraging the massive Indian pharmaceutical growth story.

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Philanthropy and Social Impact


Pankaj Patel's social impact is structural, stemming from Cadila Healthcare's role in providing essential, affordable medicines and APIs to millions globally. His company contributed significantly to global public health by pioneering affordable generics. His Zydus Foundation supports various community and educational initiatives (including funding the Zydus Hospitals).

His structural contribution is tied to the successful generational transition and professionalization of a critical Indian pharmaceutical asset.

Fashion, Style, and Lifestyle


Pankaj Patel maintains the professional, composed style of an industrial executive. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored business suits or traditional Indian business attire. His aesthetic reflects serious authority and stability, typical of a leader in the specialized pharmaceutical sector.

Residing in Ahmedabad, India, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to industrial scale, quality control, and the long-term, stable growth of the pharmaceutical supply chain.

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Quotes and Philosophy


No publicly available quotes.

Fun Facts & Trivia


  • He is the Chairman of Cadila Healthcare (Zydus Lifesciences) (pharmaceuticals).
  • His family's company was founded by his father in 1952.
  • He holds an MBA and a Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences.
  • Cadila is a global leader in generic drugs, APIs, and vaccines.
  • His fortune is tied to the successful generational management and stability of the generic drug sector.
  • His son, Dr. Sharvil Patel, is the Managing Director.
  • His philosophy emphasizes R&D intensity and scale manufacturing.

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Sources & References


This profile is compiled from verified biographical and financial records:

  • Wealth Data: Real-time tracking and historical data from Forbes Billionaires and the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
  • Biographical Records: Educational and career history sourced from Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, and official university alumni directories.
  • Regulatory Filings: Shareholder and executive disclosures from stock exchange databases, including HKEX, SSE, SZSE, and SEC EDGAR.
  • Corporate History: Primary data from annual company reports, founding charters, and verified press announcements.

All information is cross-referenced with public sources for accuracy; some narrative sections are AI-assisted summaries.

If you find any inaccuracies, please report them to admin@redcarpetlife.in

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