Shaping the Future of Science Through Women Leaders in India

Every year, International Women’s Day serves as a powerful reminder of the strides made towards gender equality and the work that still lies ahead. In the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, where innovation meets human health, women leaders have been breaking barriers and redefining what leadership looks like. Their journeys are marked by resilience, tenacity, and an unwavering belief in their ability to shape the future of science. India has one of the highest rates of female STEM graduates at 43%, yet women hold only 14% of STEM jobs, with even fewer in leadership. Globally, while 29.9% of senior STEM workers are women, only 12.4% reach C-suite roles. Bridging this gap isn’t just about representation it’s about unlocking the full potential of innovation. In this article, we sit down with two trailblazers in the Indian pharmaceutical landscape: Dr.Jayashree Aiyar, Chief Scientific Officer at Syngene International, and Dr. Shilpa Gadgil, VP and Head of Process and Analytical Development at Enzene. Through their candid reflections, they shed light on the challenges women still face, the progress made, and the future they envision for the next generation of women in science. Their stories intertwine with broader themes of bias, mentorship, and systemic change illustrating that while progress is palpable, there is still work to be done to create truly inclusive workspaces.

1. As women in the pharmaceutical industry, what have been the most significant barriers you’ve faced, and how did you navigate them?
The path to leadership in pharma has long been fraught with systemic biases and cultural expectations. For women, these challenges often manifest as invisible ceilings that dictate how far one can climb. Yet, for leaders like Dr. Aiyar and Dr. Gadgil, these barriers became catalysts for growth, pushing them to carve out their own paths to success. When asked about the most significant barriers she’s faced and how she navigated them, Dr. Aiyar said that “Over three decades in science, I have learned that challenges are not barriers but opportunities for growth. When I began my career, leadership roles in pharma and healthcare were predominantly maledominated. Rather than viewing this as a limitation, I focused on building expertise, staying resilient, and continuously learning. Success should be defined by competency, not gender.” Dr. Shilpa Gadgil added that “Gender bias is deeply ingrained not just in pharma, but across all industries. In India, there is a longstanding societal perception that men are the breadwinners and women are homemakers, and that conditioning seeps into the workplace.However, I have always believed that success should be defined by talent and passion not gender.”

2. Have you encountered gender bias in your career? What strategies or mindset shifts helped you stay resilient and continue progressing?
Gender bias remains a persistent force, often lurking in subtle interactions and unspoken expectations. For many women, navigating these biases requires both mental fortitude and an unshakable focus on their craft.Both leaders made conscious decisions not to let bias define
their trajectories, instead letting their work and impact speak louder than stereotypes.Dr. Aiyar: “I have had people around me tell me that I have been treated differently because I am a woman, but I did not allow myself to be a victim of gender bias. Instead, I have focussed on my competencies as a scientist and as a leader with emphasis on making better medicines for humankind. Organisations like Syngene are actively working to change this narrative, with a strong commitment to hiring and developing women leaders.” Dr. Gadgil: “Absolutely. Throughout my career, I saw many talented female colleagues having to prove their capabilities repeatedly. My approach has always been to stay focused on the quality of my work and never let bias hold me back. I believe we should all let our work and results
speak louder than any stereotype.”

3. Did you have a mentor who inspired your career journey? How do you pay that forward to the next generation of women in pharma?
Behind every successful leader is often a network of mentors who provide guidance,encouragement, and belief in their potential.For Dr. Aiyar and Dr. Gadgil, mentorship was a pivotal force not just in shaping their careers but in inspiring them to lift others as they climbed. Their experiences show how mentorship, when paid forward, can create ripples of change for future generations of women in science. Dr. Aiyar: “I have been fortunate to have some wonderful mentors (men and women) who guided me at key points in my career. My first ever mentor was my father who encouraged me to choose my career and be the best at it. And then there are legends like Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who has truly been inspirational. I pay this forward by sharing my experiences and providing guidance to young scientists so they can navigate their careers with confidence.” Dr. Gadgil: “One of my mentors, Dr. Gyongyi Szabo, MD PhD, encouraged me to never view having a child as a professional limitation. Another, Prof. Dr. Harry Jarrett, told me that if I ever chose to take a career break, I should view it as a small setback, not the end of my career. I have carried these lessons into my leadership by fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture.”

4. What structural or cultural changes do you believe are still needed in the pharma and biotech sectors to create more opportunities for women?
Despite the strides made towards gender equality, systemic change is still necessary to level the playing field. It’s not enough to hire more women companies must create ecosystems where women can thrive, innovate, and lead without compromise. For leaders like Dr. Aiyar and
Dr. Gadgil, structural shifts, from flexible policies to active sponsorship, are key to sustaining progress. Dr. Aiyar: “Recruitment alone isn’t enough, organisations must actively foster workplaces where women in STEM can grow, innovate, and lead. Flexible work arrangements, structured return-to-work programmes, and transparent promotion frameworks are essential. Active sponsorship programmes, where senior leaders advocate for women’s career growth, play a crucial role in opening doors to leadership opportunities.” Dr. Gadgil: “We need to redefine leadership and workplace structures to be more inclusive. At Enzene, we have built an open culture where every voice is heard, and over 60% of my team is composed of women. When companies foster a culture of transparency and equal opportunity, they naturally become more inclusive and innovative.”

5. Looking back at your career, what achievements make you most proud, and how do you define success as a woman leader in pharma?
For these leaders, success transcends personal accolades. It lies in the impact they create the teams they empower, the innovations they drive, and the doors they open for others. Their stories remind us that leadership is not just about reaching the top but about lifting others along the way.Dr. Aiyar: “One proud moment was leading the team that developed Syngene’s COVID-19 assays, providing a faster, safer, and more accessible alternative to conventional tests. More broadly, I’m proud to see more women stepping into leadership positions, driving breakthroughs in drug discovery, AI in healthcare, and precision medicine. The key to sustaining this momentum is to continue investing in talent and fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued.” Dr. Gadgil: “One of my proudest achievements is helping create a workplace that genuinely supports and empowers women. Seeing my team members thrive, innovate, and take on leadership roles without gender being a factor is a success in itself. On a larger scale, Enzene’s work in continuous manufacturing and ESG initiatives has been truly rewarding for me.”

6. What does International Women’s Day mean to you, and how do you see it driving positive change for women in science and leadership?
Dr. Aiyar: “According to UNESCO, ‘The presence of women in science is not just a matter of equality, it is a necessity for scientific progress.’ International Women’s Day serves as both a celebration of progress and a call to action, reminding us how much more can be achieved through diversity, inclusivity, and collective effort.” Dr. Gadgil: “International Women’s Day pushes one to think if the opportunities that we talk about are really equal. It brings awareness about the challenges faced by women and encourages organisations to ensure equal opportunity and diversification. Most importantly, it challenges society to reflect and ponder upon the state of equality and gender bias.”

Conclusion

As their words linger, the overarching message is clear: while progress has been made, true gender parity requires sustained effort and systemic change. The future of pharma will be shaped by those who challenge the status quo, foster inclusive environments, and ensure that
opportunities are based on talent and merit—not gender. With leaders like Dr. Aiyar and Dr. Gadgil paving the way, the industry is poised for a future where diversity is not just celebrated but embraced as a driver of innovation and excellence.

Dr. Shilpa Gadgil serves as the head of process, analytical and CDMO development leading on all project initiatives at Enzene Biosciences. Prior to Enzene, Shilpa was the Head of QC at Intas pharmaceuticals, and has led the organisation in several GMP audits from regulatory authorities such as EMA, USFDA, ANVISA, WHO, MOH, Health Canada, etc. In here role, she leads end to end development from clone to drug product. She is also the lead for multiple biosimilar products being developed for the EU and US markets.

Dr.Jayashree Aiyar has over 30 years of experience as a molecular pharmacologist and has led drug discovery programs in global organisations in the US like AstraZeneca, Merck, Ambrx, and Theravance, as well as Jubilant Biosys in India. Jayashree has more
than 30 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters to her credit and two issued patents. Dr. Aiyar joined Syngene in 2016 to lead the
Discovery Biology function, which has grown significantly under her leadership. In her role as Chief Scientific Officer, she plays a pivotal role in driving Syngene’s scientific strategy and innovation in R&D, as well as strengthening academic and industry collaborations, ensuring that Syngene continues to lead with cutting-edge solutions for clients.

Source : https://international-pharma.com/