Lupin was started in 1968 as a small vitamin company with a $120 investment by Desh Bandhu Gupta, who was then an assistant professor at the Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences. He refocused on anti-TB drugs and became a global leader in this neglected segment, just as its incidence was rising in several parts of the world. In a well-planned succession, DBG, as he is popularly called, handed over charge of the now $1.7 billion (revenues) generics-maker to daughter Vinita and son Nilesh in September. DBG remains chairman. Shares of the company, up by 60% in past year on rising profits, boosted his wealth by $850 million.