India-based pharmaceutical major Cipla has revealed that its Chief Operating Officer, Achin Gupta, is set to become Managing Director and Global Chief Executive Officer from April 1, 2026. This transition, subject to shareholder ratification, is part of a structured succession plan approved by the board. He will serve as CEO-designate beginning January 1, 2026.
The outgoing MD & Global CEO, Umang Vohra, after nearly a decade at the top, will step down at the end of his current term on March 31, 2026. Vohra has overseen Cipla’s growth in India and abroad, strengthening its manufacturing and digital capabilities and building a leadership pipeline.
Achin joined Cipla in 2021, initially heading the “One India” business, before being elevated to COO in February 2025. In his current role he has oversight of the company’s commercial markets, manufacturing operations, API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) supply chain and global operations.
His appointment comes at a notable juncture for Cipla, as the company navigates the conditions of a shifting global generics market, including pricing pressures in the U.S., the impending patent expiry of key drugs, and the need to deepen its presence in specialty therapies and emerging markets.
On the same day the leadership change was announced, Cipla reported its Q2 results for the period ended September 30, 2025. The company posted revenue of ₹7,589 crore and a net profit of ₹1,351 crore, representing year-on-year growth of 8% and 4% respectively. Key product areas such as respiratory and consumer health continued to produce positive momentum, while the company also disclosed a partnership to market Tirzepatide a weight-management drug by Eli Lilly in India.
These results underline the company’s stable operational footing and provide a platform for the incoming leadership to focus on scaling growth and deepening international reach.
Cipla’s board emphasised that the leadership change is well-planned and designed to ensure continuity, not disruption. The sequence CEO-designate from January followed by full assumption of duties in April signals a deliberate handover rather than a sudden switch. Vohra stated his confidence in Gupta’s ability to lead the company forward, and reiterated that he does not foresee any leadership vacuum on his exit.
