The World Spice Congress hosted at Mumbai by the Spices Board of India saw the launch of a cardamom-based nutraceutical called Recovereez. Zum Heilen Diagnostic & Therapeutics, a startup company based in Thrissur in Kerala has developed the product and formulation and has been awarded the Indian patent. The product was launched by Amar Singh Bhatia IAS -Chairman Spices Board, D Sathyan, IFS – Secretary Spices Board, and Dr Remahsree, Director, Spices Board.

Reportedly, a comprehensive clinical study conducted by Dr Varkey and his team has revealed that cardamom has profound anti-inflammatory activities, solidifying its potential as a valuable addition in treatment of various conditions ranging from respiratory health to cancer.

The ongoing studies being done by Dr Varkey along with Dr Remashree and her team at the Indian Cardamom Research Institute (ICRI) under the Spices Board of India also substantiated cardamom’s anti-inflammatory properties applicable in the treatment of triple receptor negative breast cancer, a variant of breast cancer that often has poor response to current treatments.

Dr Varkey said,  “Our research sheds light on cardamom’s untapped potential as a natural anti-inflammatory agent and its application across many diseases with a simultaneous monitoring of the inflammatory genes that give confidence to the treating doctors. We have developed novel molecular diagnostic tests done from saliva that measure gene markers that are capable of giving the doctor and the patient information on the response to   the cardamom-based nutraceuticals. The implications for such an integrated approach are unique and immense, offering a promising avenue for both preventive measures and therapeutic interventions.

Indian Cardamom Research Institute is collaborating with Zum Heilen on completion of clinical trials in breast cancer to then offer this product to the global market as an adjunct treatment along with standard care

The post Zum Heilen announces patent for cardamom-based nutraceutical Recovereez appeared first on Express Pharma.

Supriya Lifescience, a Mumbai-based company specialising in active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), proudly announces its recent collaboration with Plasma Nutrition, a US-based company. The strategic partnership involves an exclusive technology licensing agreement, granting Supriya Lifescience the sole rights for manufacturing and marketing Ingredient Optimised Protein (ioProtein) in India.

The primary purpose of this collaboration is to bring the optimised protein into the Indian market. ioProtein is a patented process (patent pending in the US) This protein powder is designed for use as protein supplement and is highly bioavailable.

During the term of the agreement, Supriya Lifescience will lead the manufacturing and marketing of ioProtein in India.

GCV Life, led by Shailesh Gadre, played a pivotal role as an exclusive advisor in facilitating this transaction, informed a press statement. GCV Life will also spearhead the marketing of the ‘Ingredient Optimized’ products as per the arrangement among the three companies.

The post Supriya Lifescience, Plasma Nutrition to collaborate for protein technology appeared first on Express Pharma.

Zeon has partnered with collaborative third-party manufacturing for liquid filled capsules

With innovation at its core, Zeon Lifesciences, the global leader in the manufacturing of nutraceutical and herbal products, is delighted to announce the launch of yet another revolutionary product to its portfolio, i.e. liquid-filled capsules. This capsule offer a delivery system enclosing a host of advantages including enhanced bioavailability and absorption rates. It also ensures precise and consistent dosages empowering individuals to have better control over the administration of Zeon’s products.

These capsules deliver optimal levels of active ingredients, leading to maximum efficacy and more immediate results.

Zeon has partnered with collaborative third-party manufacturing for liquid filled capsules.

“This exemplary advancement illustrates Zeon’s persistent quest for excellence, driving the nutraceutical industry into unexplored domains. Ever since our inception, we have carved a distinctive reputation as a pioneer in innovation and technology advancement and the liquid-filled capsules are a testament to this legacy. Leveraging our distinctive collaboration, we will continue to innovate and set new benchmarks and trends in the nutraceutical industry for consumers to reap maximum health benefits,” said Suresh Garg, CMD and Founder, Zeon Lifesciences Limited.

The post Zeon Lifesciences launches liquid-filled capsules appeared first on Express Pharma.

The funds will be utiliaed for expanding the Lactobite portfolio after conducting clinical trials, exploring export opportunities and developing new product formulations

Nutrizoe, a women’s nourishment brand raised Rs 3 Cr in a bridge round led by Inflection Point Ventures. The funds will be utilised for the expansion and enhancement of Nutrizoe’s Lactobite portfolio following the completion of clinical trials. The focus will be on further developing the product line to cater to a wider range of needs and preferences.

Additionally, the company aims to export its products to international markets, expanding its reach beyond India including UAE.  Funds will also be allocated towards research and development to create new product formulations .

Richa Pendake, Founder & CEO, Nutrizoe says, “With growing apprehension around processed foods / Lack of clean labels at “Nutrizoe” our vision is addressing problems through functional & nutraceutical food as an alternative to medicines. Identifying the gap through extensive research and developing products that are science and evidence-based. We are excited to have IPV backing us in this goal to create healthy moms and healthy babies. With the varied experience, network and portfolio companies of IPV we look forward to a learning journey upwards and beyond.”

The post Nutrizoe raises Rs 3 Cr in bridge round appeared first on Express Pharma.

As the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, and now continues to deal with its aftermath, ‘immunity’ has become the new buzzword and the demand for nutraceuticals across the globe has increased manifold. This, in turn, has opened a huge opportunity for the nutraceuticals industry globally and India is uniquely positioned to become one of the most formidable players in this segment, with a projected $100 billion valued market by 2030. (Read: https:// www.expresspharma.in/six-reasons-why-india-is-poised-to-be-aglobal-leader-in-nutraceuticals/)

However, even as this industry booms and newer players enter the market, serious concerns are being raised about the research, regulation, development and consumption of these nutraceuticals. So, timely and pertinent measures are of essence to leverage the tremendous growth potential and eliminate bottlenecks that hinder the industry’s progress.

Express Pharma- Nutrify Today Boardroom series In a bid to examine and understand the prerequisites for the next leg of growth in nutraceuticals, Nutrify Today and Express Pharma came together to launch the Express Pharma- Nutrify Today Boardroom series. The aim was to create and build a platform for pharma industry leaders to initiate a dialogue that would assist the pharma industry to leverage growth through ethical nutraceuticals. It is also an endeavour to enable government bodies to shape effective policies that would help the growth of the ethical nutraceuticals industry in India through effective engagement with the pharma industry.

The first edition of the Express Pharma – Nutrify Today Boardroom series, held recently in Mumbai, offered a platform for meaningful dialogues on the vast ocean of opportunities for the Indian pharma sector to be reaped in nutraceuticals, provided the right course is set for long and sustainable growth.

An eminent panel of pharma experts and leaders came together to explore approaches to build an ecosystem for developing scientifically proven, evidence-based nutraceutical products. Dr Meenakshi Singh, Secretary Nutraceuticals Task Force under chairmanship to PSA to Government of India; Rahul Kulshreshtha, Strategic Alliances – Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India; Aditi Kare-Panandikar, MD, Indoco Remedies; Anand Swaroop, President, Cepham Inc; Rajaram Sankaran, Chief Strategy Officer – India, Torrent Pharmaceuticals; Shriram Balasubramanian, Director Marketing and Business Development, Zuventus Healthcare and Amit Srivastava, Chief Catalyst, Nutrifytoday.com were the participants in this round table moderated by Viveka Rowchowdhury, Editor, Express Pharma & Express Healthcare.

As the experts dived deep into the challenges in this field and the measures needed to enhance ethical standards in nutraceutical research, industry practices, and use, they also examined how a pharma-like approach in terms of regulation, quality assessment and safety profiles could benefit the nutraceuticals industry.

This article is a summation of the inferences drawn and lessons learnt from the views, concerns and insights shared by experts on this knowledge-sharing platform. And, we understand that gaining success through ethical nutraceuticals will largely hinge on the following factors:

◆ A clear and comprehensive regulatory framework: Experts emphasised that it is inadvisable to let nutraceuticals evolve without a clear regulatory framework since the lack of uniform, consistent or standardised regulations can prove detrimental to arrest the growth and adversely impact the credibility of this segment. Therefore, creating a separate set of laws and regulations to guarantee that nutraceutical products are safe, efficacious and meet high standards of quality is very critical. They asserted that strict guidelines and improved techniques must be adopted to ensure that there is enough evidence to validate the health claims made by different products, especially in terms of purity and safety. Discussing various aspects of dietary supplements, nutraceutical supplementation and pharmacological nutrition, experts stressed that while there have been some measures to improve the regulatory landscape in nutraceuticals, there are limitations and bottlenecks to overcome.

◆ A centralised regulatory body: Underpinning the importance of single-point ownership in the nutraceuticals sector, the experts pointed out that as the sector has often come under the ambit of different regulatory bodies like FSSAI, AYUSH, DCGI, MoFPI etc, grey areas continue to dog the progress of the sector. Time and again, there has been a call for setting up a centralised authority or creating a body like Pharmexcil to integrate government bodies to serve nutraceuticals. As the experts at this round table also discussed the need for such a centralised body, Srivastava, who was part of a meeting held by the Nutraceutical Task Force, informed that the formation of a nutraceutical panel in the Ministry of Commerce to ensure a nutraceutical industry-specific agenda is underway.

◆ Robust R&D and manufacturing policies: Speaking on the need for policies and regulations-led interventions to ease the growth of this industry, stakeholders of the pharma and nutra industry also discussed the value of incentives to encourage research in ingredients and formulations to drive ethical nutraceuticals. Apart from addressing the need to design and implement policies that encourage product standardisation, minimise product adulteration, and ensure that recommended daily allowance (RDA) and Tolerable Upper Limit (TUL) are met, the experts also discussed how the government’s plan to introduce a Research Linked Incentive (RLI) Scheme and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme in nutraceuticals could give an added impetus to the sector’s growth by enabling sizeable investments.

◆ A robust nutrivigilance system: The experts at the round table unanimously believe that indiscriminate access and consumption of nutraceuticals without the support of the medical fraternity could turn into a huge health disaster. This view is supported by studies published in reputed journals like PubMed and BMJ that reveal that over 30,000 patients annually are admitted to the emergency ward due to the adverse impact of nutraceuticals. This, in turn, led to a discussion on the role and importance of a surveillance system akin to the pharma industry to monitor and record adverse events associated with nutraceuticals. The experts at the round table vociferously supported setting up a dedicated nutrivigilance system which can promote and implement a systematic, scientific and consistent approach to assess the risk–benefit ratio of nutra products, build up scientific evidence and proof of concepts, as well as initiate and chart risk alleviation strategies.

◆ Evidence-based practices: The dearth of precise scientific data or raison d’être for the use of dietary supplements and nutraceuticals can have an adverse impact, caution industry experts. They recommend stringent guidelines to collect and propagate validated data on the safety, efficacy and claims made on the labels of nutraceuticals products. Long-term studies for clinical validation of ingredients or formulations in nutraceuticals, effective approaches to understanding the toxicology of active ingredients, interactions between drugs and dietary supplements, purity, and bioavailability of nutraceuticals etc are also imperative to drive ethical growth in the sector. Drawing comparisons between R&D and manufacturing practices in the pharma and nutra sectors, the experts said that nutraceutical manufacturers should ensure that only potent ingredients with the right dosages backed by clinical studies are used in their products. Better standardisation, cGMP practices and evidence-based approaches to ensure better product quality, stability, functionality, safety, solubility and acceptance among patients will be vital to the advancement of this sector. This, in turn, will help the nutra sector deal with increased scrutiny and surveillance from global regulatory agencies as well.

◆ Effective use of technology: Emerging technologies will play a crucial role in shaping the discovery, design and development of responsible and ethical nutraceutical products, opined the panellists at the first edition of Express PharmaNutrify Today Board Room series. They also examined how technology can be leveraged and effectively deployed to provide specific dosages and ingredients as per patients’ varying needs. For instance, AI can be deployed to select ingredients by matching data points from studies on nutrition and nutraceuticals and provide insights into commercial patterns, industry trends, etc. Automation and IIoT can enhance efficiency, cut costs and get products to market faster. A case-in-point discussed at the round table was Torrent Pharmaceuticals;’s NutrifyGenie, an AI-powered engine that can prioritise safety, efficacy and traceability in nutraceuticals.

India Pharma Inc’s tryst with nutraceuticals

Thus, amid the clarion call for better regulations, a clear road map and empirical data to validate claims of efficacy and safety made by the slew of products entering the market to build a clear and robust roadmap for the nutraceuticals sector in India, India Pharma Inc, backed by its science and research-oriented approach, has several comparative advantages when it came to nutraceuticals. Especially, since ensuring transparency and ethical approaches to making and marketing nutraceuticals will be pivotal to the long-term growth of the sector.

However, over the last few years, the pharma industry’s forays and experiments with nutraceuticals have evinced a mixed bag of results. The sector looks at the nutraceutical segment as an avenue to expand product portfolios by leveraging scientific credibility. But, the excitement to leverage the growth potential in nutraceuticals has been countered by challenges like the lack of an effective approach/guideline for clinical proofs, clinical trials, factory audit standards, bioactive standardisation, method validations, etc.

Companies like Dr Reddy’s, Sun Pharma, La Renon, and Zuventus have made sizeable investments and witnessed noteworthy growth in their nutraceuticals portfolio, but many others are still struggling to find the best approach to succeed in this space.

But, armed with the right partners and a robust entry strategy, the nutra space offers a great opportunity for the pharma sector to fill gaps for certain health conditions and problems, improve profit margins, increase customer base and grow in new markets.

However, pharma players, industry bodies and policymakers need to align and adopt a cohesive approach to bring more clarity to this industry and make it mainstream to make the most of its tremendous potential.

The post Ethical Nutraceuticals: Need of the hour appeared first on Express Pharma.

After the huge success of the first edition of the Nutrify C Suite Summit in 2022, the second edition of Nutrify C Suite Summit 2023 is set to be held on June 8-9, 2023 at The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai. The summit last year was attended by 181 global delegates from pharma, nutra and government sectors. The two-day Nutrify C Suite Summit 2023 seeks to be bigger and better with the convergence of decision makers and KOLs from pharma, nutra, IT and medicine to encourage and promote responsible nutraceuticals.

The upcoming edition will drive contextual-based business meetings driven by artificial intelligence, a first-in-the-world activity. The summit will enable the concept ofreturns optimisation on investment (ROoI). The delegates will be able to quantify the outcome of the summit through contextual business meetings and conversions backed by strong AI at play.

The Nutrify C Suite Summit 2023 is also focussed on democratising the global supply chain, creating harmonised regulations in international markets and catalysing Mission $100 billion Nutraceutical India set by the Nutraceutical Task Force.

Day One of summit will focus on deal-making, VC/PE, mergers and acquisitions, government policies and emerging technologies, followed by a pitch by top five innovators to a reputed global jury.

The highlight of Day Two will be the launch of Women in Nutraceuticals- APAC chapter followed by addresses by global medical KoLs and dieticians on the need and importance of responsible nutraceuticals in clinical practice. A credit point session for medical professionals attending the sessions will also be a part of this summit.

For more details, visit www.nutrifycsuite.com

The post Nutrify C Suite Summit 2023 to be held this June in Mumbai appeared first on Express Pharma.

Nutraceutical startups in India face a complex and evolving regulatory landscape. The following are some of the key challenges and solutions for navigating this landscape:

Nutraceuticals are a diverse range of products that offer the advantages of both food and medicine, comprising dietary supplements, functional foods, and beverages and are strictly monitored by government entities such as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), and the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) to ensure their safety and efficacy.

Challenge 1: Unclear regulatory framework

The regulatory framework for nutraceuticals in India is complex and evolving. Startups often struggle to understand the regulations and requirements, which can lead to delays and non-compliance.

Solution: Seek expert guidance

Nutraceutical startups face unique challenges due to the complex and ever-changing regulatory landscape. These companies must navigate a variety of regulations and compliance procedures to ensure that their products are safe and effective. One of the most important steps that nutraceutical startups can take is to seek guidance from regulatory consultants or legal experts who specialise in this area.

These experts can provide invaluable guidance on navigating the regulatory landscape, understanding the requirements and compliance procedures, and ensuring that the startup complies with all relevant regulations. This can include everything from product testing and labelling to marketing and advertising requirements. Regulatory consultants and legal experts can also help startups to develop effective quality control procedures and to respond to any issues or concerns raised by regulatory agencies.

Challenge 2: Lack of standardised regulations

There is a lack of standardized regulations for nutraceuticals in India, with different states having their own regulations and requirements. This can create confusion and uncertainty for startups, especially if they operate in multiple states.

Solution: Stay up-to-date on regulatory changes

Nutraceutical startups operate in a highly regulated industry, and staying up-to-date on regulatory changes and requirements is critical to their success. These companies must comply with a variety of federal and state regulations, which can vary significantly depending on the state where they operate. As a result, nutraceutical startups need to stay informed about the latest regulatory changes and requirements in the states where they do business.

One of the most important steps that nutraceutical startups can take is to regularly check government websites for updates on regulatory changes and requirements. Government agencies such as the FDA and the FTC frequently update their websites with information on new regulations and compliance requirements, and nutraceutical startups should make it a priority to stay informed about these updates.

Challenge 3: Complex licensing procedures

Obtaining licenses for nutraceutical products can be a complex and time-consuming process in India. Startups must obtain licenses from multiple regulatory bodies, including the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH), and the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).

Solution: Plan ahead and be patient

For nutraceutical startups, obtaining the necessary licenses is a crucial step in the process of bringing their products to market. However, this process can be complex and time-consuming and requires careful planning and attention to detail. To ensure success, startups should plan and allocate sufficient time and resources to obtain the necessary licenses.

One important step in this process is to work closely with regulatory experts who have experience in navigating the licensing process. These experts can provide guidance on the specific licensing requirements for the startup’s products, help prepare and submit the necessary documentation, and ensure that the startup is following the correct procedures throughout the licensing process.

Challenge 4: Quality control and safety concerns

Nutraceutical startups must ensure that their products meet quality and safety standards, as well as comply with labelling and advertising regulations. Failure to do so can lead to legal and financial consequences.

Solution: Implement quality control measures

For nutraceutical startups, ensuring the safety and quality of their products is critical to building a strong reputation and gaining customer trust. To achieve this, startups should implement rigorous quality control measures throughout their production processes, from sourcing ingredients to manufacturing and packaging.

In addition to implementing quality control measures, startups must also comply with labelling and advertising regulations. This includes accurately labelling their products with all required information, such as ingredients, dosage recommendations, and potential allergens. They must also avoid making false or misleading claims about their products, which can lead to regulatory and legal issues.

In summary, navigating the regulatory landscape for nutraceutical startups in India can be challenging, but it is not impossible. By seeking expert guidance, staying up-to-date on regulatory changes, planning ahead, and implementing quality control measures, startups can ensure that they comply with the regulations and requirements, and successfully bring their products to market.

The post Navigating the regulatory landscape for nutraceutical startups in India appeared first on Express Pharma.

Nutrify Genie, an AI engine for nutraceuticals design, development and commercialisation, recently set up a data-analytics office in Vishakhapatnam.

The Vishakhapatnam office of Nutrify Genie will be managed by Khasim MTI, Director- Operations. Khasim has also been involved in creating deep biochemistry data mining and enabling machine learning to enable the AI that Nutrify Genie commands. The national team will also report to the Vishakhapatnam office under Md Khasim MTI.

A statement from Nutrify Today informed, “Priyanka Srivastava, Chairperson of Nutrify Today chose Vishakhapatnam to bring high tech opportunities to smaller cities and create employment opportunities in these smaller cities with great potential of growth. It’s one of the many ways where Nutrify Today has tried to catalyse national capacity building in nutraceuticals. Vishakhapatnam has some of the best engineering, science and management colleges. Nutrify Genie intends to tap into these colleges to recruit and collaborate for joint research work. Nutrify Genie is already working in phytopharma research along with Centurion University. We intend to collaborate with many more colleges in Vishakhapatnam.”

Nutrify Today is led by Amit Srivastava (Founder) and Dr Anand Swaroop (Co-founder). They are working closely to enable and empower responsible nutraceutical industry and catalyse global focus on nutraceuticals in India. Srivastava believes that Vishakhapatnam will play a key role in Nutrify Genie’s global role.

The post Nutrify Genie sets up data analytics office in Vishakhapatnam appeared first on Express Pharma.

A paradigm shift is being witnessed globally towards preventative healthcare, with people becoming more health conscious and the rising prevalence of metabolic disorders. This transformation has led to increased consumption of nutritious food and intake of supplements to support a healthy lifestyle. The changing trend is expected to accelerate the global nutra market’s growth from $402.5 billion in 2022 to $1,354.2 billion in 2032, registering a CAGR of 12.9 per cent for the forecasted period (2022-2032) as per the Future Market Insights report. 

Additionally, countries like India, with its rich history in ayurveda and herbs, have the potential to lead from the front and bring the industry into the mainstream sector instead of treating it as an alternative or supplemental medication. Though certain points stand unique, it is disappointing that despite the resources available, India contributes less than five per cent to the worldwide nutra market while economies like the US and China dominate the industry. 

However, regulatory framework, high tax burdens and complex policies for commercialising nutra products are some of the major concern areas hindering the growth of the nutra segment despite increasing awareness. Moreover, the efficacy and safety issues that arise without regulation and lack of monitoring by government agencies result in scepticism about nutra products. Another area for improvement for the nutra industry growth is its formulation or synthetic sourcing, as the majority of consumers do not favour products that have been genetically modified.

Given these challenges, the players in the nutra sector have developed various measures to set the industry on a high growth path. For example, modern technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotic process automation (RPA), edge computing and Internet of Things (IoT), gene editing, microfluidics and 3-D printing are turning out to be key growth drivers for the sector. 

Today, many nutra companies use AI for quick ingredient selection, recommending the most personalised nutrient formulations and estimating demand. Further, using RPA has enabled nutraceutical manufacturers to boost productivity, lower costs, improve performance and accelerate product marketing. 

While nutraceutical players are making great strides in adopting modern technology to fuel business growth, government policies are also gearing towards creating a conducive environment for the sector. Recognising this, the government has set up a task force in 2021 to transform India into a $100 billion nutra market by 2030. 

Further, with its resource-rich base, India has vast scope to expand its share in more value-added nutra product manufacturing. There is an urgent need for the formulation of Product Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme with an integrated approach for the nutraceutical sector, which will significantly boost agriculture and the value chain of nutra products. 

The measures like bringing competitive taxation policy for nutra by giving them the same status as pharma, rationalisation of GST in the range of 5-10 per cent on nutra products against the current rate of 18 per cent, and support to R&D in nutra through the PPP model are warranted to foster the growth of the nutra industry.

Moreover, the policy support for establishing R&D parks dedicated to nutra will facilitate robust research and development and an innovation ecosystem in the nutra space. The government should also consider including nutra under the National Medicinal Plants Board scheme to encourage backward vertical integration. The amendment to Biodiversity Act is also essential to promote backward integration in nutra companies. 

The rapid growth of the Indian nutra industry in the coming years further corroborates tremendous opportunities for nutra entrepreneurs. Preventive healthcare is here to stay; undoubtedly, the Indian nutra industry will continue witnessing phenomenal growth and evolve as a global hub.

The post India’s vision for the nutraceutical industry appeared first on Express Pharma.

India is set to become a major player in the global nutraceutical industry, with a projected $100 billion valued market by 2030. But nutraceuticals lack the oversight of pharmacovigilance, a practice that is commonplace in pharmaceutical studies to ensure safety and efficacy of products before they are launched to retail consumers.

In this video, Amit Srivastava, Chief Catalyst, NutrifyToday.com talks about his transition from pure play pharma to setting up BioValley Incubation Council, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, which could become the world’s largest nutraceuticals hub.

Taking the learnings from Biovalley he set up NutrifyToday.com, which democratises the journey from nutra innovation to commercialisation.

Success stories like NanoVeda are proof that NutrifyToday.com‘s model of showcasing and connecting evidence-backed nutra innovators to players across the world works very well indeed.

The post An AI-powered catalyst to pivot India Nutra Inc to the next level: Amit Srivastava, Chief Catalyst, NutrifyToday.com appeared first on Express Pharma.