Hyderabad-based Divi’s Laboratories became a household name during the COVID-19 pandemic. The surge in demand for Molnupiravir, an antiviral drug, catapulted the company’s success, making its founder and Managing Director, Dr. Murali Krishna Prasad Divi, the richest man in Hyderabad.
The Early Struggles of Dr. Divi
Born in a small village in Andhra Pradesh’s Krishna district, Dr. Divi was the youngest of 13 siblings in a financially struggling family. Despite a tough childhood and limited resources, he pursued higher education. However, his academic journey was not smooth—he failed his Class 12 exams and faced challenges during his BPharm course.
In 1975, he began his career as a trainee at Warner Hindustan. Later, with just $7, Dr. Divi travelled to the U.S. seeking opportunities but had to return to Hyderabad due to a family emergency.
Founding Divi’s Laboratories
After returning, Dr. Divi partnered with Dr. Kallam Anji Reddy and acquired Cheminor Drugs in 1984. By 1990, he established Divi’s Research Centre Pvt Ltd, which eventually became Divi’s Laboratories in 1994. He invested heavily in setting up an advanced API plant in Nalgonda, setting the stage for the company’s growth.
A Global Pharmaceutical Powerhouse
Today, Divi’s Laboratories ranks among the top three global API manufacturers. It produces key ingredients for drugs treating conditions such as arthritis, depression, and epilepsy. Despite facing challenges like the 2017 FDA restrictions on its Visakhapatnam plant, the company rebounded quickly.
Pioneering Green Chemistry
Building on its success, Divi’s Laboratories is now venturing into green chemistry. The company has made significant investments in developing peptides like GLP-1, used to treat obesity and other health conditions.
