Indravadan Modi

Indravadan Ambalal Modi (18 February 1926 – 26 November 2012) was an Indian pharmaceuticals industrialist who founded Cadila Pharmaceuticals in Ahmedabad. He is popularly known as the 'Medicine Man of India' for his contribution to the pharmaceutical industry of India post independence.

Modi co-founded Cadila Laboratories in 1951 along with his childhood friend Raman Patel to offer cheaper drugs in India. In 1995, the company split into two separate entities; Raman Patel formed Cadila Healthcare while Modi named his company Cadila Pharmaceuticals. He lost his mother while he was very young and was brought up by his grandmother. He graduated in Bachelor of Science, Baroda College in 1948 and came down to Bombay for higher studies. He studied Pharmaceuticals and Fine Chemicals at University Department of Chemical Technology (UDCT). He then did a brief stint as a chief chemist in a chemical manufacturing unit before quitting to start his own venture.

Founding of Cadila Laboratories Post independence, India was dominated by multinational drug making companies. There were few Indian drug manufacturing facilities in the market. In the early days, his wife and grandmother helped out in the company. He would take out Rs. 250 for his monthly expenses and would invest the rest into the business. Cadila started developing innovative products such as Livirubra and Cadila Gripe and formulations such as Isopar for treatment of TB. The company focused on providing innovative products every two years. She would wash and label the product herself from a 3-room apartment in Azad Society that was taken on rent for Cadila Laboratories. She inspired her husband to enter into the business of Gripe Water, the first indigenous Gripe Water made in the country. Member, National Working Group on Patent Laws, India (NWGPL). Member, Indian Drug Manufacturers' Association (IDMA)

Awards and recognition

Lifetime Achievement award, June 2005, Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Express Pharma Pulse Lifetime Achievement Award