Biocon founder and Executive Chairperson Dr. Kiran MazumdarShaw announced a contribution of Rs. 5 crores to Ignite Life Science Foundation,to trigger funding for research at Indian scientific institutions.Dr. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw’s contribution will be part of theinitial pool of funding for the research projects on “Pandemic Preparedness”.These projects support national efforts in preparing for and responding tofuture pandemics.

Commenting on the donation, Dr. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw said, “Iam pleased to support Ignite Life Science Foundation in its endeavour tocatalyse promising work by Indian researchers, that will enable theircontributions to become an integral part of the global ecosystem of innovativeand advanced healthcare solutions.”

Ignite Life Science Foundation, a section 8 not-for-profitfoundation was launched on Jan 15, 2020, by Nobel Laurate Dr. VenkiRamakrishnan.

The foundation’s purpose is to promote a vibrant ecosystem forscientific research in India by working with the stakeholder community,including philanthropists, scientists, policymakers in the Government and thebeneficiaries of the outcomes of scientific research. Ignite will select program areas that target a specificIndia relevant problem.

Ignite Life Science Foundation (ILSF) is promoted by eminentscientists, academicians and management professionals including Prof. PankajChandra, Prof. Ramaswamy Subramanian Pro. Jyotsna Dhawan, Pro. Gagandeep Kang,Pro. Shahid Jameel, Dr. Jogin Desai, Dr. Anand Anandkumar and K Jayshankar.

“Most advanced countries have a significant private investmentin science, which is lacking in India. The Ignite Life Science Foundation thus has a crucial role to play in catalysing change, and the substantial initialdonation by Kiran Mazumdar Shaw will hopefully set an example for other donors,”said Dr Venki Ramakrishnan.