Founder Chairman of Wockhardt group, Dr. Habil Khorakiwala was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 10th Integrated Health & Wellbeing (IHW) Summit, a premier think-tank council engaged in public health advocacy and focused on promoting health, wellness and holistic well-being.
The esteemed advisory board recognized the exceptional contributions and lifelong dedication of Dr. Habil Khorakiwala to transform the healthcare landscape in India and globally.
The IHW Council in its statement lauded his visionary leadership which has been pivotal in advancing healthcare accessibility and quality. The Council acknowledged his unparalleled contributions towards unwavering commitment to innovation, patient care and integration of global standards setting a new benchmark in the industry. His pioneering efforts has maintained a balance between affordability and excellence in healthcare, thus leaving a lasting impact on countless lives. His extraordinary leadership serves as an inspiration fostering continued progress towards the shared vision of holistic health and wellbeing for all.
Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Habil Khorakiwala over the period of 25 years, his organisation has focused its research efforts in the area of discovering novel medicines for multi-drug-resistant infections. This has resulted in a portfolio of 6 novel antibiotics at various stages of clinical development and commercialization, each of which have been granted Qualified Infectious Disease Product status by the US FDA. The company’s flagship novel mechanism-based antibiotic, ZaynichTM (Zidebactam/Cefepime), designed to target extreme-drug resistant Gram negative infections, is undergoing a global Phase 3 study. Zaynich has already saved lives of more than 35 critically ill patients under compassionate use over last one year and is also being evaluated in a clinical study involving patients with documented meropenem-resistant infections.
Dr Habil Khorakiwala during the course of his illustrious journey has had many milestones. He founded the first pharmaceutical company to establish manufacturing facilities in Aurangabad, Maharashtra (now known as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar). The company focused on new drug development in the antibiotics space over two decades ago; ventured early into biotechnology and acquired pharmaceutical companies across Europe and USA; it is the unique vision, strong passion and deep conviction of Dr. Khorakiwala that has steered his organisation to emerge as a research-based, global pharmaceutical and biotechnology company with interests across the healthcare value chain.
A member of the World Economic Forum (Davos), he has helmed, as President, FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry) as well as IPA (Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance) where he has played an important role in India’s bilateral relations and contributed towards nation-building efforts. He was also the Chairman of the Board of Governors at the Centre for Organisation Development. He was the Chancellor of Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi, which is an outstanding institution of higher learning with distinct and focused academic programmes.
On his behalf, the award was accepted by Dr. Huzaifa Khorakiwala at the 10th edition of Integrated Health and Wellbeing Summit & Global Health Leaders Awards held on 21st September 2024, at the Hyatt Regency in Deira Dubai.
