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BIOCON

Biocon Logo
Type	Public company
Traded as	BSE: 532523 NSE: BIOCON
Industry	Biotechnology
Founded	1978 (1978)
Founder(s)	Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
Headquarters	Bangalore, India
Key people	Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairman & MD
Products	Pharmaceuticals Enzymes
Revenue	28.14 billion (US$561.39 million) (2010-11)[1]
Net income	3.68 billion (US$73.42 million) (2010-11)
Employees	5,585 (Mar 2011)[1]
Subsidiaries	Syngene Clinigene
Website	www.biocon.com

Biocon Limited (BSE: 532523) is a global biopharmaceutical company with products and research services ranging from pre-clinical to clinical development through to commercialization.^{[ref 1]} Within biopharmaceuticals, the Company manufactures generic active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) like Statins and Immunosuppressants that are sold in the developed markets of the United States and Europe. It also manufactures biosimilar Insulins, which are sold in India as branded formulations and in both bulk and formulation forms. In research services, Syngene International Limited (Syngene) is engaged in the business of custom research in drug discovery while the other fully owned subsidiary Clinigene International Limited (Clinigene) is in the clinical development space. In December 2009, Biocon acquired the Active Pharma Ingredients (API) undertaking from IDL Speciality Chemicals Ltd., a subsidiary of Gulf Oil Corporation Limited.

Located with R & D in Bangalore and API unit in Hyderabad, India, Biocon has two subsidiaries— Syngene, a custom research organization, and Clinigene, a clinical research organization. Biocon’s presence straddles four main therapeutic areas—Diabetology, Cardiology, Nephrology and Oncology—even as it plans to introduce two new divisions, Comprehensive Care, and Immunotherapy, this year.

Biocon’s cardiology, nephrology, diabetology and oncology products including BESTOR, BASALOGTM, BioMAb EGFR, STATIX, NUFIL safe, INSUGEN, TACROGRAF, ERYPRO safe, and MYOKINASE are claimed to be considerably less expensive than other leading brands.^{[ref 1]} Two of its novel programs on the verge of proof-of-concept stage are IN-105, which is the only oral insulin in the world to be in long duration clinical trials, and the T1h, a novel humanized monoclonal antibody (MAb), the only first-in-class novel MAb being tested in India for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.^{[ref 1][ref 2]}

Between 2005 and 2010, Biocon entered into more than 2,200 high-value R&D licensing and other deals within the pharmaceuticals and bio-pharmaceutical space.^{[ref 1]} It has also expanded its global footprint to emerging and developed markets through acquisitions, partnerships and in-licensing. Biocon’s Corporate Social Responsibility wing, the Biocon Foundation, is involved in numerous health and education outreach programs targeting the underprivileged sections of India.

In 2009–10, Biocon’s net income increased 44% to 24,048 million, crossing the half-billion-dollar mark and profits grew 215% to 2,933 million. The pharmaceutical business exceeded 200,871 million in revenue and the net R&D expenditure increased to 917 million, growing 42% over 2008 and up 282% over 2005, while its research services business crossed 2,807 million.^{[ref 1]}

Biocon, Syngene and Clinigene together employ approximately 4,500 personnel including biologists, chemists, medical practitioners, pharmacologists, engineers, finance/legal/marketing analysts, HR generalists and general administrators. Around 6% of its employees have PhD degrees, 45% have a master’s degree, and 33% are graduates. Biocon also collaborates with educational institutes to make courses more industry oriented.^{[ref 1]}

History[link]

Having decided to become a brewer like her father, Kiran Mazumdar–Shaw qualified as a master brewer from Australia’s University of Ballarat. However, in India she was unable to find a job because of her gender.^{[ref 3]} It was when she was planning to go abroad to start a brewing career, that she had a chance meeting with Les Auchincloss, who had started a biotechnology company in Ireland called Biocon. He asked her to be his business partner and start Biocon in India. Having no entrepreneurial background, she refused the offer at first. However, when Les Auchincloss, persuaded her to give it a try with a buy-back clause if the business failed, she finally conceded and spent six months in Ireland, training for the job.

Back in Bangalore in 1978 she started Biocon with 10,000 as the initial capital, failing to find any financial institution to back her.^{[ref 4]} She began operations out of the garage of a rented house with two employees. She faced several hurdles—the company was operating in an environment with sub-optimal infrastructure and personally, she had credibility issues to overcome: she was a 25-year-old first-generation woman entrepreneur without business experience. There was the risk of the business of biotechnology itself—an unknown business in 1978.

Biocon’s first product to go to market was peptinpapain, an enzyme found in papaya which is used to prevent beer from turning hazy.^{[ref 5]} Until 1983, the company blended enzymes and supplied them to brewing, textiles, biofuels, animal feed and other such industries across the world. In the mid-1980s with a loan of US$250,000 from ICICI Bank, Biocon was able to build a solid-state fermentation plant which helped in the growth of its R&D.

In 1989, the Irish Biocon was acquired by Unilever. In the mid-1990s, Kiran Mazumdar–Shaw decided to focus on biopharmaceuticals rather than enzymes. But Unilever, a major shareholder, did not want to be in the biopharmaceuticals business. At that time, John Shaw, the Scotsman whom Kiran Mazumdar–Shaw had married in 1998, used his savings to reclaim the entire Biocon stake from Unilever.^{[ref 6]}

Deciding to follow an aggressive growth chart, Biocon soon ventured into the lucrative biopharmaceutical segment. Foreseeing a great opportunity when branded drugs went off patent, they began to develop lovastatin, a cholesterol-lowering drug whose patent expired in 2001. Biocon eventually began making other forms of statins. The company’s revenue went up from 700 million in 1998, to 5 billion in 2004 when it went public.^{[ref 7]}

In 2007, Biocon made a strategic decision to divest its historic enzymes business to Novozymes A/S of Denmark. Today, Biocon has evolved from an enzyme company to a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company. It now focuses its activities on its bio-pharma business verticals that include APIs, biologicals and proprietary molecules both commercialized and under development.^{[ref 8]}

It is the first company globally to manufacture human insulin, Insugen using a Pichia expression system. In 2006, Biocon launched BIOMAb EGFR^{[ref 9]} the first indigenously developed humanized monoclonal antibody for head-and-neck cancer.

Biocon’s milestone events in each year are as follows ^{[ref 10]}:

• November 29, 1978—Biocon India is incorporated as a joint venture between Biocon Biochemicals Ltd. of Ireland and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw.
• 1979—Becomes the first Indian company to manufacture and export enzymes to USA and Europe.
• 1989—Unilever plc. acquires Biocon Biochemicals Ltd. in Ireland and merges it with its subsidiary, Quest International; Biocon receives US funding for proprietary technologies.
• 1990—Scales up its in-house research program, based on a proprietary solid substrate fermentation technology, from pilot to plant level.
• 1993—Biocon's R&D and manufacturing facilities receive ISO 9001 certification from RWTUV, Germany.
• 1994—Establishes Syngene International Pvt. Ltd. as a Custom Research Company (CRC).
• 1996—The commercial success of Biocon's proprietary fermentation plant leads to a 3-fold expansion; enters biopharmaceuticals and statins.
• 1997—Spearheads initiatives in human healthcare through a dedicated manufacturing facility.
• 1998—Unilever agrees to sell its shareholding in Biocon to the Indian promoters. Biocon becomes an independent entity
• 2000—Commissions its first fully automated submerged fermentation plant to produce specialty pharmaceuticals; establishes Clinigene, India's first Clinical Research Organisation (CRO).
• 2001—Becomes the first Indian company to be approved by USFDA for the manufacture of lovastatin; PlaFractor is granted a US 2001 and world-wide patent.
• 2002—Clinigene's clinical laboratory receives CAP accreditation.
• 2003—Biocon becomes the first company worldwide to develop human insulin on a Pichia expression system.
• 2004—Day 1 on the bourses closes with a market value of $1.11 billion, making Biocon only the second Indian company to cross the $1 billion mark on the first day of listing; Syngene establishes new research centre; Biocon launches INSUGEN; Biocon partners with Vaccinex to discover and co-develop at least four therapeutic antibody products.
• 2005—Signs a commercial agreement for supply of insulin API to Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
• 2006—Inaugurates Biocon Biopharmaceuticals, India's largest multi-product Biologics facility at Biocon Park; Inaugurates Biocon Park, India's largest integrated biotechnology hub; Licensing agreement with Bayer HealthCare (BHC) for the exclusive marketing and trademark rights for INSUGEN for the Chinese market; Syngene signs a cooperation agreement with Innate Pharmaceuticals to jointly develop, manufacture and market virulence blockers to counteract bacterial diarrhoeal disease; Biocon launches India's first anti-cancer drug, BIOMAb EGFR.
• 2007—Biocon and Neopharma sign an MOU to establish a JV to manufacture and market a range of biopharmaceuticals for the GCC countries; Grants exclusive license to Ferozsons Laboratories Limited for marketing BIOMAb EGFR in Pakistan; Announces the launch of its Nephrology Division and a comprehensive portfolio of renal therapy products; Syngene enters into a research partnership with Bristol-Myers Squibb; Biocon signs MoU with Deakin University, Australia to establish Deakin Research Institute in Bangalore; Divests enzymes division for USD 115 million to Novozymes; Biocon and Abraxis BioScience, announce an agreement wherein Abraxis will license the right to develop a biosimilar version of G-CSF (Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor) in North America and the European Union; Biocon and Neopharma sign an MoU to establish Neobiocon, a JV company in Dubai; Biocon and Abraxis BioScience Inc., announce a licensing agreement for the commercialization of Abraxane in India; Biocon presents the results of Phase 1 studies on its oral insulin product, IN-105 at the European Association for Study of Diabetes (EASD) meeting held at Amsterdam.
• 2008—Biocon acquires a 70% stake in German pharmaceutical company, AxiCorp GmbH for a consideration of €30 Million; Launches a Safety Device in the form of pre-filled syringes for two of its life saving products, GCSF and EPO in collaboration with Safety Syringes Inc.; Biocon and Abraxis Bioscience launch Abraxane in India for treatment of breast cancer; Biocon ranked among the top 20 global biotechnology companies (Med Ad News); Biocon is the 7th largest biotech employer in the world (Med Ad News); NeoBiocon and Abraxis Bioscience launch Abraxane in The UAE.
• 2009—Syngene partners with Sapient Discovery to expand integrated drug discovery offerings; Syngene and DuPont Crop Protection Forge Alliance Partnership; Bristol-Myers Squibb and Syngene open new R&D facility at Biocon Park; Biocon launches BASALOGTM - long lasting basal insulin for Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetics; Biocon inks partnership with ISB to launch the Biocon Cell for Innovation Management; Announces strategic collaboration with Mylan to enter the global generic biologics market; Biocon and Amylin Pharmaceuticals enter into a global development and commercialization agreement for a novel peptide hybrid.

Corporate Governance[link]

Biocon’s technocrat CMD Kiran Mazumdar–Shaw has nurtured Biocon since its inception in 1978, steering its evolution from a maker of industrial enzymes to a fully integrated biopharmaceutical enterprise with world-class capabilities.,,^{[ref 10][ref 11][ref 12]}

Her efforts in biotechnology have drawn global recognition both for the industry in India and for Biocon and she has been termed India’s Biotech Queen by The Economist ^{[ref 13]} and India’s mother of invention by The New York Times.^{[ref 14]} She was recently named among TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world based not only on her contribution to the biotech industry but also because she gives back to the community.^{[ref 15]} Ms Shaw features on the Forbes list of ‘The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women’ ^{[ref 16]} and in Financial Times’ ‘Top 50 Women in Business’ list ^{[ref 17]}

A pioneer of the Indian biotech sector, Ms Shaw wants to create a global leadership profile for India’s biotech industry. Hence, she engages with the government to shape policies for the sector. Her determination to create a research ethos in India has seen her getting involved with academia.^{[ref 18]} Ms Shaw chairs Karnataka’s Vision Group on Biotechnology and also served on the Board of Science Foundation, Ireland. She serves on the Advisory Council of the Government’s Department of Biotechnology and is part of the Prime Minister’s Council on Trade & Industry in India and the US–India CEO Forum. She serves as Member, Governing Body and General Body of the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, an Autonomous Body of the Government of India. She is a founder member of the Society for the formation of ‘Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine’. She has been nominated as Member of the Board of Trade, Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry.^{[ref 10]}

Ms. Shaw is the recipient of several prestigious awards including the Nikkei Asia Prize, 2009 for Regional Growth,^{[ref 19]} Express Pharmaceutical Leadership Summit Award 2009 for Dynamic Entrepreneur, The Economic Times ‘Businesswoman of the Year’, the ‘VeuveClicquot Initiative For Economic Development For Asia, Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Life Sciences & Healthcare, ‘Technology Pioneer’ recognition by World Economic Forum and The Indian Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award. She has received two Indian national awards—Padma Shri (1989) and Padma Bhushan (2005) for her pioneering efforts in Industrial Biotechnology.^{[ref 10]}

Born on 23 March 1953 in Bangalore, Ms. Shaw received a graduate honors degree in Zoology from Bangalore University (1973) and qualified as a Master Brewer from Ballarat University, Australia (1975). She received an honorary Doctorate of Science in 2004 from Ballarat University in recognition of her contributions to biotechnology.^{[ref 10]}

Active on the corporate social responsibility front, Ms. Shaw set up the Biocon Foundation in 2004. Recently, she contributed Rs 40 crore to help establish the presently 500-bed Mazumdar–Shaw Cancer Center in Bangalore.^{[ref 20]} In an interview, she stated: “The way I have looked at it is that business is very mercenary and you’ve got to balance it with some missionary aspect. To me corporate social responsibility is getting that balance right that you got to make sure that you invest in the community that supports your business.” ^{[ref 21]}

Apart from her interested in the civic well-being of Bangalore, she is an avid art collector. She is married to John Shaw who headed leading textiles MNC Madura Coats from 1991–1998 as Chairman and Managing Director.^{[ref 5]}

The members of the Board of Directors are ^{[ref 1]}

• Dr. Neville Bain – Chairman, Institute of Directors, UK; Board Member, Scottish & Newcastle Plc., Provexis Ltd
• Prof. Charles L. Cooney – Professor, Chemical & Biochemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA; Director, Genzyme Inc
• Dr.Bala S. Manian – Chairman and Founder, Reametrix Inc.; Co-founder, Quantum Dot Corporation and Surromed Corporation, USA; and Expert in the design of electro-optical systems
• Mr. Suresh Talwar – Partner, Talwar Thakore & Associates; Director, Cadbury India Ltd., Blue Star Ltd., L&T Ltd. and other leading companies
• Ms.Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw – Chairman & Managing Director, Biocon; First generation entrepreneur with more than 32 years of experience in biotechnology and industrial enzymes
• Mr. John Shaw – Vice Chairman, Biocon; Served in senior corporate positions at various locations around the world; and Former Chairman, Madura Coats Ltd.
• Prof. Ravi Mazumdar – University Research Chair Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Waterloo, Canada
• Prof. Catherine Rosenberg – Alternate Director, Biocon; University Research Chair Professor and Chairman, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Waterloo, Canada

Subsidiaries, Acquisitions and Strategic Global Alliances[link]

Syngene[link]

Established in 1994, Syngene International Limited is Biocon’s custom research organization offering pharmaceutical and biotechnology majors customized solutions in synthetic chemistry and molecular biology for early-stage drug discovery and development. It offers high-value services from target identification and validation to small molecule and library synthesis, on a strong platform of confidentiality and intellectual property protection. It was India’s first CRO to receive special export status by the Government of India.^{[ref 10]}

Clinigene[link]

Clinigene International Limited is Biocon’s full-service clinical research organization offering international pharmaceutical majors Phase I-IV clinical trials and studies for novel/generic molecules. Clinigene achieves its main objective of ‘Accelerating Clinical Research’ by leveraging a high-quality mix of technology, experience and personal traits. It has extensive clinical trial and project management expertise and has conducted complex clinical programs.^{[ref 10]}

BBPL[link]

Anticipating the increasing importance of immunotherapy medicines of the future, Biocon established Biocon Biopharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. (BBPL) in 2003 as a joint venture with the Cuban institute CIMAB to develop and market a range of MAbs and cancer vaccines. ^{[ref 10]}

Biocon-AxiCorp[link]

In 2008, Biocon acquired a majority stake of 70% in AxiCorp GmbH, a German pharmaceutical marketing company and amongst the fastest growing in Europe. AxiCorp also won the German AOK (a leading public health insurer) tender for Metformin, marking an important milestone for Biocon’s entry into the generics market as well as enabling it to market biosimilar insulin and analogs in the German market. AxiCorp is now an autonomous subsidiary of Biocon and the most successful Indian owned German pharmaceutical company.,^{[ref 1][ref 10]}

NeoBiocon[link]

Incorporated in January, 2008 NeoBiocon FZ LLC is a research and marketing pharmaceutical company based in Abu Dhabi. It is a 50:50 joint venture established with the Abu Dhabi-based pharmaceutical manufacturing company NeoPharma, in order to manufacture and market a range of biopharmaceuticals for the GCC countries (Gulf Cooperation Council) The new company's product offering includes biologicals, proprietary/in-licensed products, targeted therapeutics, research-based differentiated formulations and innovative drug delivery systems. It also launched Abraxane in the UAE.,^{[ref 1][ref 10]}

Biocon and Amylin[link]

In 2009, Biocon and Amylin Pharmaceuticals of the United States entered into an agreement to develop, commercialize and manufacture a novel peptide therapeutic for the potential treatment of diabetes. Amylin provides expertise in peptide hormone development, particularly in the area of phybrid technology and metabolic disease therapeutics. Biocon will utilize its expertise in recombinant microbial expression and experience in preclinical and clinical development of diabetes products to manufacture the compound.,^{[ref 1][ref 10]}

Biocon and IATRICa[link]

In 2008, Biocon and IATRICa of the United States announced a strategic partnership to co-develop an exclusive new class of immunoconjugates for targeted immunotherapy of cancers and infectious diseases. The companies are co-developing candidate products based upon IATRICa’s technology platform and Biocon’s expertise in drug development, biologics manufacturing, and clinical research. The goal of this collaboration is to develop a therapeutic vaccine where the T cell mediated immunity is enhanced and maintained against a tumor which otherwise evades immune responses. Methods of developing, characterizing and scaling up of conjugated monoclonal antibody production are being currently studied.,^{[ref 1][ref 10]}

Biocon and Mylan[link]

In 2009, Biocon signed a collaboration agreement with Mylan to develop and commercialize multiple, high-value generic biologics. Mylan and Biocon will share development, capital and other costs to bring products to market. Mylan will have exclusive commercialization rights in USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, EU and European Free Trade Association countries through a profit sharing arrangement with Biocon.,^{[ref 1][ref 10]}

Biocon and Optimer[link]

Biocon and Optimer Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of serious infections such as Clostridium Difficile Infection (CDI), have entered into a long-term supply agreement for the commercial manufacturing of the active pharmaceutical ingredient, fidaxomicin.,^{[ref 1][ref 10]}

Biocon and Vaccinex[link]

Biocon is also developing fully human antibodies BVX 10 and BVX-20 with a US antibody technology partner, Vaccinex. The partnership was initiated in 204. BVX 10 targets TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) which is expressed at high levels in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Biocon’s strategic partnership with Vaccinex allows access to their proprietary human antibody platform technology, thereby providing a strong IP protection to Biocon’s antibody pipeline.,^{[ref 1][ref 10]}

Biocon and Abraxis[link]

In 2007, Biocon and Abraxis BioScience, Inc. entered into an agreement which helped Biocon out-license the rights to develop and market a biosimilar version of GCSF (Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor) to North American and European markets. Biocon receives an upfront licensing fee and, following approval in the licensed territories, royalties from Abraxis BioScience. The partnership has also helped Biocon’s Oncotherapeutics division add another frontline anti-cancer drug—Abraxane—to its portfolio. In-licensed from Abraxis BioScience, Biocon has obtained the rights to market Abraxane in India for the treatment of breast cancer.^{[ref 10]}

Biocon Technology[link]

Biocon’s manufacturing technologies have helped it transform from a specialty enzymes player to a global provider of biopharmaceuticals spanning small molecules, recombinant proteins, peptides and monoclonal antibodies. These technologies range from large-scale microbial fermentation, chemical synthesis, mammalian cell culture, protein and antibody purification, aseptic formulation to fill-finish.^{[ref 10]}

Biocon’s manufacturing facilities are designed to cGMP standards and are supported by process development and quality control laboratories. They are located at two sites in Bangalore, both of which have been certified by local and international regulatory agencies, including US FDA and EDQM.^{[ref 10]}

Biocon’s human insulin facility has several sophisticated technologies and equipment used for the first time in India. Its biosimilars, such as granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF), streptokinase, reteplase, human growth hormone, etc. are manufactured in a facility equipped to handle both intracellular and extracellular products. Through its subsidiary Biocon Biopharmaceuticals Private Limited, it has established a large-scale, multi-product, cell culture facility.^{[ref 10]}

Biocon R&D[link]

Biocon Corporate Presentation

Biocon’s discovery-led R&D focuses on the entire drug development pathway - from process development, to non-clinical and clinical research.^{[ref 10]}

Process Sciences[link]

Biocon’s has developed processes for multiple products, including Insulin, Streptokinase, GCSF and BIOMAb EGFR. In this department, it also develops cell lines, fermentation/purification/scale-up/ formulation processes and analytical methods to meet global regulatory standards. It also researches and develops a range of microbial-derived pharmaceutical products for diseases spanning the cardiovascular, diabetes, nephrology, inflammatory and oncology areas.

Non-clinical Research[link]

Biocon scientists take up toxicology and pharmacology studies to establish proof-of-concept and provide assurance of safety in molecules under investigation. They plan, develop and execute studies that meet global regulatory requirements.

Clinical Research[link]

Biocon develops clinical protocols for several novel drugs. It conducts studies like assessment of novel biomarkers to understand the safety and efficacy of molecules in clinical trials. Biocon’s patent portfolio totals close to 942 applications worldwide with over 182 granted patents, covering technology areas of fermentation, protein purification, drug delivery systems and biotherapeutic molecules.^{[ref 10]}

Products[link]

Biocon’s portfolio consists of 36 key brands across the four therapeutic divisions of Diabetology, Nephrology, Oncology and Cardiology.^{[ref 1]}

Diabetology[link]

This is the oldest of Biocon’s four divisions and has acquired 50% of the market share in the Indian insulin segment through its flagship product INSUGEN which has since been introduced into several overseas markets. In 2009, the division launched its first insulin analog, BASALOGTM, in the Indian market. It can be used just once a day and is effective for 24 hours. Both INSUGEN and BASALOGTM are being developed for registration in Europe and USA between 2012 and 2016. BLISTO-MFTM and METADOZE-IPR are Biocon’s oral anti-diabetic formulations while OLISATTM is an oral anti-obesity formulation.^{[citation needed]}

Nephrology[link]

ERYPRO safe (erythropoietin) is among the top 5 brands in the 30-brand EPO market.^{[citation needed]} RENODAPT, Biocon’s premium immunosuppressant, mycophenolatemofetil ranks 4th among 25 brands, while the newly introduced immunosuppressant, tacrolimus branded TACROGRAF is 3rd among 20 brands. Biocon has newly launched dosage forms like TACROGRAF 3 mg, RENODAPT 750 mg, RENODAPT-S 540 mg and RAPACAN 2 mg to suit Indian patient needs through ideal dosage, enhanced compliance and reduced pill burden. In 2009, Biocon launched a specially formulated protein supplement, NARITA+ in the renal nutrition segment, for dialysis patients suffering from malnutrition.^{[citation needed]}

Oncology[link]

This division’s BIOMAb EGFR, approved in 22 countries, is a successful formulation for indications like head-and-neck cancers, both adult and paediatric glioma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Abraxane, launched in July 2008, is being used to treat metastatic breast cancer and also other tumors such as pancreatic cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and ovarian cancer. It is a first-in-class, innovative treatment regimen designed to address unmet needs associated with solvent-based paclitaxel such as hypersensitivity reactions, increased myelosuppression and axonal degeneration. NUFIL safeTM for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia is among the top 10 brands in the filgrastim segment.^{[citation needed]}

Cardiology[link]

With major brands like STATIX (anti-cholesterol) and TELMISAT (anti-hypertensive), Biocon’s cardiology division is now ranked number 22nd in its representative market. Biocon’s CLOTIDETM is the leading eptifibatide brand in India and MYOKINASE (met-free streptokinase) is a life-saving injectable. Other brands like ACTIBLOK-IPR (metoprolol) and the newly launched BESTOR (rosuvastatin) and BRADIA (ivabradine) are also from this division.

Apart from these oral insulin, anti-CD6, targeted immune-conjugates, anti-CD20, peptide hybrid, biosimilarMAbs and insulin analogs are under various stages of development.

Growth Drivers[link]

Today, biologics, with revenues of $125 billion in 2008, are outperforming the global pharma market.^{[ref 22]} The growth rate of biologics—which include biosimilar MAbs, biosimilar insulin and novel biotherapeutics, among others—is projected to increase at double-digit levels.^{[ref 23]} Moreover, even as mature markets have a single-digit growth rate of 4.3%, the growth essential to the industry’s survival is coming from emerging markets that are expected to expand by $90 billion during 2009-13 and contribute 48% of annual market growth in 2013.^{[ref 24]} In such a scenario, Biocon has the structures to engage these growth drivers.^{[ref 1]}

Monoclonal Antibodies (MAbs): These are one of the fastest growing categories of the biopharmaceuticals industry with sales expected to reach $67.6 billion by 2015, a CAGR of 13.8% between 2008 and 2015.^{[ref 25]} Biocon has the expertise required to develop MAbs as seen with its product, BIOMAb-EGFR – it has the manufacturing facilities required for MAb research and has developed expertise in process development, formulation development and characterization as well as manufacturing and clinical development.^{[ref 1]} Biocon has entered into sales and marketing agreements with Mylan to develop and commercialize molecules globally.^{[ref 26]}

Biosimilar insulin: With the worldwide insulin market expected to be worth over $11 billion by 2011 and an estimated 246 million people affected by diabetes worldwide, according to The World Health Organization, the demand for insulin in expected to increase greatly over the next decade. Biocon has expertise in developing cost-effective Pichia-derived insulin. It has a rich insulin portfolio—comprising recombinant human insulin, insulin glargine (a long-acting basal insulin analogue), insulin aspart (short-acting, in pre-clinical), and insulin lispro (another short-acting analogue, in pre-clinical)—covering the analog space.^{[ref 1]}

Novel licensing program: Biocon has programs to out-license two molecules IN-105 and T1h. With a positive safety and clearance profile, IN-105 is an orally delivered conjugated insulin drug that is expected in the market soon.^{[ref 27]} IN-105 is currently undergoing Phase 3 clinical studies in India.^{[ref 1]} An investigational new drug application (IND) with the US Food and Drug Administration was filed in December.^{[ref 28]} T1h is a novel humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks CD6. In clinical trials in the autoimmune segment, T1h is the only Class I novel biological being tested in India for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriasis. Two Phase II clinical trials have been started one in RA and one in psoriasis, and are expected to be completed this year.^{[ref 29]}

Emerging markets: With the dynamics of the pharma world shifting, emerging markets—the 17 high-growth pharmaceutical markets, including the 7 primary pharmerging markets of India, Brazil, Russia, China, Mexico, Turkey and South Korea—present an important opportunity for biotechnology firms. Emerging markets including India already contribute about 40% of Biocon’s sales.^{[ref 30]} Biocon has entered into partnerships with companies around the world to gain access in emerging markets.^{[ref 1]}

Awards and Achievements[link]

Biocon claims to have picked up the following awards and achievements,^{[ref 1][ref 10]}:

2010:
Bio-Excellence Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Healthcare Sector at Bangalore Bio

2009:
- Among Top 20 Indian companies in Forbes ‘Best Under A Billion’ list
- Bio-Excellence Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Healthcare Sector at Bangalore Bio
- Bio-Excellence Award for outstanding achievement in the Biotech Service Sector at Bangalore Bio for Syngene IDMA ‘Best Patent of the year’ award
- BIOMAb EGFR voted ‘Bio-Spectrum Asia-Pacific Product of the year’, 2008
- BioSingapore Asia Pacific Biotechnology Award for Best Listed Company

2008:
- Ranked among the top 20 global biotechnology companies (Source: Med Ad News, June 2008)
- 7th largest biotech employer in the world (Source: Med Ad News, June 2008)

2007:
‘BioServices Company of the Year’ for Syngene, BIOMAb EGFR wins ‘Product of the Year’, BioSpectrum Awards

2006:
Best IT User Award in the Pharmaceutical Sector, NASSCOM

2004:
- India's first and No. 1 biotech company with a global ranking of 16 (Source: Biospectrum, July 2004)
- India's top 5 Life Sciences companies (at close of trade as on July 30, 2004)
- Best Reinvention of HR Function Award, Indira Group, Mumbai
- Best Employer of India Award, Hewitt

2003:
- Bio-Business Award for bio-entrepreneurship, Rabo India
- Express Pharma Pulse Award for excellence in the pharmaceutical industry

2001:
- Biotech Product, Process Development and Commercialisation Award, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India

2000:
- Technology Pioneer Recognition, World Economic Forum 1985:
- Export Performance Award, Karnataka State Financial Corporation (KSFC)
- National Award for Best Small Industry, Government of India

This article appears to be written like an advertisement. Please help improve it by rewriting promotional content from a neutral point of view and removing any inappropriate external links. (April 2012)

Firsts

Set up in 1978, Biocon is India's first biotech company.

• First Indian biotech company to receive US funding for proprietary technologies (1989)
• Sets up India's first clinical research organization, Clinigene (2000)
• First Indian company to be approved by US FDA for the manufacture of lovastatin, a cholesterol-lowering molecule (2001)
• First company worldwide to develop human insulin on a Pichia expression system (2003)
• Biocon enters the stock market with its IPO and becomes only the second Indian company to cross the $1-billion mark on the day of listing (2004)
• Launches India’s first cancer drug, BIOMAb EGFR (2006)
• First Indian company to manufacture and export enzymes to USA and Europe
• India’s largest producer and exporter of enzymes
• Releases country’s first 24-hour diabetes drug, Glargine (2009)
• First biotech company to receive ISO 9001 certification in India
• Syngene is country’s first custom research company in drug discovery^{[citation needed]}

Corporate Social Responsibility[link]

While Biocon was involved in community programs from inception, it started a corporate social responsibility wing—the Biocon Foundation—in 2004 ^{[ref 21]} through which it works in the areas of health, education and infrastructure, especially in rural areas.^{[ref 1]}

Health[link]

Through the Arogya Raksha Yogana (ARY) clinics, Biocon helps meet the primary, tertiary and secondary healthcare needs of various communities. Its 7 ARY clinics—located where healthcare facilities are poor—offer clinical care, generic medicines and basic tests. Each of the clinics—located in Austin Town and Krishnarajpuram in Bangalore City, Huskur and Hennagara in Anekal taluk, and in the districts of Mandya, Chickballapur and Bagalkote—serves a population of 50,000 people living within a radius of 10 km.^{[ref 1]} The clinics organize health camps in remote villages. A mobile diabetic foot van from the Jain Institute of Vascular Sciences, Bangalore, visits each clinic once a month to treat diabetics.^{[ref 1]} The Foundation employs community health workers to educate communities on health, disease prevention and early detection. CHWs are equipped with mobile phones to facilitate flow of information to the clinic.

Through an integrated outreach strategy, ARY clinics promote linkage with the ARY Health Insurance scheme that helps the poor access good quality healthcare. Scheme members use the services such as free surgeries, subsidised hospitalisation, free consultation, medicines and tests at ARY clinics and other hospitals by paying an annual premium of Rs.120 per head.^{[ref 9]} The scheme has enrolled more than 1,00,000 members in Karnataka and, in five years, has facilitated more than 1,000 surgeries.^{[ref 1]} With a 100% renewal rate in most villages, this plan has benefited almost 2,50,000 people.^{[ref 21]}

Since many health problems arise due to lack of awareness and poor hygiene, the Foundation spreads awareness on hygiene and sanitation and has built more than 800 toilets in Phase 1 of its sanitation program.^{[ref 1]}

Education[link]

In a scheme aimed at popularising mathematics among Karnataka’s rural children, Biocon has started the Chinnara Ganitha program. Mathematics workbooks were distributed to 70,000 children in 800 schools in three districts of the state.^{[ref 1]} Biocon initiated the Aata Pata Wadi Project in 2009. This after-school resource center, the first of which was set up in Thithimati in Kodagu district, aims to provide an enabling and learning environment for underprivileged children. Among other things, it offers access to computer-aided learning and boosts their English language skills.^{[ref 1]}

Infrastructure[link]

The Biocon Foundation has helped build infrastructure in several communities by constructing school buildings, crèches, sanitary facilities, and water supply connections. It has built a primary school and toilet blocks in Hebbagodi village, sponsored the construction of two primary schools, a compound wall, school stage, and toilet block in Hennagara gram panchayat and has facilitated a water scheme at Srirampura and Hebbagodi village.^{[ref 1]}

Flood Relief[link]

When floods devastated North Karnataka in September/October 2009, the Biocon Foundation dispatched doctors and nurses and helped treat more than 5,000 patients. The Foundation is also helping rebuild 1,000 homes destroyed in the floods in three affected villages of Bagalkot district.^{[ref 1]}

References[link]

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad} Biocon Annual Report, 2010 (http://www.biocon.com/docs/AR10-BIOCON.pdf)
2. ^ Biocon Biopharmaceuticals becomes wholly owned subsidiary, Moneycontrol.com, April 6, 2010 (http://www.moneycontrol.com/news_html_files/news_attachment/2010/Biocon.pdf)
3. ^ Biotech Bonanza, India Today, August 9, 2004 (http://www.avesthagen.com/press/it.html)
4. ^ The Hindu, Metro Plus, April 27, 2010 (http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/04/27/bangindx.htm)
5. ^ ^{a b} Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, CMD, Biocon Ltd, ‘Biotech Is Not for Punters’, Outlook Money, July 15, 2004 (http://www.outlookmoney.com/article.aspx?88528)
6. ^ ‘Big Shot in Bangalore’, Forbes.com, October 18, 2004 (http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2004/1018/088.html)
7. ^ Economic Times, September 18, 2006
8. ^ Biocon Injects Innovation Gene, Technology Review, October, 2009 (http://www.technologyreview.in/biomedicine/23610/)
9. ^ ^{a b} Financial Express, Bangalore, September 25, 2009
10. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v} Biocon Website (http://biocon.com/)
11. ^ Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, July 2010
12. ^ Biospectrum India Friday, July 11, 2008
13. ^ Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, India's fermentation queen, August 30, 2001
14. ^ How India's Mother of Invention Built an Industry, August 16, 2003 (http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/16/world/the-saturday-profile-how-india-s-mother-of-invention-built-an-industry.html)
15. ^ Time, April 29, 2010
16. ^ The World's 100 Most Powerful Women, Forbes, August 19, 2009
17. ^ FT top 50 women in world business, Financial Times, September 25, 2009
18. ^ India’s biotech future, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, The Hindu, August 15, 2007
19. ^ The Hindu, May 12, 2009
20. ^ Quality Cancer Care is Now Affordable, The Times of India, Bangalore, July 18, 2009
21. ^ ^{a b c} Biocon Foundation: Mending social, eco state of the nation, Moneycontrol.com, May 30, 2010
22. ^ Biosimilars and Follow-on Biologics, VisionGain
23. ^ The Big Fix, Outlook Business, June 2010
24. ^ 'Big Pharma' Turns to Biologics for Growth to 2010, Datamonitor, May 2006
25. ^ The Future of Monoclonal Antibodies - Market Forecasts to 2015, Competitive Benchmarking, Product Pipeline and Deals Analysis, Research and Markets, 2009
26. ^ Biocon, Mylan ink generics biologics deal, Financial Chronicle, Bangalore, June 30, 2009
27. ^ Biocon banks on biosimilars, novel drugs, DNA, October 23, 2009
28. ^ Biocon Seeks U.S. OK for Human Trials of Oral Insulin, Wall Street Journal, January 14, 2010
29. ^ Biocon Biopharmaceuticals becomes wholly owned subsidiary, Moneycontrol.com, April 6, 2010
30. ^ Emerging markets drive Q3 revenue growth for Biocon, Mint, January 21, 2010

External links[link]

• Biocon's official site

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Tagged since July 2011. It relies on references to primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject, rather than references from independent authors and third-party publications. Tagged since July 2011. It is written like a résumé. Tagged since July 2011.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
Born	(1953-03-23) March 23, 1953 (age 59) Bangalore, India
Residence	Bangalore, India
Education	Mount Carmel College, Bangalore University.
Occupation	Chairperson of Biocon
Net worth	US$900 million (2010)[1]
Religion	Hindu
Spouse	John Shaw

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (Kannada: ಕಿರಣ್ ಮಜುಮ್ದರ್ ಷ; born 23 March 1953) is an Indian entrepreneur. She is the Chairman & Managing Director of Biocon Limited a biotechnology company based in Bangalore (Bangaluru), India.

Profile[link]

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw was born on March 23, 1953 in Bangalore, India

Mazumdar-Shaw completed her schooling from the city’s Bishop Cotton Girl’s High School (1968). She wanted to join medical school but instead took up biology and completed her BSc Zoology Honours course from Mount Carmel College, Bangalore University (1973). She later did her post-graduation in Malting and Brewing from Ballarat College, Melbourne University (1975).

She worked as a trainee brewer in Carlton and United Breweries, Melbourne and as a trainee maltster at Barrett Brothers and Burston, Australia. She also worked for some time as a technical consultant at Jupiter Breweries Limited, Calcutta and as a technical manager at Standard Maltings Corporation, Baroda between 1975 and 1977.^[2]

She started Biocon in 1978 and spearheaded its evolution from an industrial enzymes manufacturing company to a fully integrated bio-pharmaceutical company with a well-balanced business portfolio of products and a research focus on diabetes, oncology and auto-immune diseases. She also established two subsidiaries: Syngene (1994) to provide development support services for discovery research and Clinigene (2000) to cater to clinical development services.^[3][2]

Her pioneering work in the sector has earned her several awards, including the prestigious Padma Shri (1989) and the Padma Bhushan (2005) from the government of India. She was recently named among TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world. She is on the Forbes list of the world’s 100 most powerful women and the Financial Times’ top 50 women in business list.^[2]. She is also a member of the board of governors of the prestigious Indian School of Business ^[4] and Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad^[5]

Biocon[link]

In 1978 , she joined Biocon Biochemicals Limited, of Cork, Ireland as a Trainee Manager. In the same year she started Biocon in the garage of her rented house in Bangalore with a seed capital of Rs. 10,000.

Initially, she faced credibility challenges because of her youth, gender and her untested business model. Not only was funding a problem as no bank wanted to lend to her, but she also found it difficult to recruit people for her start-up. With single-minded determination she overcame these challenges only to be confronted with the technological challenges associated with trying to build a biotech business in a country facing infrastructural woes. Uninterrupted power, superior quality water, sterile labs, imported research equipment, and advanced scientific skills were not easily available in India during the time.

She is responsible for steering Biocon on a trajectory of growth and innovation over the years. Within a year of its inception, Biocon became the first Indian company to manufacture and export enzymes to USA and Europe. In 1989, Biocon became the first Indian biotech company to receive US funding for proprietary technologies. In 1990, she upgraded Biocon’s in-house research program, based on a proprietary solid substrate fermentation technology.

In the same year, she incorporated Biocon Biopharmaceuticals Private Limited to manufacture and market a select range of biotherapeutics in a joint venture with the Cuban Centre of Molecular Immunology.

In 2004, she decided to access the capital markets to develop Biocon’s pipeline of research programs. Biocon’s IPO was oversubscribed 32 times and its first day at the bourses closed with a market value of $1.11 billion, making Biocon only the second Indian company to cross the $1-billion mark on the first day of listing.^[2]

She entered into more than 2,200 high-value R&D licensing and other deals within the pharmaceuticals and bio-pharmaceutical space between 2005 and 2010 and helped Biocon expand its global footprint to emerging and developed markets through acquisitions, partnerships and in-licensing. Her belief that healthcare needs can only be met with affordable innovation has been the driving philosophy that has helped Biocon manufacture and market drugs cost-effectively.

In 2007-08, a leading US trade publication, Med Ad News, ranked Biocon as the 20th leading biotechnology companies in the world and the 7th largest biotech employer in the world. Biocon also received the 2009 BioSingapore Asia Pacific Biotechnology Award for Best Listed Company.^[2]

Today, thanks to her leadership, Biocon is building cutting-edge capabilities, global credibility and global scale in its manufacturing and marketing activities. It has Asia’s largest insulin and statin facilities also the largest perfusion-based antibody production facilities.

Philanthropic activities[link]

In 2004, she started the Biocon Foundation to conduct health, education, sanitation, and environmental programs to benefit of the economically weaker sections of society.

The Biocon Foundation's 7 ARY clinics are located where healthcare facilities are poor and they offer clinical care, generic medicines and basic tests for those who cannot afford them. Each of the clinics serves a population of 50,000 people living within a radius of 10 km.^[2] All the clinics organize regular general health checks in remote villages by bringing in physicians and doctors from network hospitals. Each year, the Foundation touches more than 300,000 lives through its holistic healthcare approach.

She helped establish a 1,400-bed cancer care center at the Narayana Health City campus at Boommasandra, Bangalore, along with Dr. Devi Shetty of Narayana Hrudayalaya in 2007.

She liked the innovation model and thinking that Dr. Prasad Kaipa brought to Biocon and funded multi-year research at Indian School of Business by creating Biocon Cell for Innovation Management ^[6] as part of Center for Leadership Innovation and Change.

Awards[link]

Mazumdar-Shaw is the recipient of several prestigious awards including the Nikkei Asia Prize (2009) for Regional Growth, Express Pharmaceutical Leadership Summit Award (2009) for Dynamic Entrepreneur, the Economic Times ‘Businesswoman of the Year’ (2004), the ‘Veuve Clicquot Initiative For Economic Development For Asia, Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Life Sciences & Healthcare (2002), ‘Technology Pioneer’ recognition by World Economic Forum and The Indian Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award.^[2]

She has also received the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award (2002), the ‘Business Woman of the Year’ Award from the Indian Business Leadership Award committee, CNBC-TV18 (2006), the Indian Merchants' Chamber Diamond Jubilee Endowment Trust's‘Eminent Businessperson of the Year Award’(2006) and the ‘Corporate Leadership Award’ by the American India Foundation (2005).^[2]

She also received an honorary Doctorate of Science in 2004, from her alma mater, Ballarat University, in recognition of her contributions to biotechnology, apart from being awarded honorary doctorates from University of Abertay, Dundee, UK (2007), University of Glasgow, UK (2008) and Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK (2008).

References[link]