Early Life
Vikram Punia was born in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, in 1973, into a wealthy family. In 1992, at the age of 19, he moved to Irkutsk, Russia, to study medicine at the Far Eastern State Academy of Economics and Management.
Rise to Success
Punia started his entrepreneurial journey in Russia by reselling goods before transitioning to the pharmaceutical industry. He founded Pharmasyntez in 1997 in Irkutsk. The company initially repackaged generic antitubercular medicine imported from India. In 2008, he moved the company's headquarters to Moscow and became a Russian citizen in 2009. By 2010, Punia became the sole owner of Pharmasyntez, growing it into a significant player in the Russian pharmaceutical market. He has been recognized as a rising star in the Russian pharmaceutical industry.
Key Business Strategies
Pharmasyntez has focused on producing high-quality, affordable medicines, particularly for socially significant diseases. Punia expanded the company's reach and operations across Russia, with multiple plants and a wide range of medications. The company has also secured deals with the Russian government, making it a key supplier of drugs.
Philanthropy
Punia's mission goes beyond profits. He is passionate about Russia's pharmaceutical independence, ensuring the country produces world-class medicines.