FORMER MINISTER for health and leader of the Progressive Democrats Mary Harney has been appointed to the board of India’s largest biotechnology company.
Ms Harney resigned as minister in January 2011 and retired from politics at the last election. She was appointed a non-executive board member of Biocon Ltd last month.
Biocon was founded by Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, said to be India’s richest woman, who has extensive Irish links. She serves as the honorary Irish consul in Bangalore.
In 2001, Ms Harney appointed Ms Mazumdar Shaw to the board of Science Foundation Ireland.
Ms Mazumdar Shaw started the company as a joint venture with a firm in Carrigaline, Co Cork, in 1978, making industrial enzymes. While the Irish firm was bought by Unilever, the Indian arm diversified into making generic drugs.
Biocon’s research focuses on diabetes, cancer and auto-immune disease.
It employs about 5,500 people and has annual revenues of $568 million (€447 million).
Biocon says Ms Harney initiated far-reaching healthcare reforms during her “illustrious political career” and played a key role in positioning Ireland as a key IT hub in Europe.
