Young researchers and startups should play a leading role in transforming Ayurveda from laboratory research into commercially viable products, said Union AYUSH Minister Prataprao Jadhav, stressing that innovation must ultimately benefit society through affordable, evidence-based healthcare solutions. 

Addressing researchers, entrepreneurs and stakeholders at the 27th Meeting of the Governing Body of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) in New Delhi, Jadhav said India possesses a rich repository of traditional medicinal knowledge, and its true potential can only be realised when scientific discoveries are translated into market-ready products. He called upon startups to bridge the gap between research institutions and industry by developing high-quality Ayurvedic formulations backed by modern scientific validation. 

He highlighted that the government was strengthening the innovation ecosystem through research support, startup incubation, quality certification and collaboration between academia, industry and regulatory agencies. He noted that robust scientific evidence, standardisation and clinical validation are essential for enhancing global confidence in Ayurvedic products and expanding their international footprint. 

Jadhav said India's growing emphasis on evidence-based Ayurveda offers significant opportunities for entrepreneurs to develop new medicines, wellness products, digital health solutions and value-added herbal products. He added that commercialising laboratory innovations would not only improve public healthcare but also generate employment and strengthen India's position as a global leader in traditional medicine. 

The minister also encouraged young innovators to utilise government-supported incubation centres, startup schemes and research programmes to convert promising ideas into scalable enterprises. He said closer cooperation among scientists, educational institutions and industry would accelerate the development of safe, effective and internationally competitive Ayurvedic products. 

Reiterating the government's commitment to promoting innovation in the AYUSH sector, Jadhav said integrating scientific research with entrepreneurship would ensure that India's traditional knowledge creates tangible health and economic benefits while reinforcing the country's leadership in the global wellness market.

Reference

PIB, PTI, ET Health