Adar Poonawalla is the Chief Executive Officer of the Serum Institute of India (SII)—the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by volume—and a global force in healthcare innovation and humanitarian impact. Under his dynamic leadership, SII played a pivotal role in the global fight against COVID-19, supplying over a billion doses of life-saving vaccines worldwide.

Taking over the reins from his father, Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla, Adar has transformed SII from a leading Indian pharmaceutical company into a globally respected biotech powerhouse. With a focus on affordable healthcare solutions, he has expanded the company’s reach to over 170 countries, especially in low- and middle-income regions, making critical vaccines accessible to the world’s most vulnerable populations.

Adar’s visionary thinking extends beyond medicine. He is a noted philanthropist, investing in large-scale initiatives in education, sanitation, environment, and urban infrastructure through the Adar Poonawalla Clean City Initiative and Poonawalla Foundation. In 2021, he was featured on TIME Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” list for his role in shaping global public health.

He is a sought-after speaker at global economic and healthcare forums such as the World Economic Forum, Milken Institute, and United Nations summits, where he represents the power of ethical entrepreneurship and public-private partnerships in solving global challenges.

With a rare blend of business acumen, global responsibility, and humanitarian commitment, Adar Poonawalla is not just a healthcare leader—he is shaping the future of equitable healthcare on a global scale