Kirti Ganorkar, who heads Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd's India operations, is scheduled to take over as managing director from founder Dilip Shanghvi as the leading drugmaker in India announces a significant shift in leadership.

Ganorkar will assume his new position starting on 1 September 2025, according to the company. Shanghvi will remain as executive chairman, overseeing the board, while concentrating on the specialty portfolio and guiding the company’s long-term vision.

“...I have a firm belief in his [Ganorkar’s] ability to lead the company into its next phase of growth and extend my best wishes for his success,” Dilip Shanghvi says. 

“Kirti’s elevation showcases our strong in-house talent pool, ensuring continuity of Sun’s core value systems.”

Aalok Shanghvi, the founder's son and a whole-time director and chief operating officer of the organization, will also take charge of the North American operations.

Abhay Gandhi, the current CEO of the North America division, has chosen to explore opportunities outside the company, and he will be succeeded by Richard Ascroft, who formerly held the position of senior vice president and business unit head for US Plasma-Derived Therapies at Takeda Pharmaceuticals.

“Today’s announcement marks the culmination of a structured and forward-looking succession planning process at Sun Pharma, underscoring the organisation’s commitment to leadership continuity and strategic governance.” Sun Pharma says.

 

Ascroft will report directly to Shanghvi, the company indicated.

Ganorkar, who became part of Sun Pharma in 1996, has been leading its operations in India since June 2019. He has previously held various leadership positions in business development, marketing, mergers and acquisitions, introduction of new products, project management, intellectual property, and litigation at Sun Pharma.

He was instrumental in Sun Pharma's venture into the specialty sector by securing the rights for drugs like Ilumya, its first biologic aimed at treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

Additionally, he led the company's entry into the Japanese market and established the groundwork for its expansion into Europe, as well as bolstered the U.S. operations by steering numerous generic projects from inception to commercialization.

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"Sun Pharma is at an exciting juncture with all its businesses well-positioned for growth,” Ganorkar says. “Building on the strong foundation laid by Mr. Shanghvi and ably supported by our global leadership team, I’m confident of continued success of the company.”