New Delhi, June 1 -- Some of India's largest pharmaceutical firms, including Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd and Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd, are priming the next generation of their promoter families to take over the reins.

On 20 May, Torrent Pharma announced the appointment of Aman Mehta (33), son of chairman Samir Mehta and a third-generation member of the Torrent Group's founder family, as managing director effective 1 August. The company said in a press statement that the appointment was part of "our long-term strategic vision and succession planning".

The same week, Sun Pharma announced the appointment of Vidhi Shanghvi, daughter of founder and managing director Dilip Shanghvi, as a whole time director. A few months ago, Sun Pha...