Herbalife and IIT Madras open India's first plant cell fermentation research center

Herbalife has partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) to launch what the organizations describe as India's first dedicated Centre of Excellence focused on plant cell fermentation technology, creating a new hub for translational research, sustainable biomanufacturing and the development of next-generation plant-derived health and wellness products.

• Herbalife and IIT Madras have inaugurated India's first Centre of Excellence dedicated to plant cell fermentation technology.
• The facility will focus on scaling plant-derived ingredients, technology transfer and commercialization.
• The center includes pilot-scale processing, specialized bioreactors and advanced analytical capabilities.

The Herbalife-IIT Madras Centre of Excellence on Plant Cell Fermentation Technology officially opened on June 22 at IIT Madras Research Park in Chennai. The initiative is intended to strengthen India's capabilities in plant cell fermentation by bringing together academic research, industrial collaboration and commercialization under one roof.

The center will focus on developing sustainable and scalable methods for producing herbal biomass, enriched herbal extracts and high-value phytochemicals using plant cell fermentation. It also aims to bridge the gap between laboratory research and commercial production by combining upstream cultivation technologies with downstream processing and metabolomics platforms.

According to IIT Madras and Herbalife, the facility has been designed as a national hub for research, innovation and technology transfer. Alongside scientific research, it will support entrepreneurship, workforce development and industry partnerships while helping to translate academic discoveries into commercial applications.

The organizations said the center aligns with India's BioE3 strategy and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, both of which seek to strengthen domestic biotechnology capabilities and environmentally sustainable manufacturing.

Speaking at the launch, Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean of Alumni and Corporate Relations at IIT Madras, said the partnership demonstrated how academia and industry could work together to build long-term scientific infrastructure.

"IIT Madras' partnership with Herbalife and the establishment of Centre of Excellence on Plant Cell Fermentation is an exemplar of how industry and academia can work together to build enduring assets for the nation. With the high-end research facilities at the center, we are now confident to push the boundaries of plant cell bioprocessing to translate into solutions for societal impact. We believe this center will not only strengthen India's self-reliance in sustainable bio-manufacturing, but also create new opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship and global leadership in next-generation plant-derived products."

Ajay Khanna, Managing Director of Herbalife India, said the company viewed the initiative as an investment in future scientific capability.

"The establishment of the Herbalife-IIT Madras Centre of Excellence on Plant Cell Fermentation Technology represents an important investment in building scientific capabilities for the future. Through this initiative, we aim to create opportunities for researchers, students, and innovators to explore new applications of plant-based technologies and contribute to advancements in nutrition science."

He added that the center would support knowledge exchange, talent development and research-led innovation while helping bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and industrial applications.

The center is led by Prof. Smita Srivastava, who said the facility would help position India as a commercial leader in plant cell fermentation.

"The establishment of the Herbalife-IIT Madras Centre of Excellence represents a transformative step towards positioning India as a global hub for commercial plant cell fermentation. By combining cutting-edge science with translational research and strong industry partnerships, we aim to accelerate innovation, nurture talent, and develop sustainable technologies that will shape the future of plant-derived health and wellness products."

According to the partners, the center is equipped with customized plant cell bioreactors, advanced analytical platforms and pilot-scale processing facilities that will be available to researchers, students, entrepreneurs and industry professionals developing plant-derived ingredients.

Beyond research, the organizations expect the center to support intellectual property generation, technology transfer, startup creation and international collaborations while reducing India's reliance on imported plant-derived ingredients through domestic production.

The launch also included two expert panel discussions examining the future of commercial plant cell fermentation and the evolving regulatory landscape for fermentation-derived herbal products.

The first session explored global commercial opportunities for plant cell fermentation over the coming decade and featured speakers from Herbalife, Himalaya Wellness Company, Germany's Phyton Biotech, the UK's Plant Cell Institute and Extracellular.

A second panel brought together representatives from India's National Biodiversity Authority, the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, the Central Food Technological Research Institute and AOAC International's India Section to discuss regulatory considerations for fermentation-derived herbal products.

Organizers said the discussions highlighted opportunities for greater collaboration between academia, industry and policymakers as India seeks to expand its role in plant cell fermentation and sustainable biomanufacturing.