SPOTLIGHT ON A DOSE OF SPECIALTY

WITH SPECIALTY MEDICINES CONTRIBUTING 20% TO ITS OVERALL REVENUES IN FY25, SUN PHARMA DOUBLES DOWN ON INNOVATION AS SHANGHVI SHIFTS ROLES.

- BY JOE C. MATHEW

DILIP SHANGHVI, often referred to as the ‘The Reluctant Billionaire’, in his biography by the same name, prefers to avoid the spotlight, especially if the conversation pivots around his wealth. Though the soft-spoken entrepreneur—who steps down as MD of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd on September 1 as part of a structured and forward-looking succession planning process—has left no stone unturned while pursuing his company’s growth since he founded it four decades ago.

Today, Sun is India’s biggest pharma manufacturer and the 12th largest generics company in the U.S. With ₹54,543 crore in annual revenues in FY25, Shanghvi’s specialty generics powerhouse is present in 100 countries, with 40 manufacturing facilities spanning six continents and a global employee strength of over 43,000. Given this, it’s no surprise that Shanghvi ranks as the eighth-richest Indian with a wealth of ₹2,18,963 crore ($25.53 billion) as on June 30, 2025, according to the 2025 Fortune India-Waterfield Advisors study of India's Top 100 Billionaires.

Though relinquishing the MD's post marks a shift away from day-to-day operations, in his new role as executive chairman, Shanghvi will continue to focus on strengthening Sun's specialty portfolio and offer strategic oversights. “As we navigate the evolving landscape of the global pharmaceutical industry, we remain firm in our commitment to growth and profitability, while proactively addressing the increasing risks faced by our company and the industry,” Shanghvi said in his latest message to shareholders.