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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