Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw on the need for an ecosystem where VCs invest in life tech enterprises and why some Indian startups prefer a presence in the mature US market
Q Through the many decades of building Biocon, what has held you in good stead?
I would attribute our success to a laser sharp focus on being a differentiated biopharmaceutical company and enduring the long gestational process of getting to the end points. It has also involved a high regulatory and investment risk profile which has enabled us to build a growing risk management capability. We have seen several competitors dropping out given the gruelling obstacles of regulatory and investment risks. We have also displayed resilience in addressing setbacks. And we have had the courage of our conviction to withstand criticism and scepticism.
Additionally, we have invested significantly in research infrastructure and building high-end scientific talent. Quality and compliance have also been a strong focus, driving a culture of continual improvement. We have also pursued a model of striking strategic partnerships to manage risks and bridge near-term experience gaps.
Q Would you say that the next stage is to see the company irrevocably commit to novel drug discovery?
Well, Biocon’s biologics journey started with novels. We were the first company in India to develop a new biologic and take it from lab to market. BIOMab EGFR/ Nimotuzumab was our first novel monoclonal antibody for cancer, which was launched in India in 2006.
This was followed by a second novel antibody, ALZUMAb™, the world’s first novel anti-CD6 monoclonal antibody, Itolizumab, in India, for psoriasis in 2013. This antibody has been licensed to a US biotech company, Equillium, which recently listed itself on Nasdaq to pursue several orphan indications in immune mediated diseases.
Denne historien er fra December 28, 2018 (Rich List)-utgaven av Forbes India.
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Denne historien er fra December 28, 2018 (Rich List)-utgaven av Forbes India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Home-Cooked Meal Is Now Greatly Valued
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Paytm 3.0 - Reaching Near Breakeven In Two Years
As of 2020, Vijay Shekhar Sharma’s super app for financial services had run up losses in thousands of crores. Now, as digital payments gets yet another boost courtesy Covid-19, he’s hopeful of reaching near breakeven in two years
THE PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED WOMEN GREATER LABOUR PAIN
Covid-19 has shown that women are more likely to face the brunt of job losses than men, and find fewer opportunities when they want to resume. That apart, several have to deal with increased hours of unpaid work at home and even domestic abuse
LEADERSHIP WILL BE ABOUT SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE
Leaders must not only guard their teams first during a crisis, but also deal with stakeholders with respect and dignity. And apart from pursuing business goals, they should remain committed to our planet and the environment
PHILANTHROPY SHOULD BE HUMBLE, BUT NOT MODEST
Apart from building a flexible and resilient framework for the future, philanthropists, civil society and the government must work in tandem so that every rupee is absorbed on the ground
INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE, TECH WILL DISRUPT SECTOR
While clinical research will get a boost, having a skilled workforce and public spending on health care will be challenges in the near term
DIGITALISATION WILL HELP IN VALUE CREATION
As the pandemic brings technology and innovation to the core of business and daily life, the next decade will see about 150 million digital-first families in India
Industry 4.0: Climate Revolution?
Augmenting sustainability alongside digital capabilities is an economic, competitive and global opportunity for India’s businesses, but regulations need to reflect intent
EV Dream Still Miles Away
Electric vehicles have remained a buzzword in India for years. But not much has moved on ground due to high upfront costs, range anxiety and charging infrastructure
Living Waters
A virus has caused us to scramble for oxygen but our chokehold on the environment is slowly strangling the very waters that breathe life into us. The virus is a timely reminder: We are merely consumers, not producers of life’s breath on this planet
