Poonawalla joined the
Serum Institute of India in 2001, after graduating from university. Then exporting its products to 35 countries, Poonawalla concentrated on the company's international market, new products license and getting pre-qualified by the
World Health Organization for supply to United Nations Agencies including
UNICEF and
PAHO. As of 2015, he has helped the company export its products to over 140 countries; 85 percent of its revenues are from overseas. In 2011, he became the CEO. In 2012, he played a major role in the acquisition of Bilthoven Biologicals, a Netherlands-based government vaccine manufacturing company. Poonawalla is a board member of the
GAVI Alliance, the global vaccine alliance. He initiated and launched Serum Institute's oral polio vaccine in 2014, which became a bestseller for the company. It was reported that he planned to expand the product portfolio to include vaccines for dengue, flu, and cervical cancer during the same year. Poonawalla also said that he will start COVID vaccine production outside India, in addition to the ongoing production in India. In May 2021, he was appointed chairman of Poonawalla Fincorp, after acquiring a 66% stake in the financial services company. In 2024, he acquired a 50% stake in
Dharma Productions for 1,000 crore. == Philanthropy ==