Early Life
Habil Khorakiwala was born in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, in 1942, into a Dawoodi Bohra family. His father, Fakhruddin T. Khorakiwala, was the founder of Akbarallys, India's first departmental store, and a former Sheriff of Mumbai. Khorakiwala graduated in pharmacy from L.M. College in Ahmedabad and obtained a Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Science from Purdue University. He later completed an Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School.
Rise to Success
Khorakiwala founded Wockhardt in 1967, transforming it into a multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology firm. Under his leadership, Wockhardt became a major player in the pharmaceutical industry, with a presence in various countries and a workforce of over 7,000 employees. He spearheaded the company's focus on research and development, particularly in antibiotics, which led to several innovative products and patents.
Key Business Strategies
Khorakiwala emphasized a customer-centric approach, driving innovation and continuous improvement within Wockhardt. He expanded the company through strategic acquisitions and by venturing into biotechnology, making Wockhardt a pioneer in recombinant insulin production in Asia. Khorakiwala has been praised for his tenacity, vision, and ability to remain calm during crises, leading Wockhardt through challenges.
Philanthropy
Khorakiwala established the Wockhardt Foundation, committed to social welfare and healthcare initiatives. The foundation has impacted millions of lives through programs like the Mobile 1000 project, which offers primary healthcare in rural areas, and the Pronto Toilets program, which builds household toilets.
