G. V. Prasad, an eminent Indian business executive, is widely recognized for his transformative leadership in the pharmaceutical sector, particularly as the co-chairman and managing director of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. Born in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, in 1960, Prasad’s journey from his hometown schooling to leading a global pharmaceutical powerhouse is a testament to his vision and strategic acumen.
Early Life and Education
Prasad’s early education began at Vidyaranya High School in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. He later returned to his hometown, Nellore, to complete his schooling at VR High School. His academic pursuits led him to study chemical engineering at Alagappa College of Technology in Chennai. He then moved to the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, where he completed his undergraduate degree. Furthering his education, Prasad earned a master’s degree in industrial administration, including a one-year MBA, from Purdue University in 1983. During his time at Purdue, he was honored with the ‘Outstanding Senior Student’ Award from the American Institute of Chemists, Chicago chapter, in 1982 [1, 2].
Career Trajectory
Upon returning to India after his master’s degree, Prasad initially joined his family’s construction business. His foray into the pharmaceutical industry began in 1985 when he co-founded Benzex Labs, a pharmaceutical company that was later acquired by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. After a brief period back in construction, Prasad re-entered the pharmaceutical landscape in 1990 as the CEO and Managing Director of Cheminor Drugs Ltd. [1, 2].
Under his leadership, Cheminor Drugs Ltd. was transformed into a world-class manufacturer of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and generics, primarily through his emphasis on professionalism, good governance, and transparency. In 2001, Cheminor Drugs merged with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, and Prasad assumed the role of vice-chairman and CEO of the combined entity. He is widely credited as the architect of Dr. Reddy’s successful global generics strategy [1, 2, 3].
Prasad has been instrumental in envisioning and implementing new business platforms for Dr. Reddy’s, such as Custom Pharmaceutical and Specialty Pharmaceuticals, and has been dedicated to fostering innovation within the company. His leadership has been recognized with accolades such as India’s Best CEO in the Large Company category by Business Today in 2014 and India Business Leader of the Year by CNBC Asia in 2015 [2].
Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Prasad has also been involved in various professional affiliations. He has served as the Chairman of the CII National Committee on Environment and the Intellectual Property Committee (2006-2007). He is also a board member of various institutions, including the Indian School of Business and Ashoka University, and has previously served on the boards of IIT Hyderabad and S.V. University [1, 3].
Personal Life
G. V. Prasad is married to Anuradha, the daughter of Dr. Kallam Anji Reddy, the founder of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. Anuradha serves as the managing trustee of Dr. Reddy’s Foundation and is the founder-director of Saptaparni, an organization dedicated to promoting Indian traditions and culture [1, 2].
Citations
- G. V. Prasad – Wikipedia
- G.V. Prasad Net Worth, Biography, Age, Spouse, Children & More – Goodreturns
- Dr. Reddy’s re-appoints G V Prasad as Co-Chairman and Managing Director – Indian Pharma Post
Disclosure: This article has been written and edited with help from Google Gemini.