Cohance Lifesciences, a contract development and manufacturing organisation, has announced the appointment of former Cipla-Chief Executive Umang Vohra as its Executive Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer, effective May 1, 2026.
Vohra succeeds Vivek Sharma, who steps down as Executive Chairman for personal reasons. Cohance stock price was up nearly 20 per cent, at ₹432.70 on BSE, on Monday (9:58 am).
Sharma will continue to be with Cohance as an Advisor for the next nine months and will support a smooth transition, the company said.
Vohra’s appointment reflects a strategic decision taken by the company’s board “to bring in a leader whose profile is specifically suited to the demands of the company’s transformation and its next phase of growth,” the company told the stock exchange.
Cohance Lifesciences capabilities span complex chemistry, intermediates, performance materials and specialty ingredients. It has integrated research, over 400 scientists, and established partnerships with global pharmaceutical innovators, it said.
As former CEO and Managing Director of Cipla, Vohra had led the company’s transformation over the last decade to build a diversified global pharmaceutical enterprise. Vohra said in the statement that, “Cohance’s technology offerings, depth of its R&D talent, and the quality of the leadership team already in place provide a strong foundation.”
Vivek Sharma added, “Over the past few years, we have built a strong foundation for Cohance — integrating businesses, strengthening the leadership team, and establishing the platform’s identity as a science-led CDMO. I am proud of what the team has achieved and confident that the platform is well positioned for its next chapter. I wish Umang and the entire Cohance team every success as they take the company forward.”
Pankaj Patwari, Managing Director at Advent, said, “The platform will greatly benefit from a leader like Umang, who brings an owner-manager mindset, and who can build on the business’s scientific foundation, drive commercial scale, deepen customer partnerships, and develop a leading operating culture.” Cohance Lifesciences is majority owned by Advent.