Biocon Ltd celebrates 44th Founder’s Day 

Biocon Ltd. dedicated the 44th Founder’s Day celebrations to the memory of John Shaw, former Vice Chairman of Biocon Group, who passed away last month. To mark the day, Biocon Foundation, the CSR arm of the Biocon Group, organized a health camp and a science fair at Sipani Seva Sadan (Old Age Home) and Government Higher Primary School, Huskur, respectively.

The Founder’s Day on Nov 29, celebrates the day Biocon started operations in 1978. In this journey of over four decades, the Biocon Group has made significant contributions to biotechnology in India and achieved numerous milestones as a leader in the biopharmaceuticals industry. From its founding business of enzymes, Biocon has gradually evolved into a company making fermentation-based small molecule generics, followed by a rapid metamorphosis into a diversified biopharmaceuticals group with businesses spanning bulk drugs and finished formulations at our Generics vertical, novel biologics and biosimilars at Biocon Biologics, and research services at Syngene. Biocon is led by a vision to provide affordable and accessible biopharmaceuticals for patients, partners and healthcare systems across the globe.

Biocon’s philosophy of enabling health equity globally stretches to ensuring the well-being of patients, people, community and the society at large. Biocon Foundation is integral to the Group’s commitment to improving people’s lives.

Around 350 residents of the Sipani Seva Sadan, including 100 elderly citizens, were screened as a part of the health camp organized by Biocon Foundation. Besides height, weight and body mass index (BMI), vital signs such as temperature, respiratory rate, pulse, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation etc. were also measured.  Blood glucose testing, anemia screening, dental examination, ECGs, ENT consultation and general consultation with a geriatric specialist were also provided. Basic medicines were given to those with manageable health conditions.

Biocon Ltd

The Science Fair organized by the Foundation was attended by ~1,200 students, teachers, and family members. The aim of the fair was to ignite interest and curiosity among school children in the fields of science and medicine. As part of the event, instructors selected 50 students from the school and helped them identify science projects that suit their interests. These students were trained a day before the fair to demonstrate their science models and facilitate hands-on peer-to-peer learning.

Dr Anupama Shetty, Mission Director, Biocon Foundation, said, “Biocon Foundation has over the years implemented numerous initiatives in the areas of healthcare, education and environmental sustainability.  s This year, the management decided to dedicate Biocon’s   Founder’s Day celebrations to the memory of Late John Shaw, former Vice Chairman of Biocon Group. He was a person who believed that corporate philanthropy has a huge role to play in building resilient solutions that enable underserved communities to live better, every day. These health camps are an ongoing initiative to ensure that senior citizens get proper medical care and attention. As a science -focused group of companies, we would like to encourage young students to engage in various activities that spark curiosity in science among them and improve their learning experience.”

About Mr John Shaw

John Shaw, former Vice Chairman of Biocon and husband of Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, was a key member of the Board and the management team of Biocon. Since 1999, John Shaw had contributed majorly to the transformation of Biocon into a globally recognized, innovation-led biopharmaceutical company. In his 22 years with Biocon, he played a very important role in building the Company, ensuring the highest levels of corporate governance, as well as contributing to the financial and strategic development of the Biocon Group. He retired from the Board of Directors of Biocon on July 23, 2021, due to health reasons.

John Shaw was a man who stood tall with his values and inspired many. He was a very benevolent, erudite and a compassionate person who truly believed in philanthropy to make this world a better place.

John Shaw was actively involved in many philanthropic initiatives across the world, making large contributions, stimulating research & innovation & supporting education. Most recently, he gifted USD 7.5 million to Glasgow University, his alma mater, for setting up a new research hub, The Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Centre.