Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories was founded in 1984 in Hyderabad, India, by Dr. K. Anji Reddy, who began with a small active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) manufacturing facility. The company soon expanded into branded generics, launching its first major product, Nise (nimesulide), and gaining US FDA approval for ibuprofen APIs in 1986. In the 1990s, it entered the US generics market, becoming the first Indian firm to launch a generic version of Prozac (fluoxetine) with 180-day exclusivity, and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2001.
The company built a diversified portfolio that spans APIs, generic formulations, branded generics, biosimilars, and over-the-counter products across therapeutic areas such as gastroenterology, cardiovascular, oncology, and dermatology. It has also developed a strong footprint in consumer health; notable examples include its acquisition of the Nicotinell nicotine replacement therapy portfolio in 2024. The firm continues to grow through international acquisitions and joint ventures, including entering the nutraceuticals and CDMO segments.
Dr. Reddy’s is well known for strategic product launches and a strong research orientation. It was the first Indian company to launch a monoclonal antibody biosimilar (Reditux) and maintains active in house R&D via Aurigene, which is expanding capacity for therapeutic proteins and antibodies. Its commitment to accessible healthcare is reflected in its early motto, “Good Health Can’t Wait,” and in its ongoing work to balance innovation with affordability.
Dr. Reddy’s is escalating its presence in high-growth areas such as biosimilars, digital therapeutics, cell and gene therapy, nutraceuticals, and new chemical entities. Most recently, the company announced a global co-development deal with Alvotech to produce a biosimilar version of Merck’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab), marking a significant step into oncology biologics. Additionally, it’s targeting a top five position in the Indian market by 2025, through innovation partnerships and focused growth in domestic and global markets.