Zydus Lifesciences Limited, formerly known as Cadila Healthcare Limited,[3] is an Indian multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Ahmedabad. Primarily engaged in the manufacturing of generic drugs,[4][5][6] the company ranked 100th in the Fortune India 500 list in 2020.[7

Cadila was founded in 1952 by Ramanbhai Patel (1925–2001), formerly a lecturer in the L.M. College of Pharmacy, and his business partner Indravadan Modi.[8]

In 1995, the Patel and Modi families split; the Modi family's share was moved into a new company called Cadila Pharmaceuticals, and Cadila Healthcare became the Patel family's holding company. Cadila Healthcare had its initial public offering in February 2000 and listed on the BSE.[9]

In 2003, the company merged another Indian pharmaceutical company called German Remedies into itself.[10] On 25 June 2007, the company acquired Química e Farmacêutica Nikkho do Brasil Ltda (Nikkho) as part of Zydus Healthcare Brasil Ltda.[11]

In 2014, Cadila Healthcare launched the world's first adalimumab biosimilar under the brand name Exemptia at one-fifth the originator's price.[12] Zydus Cadila Healthcare has also launched its first research based drug molecule Saroglitazar in the treatment of Diabetic Dyslipidemia under brand name "Lipaglyn". SoviHep is the first sofosbuvir brand launched in India by Zydus in the year 2015.[4]

In 2019, injectable ketorolac tromethamine manufactured by Zydus (Cadila Healthcare) was recalled due to microbial growth.[13]

In 2020, Zydus Cadila's drug Desidustat received approval by the USFDA to initiate clinical trials on cancer patients.[14]

In 2022, Cadila Healthcare Ltd was renamed as Zydus Lifesciences Ltd.[15]

In October 2024, USFDA Approval for Prostate Cancer Drug: Zydus Lifesciences received USFDA approval to manufacture enzalutamide tablets, which are used for treating prostate cancer. This drug, an androgen receptor inhibitor, is designed for patients with castration-resistant and metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer. The product will be manufactured at Zydus' facility in Ahmedabad. This approval is part of the company's broader efforts to expand its portfolio of cancer treatments in the U.S. market [16](NDTV Business)

In 2025, Zydus acquired the CDMO business of Agenus including their two biologics manufacturing sites in Emeryville and Berkeley. In addition, they would partner with Agenus to commercialize their molecules in India.[17]