IIT Madras, Herbalife launch CoE to advance plant-based biomanufacturing

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), in collaboration with Herbalife International India Pvt. Ltd., has inaugurated India’s first dedicated Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Plant Cell Fermentation Technology to strengthen research and innovation in sustainable biomanufacturing.

The Herbalife–IIT Madras Centre of Excellence on Plant Cell Fermentation Technology was launched on June 22, 2026, and aims to develop advanced solutions for producing plant-based ingredients, herbal extracts and high-value phytochemicals through sustainable technologies.

The centre will serve as a national hub for research, technology development, industry collaboration and entrepreneurship in plant cell fermentation.

Centre to focus on sustainable biomanufacturing

The CoE will work on developing scalable production methods for herbal biomass and plant-derived products by combining advanced cultivation systems, downstream processing technologies and metabolomics platforms.

According to IIT Madras, the centre will also support technology transfer, skill development, startup creation and industry-focused research to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and commercial applications.

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The facility will be equipped with customised plant cell bioreactors, advanced analytical platforms and pilot-scale processing facilities to support researchers, students, entrepreneurs and industry professionals.

Aim to strengthen India’s global position

The initiative is expected to contribute to India’s goals under programmes such as BioE3 and Atmanirbhar Bharat by promoting environmentally sustainable manufacturing and reducing dependence on imports.

The centre will also encourage academic and industry partnerships, intellectual property creation and the development of next-generation health and wellness products.

IIT Madras highlights industry-academia partnership

Speaking about the partnership in the inauguration, Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), IIT Madras, said the centre reflects how academia and industry can work together to create long-term national assets.

“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,” Mahalingam said.

He added that the facility will help advance plant cell bioprocessing and create opportunities in innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable manufacturing.

Centre to support future research and talent development

Smita Srivastava, Head of the Herbalife– IIT Madras Centre of Excellence on Plant Cell Fermentation Technology, said the centre will help position 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,” Srivastava said.

She added that the centre will focus on taking research from laboratories to pilot-scale applications while supporting collaborations and entrepreneurship.

Experts discuss future of plant cell fermentation

The inauguration event also included panel discussions on the future of commercial plant cell fermentation and regulatory developments for fermentation-based herbal products.

Experts from industry, research organisations and regulatory bodies discussed global opportunities, technology advancements and the roadmap for developing commercially viable plant-based products.

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Herbalife India Managing Director Ajay Khanna said the centre will create opportunities for researchers, students and innovators to explore new applications in plant-based technologies.

“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,” Khanna said.

The centre is expected to strengthen India’s capabilities in biotechnology research and support the growth of sustainable solutions in the global health and wellness sector.