Ramesh Juneja, chairman of Mankind Pharma, is a prime example of how a successful entrepreneurial journey can start from humble beginnings. He began his career in the pharmaceutical industry in 1974, working as a medical representative for KeePharma Ltd. after completing his science degree. In 1975, he joined Lupin, a leading pharmaceutical company, and rose through the ranks to become a first-line manager. After eight years at Lupin, Juneja took a leap of faith and resigned to start his own company, Bestochem, in 1983. He withdrew from Bestochem in 1994, setting the stage for his next venture. The following year, in 1995, Juneja, along with his brother Rajeev, co-founded Mankind Pharma with an initial investment of Rs 50 lakh.
The company, which now boasts a market cap of Rs 85,816 crore, has become a prominent player in the Indian pharmaceutical industry. Mankind Pharma is known for its popular brands of condoms and pregnancy test kits. Recently, the company made headlines for its plan to acquire Bharat Serums and Vaccines from Advent International for an estimated Rs 13,630 crore. This acquisition is expected to further strengthen Mankind Pharma’s position in the market.
Mankind Pharma went public in May 2023, with the Juneja brothers selling a portion of their stake. The company’s initial public offering (IPO) was met with strong investor interest, trading at a 20 per cent premium. Ramesh Juneja’s net worth is currently estimated at Rs 25,130 crore, according to Forbes, making him one of the richest pharmaceutical billionaires in India. His story is a testament to the power of hard work, perseverance, and strategic business acumen in achieving success in the competitive world of Indian business.
