Biocon Biologics appoints Peter Piot as independent director

Biocon Biologics, the biosimilar subsidiary of Biocon, has appointed professor Peter Piot as an independent director for three years with effect from today.

Piot, the director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the Handa Professor of Global Health, was initially trained in infectious diseases and medical microbiology, with original contributions in epidemiology, bacteriology, virology, and public health policy interventions mostly in low-and middle-income countries.

Piot, who led pioneering research on HIV/AIDS, women’s health and infectious diseases, mostly in Africa, was the founding executive director of UNAIDS and Under Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1995 to 2008, bringing AIDS to the forefront of the world’s agenda. He was part of the team that isolated the Ebola virus in Zaire in 1976.


He has a broad and long term understanding of strategy development and implementation; leadership of both a large inter-governmental organization and of academic institutions; and policy development in health, science, biotechnology, and international development.

“His thought leadership and invaluable experience in global healthcare will greatly guide our actions in building Biocon Biologics into an innovative global leader in biosimilars committed to delivering affordable access to life saving Biologics,” Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, executive chairperson, Biocon, was quoted saying in a press release.

Piot has authored over 600 scientific publications and 16 books, including his memoir “No Time to Lose” and was a 2014 Time Person of the Year “The Ebola Fighters”.

“I am delighted to join dynamic Biocon Biologics and its vital mission of bringing the products of innovation to those who can benefit from them. The world over governments are challenged to contain the spiralling healthcare costs and companies like Biocon Biologics are committed to pursue the path of innovation that enables affordable access to patients globally and in turn helps healthcare systems lower their spends,” said Piot.