An outspoken statesman of global pharma with his passionate vision and selfless purpose continues to be a guiding force and source of inspiration for all.
Humble Beginnings
The Cipla story began in 1935, in this very bungalow...
Passion for Science
Armed with a PhD in Chemistry...
Strong Legacy, Stronger Future
Dr. K.A. Hamied was a visionary scientist and a pharma pioneer who left behind a powerful legacy of care. His vision continues to serve as Cipla's guiding principle even today. Following in his father's footsteps, Dr. Y.K. Hamied has dedicated his life to the belief that none should be denied affordable medication.
Following in his father's footsteps, Dr. Y.K. Hamied has dedicated his life to the belief that none should be denied affordable medication.
Bringing in a Revolution
Cipla was instrumental in the formation of the Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association and Dr. Y.K. Hamied was a key player in the passage of the 1970 Patents Act which was considered as ‘the dawn of a golden age for the indigenous pharma industry’.
Pioneering Breakthroughs
Dr. Y.K. Hamied’s leadership led Cipla to focus on API (active pharmaceutical ingredients) manufacture in the 1960s. Cipla received USFDA approval for its facilities in 1985, making it among the first Indian pharmaceutical companies to achieve this distinction.
All while living a life of purpose
Dr. Hamied envisioned bringing a holistic approach towards palliative care in India and in 1997, he set up the Cipla Palliative Care Centre in Pune. Built on the bedrock of caring for patients, the Centre has grown into a leading palliative care facility having addressed the needs of over 25,000 patients and their
Enabling Access
In September 2000, Dr. Y.K. Hamied made a historic speech at the European Commission, Brussels and highlighted the need for affordable treatment for HIV & AIDS. In February 2001, he made the historic dollar-a-day offer to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF or Doctors without Borders) making this life-saving therapy accessible to all.
Where passion meets purpose
Dr. Hamied has also made transformative contributions to palliative care, notably through the Cudeca Foundation in Spain, where the Yusuf Hamied Centre was inaugurated in 2022.
Advancing research and care
At Cambridge University, his philanthropy has significantly advanced scientific research and education. Key contributions include:
- The Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry (renamed in 2020).
- The Hamied Scholars Programme for doctoral and early-career researchers.
- The Yusuf Hamied Laboratory for Chemical Synthesis & Catalysis (2015).
- The Todd-Hamied Meeting Room, honouring his mentor Lord Alexander Todd.
- The Yusuf Hamied 1702 Chair of Chemistry, one of the oldest academic chairs in the field, renamed in honour of Dr. Hamied
- The Darwin-Hamied Centre, a biodiversity research facility (2025)
Honours and Accolades
2000s
Dr. Hamied received Honorary Doctorates from IIT Bombay, ICT Mumbai and Cambridge University.
2000s
Dr. Hamied received Honorary Fellowships from Christ’s College, Royal Society of Chemistry, & The Royal Society, London
2005
Dr. Hamied was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian award for his distinguished service in the field of medicine.
2014
The University of Cambridge awarded Dr. Hamied with an Honorary Doctorate in Science, the highest accolade the University bestows for outstanding contribution.
2015
He was appointed to the UN High-level Panel on Health Technology Innovation and Access by the former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon. The panel consisted of various dignitaries from trade, public health, human rights, and legal issues associated with access to treatment.
2016
He was the first-ever recipient of the Alumni Medal from the Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge for services to the community that have brought honour to the Department and whose actions have made a significant and positive impact on the world stage.
2017
He received the Public Health Hero award from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, for his pioneering humanitarian role and social efforts in the fight against the HIV and AIDS epidemic.
2024
The Yusuf Hamied OPD Beach Candy Hospital was recently named after Dr. Yusuf Hamied.
2020
The Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge was named ‘Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry’, till 2050, in recognition of his contribution to the Department.
2025
the Chemistry Department at the Ramnarain Ruia Autonomous College has been renamed as the 'Dr. Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry' honouring Dr. Hamied.
