When Satish Mehta founded Emcure Pharmaceuticals in 1981 with a ₹3 lakh loan, his ambition was not just to build a successful company, it was to democratize access to healthcare. This first-generation entrepreneur saw medicine as a means to give back to society, ensuring that even the remotest corners of India could benefit from modern treatments.
The entrepreneur is a chemistry graduate from Pune University and holds a PGDM from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. He chose entrepreneurship over campus placements to build something of his own.
Fast forward to today, Emcure stands as a multi-billion-dollar pharmaceutical enterprise with operations in over 70 countries, backed by a workforce of over 11,000 people But at its core, the company still beats with the same mission-driven heart.
When I started my career, medicines were being sold only in major cities like Mumbai. Now, our company has 4,600 medical representatives. So, modern medicine is reaching urban areas, semi-urban areas, and even rural areas.
Satish Mehta shared in an interview
Building a business, uplifting lives
Under Mehta’s leadership, social good became intertwined with corporate growth. Emcure sponsors life‑saving surgeries, supports education for underprivileged students, and has adopted villages to promote awareness about environmental sustainability. In addition, his PRERNA initiative empowers women employees and the NEEM scheme boosts skill development, reinforcing Emcure’s commitment to community.
A purpose-driven global expansion
Beyond commercial success, Mehta has placed innovation at the forefront. Emcure’s R&D includes five major centres and a team of hundreds of scientists working on cutting-edge molecules. His biotechnology venture has developed India’s indigenously created vaccines.
Even Emcure’s global rise has revolved around purpose-led thinking. Satish Mehta prioritized stabilizing operations in India before expanding abroad. “After we had created a base in India, and knew that we would be able to produce quality products and support the team financially, we started building in other countries. After stabilising ourselves in emerging markets, we entered the regulated markets in 2005‑06,” he shared. All along the way he focussed on long-term sustainability and impact.
Leadership across ecosystems
The entrepreneur and philanthropist has served on national policy bodies including the Economic & Commercial Consultative Group and India–China Bilateral Council under NITI Aayog, as well as in committees framing rules for IIMs under the HRD Ministry. He also chairs Zuventus Healthcare and Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, guiding their strategic alignment with Emcure’s mission.
A legacy of impact
From rural India to regulated global markets, Satish Mehta has always practiced purposeful leadership. His vision has turned Emcure into an innovation-driven, socially committed enterprise that continues to expand access, equity, and care.
In Mehta’s story, entrepreneurship becomes the means to a greater goal of giving back sustainably and at scale through every facet of healthcare and community upliftment.
