Herbalife India collaborates with IIT Madras to launch Plant Cell Fermentation Technology Lab. This initiative is designed to bridge the demand-supply gap in plant-based nutraceuticals, phytoceuticals, and phytopharmaceuticals while aligning with Herbalife’s broader commitment to innovation and sustainability.
Herbalife, a health and wellness company, has signed an agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. With this, they aim to establish the Herbalife-IITM Plant Cell Fermentation Technology Lab on campus as part of its CSR initiative. The agreement signing ceremony, held at IIT Madras, was attended by Mr. Ajay Khanna, Managing Director, Herbalife India. Additionally, Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean – Alumni & Corporate Relations, IIT Madras, and other distinguished representatives from IITM were also present.
This collaboration aligns with the Indian government’s Bio-E3 policy, which aims to position India as a global leader in bio-manufacturing. It also furthers the Prime Minister’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. The lab will serve as a hub for innovation and capacity building. It will also be a centre of industry collaboration in the wellness sector, while also fostering entrepreneurship.
Advancing Sustainable Herbal Innovation
The Centre of Excellence – Herbalife Plant Cell Fermentation Technology Lab aims to pioneer sustainable solutions for high-quality herbal raw materials and phytochemicals. Using plant cell fermentation technology, the facility will enable the production of sustainable herbal ingredients. It will ensure purity, bioactive consistency, and year-round availability. This innovation will drive advancements in nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and Ayush formulations. It will also contribute directly to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3 – Good Health & Well-Being).
By leveraging plant cell technology, the lab will cultivate medicinal plants in vitro under controlled conditions. This will ensure high-quality phytochemical production without reliance on traditional farming. Additionally, advanced bioreactor-based scaling will enable large-volume production in minimal space, addressing land constraints and lengthy harvesting cycles. The use of green extraction technologies will further promote sustainability in bioactive compound production.
Key Focus Areas of the Plant Cell Fermentation Technology Lab
As Herbalife India collaborates with IIT Madras to launch the Plant Cell Fermentation Technology Lab, this lab stands on five core pillars
- Innovative Research – Driving R&D, translational research, and cutting-edge projects.
- Sustainable Biomanufacturing – Scaling plant cell fermentation for herbal extracts.
- Technology-Driven Solutions – Utilizing in silico screening for phytochemical discovery and repurposing.
- Conservation Efforts – Producing somatic embryos and plant materials to aid in the cultivation of endangered medicinal species.
- Ecosystem Engagement – Hosting hackathons and accelerator programs to encourage innovation and industry collaboration.
From The Leadership Desk
Mr. Ajay Khanna, Managing Director, Herbalife India
“Herbalife is committed to drive innovation that contributes to sustainability. Our partnership with IIT Madras, yet again this year is an effort towards transforming the nutraceutical and wellness sectors. Herbalife Plant Cell Fermentation Technology Lab at IIT Madras will be a catalyst for innovation, capacity building, and enhance industry collaboration in the wellness sector. Aligned with India’s Bio-E3 Policy (2024) and the National Biotechnology Development Strategy (2022-25), this initiative will position India as a leader in biomanufacturing while contributing to the Prime Minister’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
Prof. Smitha Srivastava, Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, IIT Madras
“The Herbalife-IITM Plant Cell Fermentation Technology Lab represents a significant milestone in sustainable innovation. This state-of-the-art facility will drive pioneering research, foster academic training, and enable impactful technology development for industry applications. I sincerely thank Herbalife for their generous support and unwavering belief in this initiative. Together, we are poised to transform the landscape of plant cell fermentation, creating meaningful outcomes for science, industry, and society”.
Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean – Alumni & Corporate Relations, IIT Madras
“It is heartening to see the IITM-Herbalife partnership growing from one milestone to another. Through their support for the establishment of the Plant Cell Fermentation Technology Lab, Herbalife has emerged as a leader in the field of sustainable solutions for high-quality herbal raw materials and phytochemicals. This partnership has indeed come at the right time, not only for IITM and Herbalife but also for our nation’s goals towards a brighter, sustainable future”.