Adar Poonawalla

CEO of Serum Institute of India · age 45

Adar Poonawalla photo

life in chapters

7 milestones from birth to now, with Adar's age at every one.

1980s

  1. Birth

    Born January 14, 1981

2000s

  1. age ~20 Career milestone

    Joins the Serum Institute of India

    executive

    Poonawalla began working at the family-founded vaccine maker in 2001 after his studies in the United Kingdom.

2010s

  1. age ~30 Career milestone

    Becomes CEO of the Serum Institute of India

    chief executive

    He took over as chief executive of the world's largest vaccine manufacturer in 2011.

2020s

  1. age ~40 Career milestone

    Named chairman of Poonawalla Fincorp

    chairman

    In 2021 he became chairman of the financial-services company Poonawalla Fincorp.

  2. age 40 Award

    Named to the Time 100

    honoree

    Poonawalla was included on Time magazine's 2021 list of the 100 most influential people for the Serum Institute's role in COVID-19 vaccine supply.

  3. age ~43 Career milestone

    Acquires 50% stake in Dharma Productions

    investor

    In 2024 Poonawalla bought a 50 percent stake in Karan Johar's film banner Dharma Productions for about 1,000 crore rupees.

  4. age 45 Career milestone

    Announces bid to buy IPL's Royal Challengers Bengaluru

    bidder

    On 22 January 2026 Poonawalla said he would place a strong and competitive bid for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru cricket franchise, though he later dropped out of the race.

age 45 now

Still going