Biocon facts for kids
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Headquarters at Electronic City, Bangalore
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| Public | |
| Traded as | BSE: 532523 NSE: BIOCON |
| ISIN | ISIN: [https://isin.toolforge.org/?language=en&isin=INE376G01013 INE376G01013] |
| Industry |
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| Founded | 1978 |
| Founder | Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw |
| Headquarters |
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India
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Key people
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| Products |
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| Revenue |  ₹16,470 crore (US$2.8 billion) (2025) |
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Operating income
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₹4,374 crore (US$740 million) (2025) |
 ₹1,013 crore (US$170 million) (2025) |
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| Total assets | ₹58,797 crore (US$10 billion) (2025) |
| Total equity | ₹27,712 crore (US$4.7 billion) (2025) |
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Number of employees
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16,545 (March 2023) |
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| Footnotes / references Financials as of 31 March 2025[update]. |
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Biocon Limited is an Indian company that makes special medicines. It is based in Bengaluru, India. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw started the company in 1978.
Biocon makes many types of medicines. These include basic ingredients for medicines sold in about 120 countries. They also make new types of medicines called biologics. These are sold in India and other growing markets.
The medicines Biocon makes for India help with different health issues. These include problems with how the body uses food (metabolism), cancer, and kidney issues. Some well-known Biocon medicines in India are INSUGEN and BASALOG for diabetes. They also make CANMAb for breast cancer.
Syngene International Limited is a company that helps other companies with research and development. It is a part of Biocon.
Contents
Biocon's Journey: A Look at Its History
Biocon started in 1978 with a small amount of money, about US$10,000. It was founded by Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. She was born in Bangalore.
In 1979, Biocon became the first Indian company to send special enzymes to the US and Europe.
In 1989, a company called Unilever bought a part of Biocon. But by 1998, Biocon became fully independent again.
In 1994, Biocon created Syngene International. This company focuses on custom research for others.
A big step happened in 2001. Biocon became the first Indian company approved by the USFDA to make a medicine called lovastatin.
In 2003, Biocon was the first company in the world to make human insulin using a special system.
In 2006, Biocon launched BIOMAb EGFR. This was the first special antibody made in India to treat head and neck cancer. Also, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam opened Biocon Park, which is India's largest biotech hub.
Biocon grew internationally in 2008 by buying a large part of a German company called AxiCorp GmbH.
In 2009, Syngene and Bristol-Myers Squibb opened a research center together in Bengaluru. Also in 2009, Biocon teamed up with Mylan to enter the global market for generic biologics.
Biocon expanded to Malaysia in 2010. They built a facility there for making medicines and doing research.
In 2013, Biocon launched ALZUMAb, a medicine to treat a skin condition called psoriasis.
In 2014, Biocon launched CANMAb. This was the first similar version of a drug used to treat breast cancer.
By 2016, Biocon was the first Indian company to launch a similar insulin pen in Japan.
In 2017, the USFDA approved a similar cancer drug from Mylan and Biocon. Also in 2017, Biocon's Insugen was approved in Malaysia.
In 2018, Biocon and Mylan got approval in Europe for their similar insulin glargine.
In 2021, Biocon Biologics and Serum Institute of India made a deal. They agreed to work together on vaccines and other medicines. Biocon also sold 15% of its biologics part to Serum Institute. In return, Biocon gets 100 million vaccine doses each year for 15 years.
In 2022, Biocon Biologics bought the biosimilar business of Viatris for $3.34 billion.
Who Leads Biocon?
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is the leader of Biocon. She joined the company in 1978. Her work in biotechnology has made Biocon and India's biotech industry famous worldwide. She has been called India's "biotech queen."
She was also named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2010. This was not just for her work in biotech, but also because she helps the community. She has been on Forbes' list of "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women."
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has received many awards. These include the Padma Shri (1989) and Padma Bhushan (2005)). These are two high honors from the Indian government.
In March 2019, Christiane Hamacher became the CEO of Biocon Biologic India Limited.
In December 2019, Siddharth Mittal took over as CEO and managing director of Biocon.
Biocon's Main Companies
Biocon Biologics: Making Similar Medicines
Biocon Biologics is the part of Biocon that focuses on making biosimilars. Biosimilars are very similar versions of original biologic medicines.
In 2021, Biocon and Viatris got approval to launch Semglee in the United States. This was the first interchangeable biosimilar for diabetes. This means it can be used in place of the original medicine.
Also in 2021, Biocon sold 15% of Biocon Biologics to Serum Institute of India. This deal was worth $4.9 billion. In return, Biocon will get 100 million doses of vaccines every year for 15 years. Biocon will also have the rights to sell Serum Institute's vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine, in other countries.
In May 2022, Viatris sold its biosimilars business to Biocon Biologics for about US$3.335 billion.
Syngene International Ltd: Research and Development
Syngene International Limited started in 1993. It is a company that helps other businesses with research and development. Syngene focuses on finding new drugs and making them for its clients.
The company has four main areas: finding new drugs, special research centers, developing new devices, and manufacturing. Syngene works with many of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world.
Syngene has been growing its operations. Since 2020, they have opened a new research center in Hyderabad. They are also building a facility in Mangalore to make active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
In July 2022, Syngene signed a 10-year deal with Zoetis. They will make a medicine called Librela. This medicine is a special antibody used to treat osteoarthritis in dogs.
Clinigene: Clinical Trials
Clinigene International Limited is part of Syngene. It helps big pharmaceutical companies test new medicines. They do studies to see how safe and effective new drugs are.
Working Together: Biocon's Partnerships
Biocon often works with other companies to develop new medicines.
Biocon and Viatris
In 2009, Biocon and Viatris (formerly Mylan) agreed to work together. They develop and sell generic biologics. They share the costs of developing these medicines. Viatris has the right to sell these products in many countries, including the USA and Europe. They share the profits with Biocon.
Biocon and Sandoz
In January 2018, Sandoz (a part of Novartis) announced a partnership with Biocon. They work together to develop and sell many biosimilars. These medicines help patients around the world with immune system problems and cancer.
Where Biocon Works
Biocon has manufacturing places in two locations in Bangalore, India.
Biocon's research and development (R&D) teams work on the whole process of making a new medicine. This includes developing the process, and doing research before and during human trials.
Biocon offers 36 different brands of products. These medicines help with diabetes, kidney problems, cancer, and heart conditions.
