Pharmaceutical major Cipla has seen three major exits that include Nikhil Chopra, CEO of its India business, Nikhil Lalwani, who led its US business, and Kunal Khanna, head of the chronic and emerging business.

Among them, Lalwani will be heading to ANI Pharmaceuticals, the specialty pharmaceutical firm. ANI Pharmaceuticals on Monday said in a statement that Lalwani will take over as its president and chief executive officer from September 8.

He will also be elected to the company’s board of directors, effective from his start date. He will succeed Patrick D. Walsh, who will continue to serve as the interim president and CEO till Lalwani joins the company.

At Cipla, Lalwani held various positions which included its head of US strategy, M&A and integration. He also led the global respiratory business.'

Chopra, who has had a 24 year stint at Cipla, has also resigned. A television report said he will be leading the India business for the company till September for a seamless transition.

According to the company website, he has played a key role in Cipla’s initiative of “Go Beyond the Pill” through patient awareness and facilitating low-cost diagnostic options in respiratory treatment.

These exits come ahead of the company declaring its results for the first quarter ended June 30 on August 7. Cipla is also set to hold its annual general meeting on August 27.

News of the exits on Monday led the Cipla stock to end 1.35 per cent lower at Rs 710.55 on the BSE.

Cipla was in the news last month when it announced the launch of the generic version of antiviral drug remdesivir which is said was at a price which among the lowest globally. The pharmaceutical firm had then said that it is looking to supply over 80,000 vials within the first month.

Remdesivir is the only United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA)-approved Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) treatment for adult and paediatric patients hospitalised with suspected or laboratory confirmed COVID-19 infection.