Serum Institute of India was founded in 1966 with the aim of manufacturing life-saving immuno-biologicals, which were in shortage in the country and imported at high prices. Thereafter, several life-saving biologicals were manufactured at prices affordable to the common man and in abundance, with the result that the country was made self-sufficient for Tetanus Anti-toxin and Anti-snake Venom serum, followed by DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis) group of Vaccines and then later on MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) group of vaccines.

The Philanthropic philosophy of the company still not only exists but has been proliferated to bring down the prices of newer vaccines such as Hepatitis-B vaccine, Rabies vaccine, Combination vaccine etc., so that not only Indian's, but the entire under-privileged children of the world, in more than 140 countries are protected from birth onwards.

Serum Institute of India have recently set up Serum Bio Pharma Park, India's first biotech Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The Park is adjoining Serum Institute's existing manufacturing unit and is a sector-specific SEZ meant for biotechnology and pharmaceutical products. The SEZ will allow Serum Institute of India to avail various tax benefits such as income tax, import duty on capital goods etc. This has encouraged a lot of foreign companies to partner with Serum Institute of India to avail and share these benefits.