Kallam Anji Reddy, the founder chairman of Dr. Reddy's laboratories, passed away Friday at a hospital here following brief illness. He was 73.
He is survived by wife Samrajyam, daughter Anuradha and son K. Satish Reddy, who is managing director and COO of the pharma giant.
One of the most well-known faces of Indian pharma industry, Reddy was suffering from lung disorder for last few months and was admitted to a private hospital here 10 days ago. The last rites will be performed at Panjagutta cremation ground at 11 a.m. Saturday, family sources said.
Industrialists and eminent citizens from various walks of life reached Reddy's house in Banjara Hills Friday night to pay their last respects. The technocrat-turned-entrepreneur, who started Reddy's laboratories with only Rs.25 lakh in early 1980s, transformed it into $1.6 billion global entity.
Considered as a pioneer of reverse engineering, Reddy made significant contributions in making pharmaceutical products globally competitive and also affordable to the common man.
"Reddy's mission in life was to provide innovative new medicines at a price that the common man could afford," said a statement from the company.