Meet Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw

Kiran founded Biocon in 1978 from a garage in Bangalore, building it from a small enzyme-manufacturing company into one of Asia’s leading biopharmaceutical businesses. Under her leadership, Biocon has become a global player in biosimilars, biologics, and affordable therapies, with a particular focus on expanding access to medicines for diabetes, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and other chronic conditions.

Today, Kiran continues to shape Biocon’s global biopharma strategy, including the expansion of Biocon Biologics following the integration of Viatris’ biosimilars business. Her influence extends beyond the company itself: as one of India’s most visible biotechnology leaders, she has helped define the country’s role in global biopharma while continuing to advocate for science-led innovation and wider access to healthcare.

“From the outset, I was driven with the purpose to harness the power of science to create meaningful benefits for society. I was inspired to work in drug development because I saw first-hand the stark inequities in global healthcare as life-saving medicines were often out of reach for those who needed them most. This was unacceptable to me.”