From Failing Class 12 To Becoming Doctor: This Man’s Journey To Becoming Hyderabad’s Richest

Meet Dr. Murali Krishna Prasad Divi, the founder and Managing Director of Divi’s Laboratories. Despite failing Class 12, he rose to become Hyderabad's richest man, with his company valued at Rs 1.53 trillion. His inspiring story is a testament to perseverance and vision.

Born in a small village in Andhra Pradesh’s Krishna district, Dr. Divi was the youngest of 13 siblings in a financially struggling family. Early academic struggles, including failing his Class 12 exams, didn’t deter him from pursuing his dreams.

Dr. Divi began his career in 1975 as a trainee at Warner Hindustan. Later, he moved to the U.S. with just $7 (Rs 597) in his pocket to explore opportunities. A family emergency brought him back to India, where he partnered with Dr. Kallam Anji Reddy to acquire Cheminor Drugs in 1984.

In 1990, Dr. Divi founded Divi’s Research Centre Pvt. Ltd., providing consulting services to pharmaceutical companies. By 1994, he transformed it into Divi’s Laboratories, investing his savings to establish a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Nalgonda.

Today, Divi’s Laboratories is among the top three manufacturers of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) globally. The company produces essential components for medications treating arthritis, depression, epilepsy, and more, impacting millions worldwide.

The company faced challenges, including a 2017 FDA restriction on its Visakhapatnam facility, which was resolved in six months. Now, Divi’s Laboratories is venturing into green chemistry and developing groundbreaking treatments like GLP-1 peptides for obesity.

Dr. Divi’s journey from failing Class 12 to building a Rs 1.53 trillion empire is awe-inspiring. His success during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly with Molnupiravir production, solidified his status as Hyderabad’s richest person and a global pharmaceutical leader.