Passion for Science

Armed with a PhD in Chemistry from Christ College, University of Cambridge under the tutelage of Sir Alexander Todd, Dr. Y.K. Hamied joined Cipla as an R&D officer in the 1960s.

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)