Herbalife–IIT Madras Partnership for Plant Cell Fermentation Technology Lab
This partnership aligns with the Government of India’s Bio-E3 policy, which aims to establish India as a global hub for bio-manufacturing while advancing the Prime Minister’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Herbalife, a global health and wellness company, has signed an agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) to establish the Herbalife–IITM Plant Cell Fermentation Technology Lab on campus under its CSR initiative. The agreement signing ceremony took place at IIT Madras in the presence of Mr. Ajay Khanna, Managing Director, Herbalife India, Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean – Alumni & Corporate Relations, IIT Madras, and other representatives from both organizations.
This collaboration will serve as a catalyst for innovation, capacity building, and industry collaboration in the wellness sector, while also fostering entrepreneurship.
The Centre of Excellence – Herbalife Plant Cell Fermentation Technology Lab is focused on developing sustainable solutions for high-quality herbal raw materials and phytochemicals. The facility will enable the production of sustainable herbal inputs using advanced plant cell fermentation technology, ensuring consistency, purity, and quality.
It will also drive innovation across:
This initiative contributes directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being).
The collaboration leverages advanced plant cell technology to enable in vitro cultivation of medicinal plants under controlled conditions, ensuring:
In addition:
The Plant Cell Fermentation Technology Lab will focus on five key areas:
1. Innovative Research – R&D, translational research, and exploratory (blue-sky) projects
2. Sustainable Biomanufacturing – Scalable plant cell fermentation for herbal extracts
3. Technology-Driven Solutions – In silico screening for phytochemical discovery and repurposing
4. Conservation Efforts – Development of somatic embryos and plant materials for endangered medicinal species
5. Ecosystem Engagement – Supporting hackathons, startups, and accelerator programs
Mr. Ajay Khanna, Managing Director, Herbalife India, said:
“Herbalife is committed to driving innovation that contributes to sustainability. Our continued partnership with IIT Madras reflects our vision to transform the nutraceutical and wellness sectors. The Herbalife–IITM Plant Cell Fermentation Technology Lab will act as a catalyst for innovation, capacity building, and industry collaboration. Aligned with India’s Bio-E3 Policy (2024) and the National Biotechnology Development Strategy (2022–25), this initiative will strengthen India’s leadership in biomanufacturing and support the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
Prof. Smitha Srivastava, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras, said:
“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, strengthen academic training, and enable impactful technology development for industry applications. We sincerely thank Herbalife for their support and belief in this initiative.”
Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean – Alumni & Corporate Relations, IIT Madras, said:
“It is encouraging to see the IIT Madras–Herbalife partnership grow from strength to strength. Through this initiative, Herbalife has demonstrated leadership in advancing sustainable solutions for high-quality herbal raw materials and phytochemicals. This collaboration comes at the right time, supporting both institutional goals and the nation’s vision for a sustainable future.”
