Way back in 1910, late Shri Jugatram S. Vaidya, the grandson of late Shri “Vd Karuna Shankar Bhatt” alias “Zandu Bhattji”, then a renowned Physician, who had an opportunity of acquiring profound experience in Chemistry and Pharmacy, while working under Professor Lee in the Chemical Laboratory at Rajkot, Gujarat dreamt to have a burning desire for establishing a modern Auyrvedic Pharmaceutical Industry for preparation of medicines described in books like Charak samhita, Sushruta samhita, Bhaishajya-Ratnavali, Sarangdhar etc. with modern manufacturing practices. His dream came to reality with the birth of the Zandu Pharmaceutical Works, founded by him in October 1910 to manufacture Ayurvedic medicines. Late Shri Mathuradas B. Parikh later joined hands with Shri Vaidya in this Nobel endeavor. The great success received in the first 9 years necessitated immediate extension of the production capacity. Zandu thus in 1919, went public with the issuance of stocks. Zandu became a Public Limited company in 1919. Zandu produces a range of over 300 health promoting products. In fact, Zandu products hold the key to health and longevity. The products are manufactured at several locations in India.

In 1990, the Zandu Foundation for Health Care (ZFHC) was set up with mandate to carry out research and developmental activities on medicinal plants and transfer of technologies to the farmers for commercial cultivation by the visionary and legendary figure Late Dr. K. M. Parikh and registered under Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950 on 31st December, 1990 vide registration number is F-14266 and under Society Registration Act, 1860 vide registration number MAH 317/1990-91 dated 12 June, 1990 (DARPAN Registration No. is MH/2017/0169445). Subsequently, the Foundation was recognized by the Govt. of India, Ministry of Science and Technology, as “Scientific Industrial Research Organization” (SIRO). The Foundation has also been granted exemption certificate under section 35, clause (ii) of sub-section (I) of the income tax act, 1961 under the category institution.

Emami Ltd., a leading FMCG company acquired Zandu Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and Zandu Foundation for Health Care in year 2008. The merger between these two companies is regarded as a blessing and both the duo derive maximum consolidation for this. As both the firms have much in common relating to innovative product expansion based on holistic healing system of Ayurveda, this transaction will lead to further development of operational efficiency and significantly contribute to the growth of the two companies. Since both the companies share a rich heritage and experience it is easier for them to harness the existing opportunities.

The ZFHC has established and developed a well-planned research facility at Ambach (between 20.40°N latitude and 72.98° E longitude; altitude: 15 m amsl), District Valsad in South Gujarat during the year 1990. The ZFHC is engaged in the research and developmental activities of medicinal and aromatic plants. These research and development work includes germplasm collection, varietal development, studies on seed germination, agro-technology, commercial and contractual cultivation, development of post-harvest technology etc. The ZFHC engaged in developing model cultivation practices and testing them on a pilot scale before transferring these to the farmers in the region. The ZFHC has developed schemes, in which the foundation provides complete package of technical know-how to the farmers, make supervisory visits to monitor the crop production and arrange the buy-back on pre-fixed price. The Foundation is organizing farmers training as part of transfer of technology program to improve their skill in growing these specialized crops.