Richard Ascroft has been appointed as the North America Chief Executive Officer at Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited. He succeeds Abhay Gandhi and will report to Aalok Shanghvi, Whole-time Director and Chief Operating Officer at Sun Pharma.
With over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Richard brings a strong background in commercial operations, market access, clinical development, and corporate affairs. His expertise spans both U.S. and global markets, making him well-positioned to lead Sun Pharma’s North America business across the United States and Canada.
Prior to joining Sun Pharma, Richard served as Senior Vice President and Business Unit Head of U.S. Plasma-Derived Therapies at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, where he was part of the U.S. and global executive leadership teams. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for driving strategic growth, advancing healthcare innovation, and building high-performing teams.
In his new role, Richard will be responsible for accelerating Sun Pharma’s broad portfolio of generics, over-the-counter products, and innovative medicines in North America. His leadership will be especially critical as the company prepares for the commercial launch of new treatments in therapeutic areas such as alopecia areata and squamous cell carcinoma.
Richard’s appointment comes at a time of significant momentum for Sun Pharma, which continues to expand its global specialty portfolio. With a strong presence in dermatology, ophthalmology, and onco-dermatology, Sun Pharma remains the largest pharmaceutical company in India and a leading generics player in the U.S. and emerging markets.
As CEO, Richard is expected to play a vital role in strengthening Sun Pharma’s market position in North America, advancing patient-centric innovations, and driving long-term growth across the region.