- Age
- 73 yrs
- Birthday in 148 days
- Works listed
- 0
- Career highlights
- Honours
- 5
- Most recent 2020
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Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw founded Biocon in a Bangalore garage in 1978 and built it into one of Asia’s leading biopharmaceutical companies. She is India’s best-known woman entrepreneur in science and was named EY World Entrepreneur of the Year in 2020.
Biography
Early life
Kiran Mazumdar was born in Bangalore, where her father, Rasendra Mazumdar, was head brewer at United Breweries. Encouraged by him, she studied malting and brewing in Australia, graduating top of her class, and worked briefly as a trainee brewer before founding Biocon.
Brewer to biotech founder
Mazumdar-Shaw studied zoology at Bangalore University and trained as a master brewer at Ballarat in Australia. Unable to find a brewing job in India as a woman, she started Biocon in 1978 in a garage in Bangalore, initially making industrial enzymes in a joint venture with an Irish company.
Biocon
Biocon moved into biopharmaceuticals and became known for affordable insulin, biosimilars and cancer drugs sold around the world. She has been a prominent voice for Bengaluru’s civic causes and chaired the board of IIM Bangalore. She received the Padma Shri in 1989 and the Padma Bhushan in 2005, and the Othmer Gold Medal in 2014.
Growing Biocon
Biocon became the first Indian biotech company to export enzymes to the US and Europe, then moved into biopharmaceuticals in the late 1990s. It listed on the stock exchange in 2004 with a heavily oversubscribed IPO, and its subsidiary Biocon Biologics has become one of the world’s major makers of biosimilar insulins and antibodies, including through a 2022 deal to acquire Viatris’s biosimilars business.
Public voice and philanthropy
Mazumdar-Shaw is a vocal advocate for affordable healthcare and for Bengaluru’s civic infrastructure. She signed the Giving Pledge in 2015, funds the Mazumdar Shaw Medical Centre and cancer research in Bengaluru, and has served on the boards of Infosys and international bodies. She was named in Forbes’ list of the world’s most powerful women and Time’s 100 most influential people (2010).
Timeline
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1953
Born in Bangalore (Bengaluru), Mysore State
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1978
Founds Biocon
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1989
Padma Shri
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2004
Biocon goes public
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2005
Padma Bhushan
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2010
Time 100
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2014
Othmer Gold Medal
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2015
Signs the Giving Pledge
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2020
EY World Entrepreneur of the Year
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2022
Biocon Biologics acquires Viatris’s biosimilars business
Awards and honours
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Padma Shri
1989
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Padma Bhushan
2005
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Time 100
2010
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Othmer Gold Medal
2014
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EY World Entrepreneur of the Year
2020
Did you know?
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1
She trained as a master brewer before founding Biocon.
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2
She started Biocon in a garage in Bangalore.
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3
She has signed the Giving Pledge.
Gallery
Frequently asked
Who is Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw?
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw founded Biocon in a Bangalore garage in 1978 and built it into one of Asia’s leading biopharmaceutical companies. She is India’s best-known woman entrepreneur in science and was named EY World Entrepreneur of the Year in 2020.
How old is Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw?
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is 73 years old, born on 23 March 1953 in Bangalore (Bengaluru), Mysore State.
Where is Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw from?
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw was born in Bangalore (Bengaluru), Mysore State.
What is Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw known for?
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is best known for Founding Biocon in 1978; affordable biosimilar insulins and biologics.
What awards has Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw received?
Notable honours include Padma Shri (1989), Padma Bhushan (2005), Time 100 (2010), Othmer Gold Medal (2014).
Who is Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw married to?
Spouse: John Shaw (m. 1998; died 2022).
References
- Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw — IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Official website. kiranshaw.blog. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (Q467215) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editors; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal
- First published 26 October 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw.” TrackFame, last updated 26 October 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/kiran-mazumdar-shaw
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