Herbalife International India Private Limited has entered into a landmark partnership with Indian Institute of Technology Madras to establish India’s first Centre of Excellence (CoE) dedicated to Plant Cell Fermentation Technology. The facility will be set up at the IIT Madras Research Park and represents a significant step forward in advancing sustainable biotechnology and innovation in India.
This initiative, part of the second phase of collaboration between the two organizations, is funded through Herbalife India’s CSR program. The Centre of Excellence will focus on translational research and development in plant cell-based fermentation, enabling the sustainable and scalable production of herbal biomass, enriched extracts, and high-value phytochemicals for applications in human health and wellness.
Equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, the centre will integrate advanced upstream cultivation systems with cutting-edge downstream processing and metabolomics platforms. It aims to support capacity building, facilitate technology transfer to industry, and promote entrepreneurship in this emerging domain.
The CoE is expected to benefit a wide range of stakeholders, including students, researchers, industry professionals, and entrepreneurs in the herbal and wellness sectors. Key outcomes will include the development of academic-industry partnerships, skill enhancement through exchange programs, intellectual property creation, and the commercialization of technologies through startups and industry collaborations.
Ajay Khanna, Managing Director of Herbalife India, stated that the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, particularly in developing scalable and traceable plant-based nutritional solutions. He emphasized that plant cell fermentation technology has the potential to transform the production of plant-derived ingredients while strengthening collaboration between industry and academia.
Professor Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean of Alumni and Corporate Relations at IIT Madras, highlighted the importance of translating research into practical, scalable solutions. He noted that the Centre of Excellence will play a key role in advancing India’s global presence in plant cell fermentation and supporting the development of high-quality, sustainable products.
Scheduled to commence operations in June 2026, the Centre is expected to significantly enhance India’s capabilities in bio-based manufacturing. By enabling cost-effective and sustainable production of plant-derived compounds, it will help reduce import dependency and meet the growing demand for environmentally friendly healthcare and wellness solutions.
Part of Herbalife (NYSE: HLF), Herbalife India operates as a leading health and wellness company offering science-backed nutrition products across more than 90 markets. Through its network of independent distributors, the company promotes healthier lifestyles while building supportive communities and entrepreneurial opportunities.
