Padma Shri Michel Postel: The Visionary Pioneer
The Journey to India
Padma Shri Michel Postel, A distinguished French national with a background in pharmacology and medicine, Padma Shri Michel Postel was an alumnus of École Supérieure de Commerce (Sup de Com), Paris, and a former US Air Force fighter pilot who rose to the rank of Squadron Leader. He brought unwavering discipline, courage, and vision to India’s pharmaceutical sector.
He began his professional path with Laboratoires Richelet in France, where he was offered a choice to work in either Brazil or India. Choosing India, he first arrived in Kolkata. Undeterred by early setbacks, he relocated to Mumbai, where his entrepreneurial acumen flourished.
Recognizing a critical shortage of essential medicines, he pioneered the import of cortisone and penicillin. Demonstrating foresight, he introduced Penicillin V to India—avoiding the side effects associated with Penicillin G—and became the first to launch oral penicillin in the country.
His success led to the establishment of Roussel India Ltd., and on May 1, 1949, he founded Franco-Indian United Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. Through strategic collaborations with Laboratoires Grimault and Ward Blenkinsop (London), he fortified modern healthcare across India.
A Trailblazer of Firsts in Indian Healthcare
Padma Shri Michel Postel introduced groundbreaking pharmaceutical innovations that transformed treatment paradigms across the nation:
- ORAL PENICILLIN V - The first oral penicillin formulation launched in India.
- CORTISONE - The first steroid introduced in the Indian market.
- METFORMIN (Glyciphage) - The cornerstone of modern diabetes treatment.
- LAVIEST - India’s first live yeast preparation (Saccharomyces cerevisiae P).
- MELANOCYL - A landmark treatment for psoriasis and vitiligo, accompanied by India's first PUVA clinic for targeted UV light therapy.
- CEMITIDINE (FRANCO-INDIAN) – TIndia’s first generic $H_2$ receptor antagonist.
- LACTISYN - India’s first probiotic in lyophilized form (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus lactis, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Streptococcus lactis).
- MIXCAROTIN - India’s first mixed carotenoids formulation.
Revolutionizing Diabetes Care
In 1962, at a time when biguanides faced global skepticism, Michel Postel championed the safety and efficacy of metformin, launching Glyciphage in India.
He invited renowned French diabetologist Dr. Jean Sterne—the "father of metformin"—to apprise the Indian medical community of the therapy's profound benefits. Supported by Dr. M. Viswanathan ("father of Diabetology in India"), this initiative revolutionized diabetes care decades before metformin achieved acceptance in the United States in 1995.
"When I look back on my life, I definitely can say that I have served a purpose on Earth."
— Dr. Jean Sterne, reflecting on the global impact of metformin.
For over 20 years, Glyciphage remained India’s exclusive metformin brand, reaching millions and cementing Franco-Indian Pharmaceuticals as a leader in diabetology.
Medical Education & Cultural Legacy
Driven by a passion for medical knowledge, Michel Postel founded the prestigious journal La Médecine en France. Published exclusively for medical professionals, the journal served as a trusted educational platform for clinical medicine, therapeutics, and global healthcare advancements—reinforcing Franco-Indian's commitment to continuous medical education.
Beyond medicine, he was a writer and renowned patron of Indian art, authoring 12 books and founding the Musée Asiatica in Biarritz, France.
A Distinction of Excellence
Michel Postel was honored as an Officer of France’s National Order of Merit in 1971 and was awarded the Padma Shri in 2016 by the late President of India, Pranab Mukherjee.
- 16 Total Padma Shri recipients from France
- Only 4 Born French Nationals
- Padma Shri Michel Postel stands among this distinguished group.
His legacy of vision, integrity, and innovation continues to guide Franco-Indian Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. in its mission to serve humanity.
A Rare Honour Among French Nationals
A Rare Honour Among French Nationals
Padma Shri–French Recipients
Only 16 Padma Shri recipients from France
Only 4 Born French Nationals
Padma Shri Michel Postel
Among this Distinguished Group
The Padma Shri is one of India’s highest civilian honors, awarded to individuals who have made distinguished contributions across various fields, including public affairs, science, arts, social work, and industry. Since the inception of the awards in 1954, only a select group of recipients from France have been conferred with this prestigious recognition. Among this distinguished group stands Padma Shri Michel Postel, whose lifelong devotion to Indian healthcare and heritage earned him this exceptional recognition. We take immense pride in his inclusion among the native French citizens to receive this honor—a distinction that reflects the depth of his personal contributions and highlights the strong cultural and intellectual ties between India and France.
Padma Shri Awardees of French Connection
| Year | Recipient | Field | Nationality Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Pessie Madan | Civil Service | Indian-Origin French |
| 1981 | S.H. Raza | Arts | Indian-Origin French |
| 1983 | Raghubir Sing | Arts | Indian-Origin French |
| 2001 | Sanjaya Rajaram | Science & Engineering | Indian-Origin French |
| 2011 | Granville Austin | Literature & Education | Indian-Origin French |
| 2011 | Upendra Baxi | Public Affairs | Indian-Origin French |
| 2013 | Christopher Pinney | Literature & Education | Indian-Origin French |
| 2015 | Saumitra Rawat | Medicine | Indian-Origin French |
| 2016 | Saeed Jaffrey | Arts | Indian-Origin French |
| 2016 | Michel Postel | Arts | French |
| 2020 | Prithwindra Mukherjee | Literature & Education | Indian-Origin French |
| 2024 | Charlotte Chopin | Others - Yoga | French |
| 2024 | Pierre-Sylvain Filliozat | Literature & Education | French |
| 2024 | Fred Negrit | Literature & Education | French |
| 2024 | Kiran Vyas | Others - Yoga | Indian-Origin French |
| 2025 | Chetan Chitnis | Science & Engineering | Indian-Origin French |
Disclaimer: The above information has been compiled from publicly available sources, including Wikipedia. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, the data has not been independently verified with official Government of India records.
Our Legacy: Padma Shri Michel Postel
In recognition of his significant contributions to preserving and promoting art across borders, the Government of India honored Padma Shri Michel Postel with the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2016.
Musée Asiatica, Biarritz, France.
Much more than a traditional museum, Musée Asiatica houses one of Europe’s finest private collections of Asian art. We celebrate our founder’s lifelong dedication to the world of art—a passion that has enriched not only his own life journey, but also the halls of Musée Asiatica.
His generous donation of over 1,600 historical Indian and Chinese artifacts stands as a lasting testament to his deep appreciation and respect for global cultural heritage.
Published Books
Padma Shri Michel Postel authored and published numerous books focusing on Indian art, archaeology, and culture. His publications highlight a lifelong involvement in documenting India's heritage through meticulous archaeological and ethnographic studies.
