Bangalore in 1991 that houses a large research and development facility today . The objective was to develop nutraceuticals and fine chemicals for various marketing organisations . Eventually , Sabinsa around the world became the business to business marketing arm of Sami Labs . In 2010 , we started Sami Direct , which is the direct marketing entity of finished nutraceutical and cosmeceutical products from Sami Labs .
Today Sami Labs has emerged as a globally known brand with more than 115 international patents and a string of alliances in the US , Japan , Korea , Europe , Australia , Middle East , South Africa , China , etc .
It was my dream and vision that the goodness of plants reaches every household and that health and wellness be affordable for all . Today , with Sami Direct , this dream is slowly turning into reality .
How do you look at the fast changing perception about the phytopharma ? Shouldn ' t the government promote this industry at a much bigger scale now ?
Research reveals consumer healthcare industry will grow exponentially over the next five years . This phenomenal growth will be primarily driven by health and wellness products that include fortified foods and beverages , nutrition and dietary supplements , vitamins and other wellness products . People in general , are aware of and accepting the concept of keeping fit and healthy and one of the solutions they see merit in is by consuming nutritional supplements , without compromising heavily on their present lifestyle . Despite a slowdown in economic growth , the wellness industry continues to be
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Unlike other organisations in the space , Sami Labs of which Sami Direct is the subsidiary , houses a research facility with over 200 scientists involved in specialised work in areas of phytochemistry , organic chemistry , tissue culture , plant biotechnology , biochemical pharmacology and clinical research .
resilient to wellness products and services with companies finetuning their products following deeper research .
According to EXIM Bank Report , the global market for phytopharma is forecast to reach US $ 149 billion by 2018 ; increased outsourcing of R & D to Contract Research Organisations - growing at an annual rate of about 10 percent between 2008 and 2013 , and accounting for around 10 percent of total global pharmaceutical R & D spend currently .
The Indian pharmaceutical market is noted to be a major market , second only to the USA by 2020 driven by rapid urbanisation and greater economic development . Rural markets are also projected to grow faster , driven by step-up from current poor levels of penetration .
Traditional herbal wellness and dietary supplements are constantly being subjected to validation and product innovation to match customer needs . Moreover , companies are focussing on exploring new distribution pattern to increase their market share . Today , many countries are strengthening regulations in order to improve the credibility of the wellness sector and India especially is being perceived as a significant contender in this emerging industry .
How important is research and development investments for Sami Labs ? Do you plan any collaborations with both academia as well as other members of the industry ?
Sami Labs was honored with the NIB Global Innovation & Excellence Award at a ceremony organized by the Public Relations Council of India ( PRCI ) and the Press Club of India for the annual title , 2016 . The award was largely in recognition of the Intellectual Property portfolio attained by the Sami-Sabinsa Group , now encompassing over 115 US and international patents . Unlike other organisations in the space , Sami Labs of which Sami Direct is the subsidiary , houses a research facility with over 200 scientists involved in specialised work in areas of phytochemistry , organic chemistry , tissue culture , plant biotechnology , biochemical pharmacology and clinical research .
The recent patents are comprised of ingredients such as calebinoids ; stilbenoids ; peptides ; 3- hydroxypterostilbene ; boswellic acids ; and garcinol along with several others in countries ranging from China and New Zealand to the US , Canada and Mexico . The categories ranged from hypercholesterolemia , weight management , treating skin aging , inhibiting and preventing adipogenesis , protecting articular cartilage and even a hepatoprotectant molecule . Many of these will find a place in Sami- Sabinsa ’ s Nutraceutical , Cosmeceutical , Functional Food and Natural Drug divisions for commercialization and licensing .
The current R & D impetus of the
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