Mumbai-based generic drugmaker Cipla Ltd has hired AS Kumar, former executive at Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories as its global general counsel.

The post of global general counsel had been lying vacant since Murali Neelkantan’s departure in 2015, reports VCCircle.

Kumar has over three decades of legal experience. He is an alumnus of the University of Bangalore, and has completed his post-graduation from State University of New York at Buffalo.

Before joining Dr Reddy’s, he worked with US-based energy major BTU Ventures, GlaxoSmithKline, Unilever and law firm Al Tamimi, among others.

The hiring comes at a time when YK Hamied-led Cipla is looking to seal a few transactions.