Herbalife International India and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have launched the Herbalife–IIT Madras Phyto Innovation Accelerator Programme to advance plant biotechnology research and develop applications for health, wellness, nutrition and sustainable biomanufacturing. The programme was inaugurated by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, who holds the portfolios of Education, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy. The event was held at IIT Madras Research Park in the presence of Prof V Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, and Ajay Khanna, Managing Director, Herbalife India.
The initiative builds on the Herbalife–IIT Madras Centre of Excellence on Plant Cell Fermentation Technology, established in June 2026. It aims to combine traditional knowledge of plants with scientific research, advanced technology and entrepreneurship to develop solutions that can be taken from laboratories to commercial use.
The programme will run for three years through two main areas of activity. The first, called Phytothon, will organise innovation challenges and hackathons every six months. These events will focus on plant biotechnology, nutraceuticals, functional foods, botanical ingredients and sustainable biomanufacturing.
Up to three start-ups will receive support each year. Selected ventures will have access to shared scientific infrastructure and specialised laboratory facilities at the IIT Madras Bioincubator and the Centre of Excellence. Resources will include customised bioreactors for plant cell cultivation, analytical equipment and computational systems. Participants will also receive technical mentoring, pre-incubation assistance and support for proof-of-concept development.
The second vertical, the Global University Innovation Network, will promote international academic cooperation. Planned activities include student and faculty exchanges, joint research, webinars, seminars, workshops, short-term courses, publications and conferences organised with partner institutions.
The programme will also support research in plant cell fermentation technology and related fields, including artificial intelligence-enabled multi-omics analysis, bioinformatics and process modelling. The Centre of Excellence will add customised plant cell bioreactors, high-performance thin-layer chromatography equipment, cryogenic storage facilities and a high-performance GPU workstation to strengthen its research capabilities.
Ajay Khanna said the programme would connect researchers with industry expertise, infrastructure and mentoring to help promising scientific ideas progress beyond the laboratory. Prof Smita Srivastava, Faculty Coordinator of the programme and Head of the Centre of Excellence, said collaboration between academia, industry and entrepreneurs was essential to turning research into practical applications. The partners aim to build an innovation ecosystem that supports start-ups, strengthens scientific capabilities and expands India’s role in plant-based biomanufacturing.
Herbalife (NYSE: HLF) is a global health and wellness company that has been providing nutrition products and business opportunities through independent distributors since 1980. Operating in more than 95 markets, the company offers science-backed food and non-food products through its network of independent distributors. They provide personalised coaching and community support to help customers adopt healthier eating habits, stay active and improve their overall well-being.
