Dr. K I Varaprasad Reddy is the Founder and currently, the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Shantha Biotechnics Pvt Ltd. An electronics engineer by profession, Dr. Reddy established the company in 1993 with the sole purpose of developing efficacious and cost effective vaccines, within the reach of common man. Shantha Biotechnics’ successful development of recombinant products heralded the bio-pharma revolution in India which motivated many scientists and entrepreneurs to develop and produce life-saving drugs indigenously. Under his leadership, Shantha Biotechnics won several awards for the company’s contribution in the field of bio-technology. For his efforts in developing an affordable vaccine against Hepatitis B, Dr. Reddy was conferred upon the prestigious National Award – Padma Bhushan – by the Hon’ble President of India. Among his numerous achievements, he also received an Honorary Doctorate from Sri Venkateshwara University. Dr. Reddy is fond of music and literature and has been felicitated by many local literary, cultural organizations and non-resident Telugu associations abroad. Awards and Felicitations: Padma Bhushan (2005) from Govt. of India Honorary Doctorate from SV University in 2005 Honorary Doctorate from GITAM University in 2011 Best Entrepreneur Award (1999) from Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year For Healthcare and Life Sciences (2000) Lifetime Achievement Award (2008) from Pune Vidyapeeth-Govt. of Maharashtra State Bank of India-Pragna Bharathi Puraskar (2002)
