On June 22, 2026, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and Herbalife International India Pvt. Ltd. inaugurated the Herbalife-IIT Madras Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Plant Cell Fermentation Technology, India's first dedicated facility for translational research and innovation in this field. The centre aims to position India as a global leader in sustainable biomanufacturing and next-generation plant-derived health and wellness products.
Centre's Vision and Objectives
The CoE is envisioned as a national hub for sustainable innovation, R&D, and translational research in plant cell fermentation technology. Its goals include enabling sustainable and scalable production of herbal biomass, developing enriched herbal extracts and high-value phytochemicals, and bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and industrial applications. The centre integrates advanced upstream cultivation systems with state-of-the-art downstream processing and metabolomics platforms to promote technology transfer, foster innovation and entrepreneurship, and build skilled manpower. Through industry partnerships, blue-sky research, training programmes, and entrepreneurial spin-offs, the initiative aspires to position India prominently in commercial plant cell fermentation while contributing to national visions such as BioE3, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and environmentally sustainable bio-manufacturing.
Inauguration Ceremony
The inauguration ceremony featured Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR and Secretary of DSIR, and Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, as Chief Guests. Shri Virendra R. Tiwari, Chairperson of the National Biodiversity Authority, attended as Guest of Honour. Other notable attendees included Mr. Ajay Khanna, Managing Director of Herbalife India; Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean of Alumni and Corporate Relations at IIT Madras; and Prof. Smita Srivastava, Head of the new CoE. The event included a curtain-raising ceremony and a tour of the facility at IIT Madras Research Park.
Quotes from Key Figures
Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam stated, "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 Centre, 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."
Mr. Ajay Khanna remarked, "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. We believe the Centre will serve as a catalyst for knowledge exchange, talent development, and research-driven innovation, helping bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and practical industry applications."
Prof. Smita Srivastava added, "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. Embodying our vision of taking discoveries from laboratory to pilot scale and ultimately to societal and industrial impact, the Centre will foster academia-industry collaborations, capacity building, and entrepreneurship, while contributing meaningfully to the nation's BioE3 and Atmanirbhar Bharat missions and strengthening India's leadership in this emerging domain."
Facilities and Impact
The CoE is equipped with customized plant cell bioreactors, advanced analytical platforms, and pilot-scale processing facilities. It is expected to catalyse national and international academia-industry collaborations, facilitate intellectual property generation and technology transfer, nurture start-ups, and reduce import dependence through environmentally sustainable production systems. The centre will serve researchers, students, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals aiming to develop next-generation plant-derived ingredients and health products via plant cell fermentation.
Panel Discussions
The inaugural programme featured two panel discussions. The first, 'Commercial Plant Cell Fermentation: Global Opportunities and Outlook in the Next Decade', included experts such as Mr. Uday Prakash (Vice President - Strategy, Herbalife India), Dr. U. V. Babu (Director, R&D, Himalaya Wellness Company), Dr. Gilbert Gorr (Chief Scientific Officer, Phyton Biotech GmbH, Germany), Dr. Philippe Jutras (Founder, Plant Cell Institute, UK), and Ms. Prithvi Kodialbail (Head - Partnerships, Extracellular, UK). The second session, 'Regulatory Landscape for Fermentation-derived Herbal Products in India: Perspectives from Enablers and Engagers', featured Shri Virendra R. Tiwari (Chairperson, National Biodiversity Authority), Dr. Viswajanani J. Sattigeri (Head, Traditional Knowledge Digital Library), Dr. Giridhar Parvatam (Director, CFTRI, Mysuru), and Dr. Ganesh Ramamurthi (President, India Section, AOAC International). These discussions provided insights into global opportunities, technological advancements, regulatory frameworks, and pathways for commercializing plant cell fermentation innovations.
About Herbalife
Herbalife (NYSE: HLF) is a premier health and wellness company that has been providing science-backed food products and a business opportunity since 1980. The company operates in more than 90 markets through independent distributors who offer coaching and community support to inspire healthier lifestyles.
About IIT Madras
Established in 1959, IIT Madras is an Institute of National Importance with 18 academic departments and several interdisciplinary research centres. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and has over 650 faculty and 10,000 students from 18 countries. Recognized as an Institution of Eminence in 2019, IIT Madras has been ranked No.1 in the 'Overall' category for seven consecutive years (India Ranking 2025) and No.1 in 'Engineering Institutions' for ten consecutive years (2016-2025). It also secured first rank in 'Sustainability Development Goals' and 'Innovations' categories in 2025.
