Sun Pharma rejig sets stage for Shanghvi's succession

Dilip Shanghvi is now executive chairman, son Aalok to oversee critical US business

- jessica [e-mail]

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, India's largest drugmaker, is steering itself onto a new course with sweeping leadership changes.

Starting this month, Kirti Ganorkar, who headed its India business, assumed the role of managing director while promoter and founder Dilip Shanghvi transitioned to the role of executive chairman.

Shanghvi’s son Aalok has been set on the leadership track, overseeing the pharma giant’s most important market. Richard Ascroft, ex-Takeda Pharmaceuticals executive appointed to run its North America business in June, reports to the junior Shanghvi, who is now chief operating officer.

Ascroft succeeded longstanding company executive Abhay Gandhi, who left the company in June. Sun Pharma also appointed Jayashree Satagopan as chief financial officer designate to succeed CS, Muralidharan starting 1 July.