The Rise of Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw: How She Built Biocon From Scratch

Major Events Of Kiran Mazumdar-Shaws’ Life

1953 – Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is born on March 23 in Pune, India.

1970 – She completes her schooling at Bishop Cotton Girls’ School in Bangalore.

1973 – She graduates with a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from Bangalore University.

1974 – She moves to Melbourne, Australia, to pursue a post-graduate degree in Malting and Brewing from Ballarat College.

1975 – After completing her degree, Mazumdar-Shaw returns to India and starts working as a trainee brewer at United Breweries in Bangalore.

1978 – She starts Biocon with an initial capital of just Rs. 10,000 ($200).

1984 – Biocon begins manufacturing enzymes for use in the textile and food industries.

1989 – The company starts producing specialty chemicals and enters into a collaboration with Unilever.

1990 – Biocon launches its first biosimilar product, a recombinant streptokinase for the treatment of heart attacks.

1996 – The company establishes a joint venture with the Cuban government to develop and market biopharmaceuticals in Latin America.

2000 – Biocon becomes the first Indian company to receive US FDA approval for a biosimilar drug.

2004 – The company goes public and lists on the Indian stock exchange.

2005 – Mazumdar-Shaw is awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian awards.

2009 – Biocon enters into a partnership with Pfizer for the development of biosimilar drugs.

2010 – The company launches its insulin glargine product, which becomes a major revenue generator.

2011 – Biocon partners with Mylan to develop and market biosimilar drugs globally.

2014 – Mazumdar-Shaw is named among TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world.

2016 – Biocon receives approval from the US FDA for its biosimilar version of Roche’s cancer drug, Herceptin.

2019 – Mazumdar-Shaw is featured in Forbes’ list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women.

2020 – She is named among TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world for the second time.

2021 – Mazumdar-Shaw donates $2 million to the University of Glasgow to support research into infectious diseases.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is an Indian entrepreneur and philanthropist, best known as the founder of Biocon Limited, a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Bangalore, India. Throughout her career, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has been a pioneer in the biotechnology industry and has played a significant role in shaping India’s position in the global biopharmaceutical market. She is also a noted philanthropist and has made significant contributions to healthcare and education in India.

Mazumdar-Shaw is a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly women. She has shown that with determination and hard work, anyone can achieve success, regardless of their background or gender. Her achievements have inspired many young women in India to pursue careers in science and technology, and she continues to be a source of inspiration for millions around the world.