Shaw, one of the influential people in biopharma

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, chairman and managing director of Biocon, has added another feather to her cap. She is ranked 15th in the top 25 influential people in the biopharma industry by FierceBiotech that tracks the industry globally.

According to a report published by FierceBiotech, though many life sciences businesses in the subcontinent have struggled to develop a winning formula, Shaw has been able to strike a development deal on biosimilar insulin products with Pfizer.

“Starting out with nothing, she has forged a drug development arm that could well prove that the country’s acknowledged scientific skills can translate into a thriving development industry,” the report said.

“Oddly enough, Shaw started off in beer business which taught her a considerable amount about enzyme activity which later helped in bringing her fortune with an industrial enzymes manufacturing business,” it said.

“However, her most recent breakthroughs have been built on a deep understanding of the ways in which India can play a big role in the multinational pharma game,” it said. The industry and Shaw are closely entwined, the report said, adding: “Shaw has proven that the subcontinent can create a go-go life sciences outfit with broad international connections”.