Mr. Adar, as the CEO of Serum Institute of India (SII), has built a remarkable reputation, leading the family owned business founded in 1966 by his father, Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla, to new heights. Owing to the ambience he was growing in, Mr. Adar developed a deep understanding of the importance of affordable and accessible healthcare, which shaped his leadership vision. After attending The Bishop’s School in Pune and earning a degree in Management and Entrepreneurship from the University of Westminster, he joined SII in 2001, and propelled it to become the world’s largest vaccine producer by volume. His vision for the future went far beyond merely maintaining its legacy. As he once stated, “We are not here just to make money, we are here to change the world. Our primary mission is to improve the lives of people globally through access to affordable healthcare.” Mr. Adar’s noble intention of making healthcare accessible is reflected in his saying, “Innovation and affordability must go hand in hand to make healthcare accessible to all,” and highlighting his focus on both the company’s growth and its broader societal impact.
LEADERSHIP AND ENTREPRENEURIAL VISION
As a young CEO, Mr. Adar assumed leadership of the Serum Institute of India in 2011, a pivotal moment that would not only shape the future of the company but also impact global public health. Under his leadership, Serum Institute became a key player in producing affordable vaccines for a range of diseases, including polio, tetanus, and the flu, and expanded its reach to more than 170 countries.
Mr. Adar’s entrepreneurial initiative led to the company’s expansion into the Research and Development (R&D) of new vaccines, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, where SII played a crucial role in the global distribution of the Covishield vaccine, developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca. In collaboration with AstraZeneca and Oxford University, SII produced the Covishield vaccine, which accounted for nearly 90% of the vaccines administered in India and was distributed to over 170 countries through the COVAX initiative. By April 2021, SII had already produced over 300 million doses, and by the end of 2021, production exceeded 1 billion doses globally. Despite the overwhelming global demand, he ensured that the vaccine was priced at $3 per dose, making it affordable for low- and middle-income countries. Serum Institute’s production capacity was ramped up to 100 million doses per month in 2021, thus attesting to Mr. Adar’s commitment to scalability, efficiency, and equitable access to vaccines worldwide.
EMPOWERING SOCIETY THROUGH SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION
Mr. Adar is a passionate advocate for sustainable development and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Under his leadership, Serum Institute of India (SII) has made significant contributions to healthcare, sanitation, education, and clean water access for underserved communities. The Adar Poonawalla Clean City Initiative, launched in 2017, focuses on waste management, environmental sustainability, and sanitation improvements in Indian cities, aligning with India’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. In recognition of his efforts, he was appointed Brand Ambassador for Swachh Bharat by the Indian Prime Minister. Mr. Adar’s CSR initiatives also support girls’ education in rural India and enhance healthcare and clean water access, reflecting his commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. For him, business success is about creating a positive, lasting impact on society and the environment.
EXPANSION AND DIVERSIFICATION OF SII
Under Mr. Adar’s leadership, the Serum Institute of India (SII) has successfully diversified beyond its core vaccine business, expanding into biotechnology, diagnostics, and health insurance. With a production capacity of over 1.5 billion vaccine doses annually, SII is the world’s largest vaccine producer by volume. The company has also made significant strides in the biopharmaceutical sector, partnering with Biological E. Ltd. in 2020 to produce the CORBEVAX COVID-19 vaccine and developing diagnostic kits for diseases such as COVID-19 and dengue. Additionally, SII launched Serum Institute Health Insurance to offer affordable coverage to the underprivileged. In December 2024, the company further expanded its Pune facility, which increased its vaccine production capacity to 4 billion doses annually. By February 2025, SII’s valuation reached ₹2,11,610 crore, marking a 10% increase from the previous year and highlighting its growth and strategic diversification in the global healthcare sector.
CHALLENGES AND RESILIENCE
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Adar faced unprecedented global demand, supply chain disruptions, and political tensions. One of his boldest decisions was scaling up Serum Institute’s vaccine production to 100 million doses per month by mid-2021, ensuring timely delivery despite logistical challenges. His swift adaptability led to new facilities and partnerships, including a deal with AstraZeneca to supply vaccines at low cost for developing nations. Reflecting on the crisis, he said, “In times of crisis, we must be bold and take decisions quickly. The world was depending on us, and we had to deliver.” Mr. Adar’s leadership in scaling production and overcoming global complexities cemented Serum Institute’s role as a trusted force in public health.
RECOGNITION AND AWARDS
Mr. Adar’s leadership is a powerful blend of vision, resilience, and commitment to public health and innovation. Under Mr. Adar’s leadership, Serum Institute of India navigated unprecedented global challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring vaccines reached millions. His accolades include being named one of India’s Top 50 Most Powerful People by Business Today (2019), listing in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 (2020), and receiving the Global CEO Excellence Award (2020). Additional honours include the ‘Udyog Mitra’ award from the Government of Maharashtra (2023), ‘IAA Business Leader of the Year’ (2023), and the Dean’s Medal from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (2021). Mr. Adar’s leadership focuses on more than financial success, emphasisng a lasting societal impact.
