Our History

Operations commence from a rented bungalow at 289, Bellasis Road, Bombay Central

Founded with the aim of self-sufficiency for India in pharmaceutical medicines, The Chemical Industrial and Pharmaceutical Laboratories [CIPLA] registers as a Public Limited Company on Aug 17, 1935

Esteemed dignitaries visit CIPLA - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Sushila Nayyar, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, Ramaswamy Mudaliar, Amrit Kaur, Gulzarilal Nanda, Morarji Desai, Sir C.V. Raman, Crown Prince Fazl of Saudi Arabia, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai, Mohd. Asaf Ali and Maulana Azad

Mahatma Gandhi visits CIPLA, inspiring the Founder Dr. K.A. Hamied to produce vital and life-saving medicines for India

Cipla steps up to the war-efforts, delivers medicines to Rangoon

CIPLA celebrates India attaining Independence with flag hoisting ceremony at Mumbai Central Headquarters

CIPLA's advertisement features in the 1948 edition of the MARG journal

Foundation stone is laid for Cipla Research & Development block at Mumbai Central

CIPLA exhibits at the All India Medical Conference 

CIPLA cricket team wins the E-Merck shield

CIPLA commercialises the technology to extract diosgenin from Dioscorea tubers, for the first time in India

Dr. Yusuf Khwaja Hamied formally joins CIPLA as a Research and Development Officer (May 15, 1961). 

Construction of new laboratories and manufacturing plants commences at Vikhroli.

CIPLA's turnover crosses the 1 crore mark.

The Founder and Chairman of CIPLA, Dr. K.A. Hamied, passes away in Tehran. (Jun 23, 1972)

CIPLA lobbies with a handful of committed people to change the existing Patent Law of 1911. The passing of the Indian Patents Act of 1970 encourages indigeneous pharma industry in India to ensure affordable drugs.

Inauguration of the CIPLA Research and Production Complex by Mrs. Luba K. Hamied. (Oct 22, 1977)

Installation of an ORG 2001 computer at Mumbai Central Headquarters to ease the process of  financial accounts and pay rolls, saving 20 days labour of seven persons.

The Chemical, Industrial and Pharmaceutical Laboratories Ltd.' is officially re-christened as 'Cipla Ltd'

Inauguration of Patalganga manufacturing plant

50 years of Cipla - Golden Jubilee celebrations

Cipla's receives its first USFDA approval for four bulk drugs, aiding exports to the US market

Cipla's turnover crosses Rs. 100 crores

Cipla Palliative Care and Training Centre is set up in Pune to provide free holistic care to terminally-ill cancer patients and their families

Cipla proves its supremacy in the antiasthmatic segment by developing a range of CFC-free metered dose inhalers as well as the world’s first CFC-free budesonide inhaler. It is the first company outside  the USA and Europe to launch CFC-free inhalers, a good 10 years before the deadline given by the Montreal Protocol

Dr. Y.K. Hamied delivers a historic speech at the European Commission in Brussels on HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Tuberculosis and Poverty Reduction

In a paradigm changing move, Cipla offers a triple AntiRetroViral cocktail to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) for $350/patient/year to battle HIV/AIDS

Dr. Y.K. Hamied wins the coveted Padma Bhushan Award by the late President of India, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Cipla's 75th Anniversary Celebrations