On the occasion of International Women’s Day, IndiaMedToday connected with Dr Priya Kapoor G Hingorani, Managing Director of Miltenyi Biotec India and a global biotechnology leader at the forefront of precision and personalised medicine. With deep experience spanning India and the Asia-Pacific region, she has witnessed a powerful shift—women in biotech are no longer confined to laboratories but are increasingly shaping strategy, innovation, and leadership at the highest levels.
In this interaction, she shares her perspective on the evolving role of women in life sciences, the structural and cultural barriers that still exist, and how organisations like Miltenyi Biotec are actively building India’s cell and gene therapy ecosystem.
Women in Biotech: From Participation to Leadership
Dr Hingorani believes India is at a pivotal moment when it comes to women’s participation in biotechnology and life sciences. Over the years, women have transitioned from being key contributors in research to becoming founders, decision-makers, and ecosystem enablers.
Today, women make up nearly 40% of the pharmaceutical workforce in India, contributing significantly across research, manufacturing, and leadership roles. This growing influence is supported by structured initiatives from organisations like the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and the Department of Biotechnology, which offer funding, incubation platforms such as BioNEST, and dedicated programs like BioCARe.
She emphasises that true progress lies not just in representation, but in creating environments where women can lead with confidence, think entrepreneurially, and deliver globally impactful solutions.
Bridging the Gap from STEM to Leadership
Despite strong academic participation—India has around 43% female STEM graduates—only a fraction transition into long-term careers or leadership roles. Women account for just 14% of STEM jobs overall, though their presence is stronger in pharma and biotech sectors.
According to Dr Hingorani, while challenges such as career breaks and limited leadership pathways persist, the ecosystem today offers far more support than in previous decades. Importantly, she observes a mindset shift: women are no longer waiting for opportunities but actively creating them.
To close the leadership gap, organisations must focus on structured mentorship, sponsorship, and enabling policies that align professional growth with personal life stages.
Building India’s Precision Medicine Ecosystem
Miltenyi Biotec is playing a strategic role in shaping India’s future in precision medicine. The company has established a Cell & Gene Therapy Centre of Excellence in Hyderabad’s Genome Valley, providing researchers and clinicians access to advanced platforms for CAR-T and other personalised therapies.
Collaborations with institutions such as BIRAC and the Translational Health Science & Technology Institute (THSTI) are helping build a skilled workforce through GMP-aligned training programs. These efforts aim to strengthen India’s capabilities in clinical cell manufacturing and accelerate innovation.
Dr Hingorani also highlights the importance of translating innovation into patient impact. Through partnerships with Indian institutions, Miltenyi Biotec is supporting the development of cost-effective, locally relevant CAR-T therapies. Beyond India, the company is expanding its footprint across Asia-Pacific, enabling broader access to advanced treatments for conditions including autoimmune and neurological disorders.
The Role of Genomics, AI, and Data in Healthcare
Emerging technologies are transforming the way therapies are developed and delivered. In cell and gene therapy, genomics enables a deeper understanding of disease biology, paving the way for highly targeted treatments.
Miltenyi Biotec is integrating artificial intelligence into areas such as molecular design and binder development, where machine learning can process complex datasets beyond human capability. AI also holds promise in optimising clinical trial design and managing vast volumes of healthcare data.
Dr Hingorani notes that the key lies in responsibly leveraging these technologies to improve precision, accelerate development timelines, and expand patient access.
Leading Across Borders: Values That Matter
Managing diverse, international teams requires more than technical expertise. Dr Hingorani underscores the importance of clarity of vision, cultural intelligence, and strong execution.
In a sector where outcomes directly impact patient lives, aligning teams around a shared purpose is critical. She believes that combining scientific rigor with empathy, maintaining global quality standards while respecting local realities, and fostering trust are essential for sustainable growth.
Resilience and the ability to build empowered, accountable teams across geographies have been central to her leadership journey.
Strengthening Mentorship and Inclusion
For Dr Hingorani, mentorship and inclusion must go beyond intent and become structured organisational priorities. Effective programs should include sponsorship initiatives where senior leaders actively advocate for high-potential women, transparent promotion pathways, and flexible workplace policies.
Representation also plays a powerful role—seeing women in leadership positions inspires the next generation to aim higher. With women already making up over 30% of India’s biotech workforce, the next step is ensuring retention, growth, and leadership progression.
Power of Global Collaboration
Global partnerships are accelerating India’s position as a biotechnology innovation hub. Institutions like BIRAC and BRIC-THSTI have built a strong foundation for early-stage research, and collaborations with global players bring in expertise across manufacturing, quality systems, and regulatory frameworks.
Miltenyi Biotec’s partnerships aim to bridge this gap, ensuring that innovations developed in India meet global standards while remaining accessible to local patients. This integrated approach reduces risk, speeds up development, and enhances the global competitiveness of Indian biotech.
A Message to Aspiring Women in Biotech
On International Women’s Day, Dr Hingorani encourages young women to recognise the value of their voice and perspective in shaping the future of healthcare.
She stresses that leadership does not require fitting into a predefined mould. Instead, it is built on curiosity, resilience, collaboration, and integrity. With the momentum already underway, she believes the next wave of innovation in biotechnology will be driven by diverse voices and bold leadership.
Her message is clear: step forward with confidence, create opportunities, and support one another—the future of medicine depends on it.