Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Entrepreneur
Entrepreneur

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw

Born 23 March 1953 · Karnataka

Founded Biocon Limited, India's largest biopharmaceutical company, in 1978 in Bangalore.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is an Indian billionaire entrepreneur. She is the executive chairperson and founder of Biocon Limited and Biocon Biologics Limited, a biotechnology company based in Bangalore, India and the former chairperson of Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. In 2014, she was awarded the Othmer Gold Medal for outstanding contributions to the progress of science and chemistry. She was on the Financial Times 2011 top 50 women in business list.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw was denied brewmaster jobs in India in the 1970s solely because she was a woman, despite topping her brewing class in Australia.

The Story

1
In 1974, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw was the only woman enrolled in the Malting and Brewing course at Ballarat College, Melbourne University, topping her class and earning her master brewer degree in 1975.
2
Upon returning to India in 1975, she was denied brewmaster positions because it was deemed "a man's work," pushing her to pivot careers and partner with Leslie Auchincloss to launch Biocon India in 1978.
3🌟 Starting Biocon in a rented shed in Bangalore, she focused on producing enzymes for brewing and textiles, transforming it into a major research-driven biotech company with over 10,000 employees.
4By 2001, Biocon seized the opportunity when the patent for lovastatin expired and began developing affordable cholesterol-lowering drugs for emerging markets.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

In 1974, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw was the only female student in her brewing class at Ballarat College, Melbourne University, where she graduated as master brewer in 1975.

🖼️

Through the Years

4 photographs from the archives
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw speaking at the 36th St.Gallen Symposium (2006).
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw speaking at the 36th St.Gallen Symposium (2006).
2006
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw delivering the 25th I.B. Centenary Endowment Lecture in New Delhi (2012).
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw receiving the Othmer Gold Medal at Chemical Heritage Foundation (2014).
Portrait of Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Indian entrepreneur and founder of Biocon (2014).

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Bangalore, Karnataka
Kiran Mazumdar was born to Gujarati parents in Bangalore, then Mysore state, India.
1953
📚
Education
Graduated in Zoology from Bangalore University
Completed a bachelor's degree in zoology after studying biology and zoology at Bangalore University.
1973
📚
Education
Earned Master Brewer degree in Australia
Graduated as master brewer from Ballarat College, Melbourne University, topping her class as the only woman enrolled.
1975
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Career
Founded Biocon India
Partnered with Leslie Auchincloss to launch Biocon India, initially producing enzymes for brewing and textiles.
1978
🏅
Award
Received Othmer Gold Medal
Awarded for outstanding contributions to the progress of science and chemistry.
2014
🏅
Award
Named EY World Entrepreneur of the Year
Recognized globally for leadership in biotechnology and affordable innovation.
2020
⚡
Career
Biocon Biologics consolidation deal
Biocon announced buying the rest of Biocon Biologics in a $5.5 billion deal to consolidate biosimilars business.
2025
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

Biocon started in 1978 in a rented shed in Bangalore producing enzymes for brewing and textiles before evolving into a biotech giant.

02 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In 2014, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw won the Othmer Gold Medal, a prestigious international award recognizing outstanding progress in science and chemistry.

03 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In 2025, Biocon Biologics was valued at $5.5 billion following a consolidation deal, marking a major step in the company’s global biosimilars expansion.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw pioneered biotechnology entrepreneurship in India by founding Biocon, which established a domestic biotech sector and advanced affordable biopharmaceuticals. Her leadership influenced Indian biotech policies and inspired women entrepreneurs in STEM fields. Biocon’s affordable drug innovations have expanded access to critical medicines in developing countries.

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