Kallam Anji Reddy, the founder of Dr Reddy's Laboratories, has passed away on 16 March 2013 at Hyderabad's Apollo Hospital.

He was the person behind the setting up of the company, which has now emerged as India's second-largest pharmaceutical company with a market capitalisation of Rs 31,000 crore and the first Indian pharmaceutical company to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2001. He also established several charities working in the areas of education, healthcare and providing livelihoods. He known as a pioneer that helped establish brand India as a manufacturing hub for inexpensive medicine to the world.

PN Devarajan, a close friend who was also a part of the board on Dr Reddy's Laboratories said, "Dr Reddy had an ambition of putting the company on the world map, which he has done. He was a philanthropist and gave away a lot of what he earned for common cause, which is rare among Indian rich people. He was humble, simple and mild-mannered. These qualities coming together in one person are so rare."

Anji Reddy passed away after prolonged fight with cancer and is survived by a son and a daughter. His son, Satish Reddy is the managing director and chief operating officer of the company while his son-in-law, GV Prasad is the vice-chairman and CEO of Dr Reddy's Laboratories.