Visionaries face the same problems everyone else faces, but rather than getting paralyzed by those hiccups, they immediately commit themselves to find a way out. Dilip S. Shanghvi, Chairman and Managing Director, Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries, is one of those visionaries who have not only overcome the hurdles but have created fresh and viable opportunities. Known for his business acumen and long-term strategies in the evolving world of medicines, Shanghvi's presence in the Sun Pharma has been that of therapeutic use to the company and Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA), where he is the President.

A man who has had a long and rich experience in pharmaceutical business, Shanghvi has been instrumental in introducing several viable, productive and profitable projects in the Sun Pharma and increasing its product range. It comes as no surprise that today Sun ranks third among all pharma companies in India and continues to grow at more than twice the average rate of growth for the industry. Specializing in niche therapy like cardiology, neurology, psychiatry, gastroenterology, orthopedics and ophthalmology, the company, under Shanghvi has been able to carve a unique place for itself in the pharmaceutical industry. Not lagging behind in research and development, Shanghvi has ensured that the company invests enough in the area to maintain its edge over its nearest competitors. With two R&D centre at Baroda and Mumbai, the Sun Pharma, till recently was investing only 4% of its turnover.

But the pharma major under Shanghvi has firmed up its plans to invest nearly 10 per cent of its turnover towards development of new chemical entities and new drug delivery systems. A man who always keeps his fingers on the market pulse, Shanghvi has been the main force behind Sun's stupendous progress and expansion. In fact, Shanghvi played crucial role when Sun Pharma acquired common stock and options from two large shareholders of Caraco, increasing its stake to over 60% from 44% at a total outlay of about $42 million.

Having spread itself to major countries and widely respected for its qualitative products, Sun Pharma recently received approval from USFDA, UK MHRA, South African MCC, Brazilian ANVISA and Columbian INVIMA for one of its manufacturing sites, thus adding one more feather to its cap. As a result of relentless efforts of people like Shanghvi, it's no surprise that Forbes Global ranked Sun Pharma in the list of best small 200 companies in 2003 and was rated amongst the best-managed companies across all sectors. Shanghvi himself has been listed in the Forbes’ 2007 list of Worlds billionaires with his $3.1 billion fortune, ranking 279. With people like Shanghvi overseeing the company, it's sure sign that Sun Pharma has many an accolade in-waiting.