Our History

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

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

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

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

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.

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)

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

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

50 years of Cipla - Golden Jubilee celebrations

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

Cipla acquires 100% of share capital of Cipla Medpro (South Africa)

Strong Legacy, Stronger Future - Cipla's 80th Anniversary celebrations

Acquisition of InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Exelan Pharmaceuticals Inc. (USA) 

Dr. Y.K. Hamied speaks about local manufacturing of ARVs in Africa and accelerating access to treatment at a United Nations meet in New York

Launch of Cipla SAGA (Sub-Saharan Africa and Global Access)

Cipla QCIL becomes the first privately founded Ugandan company  and the first pharmaceutical company to be listed on the Uganda Securities Exchange.