First and only self-made woman billionaire from India – Kiran Mazumdar Shaw

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw is India’s richest self-made woman, founder, chair and MD of Biocon Ltd. She ranks 72nd in the Forbes World’s 100 Most Powerful Women’ with a net worth of US$ 3.7billion.

Biocon Ltd founded in a garage in 1978, has written a hugely successful story of Indian entrepreneurial story in the global scenario as an innovation-led global biopharmaceuticals enterprise, which has made outstanding contributions to life sciences and research. As India’s largest listed biopharmaceutical firm, Biocon Ltd has posted a turnover of Rs 7105 crore for FY 20-21.

As a first-generation entrepreneur, Majumdar Shaw has broken all the stereotypes right from her initial days as a PDG in Malting and Brewing (a male-dominated profession) following the footsteps of her father but eventually found her calling in biotechnology.

“I hate the title of being called ‘the richest woman in India’, but it's the recognition that this was the value that I had created as a woman entrepreneur, and that makes me very, very proud.” are the humble thoughts of the unconventional thinker and visionary who wants to give back to the society and work for its upliftment and future.

As a leading woman in science, she is a role model to millions. Kiran has received several coveted awards, honours and titles, both national and international, in recognition of her inspiring achievements. She has been awarded the highest order National honours - Padma Bhushan (2005) and Padma Shri (1989).

As a global influencer, she is ranked among ‘the World’s 25 Most Influential People in Biopharma’ by Fierce Biotech, Forbes magazine’s ‘World’s 100 Most Powerful Women’ and Fortune’s ‘Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Asia-Pacific.’ 

In addition to being a pioneering biotech entrepreneur, she is a healthcare visionary, a global influencer, and a passionate philanthropist. She is the second business leader from India to sign the Giving Pledge, an initiative of the Gates Foundation, committing to give the majority of her wealth to philanthropic causes.

 On January 3, 2022, Biocon’s board approved the merger of Covidshield Technologies Private Limited (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Serum Institute Life Sciences Private Limited) with, and into Biocon Biologics Limited (a Subsidiary of Biocon Ltd), thereby giving a 15% stake to Cyrus Poonawala led Serum Institute. Besides vaccines, the alliance of Biocon and Serum Institute will look to develop antibodies targeting infectious diseases, including Dengue and HIV.

Closing thoughts

In a recent statement, Mazumdar Shaw has shared her thoughts on the recent outbreak of the new Covid variant- Omicron which gives a ray of hope as being an “ Endemic situation”. She finds that although Omicron is surging fast it descends quickly, lesser hospitalization and lesser panic. Her view is to speed up the clinical trial for the vaccine for children below 15.