Cohance Lifesciences, a contract development and manufacturing organization, has appointed Umang Vohra, the former Chief Executive of Cipla, as its Executive Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer, effective May 1, 2026. Vohra succeeds Vivek Sharma, who is stepping down for personal reasons. Following the announcement, Cohance’s stock price experienced a nearly 20 percent increase, reaching ₹432.70 on the BSE as of Monday at 9:58 AM.
Sharma will remain with Cohance as an Advisor for the next nine months to ensure a smooth transition. The company stated that Vohra’s appointment reflects a strategic decision by the board to enlist a leader whose profile aligns with the company’s transformation and future growth phases.
Cohance Lifesciences specializes in complex chemistry, intermediates, performance materials, and specialty ingredients, boasting an integrated research team of over 400 scientists and established partnerships with global pharmaceutical innovators.
As the former CEO and Managing Director of Cipla, Vohra led the company’s transformation over the past decade, building it into a diversified global pharmaceutical entity. He remarked, “Cohance’s technology offerings, depth of its R&D talent, and the quality of the leadership team already in place provide a strong foundation.”
Sharma noted, “Over the past few years, we have built a strong foundation for Cohance by 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, emphasized that “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.
Published on April 27, 2026.
