Words by Isabel O’Brien
Sun Pharma has announced the appointment of Richard Ascroft as its new North America CEO, effective 16 June 2025. Based in Princeton, New Jersey, Ascroft will lead the pharmaceutical company’s commercial strategy across the US and Canada, overseeing a portfolio that spans innovative medicines, generics and over-the-counter products.
Ascroft brings more than 30 years of industry experience, including senior roles at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, where he most recently served as Senior Vice President and Business Unit Head of US Plasma-Derived Therapies. He was also a member of Takeda’s US and global executive teams.
In his new role, Ascroft is expected to drive Sun Pharma’s upcoming commercial launches in areas such as alopecia areata and squamous cell carcinoma. His appointment signals a continued push by Sun Pharma to expand its presence in specialty and innovative medicines, complementing its established generics business in the region.
“I am honoured to join Sun Pharma,” said Ascroft. “The North America region is poised to bring new treatments to the market and drive significant growth for the business. I look forward to building on our strong foundation, supporting patients throughout their journey and delivering the highest quality generic and innovative medicines to the people we serve.”
Ascroft succeeds Abhay Gandhi and will report to Aalok Shanghvi, Sun Pharma’s COO and whole-time Director. Shanghvi commented: “Richard has an extensive and impressive history of driving advancements in healthcare and implementing innovative solutions to get medicines to people in need.”
Sun Pharma is India’s largest pharmaceutical company and a leading generics manufacturer in the US. Its global specialty portfolio, focused on dermatology, ophthalmology and onco-dermatology, now accounts for over 18% of company sales.
