Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has signalled change and succession planning with its appointment of Kirti Ganorkar as Managing Director, succeeding the Founder Dilip Shanghvi, from September 1, 2025.

The entire business and all functions will report to Ganorkar, Sun said, as the announcement that awaits shareholder approval. The announcement comes months and weeks of Shanghvi’s son Aalok and daughter Vidhi’s elevation, respectively in the company. In February, Aalok (40 years), was elevated as Chief Operating Officer. Late last month, Sun’s board of directors approved Vidhi’s (37 years) appointment as a Whole-time Director.

As Executive Chairman, Dilip Shanghvi will continue to chair the board and focus on strengthening Sun Pharma’s specialty portfolio and shape the company’s long-term strategy. The specialty segment is gaining in importance in the company’s business operations.

“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,” the drugmaker said.

Dilip Shanghvi, Chairman and Managing Director of Sun Pharma said, “Kirti has consistently demonstrated effective leadership managing diverse roles at Sun. I have a firm belief in his ability to lead the company into its next phase of growth ...Kirti’s elevation showcases our strong in-house talent pool, ensuring continuity of Sun’s core value systems.”

Kirti Ganorkar has been heading the India business at Sun Pharma since June 2019. A chemical engineer and MBA, he had joined the company in 1996.

In a separate development, Abhay Gandhi, Sun Pharma’s President and Chief Executive, North America, has decided to pursue his interests outside Sun Pharma, the company said. Richard (“Rick”) Ascroft will succeed Gandhi, it added. Further, Aalok Shanghvi, Whole-time Director and Chief Operating Officer, has been additionally entrusted with the responsibility for the North America business and Rick will report to Aalok, the note added.

On Gandhi’s exit, Dilip Shanghvi said, “Abhay has played a pivotal role in driving business growth for Sun across geographies including US, India and Emerging Markets.” His successor, Ascroft is a seasoned biopharmaceutical executive with over three decades of experience across commercial operations, market access, medical affairs, and corporate affairs in the US and global markets, the note said. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President and Business unit Head of US Plasma-Derived Therapies at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, and was a member of both the US and global executive leadership teams, it added.

Ganorkar’s elevation

Ganorkar, Sun’s Managing Director (Designate) said, “Sun Pharma is at an exciting juncture with all its businesses well-positioned for growth.”

Under his stewardship, the company’s India business grew consistently, a note from the company said. He has also held leadership roles across business development, marketing, M&A (merger and acquisition), product introduction, project management, IP (intellectual property) and litigation at Sun Pharma, it added.

Ganorkar also played a key role in Sun Pharma’s foray into specialty by securing rights for innovative products such as Ilumya, the company said, adding that he also led Sun Pharma’s entry into Japan and laid the initial groundwork for the company’s entry into Europe. The executive also supported the US business. leading several key generic projects from concept to commercialisation, it added.

Published on June 13, 2025