Mumbai, July 14, 2025 – In a significant leadership reshuffle, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced on Friday that Kirti Ganorkar has been appointed as the Managing Director, effective September 1, 2025. He will succeed Dilip Shanghvi, who will assume the role of Executive Chairman and continue to lead the company’s board.
According to the official statement, the entire business and all functions will now report to Ganorkar, marking a major milestone in Sun Pharma’s leadership succession planning.
Leadership Changes in North America
The company also revealed that Abhay Gandhi, President & CEO of North America, has decided to step down to pursue interests outside Sun Pharma. He will be succeeded by Richard Ascroft, who joins the company as CEO – North America.
Ganorkar’s Journey and Vision
A chemical engineer and MBA, Kirti Ganorkar has been with Sun Pharma since 1996, and has headed the India Business since June 2019. Under his leadership, the domestic business has grown consistently, significantly increasing market share.
Over the years, he has held key leadership roles across:
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Business Development & Marketing
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Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
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New Product Introductions
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Project Management
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Intellectual Property (IP) and Litigation
Ganorkar was instrumental in Sun Pharma’s global expansion, including:
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Securing rights for specialty products like Ilumya
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Leading the company’s entry into Japan
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Laying groundwork for its foray into Europe
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Supporting major generic drug projects for the US market
Leadership Endorsement
Dilip Shanghvi praised Ganorkar’s leadership, saying:
“Kirti has consistently demonstrated effective leadership. I have a firm belief in his ability to lead the company into its next phase of growth. His elevation reflects Sun Pharma’s strong internal talent pool and commitment to core value systems.”
As Executive Chairman, Shanghvi will now focus on strengthening the specialty drug portfolio and shaping the company’s long-term strategy.
Shareholder Approval Pending
Ganorkar’s appointment is subject to shareholder approval at the company’s upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Outlook
This structured succession plan reflects Sun Pharma’s strategic governance vision, ensuring leadership continuity while preparing for future global challenges. With Ganorkar at the helm, the company is set to continue its trajectory of innovation, global expansion, and specialty focus.
