Meet Reshma Kewalramani: The Indian-Origin Biotech Trailblazer on TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025

In 2025, amidst a world increasingly shaped by science and innovation, TIME Magazine released its annual list of the 100 Most Influential People. Among political powerhouses, visionary artists, and cultural icons, stood the name of Reshma Kewalramani — the only Indian-origin leader featured this year.

Her inclusion isn’t a result of fame or financial empire. It’s because Reshma is quite literally rewriting the way the world treats disease. As the CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, she has led the development and approval of a therapy that is considered nothing short of revolutionary — the FDA’s first-ever CRISPR-based treatment for sickle cell disease.

But who is Reshma Kewalramani — and how did a young girl from Mumbai rise to the top of one of the world’s most advanced biotechnology companies?

An Immigrant Story Rooted in Purpose

Born in Mumbai, India, Reshma immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of 11. Like many immigrant families, they arrived with hope, determination, and the belief in a better future. But Reshma didn’t just adapt to her new home — she thrived.

Fascinated by science from an early age, she pursued a medical degree at Boston University. Her early career as a physician saw her treating patients at Massachusetts General Hospital, one of the most prestigious hospitals in the country. Yet, she wasn’t content with just practicing medicine — she wanted to shape its future.

In 2015, she took a bold step by enrolling in the General Management Program at Harvard Business School, arming herself with the leadership skills to influence healthcare from the top down.

Climbing the Ranks in Biotech – And Making History

Reshma joined Vertex Pharmaceuticals in 2017, a company known for its cutting-edge work in genetic diseases. In just one year, she was appointed Chief Medical Officer. By 2020, she broke new ground as the first woman to become CEO of a major publicly traded biotech firm in the United States.

But her leadership wasn’t just historic — it was transformational.

Under her guidance, Vertex made global headlines with the development of a CRISPR-based therapy that doesn’t just manage sickle cell disease — it corrects the genetic mutation at the root of the condition. The therapy, now FDA-approved, represents a turning point in modern medicine and opens the door to a future where genetic-level cures for previously untreatable diseases become the norm.

Her TIME100 profile was written by fellow biotech leader Jason Kelly, CEO of Ginkgo Bioworks, who summed up her impact with striking clarity:

“Our bodies speak the language of DNA. The most powerful drugs of tomorrow will speak that same language back. And Reshma is already fluent in it.”

Beyond the Boardroom: A Global Influence

Reshma’s influence stretches beyond her executive role. She serves on the Board of Directors at Ginkgo Bioworks, contributing her vision to other groundbreaking biotech efforts. In every capacity, she represents the intersection of science, leadership, and humanity — ensuring that innovation doesn’t just exist in laboratories but touches lives across the globe.

What Makes Her Story Remarkable

Reshma Kewalramani’s journey from Mumbai to leading a U.S. biotech giant is a story of resilience, reinvention, and relentless pursuit of progress. She didn’t come from privilege, nor did she follow a predictable path to the C-suite. She created her own path — and now, she’s illuminating that path for others to follow.

In an era when women, especially women of color, continue to be underrepresented in leadership roles in science and medicine, Reshma’s story stands as a symbol of what’s possible. Her life speaks to the power of ambition paired with compassion, of technical brilliance paired with human empathy.

A Legacy in the Making

Reshma Kewalramani is not just a CEO. She is a changemaker, a scientist, and a role model for millions. Her work is not only advancing medicine — it’s also inspiring a generation of young Indian-origin girls who now have a new definition of what leadership can look like.

In a world desperate for innovation, inclusion, and impact — Reshma brings all three.

And as her name appears in the pages of TIME’s most prestigious list, it is clear: the world is not just watching her — it’s learning from her.