Mr. Indravadan Ambalal Modi, B.Sc.(Tech) is a Founder Director of the erstwhile Indian Pharmaceutical major Cadila now restructured as Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Presently, he is Chairman of Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Chairman of Casil Health Products Ltd., Chairman of Karnavati Engineering Ltd., Chairman of Indian Research Manifestation Laboratories (P) Ltd. (IRM Labs.), Director of Green Channel Travel Services, Director, IRM Investments Pvt. Ltd., and Trustees, IRM Trust.
 
Mr. Modi is revered as the champion of the Indian Patent Act, 1970 which helped the Indian Pharmaceuticals Industry attaining its present global status. Mr. Modi has been effectively representing the cause of National Pharmaceuticals Industry at various forums in his capacities as President of Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA) and Chairman of Basic Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics Export Promotion Council (CHEMEXCIL).
 
Mr. Modi is the Trustee of the B.V.Patel Pharmaceuticals Education and Research Development (PERD) Center, Ahmedabad. Conceptualized as the confluence of Pharmaceutical education training and research, this center is perhaps the only one of its kind in the country, offering core and advanced courses in Ph.D. and Post Doctoral Program in Pharmaceuticals Sciences.
 
Mr. Modi has been awarded Schroff Memorial National Award 1992 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Entrepreneurship in the Pharmaceutical Industry and promotion of Pharmaceutical Education and Research. The Federation of Gujarat Mills and Industries, Baroda has conferred on him the Outstanding Entrepreneur Award in 1993 for his outstanding contribution to the pharmaceuticals industry. Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry has selected Mr. Modi for LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD for 2004-2005.
 
Mr. I.A. Modi has been the President of the Ahmedabad Management Association consecutively for two terms – 1991-1992 and 1992-1993. During his tenure with AMA, the Association has been twice awarded the Best Local Management Association Award by All India Management Association, New Delhi. Under the leadership of Mr.Modi, AMA has achieved new heights.
 
Mr. Modi was Member of the Working Group on (1) Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, (2) Pharmaceutical Machinery, and (3) Working Group on Drugs & Pharmaceuticals for the 7th Five Year Plan 1985-1986 to 1989-1990 set up by the Planning Commission. He has also worked on (4) Antibiotics Sub-Committee of Indian Pharmacopoeia Committee and (5) Panel on Life Sciences & Bio-Technology for Task Force 2020, i.e. “Future Technology Forecast for India 2020” under Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), set up by Department of Science and Technology, Government of India as CHAIRMAN.

Nixon-Peabody, a Boston law firm hosted a presentation by Mr. Modi in Boston, where he spoke about the state of the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry .

You started a Phramaceutical company in the 70's when it was quite a difficult thing to do. Could you tell us how you started this venture?

I was trained as a pharmacist. At that time India was an importer of drugs. Cost of medication was very high and I felt that we could do something to change that. I started the company with only Rs 25,000 and a vision to become a great company. Today Cadila is the largest privately held pharmaceutical company in India with a turnover of roughly 600 Crores. 

How has the Pharmaceutical Industry in India changed over time?

Pre-1970 we were only an importer of drugs. Cost of medication was very high. Most Indians could not afford medication. There was a large gap in the time of availability of medication ranging from 6 -12 months.  Post 1970, India became the fourth largest producer of pharmaceutical products (by volume not value). India became a major supplier of generic products particularly to developing countries. In 2005, with recognition of product patent act in the pharmaceutical industry, India is now poised to become a new hub for drug development. There is a lot of clinical research for global development and a gradual increase in pre-clinical research as well.

Has the opening up of the market been competition or opportunity for companies like Cadila?

It is has opened up great opportunity for collaboration. It has opened avenues for Out-Licensing and In-Licensing  and thus we can bring many products to India quickly and move new products to world markets.

We also have one of the finest CRO facilities and many companies are using the opportunity to do clinical research in India.  We have the perfect enabling environment. India has the third largest pool of scientists in the world. We are well integrated with the global market. We also have state-of -the-art -technology available for research.

How do you avoid conflict of interest while providing CRO services to international companies?

We have made sure that the functioning of the CRO unit is completely independent. Thus there is no possibility of conflict of interest.

Is Cadila currently working on new drugs? How do you fund the research efforts? Do you have partnerships with Academic institutions for research?

We are working on several new drugs including a Polyantigenic vaccine for TB, new treatments for Cancer, Hypolipaemic agents and Anti-Ulcerants.  The molecule that we have discovered for treating cancer has been described as almost “too good to believe”. It is showing great potential.

Currently the revenue generated from the generics is funding the research efforts. Cadila is involved in a lot of public-private partnership efforts. At present, the research collaborations are more with Government agencies like NCL and others

Do you think China is a threat to the Indian Pharmaceutical industry?

In our industry there are no threats. One needs a lot of luck to strike gold. Whoever succeeds, wins.

Could you comment on Gujarat as a state for running a business?

Gujarathis, by nature are entrepreneurs. There are always working hard to ensure success in business. The work force has great work ethics. Despite all the hurricanes and natural disasters, Cadila never lost a man-day. That is a tribute to the wonderful work force we have. I would say that Gujarat is a very business friendly state.

Where do you see Cadila in ten years?

I see us growing and becoming one of the leading pharmaceutical companies of the world.

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