OmniActive Is Pushing Boundaries With Advanced Research Redefining Nutraceutical Science

OmniActive Health Technologies Ltd. (OmniActive), a leading nutraceutical player based in India and selling globally, invests 4 per cent of its revenue in research and development (R&D) every year. The Company has two state-of-the-art research and development (R&D) facilities located at Pune and Thane in Maharashtra. As of FY24, OmniActive has filed 95 patents and conducted 49 clinical trials, consolidating its leadership in product safety, efficacy, and innovation.

Innovation Differentiation

OmniActive is globally recognised for creating differentiated, superior, and cost-effective products that boost health and well-being. The Company focuses on rare, safe, and quality ingredients, which enable its products to stand out. Driven by innovation, OmniActive follows novel methods of encapsulation that improve ingredient solubility, stability, and bioavailability. Currently, the Company has launched 14 products in the market.

“At OmniActive, we constantly look at newer ingredients and methodologies. Thus, we are also expanding our capabilities with a high-end instrument testing lab to enhance the seamless transfer of knowledge from lab to commercial production, accelerating new product launches. With a focus on traceability, control, and cost-efficient strategies, we ensure the highest standards of quality and compliance across our processes," said Sanjaya Mariwala, Executive Chairman and Managing Director, OmniActive Health Technologies.

The need for greater recognition of private sector contributions

While the Indian government has made commendable efforts in driving innovation, these initiatives have primarily centered on public sector enterprises. It is essential to extend this focus to private sector companies, which have demonstrated their capabilities at various stages. On this Mariwala expressed, "Private companies are significantly contributing to the country's innovation. The Government should leverage their capabilities to boast our achievements to showcase India's strengths globally. The private sector plays a defining role in India's growth story and deserves more recognition for building Swasth Bharat.”

Challenges in the industry

Despite significant advancements in the nutraceutical sector, the industry faces challenges that hinder its growth. One major issue is the lack of robust support and incentives from regulatory bodies to promote investments in R&D by the private entities. As highlighted by Mr. Mariwala, India's gross expenditure on research and development (GERD) as a percentage of GDP was only 0.6 per cent in 2022, significantly lower than the global average of 1.8 per cent. The Economic Survey 2023-24 emphasises this concern, revealing that, although nearly one lakh patents were granted in FY24, private sector participation remains low, accounting for just 36.4 per cent of the country’s GERD.

“The government should collaborate with the industry to create laws and regulations that support R&D and sector growth, rather than complicating processes with bureaucratic hurdles. Additionally, incentivising private sector involvement in R&D To transform India’s innovation ecosystem and a conducive business environment will attract investments,” Mariwala said. “This stable framework will foster groundbreaking research that positions India prominently in global markets”, he added

Showcasing R&D excellence

OmniActive’s R&D centres are recognised by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India. The facilities develop extraction, isolation, and purification capabilities for nutritional bioactives. The Company’s development plans include making dietary supplements more effective with leading scientific and quality profiles.

OmniActive's strengths lie in its ability to leverage science and technology to meet consumers' demands. The Company has established advanced systems, including a full-fledged analytical laboratory with high-end instruments that comply with 21 CFR part 11 standards. OmniActive also uses DNA and HPTLC fingerprinting for botanical identification and conducts systematic stability studies to determine product shelf life. These measures ensure the highest quality and compliance across the manufacturing process.

Building consumer trust

To promote transparency and consumer trust, OmniActive advocates branded ingredients with logos and QR codes on product packaging so that consumers can look up the origins of ingredients and the clinical trial results. This is how the nutraceutical industry maintains its authenticity and credibility, allowing the end-consumer to make informed decisions.

It has an extensive product portfolio of scientifically validated, IP-protected branded Specialty Actives and a portfolio of natural Botanical Actives for the dietary supplement, functional food, and beverage markets. It has offices in Mumbai, India, and Bridgewater, New Jersey.

Kavi Bhandari

BW Reporters Editorial lead — BW Wellbeing