K. I. Varaprasad Reddy

K I Varaprasad Reddy
Born (1948-11-17) 17 November 1948
Papireddy Palem, Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh
Residence Hyderabad, Telangana
Occupation Chairman of Shanta Biotechnics
Parents
  • Venkata Ramana Reddy (father)
  • Shantamma (mother)
Awards Padma Bhushan

Koduru Ishwara Varaprasad Reddy (born 17 November 1948)[1] is an Indian entrepreneur and founder of vaccine manufacturing company Shantha Biotechnics. The Govt of India awarded him the Padma Bhushan award for his contribution in the field of science and engineering.[2] He also received an honorary doctorate from Sri Venkateshwara University for his pioneering efforts.[3]

Early life

Dr. K.I Varaprasad Reddy was born in an agriculture family from Papireddy Palem village in Nellore district. He was the only child to his parents Late Mr Venkata Ramana Reddy and Mrs Shanthamma.[4] He also served as the Advisor of RAS Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd.[5] With Bachelor of Science degree from Sri Venkateshwara University in 1967, he did his Engineering (Electronics & Communication) from Andhra University - 1970. After which he pursued a Diploma in Computer Sciences from Biblingen University, West Germany in 1971. He also got his Masters in Business Administration Degree from Osmania University.[6]

An electronics engineer by profession, Reddy worked as a defense scientist for 8 years.[7] after which he worked APIDC (Andhra Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation) following which he also worked at Hyderabad Batteries Ltd, which was a venture that developed and produced batteries for Defence applications.[6]

Shantha Biotechnics Limited

In 1990, he attended a WHO conference in Geneva and he heard some critical remarks about India not being capable of developing a vaccine for Hepatitis B. The disease kills around 350,000 people every year in the country.[3] He wasn’t pleased with what he heard and started Shantha Biotechnics Ltd with a mission is to produce cost-effective drugs that would be available for the common man, while still maintaining international quality standards.[8] Reddy established Shantha Biotechnics Ltd. in 1993 and served as the Managing Director and the Chief Executive Officer. He serves as an Advisor of RAS Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd.[9] Shantha Biotechnics Ltd made the country's first indigenously developed recombinant hepatitis B vaccine. The vaccine, Shanvac-B, was launched in the country in 1997.[4]

Personal life

Reddy maintains a strict yoga regimen and he is a big fan of music. He personally funded many projects like the Annamayya project and published various books on music, musicians and also humour.

He also launched a magazine, Haasam, in 2001 but the project was shut down in October 2005. The main aim was to improve the spirit of Telugu art, literature and humour alive. It later branched out into Haasam Publications, in May 2004. One of the famous books they published was about late director Jandhyala, written by Tanikella Bharani.[10]

Haasam Publications also published the autobiography of Dr Mullapudi Venkata Ramana, in three parts, Kothi Kommachi, (In)Kothi Kommachi, and, Mukkothi Kommachi.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Padma Bhushan Dr. Koduru Varaprasad Reddy, Shantha Biotechnics Ltd". 1nellore.com. 2011-12-03. Retrieved 2017-10-11.
  2. ↑ "Padma Bhushan Dr. Koduru Varaprasad Reddy, Shantha Biotechnics Ltd".
  3. 1 2 "Lunch with BS: Varaprasad Reddy".
  4. 1 2 "Leaving its troubles behind, Shantha makes a fresh start".
  5. ↑ "Ras Lifesciences Private Limited".
  6. 1 2 "People from Nellore: K. I. Varaprasad Reddy, Mahe Jabeen, G. V. Prasad, Pattabhirami Reddy Tikkavarapu, Duvvoori Ramireddy".
  7. ↑ "Day of the dreamer".
  8. ↑ "Dr.Varaprasad Reddy".
  9. ↑ "Company Overview of Shantha Biotechnics Pvt. Ltd".
  10. ↑ "The right vaccine to perfect health".
  11. ↑ "About Us".
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