Dr Reddy8217;s founder K Anji Reddy dies at 72

He died of liver cancer at 3.45 pm at the Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad.

Many in the industry saw in him a drug discovery pioneer. Dr Reddy set up his Ramp;D facility at what was once his farm.

A chemical engineer who also served as a member on Prime Minister8217;s Council on Trade amp; Industry,Reddy is survived by wife Samrajyam,daughter Anuradha and son K Satish Reddy,who is the managing director and COO of the company. His son-in-law G V Prasad is the Vice Chairman and CEO of the company.

In April 2011,he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan,one of the highest Civilian Awards in India,recognising his distinguished service of high order in the field of Trade and Industry.

Reddy spearheaded and founded the Neo-natal Intensive Care and Emergencies called 8216;NICE Foundation8217;,the only institute for new-borns in Asia.

In 1998,Reddy set up Naandi Foundation for proving safe drinking water in rural areas. The foundation gives midday meals to 1.3 million government school-going children and farmers,a DRL statement said.