Have you ever thought about how some of our favourite health products came into existence? Products like Tiger Balm, Zandu Balm, and Benadryl cough syrups are part of our daily lives. But what led to the growth of these top pharmaceutical companies in India, providing us with essential medicated solutions? How did they manage the challenges of funding and setting up their operations? One remarkable example is Alkem Laboratories Ltd, which has been in the industry for over 50 years, shaping healthcare in India and beyond.
Back in the early days of independent India, two brothers set out on a journey that would forever change healthcare.
Mr. Samprada Singh, driven by a strong desire to improve healthcare, opened a small medical store in 1953. His hard work led to the creation of Laxmi Pharma and later Magadh Pharma in Patna. However, the founding of Alkem Pharma in 1973 truly transformed the pharmaceutical industry.
With strong support from his younger brother, Mr Basudeo N. Singh, they became known as the Ram-Lakshman duo of the pharma industry. Ranking as the 10th largest pharmaceutical company today by market cap, Alkem Labs has indeed woven a story that should be known to all.
Let’s dive into the history of Alkem Laboratories Ltd.
Alkem Laboratories History: The Evolution of the 10th Largest Pharmaceutical Company in India
Alkem Labs proudly ranks among the top 10 pharmaceutical companies in India.
So, discover how they made their mark!
The story of Alkem Laboratories began in 1973 when a single idea took root: to transform the pharmaceutical industry in India. This beginning was the spark that ignited a remarkable journey.
By 1978, the company established its first manufacturing unit in Taloja, near Mumbai.
As the years rolled on, Alkem kept expanding. In 1992, it declared the opening of its second manufacturing facility in Mandva, Gujarat. However, this later blossomed into an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) facility in 2005.
With a focus on innovation, Alkem opened its first research and development facility in Taloja in 2003. They finally saw the result of this labour in 2006 when Taxim became India’s first anti-infective drug to cross sales of ₹1,000 million.
In 2007, Alkem took its first step on the global stage, filing its first Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) in the United States for the drug Amlodipine. Two years later, in 2009, it received its first ANDA approval in the U.S., a major feather in its cap. That same year, the company made waves by acquiring Pharmacor Pty. Ltd., a generic pharmaceutical company in Australia.
The momentum continued in 2010 when Alkem acquired Ascend Laboratories, a pharmaceutical company in the U.S.
By 2012, the company had not only acquired an API manufacturing facility in the U.S. but also Enzene, a biosimilar development firm in India.
In 2014, Alkem acquired Clindac, a reputable brand in India, from Galderma S.A. In the same year, Clavam crossed ₹2,000 million in domestic sales.
The company reached another milestone in 2015 with a successful Initial Public Offering (IPO).
By 2017, Alkem formed a marketing alliance with Haw Par to exclusively sell and distribute the Tiger Balm range in India.
The year 2018 was a standout, with revenue from the U.S. market crossing US$ 200 million in annual sales. The following year, 2019, theAlkem Labs celebrated crossing the impressive revenue milestone of US$ 1 billion.
In 2020, Alkem expanded its manufacturing capabilities with new formulation and biologics facilities in Indore and Pune, respectively. It was also recognised as a Great Place to Work certified organisation for the first time.
The year 2021 marked the launch of Alkem’s first product from Enzene Bioscience in India. At this point, the company ventured into the respiratory segment with its Pulmocare division.
In 2022, Clavam reached the remarkable sales milestone of ₹6 billion, and Alkem was honoured as “Pharma Company of the Year” at the ET India Pharma World Awards.
It ranked 31st among India’s best companies to work for, further solidifying its reputation in the industry.
In 2023, the company took a leap into the ophthalmology segment with the launch of its eye care division. By 2024, Alkem was recognized as the 10th largest pharmaceutical company in India by a market cap of ₹73,494.80 cr.
This year, Alkem organised over 600 asthma awareness camps across India as part of their “Reliever Free India” campaign. This initiative aimed to educate patients and healthcare professionals.
Additionally, Alkem Labs has also joined the race to acquire JB Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, a deal valued at approximately $3 billion.
The story of Alkem is a classic case of turning dreams into reality.
Alkem Laboratories: Transforming Indian Pharma on a Global Scale
With its existence of over five decades, Alkem Pharmaceutical Ltd has grown into a global leader in healthcare.
Alkem Labs operates in more than 40 countries and has a presence in major markets like the US, Australia, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Their 19 manufacturing units in India and 2 in the United States are at the heart of their global success.
What started as a small step turned into a giant leap as Alkem focused on increasing its international presence. The company now serves Latin America, Europe, Africa, the CIS, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Alkem has over 800 brands and a workforce of 21,000 dedicated individuals. The company generated impressive revenue of ₹126,676 million in FY 23-24.
The journey continues, fueled by the same spirit that started it all.
Alkem Labs Founder- Late Mr. Samprada Singh, Cofounder- Mr, Basudeo N.Singh
Alkem Lab Owner- Mr Basudeo N.Singh
Alkem Product List –
Alkem Lab products include anti-infectives, gastroenterology, cardiology, and oncology. Their key therapeutic offerings include:
- Anti-infective
- Gastroenterology
- Pain Relief/Analgesic
- Anti-diabetic
- Cardiology
- Dermatology
- Neurology/Central Nervous System (CNS)
- Vitamins, Minerals, and Nutrition
- Oncology
- Respiratory
- Rheumatology
- Urology
Alkem Labs Brands- 800+
Alkem Labs Financial Performance- In QIFY25
- Q1 FY25 domestic sales: ₹20,223 million, up 6.4% YoY from ₹19,007 million in Q1 FY24.
- YoY growth: 8.4%, compared to IPM’s 8.7%.
- Therapies outperformed Anti-diabetic, Neuro/CNS, gastrointestinal, dermatology, and VMN.
- Ranking improved: Neuro/CNS and respiratory therapies.
- New product launches: 3 in the domestic market.
- Uprise D3: Moved into the Top 100 brands of IPM from the Top 300 in under four years.
- Alkem Labs Revenue FY 23-24- ` 126,676 Mn
With a strong market presence, Alkem has been able to give back and fund health camps and educational programs.
Let’s take a look at their community growth initiatives.
Transforming Lives: Alkem Labs’ Powerful CSR Efforts
Through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) vision, Alkem aims to uplift society. Their projects are not just about short-term help; they are about lasting, meaningful change.
- Healthcare
Alkem is dedicated to improving health, especially in rural and underserved areas. They’ve built an advanced radiotherapy centre in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.
The company has launched home-based palliative care for cancer patients. Alkem Labs also runs the Alkem Anemia Mukti Abhiyaan. This targets anaemia in vulnerable populations across six states.
- Education
The Alkem Yuva Pathshala program has brought smart classes to 115 government schools in Bihar, with plans to expand. They also provide scholarships for students impacted by COVID-19.
- Rural Development
Its initiatives aim to empower women in places like Baddi and Sikkim through skills training. They’ve also created job opportunities through projects like mushroom farming and noodle-making.
- Environment
Alkem is leading mass tree plantation drives and installing solar-powered street lights. They tend to support both the environment and sustainable livelihoods for farmers.
Alkem Laboratories continues to pave the way for better health—let’s stay tuned for what’s next on their exciting journey!
FAQs| Alkem Laboratories
Alkem Labs currently has more than 800 brands. Some of the top brands include Clavam, Pan, Pan-D, Taxim-O, and A to Z.
Alkem ranks as the tenth largest pharmaceutical company in the India by market cap of ₹73,494.80 cr.
Alkem is best known for its anti-infective drugs, with popular brands like Clavam and Taxim-O. They are recognised for driving innovation in healthcare.
Alkem has four main divisions.These include, Futura, Maxxio, Novokem, and Alkem Healthcare.
Alkem was founded in 1973. As of 2024, the company is 51 years old. It has a long history of contributing to the healthcare sector.
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