Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw

Member, Advisory Board

Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is one of India’s most accomplished entrepreneurs, biotechnology pioneers, and philanthropists. As the Founder and Executive Chairperson of Biocon Limited and Biocon Biologics Limited, she has been instrumental in transforming India into a global leader in biotechnology and biopharmaceutical innovation. Widely recognised as the architect of India’s biotechnology revolution, she has demonstrated how science, innovation, and entrepreneurship can be harnessed to deliver affordable, high-quality healthcare solutions to millions of people worldwide.

Born in Bengaluru in 1953, Dr. Mazumdar-Shaw graduated in Zoology from Bangalore University before pursuing professional training in Brewing Science at Ballarat College of Advanced Education (now Federation University Australia). Despite facing significant gender bias in the brewing industry, she chose the entrepreneurial path and founded Biocon in 1978 from a small garage with limited capital. Under her visionary leadership, Biocon has grown into one of the world’s leading innovation-driven biopharmaceutical companies, with a global presence in more than 120 countries and a strong focus on developing affordable therapies for diabetes, cancer, autoimmune disorders, and other chronic diseases.

Over the past four decades, Dr. Mazumdar-Shaw has led Biocon’s transformation from an industrial enzymes company into a globally respected biopharmaceutical enterprise specialising in biologics, biosimilars, novel therapeutics, and research-driven healthcare solutions. Her pioneering efforts have significantly improved access to affordable medicines while positioning India as a major contributor to global life sciences and biotechnology research. She has consistently championed innovation-led growth, scientific excellence, and ethical entrepreneurship, inspiring generations of scientists, researchers, and entrepreneurs.

Beyond her corporate leadership, Dr. Mazumdar-Shaw has made remarkable contributions to public health, medical research, education, and philanthropy. Through the Mazumdar-Shaw Medical Foundation and other philanthropic initiatives, she has supported advanced cancer care, translational research, healthcare infrastructure, and scientific education. She has also served as Chairperson of the Board of Governors of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) and has been associated with several national and international organisations promoting biotechnology, innovation, and public policy.

Dr. Mazumdar-Shaw has received numerous national and international honours for her exceptional contributions to science, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. The Government of India conferred upon her the Padma Shri (1989) and the Padma Bhushan (2005). She has also received the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year, the Othmer Gold Medal, the Nikkei Asia Prize, and the Order of Australia, among many other prestigious recognitions. She has been featured in TIME’s 100 Most Influential People, Forbes’ World’s Most Powerful Women, and the Financial Times’ Top Women in Business, reflecting her global influence and leadership.

As a Member of the Advisory Board of the Sharad Pawar Inspire Fellowship, Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw brings exceptional expertise in biotechnology, healthcare innovation, entrepreneurship, research, and institution building. Her lifelong commitment to scientific excellence, affordable healthcare, innovation-led development, and social responsibility provides invaluable guidance to the Fellowship’s mission of nurturing future leaders in Agriculture, Education, and Literature, empowering them to drive sustainable innovation and nation-building.