*1953 (India)
My Professional Experience:
Executive Chair at Biocon & Biocon Biologics • Non-Executive Chair at Syngene • Director at PureTech Health • Board Member of MIT Corporation (USA) • Member of the Board of Trustees of Memorial Sloan • Kettering Cancer Center (USA) • International Member of the National Academy of Engineering (USA)
Brief description of activities:
A pioneering biotech entrepreneur, a global influencer, and a passionate philanthropist. As the founder of Biocon, a global biopharmaceutical company, I am working to ensure equitable access to healthcare through affordable innovations.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
“Science and technology are driving forces in solving some of the world’s most pressing problems, from climate change to health inequities.”
Your vision for “Women in STEM”
Women bring unique perspectives and creative approaches to these challenges, enriching the innovation process.
I envision a future in which women are not merely participants in STEM fields, but leaders who inspire and empower others. My vision for women in the STEM sector is one of equality, opportunity, and unlimited possibilities.
My Path to a Career in Science:
For me, the path to a career in science was a very personal one. I was inspired by my love of problem-solving and the conviction that science can tangibly improve people’s lives. However, as a woman entering the fields of biotechnology and entrepreneurship in India in the 1970s, I faced considerable skepticism and challenges. I encountered closed doors and was often told I didn’t belong in this field. What kept me going was an unshakable belief in my goal: to use science to provide affordable solutions for those who need them most.
I was driven by the conviction that science knows no gender it thrives on passion, intellect, and collaboration. At the same time, resilience was key. Every challenge I overcame, whether it was securing funding, gaining credibility, or proving that a woman can lead in science, made me a stronger leader.
Did you have a clear idea of what your future would look like when you were a child?
After graduating from high school, I wanted to become a doctor, but unfortunately I didn’t have the grades to get into medical school. At that time, my father drew my attention to brewing, the oldest form of biotechnology practiced by humans. He encouraged me to pursue a master’s degree in brewing and, like him, to pursue a career as a master brewer. When I returned to India after completing my brewing studies at Ballarat College, University of Melbourne, in Australia, I realized that opportunities in the Indian brewing industry were limited and nonexistent for women. Despite my top-tier academic credentials and strong industry connections, I was unable to secure the job for which I was best qualified.
Undeterred by this setback, I decided to change course. I focused on applying my scientific knowledge of fermentation science to the new and emerging field of biotechnology to develop enzymes. I was determined to use science as a force for good to solve real-world problems, and set out on my mission to “Green the world.” My vision was to build something meaningful and impactful, and so Biocon was founded in 1978 in a small garage with very little capital but a great deal of ambition to make a difference.
My childhood curiosity evolved into a deep commitment to science and innovation. Over the years, I have built Biocon into a world-leading biopharmaceutical company that provides affordable solutions to healthcare challenges, particularly for chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Today, Biocon employs thousands of multidisciplinary scientists with the expertise and passion to develop transformative healthcare solutions. Furthermore, as the founding chair of the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) in India, I am passionately committed to building an innovation-driven, dynamic ecosystem for the Indian biotech industry, which today proudly boasts over 8,500 biotech startups.
Although I did not become a doctor who cares for patients directly, through Biocon I help millions of patients around the world. I became a scientist, an entrepreneur, and an advocate for affordable healthcare.
Which person(s) or experience(s) had the greatest influence on your decision about what career to pursue, and why?
My father, Rasendra Mazumdar, who was a great source of inspiration, believed in my potential and encouraged me to push past my limits. Under his guidance, I completed my training as a master brewer, becoming one of the first women in India to do so. He taught me an important lesson: that money is not a currency used to buy favors, but a currency with which one can make a difference in society.
In addition to my father, I have worked with several visionary colleagues who gave me the confidence to persevere. Their leadership reminded me that science knows no gender – it thrives on passion, intellect, and collaboration.
Please tell us how your interest in your profession, field of study, or trade was sparked.
My interest in science and entrepreneurship was sparked by a desire to use innovation for the benefit of society. When I founded Biocon in 1978, I initially focused on the production of industrial enzymes and sought ways to replace environmentally harmful chemical technologies with eco-friendly enzyme technologies. I was on a mission to “Green the World” by developing eco-friendly enzyme technologies that could disrupt industrial processes based on chemical technologies.
After achieving success in the field of enzymes, I leveraged my knowledge of biotechnology to try to transform the healthcare industry by introducing affordable biopharmaceuticals to patients who needed them most. My mission evolved into “Heal the World,” and I led Biocon in the development, manufacture, and delivery of high-quality, affordable, life-saving biological medicines to patients around the world.
What do you like most about your current job?
As a first-generation entrepreneur, I have been driven by a personal mission: to improve the lives of billions of patients around the world by providing them with affordable access to essential medicines. My vision is rooted in the belief that the healthcare industry has a special responsibility to provide life-enhancing and life-saving therapies to those in need.
One-third of the world’s population still lacks access to essential medicines due to high costs. This harsh reality has shaped my commitment to what I call “affordable innovation” – the use of cutting-edge science to develop breakthrough therapies that are accessible to all. By linking affordability and access, I have pursued a business model that ensures the benefits of innovation reach the poor as well.
For me, scientific research is only truly valuable if its results are accessible to all people, regardless of their financial status. My life’s work is dedicated to building an innovation model that incorporates affordability as a fundamental principle and ensures a global right to healthcare through accessible biopharmaceuticals
These qualities have helped me along the way:
The qualities that have guided me along my journey are rooted in my unwavering commitment to transforming lives through the power of science. Perseverance, resilience, and determination are my driving forces, along with an unshakable commitment to ethics and integrity. I have always believed in the power of knowledge and learning, as well as in building strong human connections.
One of my core beliefs is to never give up, no matter how great the challenges. My mantra has always been: “Failure is temporary. Giving up is permanent.”
If you could give young women some advice, what would it be?
Science is about making a difference in society and helping to improve the world. Take on the challenge of turning the unknown into knowledge and making a difference for humanity.
Learn more about Kiran
Biocon Website | Kirans Blog | Kirans YouTube Channel
Selected YouTube Videos
A Leading Woman in Science | Kiran’s Inspirational Journey on Your Story | Founder Stories | Women in Chemistry
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