The Morning Brief

ET@Davos: Corner Office Conversation with Adar Poonawalla

Jan 24, 2025

Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India and a leader in global vaccine production, shares insights from the World Economic Forum. He discusses the impact of Trump's withdrawal from the WHO and strides made in vaccine equity. Key projects like the HPV vaccine, along with innovations in malaria and dengue vaccine development, are highlighted. Poonawalla reveals a $2 billion investment focused on cutting-edge research and the integration of AI in clinical trials, while also diversifying into films and music. A captivating blend of health and business!

23:45

Creator website

Episode guests

Adar Poonawalla

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Adar Poonawalla emphasizes the urgent need for vaccine equity amid political shifts like Trump's withdraw from the WHO, impacting global health access.

The Serum Institute of India is investing significantly in innovative vaccine technologies and diversifying into sectors like entertainment to future-proof its growth.

Deep dives

Davos and Global Health Dynamics

The World Economic Forum in Davos serves as a pivotal venue where influential leaders meet to discuss pressing global issues, particularly in healthcare. The conversation highlights the impact of political decisions, such as the United States' withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), on global health standards and vaccine accessibility. This shift raises concerns about delays in vaccine pre-qualifications and approvals, which could hinder efforts to provide affordable vaccines to lower-income countries. As a result, maintaining vaccine equity remains a critical topic at the forum, echoing past calls for more accessible healthcare solutions for all nations.

Intro

3min

The Role of WHO in Global Vaccine Approval and Equity

2min

Advancements in Vaccine Development and Future Prospects

4min

Vaccine Development and Rollout Plans

2min

Vaccine Strategies and Investment Insights

12min

Arijit Barman is joined by Adar Poonawalla, CEO, Serum Institute of India, at the World Economic Forum 2025 where he sheds light on concerns around Trump’s pullout from the WHO, progress in achieving vaccine equity, status of key projects like the HPV vaccine to combat cervical cancer, and upcoming vaccines for malaria, dengue, and chikungunya. He also discusses the institute’s $2 billion investment in cutting-edge research and facilities, the use of AI to aid clinical trials, and the development of needle-free vaccine delivery methods. Beyond healthcare, Poonawalla highlights his strategic diversification from financial services and insurance to films and music labels.

Tune in:.

If you like this episode, check out more Corner Office Conversations from the podcast: S. Jaishankar, Ravi Kant Jaipuria,Arjun Nohwar, Manoj Chacko, G.V. Prasad, Dara Khosrowshahi, Henry Kravis, Campbell Wilson, Warren K. Harris,Nithin Kamath, Corner Office Conversation With Monika Shergill, VP, Content, Netflix India and more!

You can follow our host Arijit Barman on his social media: Twitter and Linkedin