Summary

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, born on March 23, 1953 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, is an Indian businesswoman who founded Biocon India, a biopharmaceutical giant. Starting in 1978, Biocon has evolved from an enzyme-making company to a global biopharmaceutical firm with a mindset centred on innovation and affordable healthcare solutions.

Personal Information

Major Events Timeline:

• 1978: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw started Biocon in Bengaluru as a joint venture with Biocon Biochemicals, an Ireland based multinational.
• 2004: Biocon became the first Indian biotech company to go public.
• 2014: Mazumdar-Shaw became the third woman and first Indian to receive the Othmer Gold Medal.
• 2020: She became the first woman entrepreneur from India and the third Indian to be named EY World Entrepreneur of the Year 2020.
• 2024: She was included in Forbes' World's Most Powerful Women 2024 list.

Challenges and Controversies

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and her husband, John Shaw were among the many individuals named in the Pandora Papers investigation. In response to the allegations, Shaw stated that the facts were grossly misrepresented and that she and her husband had always abided by relevant regulations.

In 2024, she was criticised for her views on the Karnataka reservation bill and she faced protests against her in which Biocon’s name boards were vandalised.