Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has announced the appointment of Kirti Ganorkar as Managing Director, effective September 1, 2025, marking a significant leadership transition for India's largest pharmaceutical company. The 58-year-old chemical engineer will succeed founder Dilip Shanghvi, who will continue as Executive Chairman, in what the company describes as the culmination of a structured succession planning process.
Veteran Leader Takes the Helm
Ganorkar brings nearly three decades of experience at Sun Pharma, having joined the company in 1996 as an executive assistant to Shanghvi when the pharmaceutical landscape was vastly different. Since June 2019, he has headed Sun Pharma's India Business, which contributes over 32% of the company's global revenues and has grown consistently under his leadership, further increasing market share.
"It has been a profoundly rewarding journey to participate in the company's transformation into a leading global pharmaceutical enterprise," Ganorkar stated. "Sun Pharma is at an exciting juncture with all its businesses well-positioned for growth."
Strong Financial Performance Backdrop
The leadership transition comes as Sun Pharma reported robust financial results for FY2025, with sales reaching ₹52,041 crore, representing 9% growth over the previous year. Net profit stood at ₹11,984 crore, up 19%. The company's global specialty products sales reached $1.21 billion (₹10,334 crore), up 17.1%, and accounted for 19.7% of FY25 sales.
Diverse Experience Across Business Functions
Throughout his tenure, Ganorkar has held various leadership roles spanning business development, marketing, mergers and acquisitions, new product introduction, project management, intellectual property, and litigation. He played a pivotal role in driving Sun Pharma's foray into specialty pharmaceuticals by securing rights for innovative products such as Ilumya.
His strategic contributions extend to international expansion, having led Sun Pharma's entry into Japan and laying the initial groundwork for the company's European operations. He also supported the U.S. business with stewardship of several notable generic projects from concept to commercialization.
Founder's Confidence in Succession
Dilip Shanghvi expressed confidence in the transition, stating, "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." Shanghvi emphasized that Ganorkar's elevation showcases the company's strong in-house talent pool, ensuring continuity of Sun Pharma's core value systems.
As Executive Chairman, Shanghvi will continue to chair the Board and focus on strengthening Sun Pharma's specialty portfolio while providing insights toward shaping the company's long-term strategy.
Additional Leadership Changes
Alongside Ganorkar's appointment, Sun Pharma announced that Richard "Rick" Ascroft will join as CEO – North America, succeeding Abhay Gandhi. Ascroft brings more than three decades of biopharmaceutical experience spanning commercial operations, market access, medical affairs, and corporate affairs across U.S. and global markets. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President and Business Unit Head of US Plasma-Derived Therapies at Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
Aalok Shanghvi, Whole-time Director and Chief Operating Officer, has been additionally entrusted with responsibility for the North America business, with Ascroft reporting to him.
Challenging Global Environment
The timing of Ganorkar's elevation is particularly significant given Sun Pharma's global scale of operations, which includes a growing and challenging business environment in the U.S., Europe, and emerging markets while maintaining the company's position in India's intensely competitive pharmaceutical market. Industry experts note that while Ganorkar faces a tough task ahead, the established strength of the company provides substantial support for the transition.
