1. What is SABINSA KOREA? What if you want to tell us about your company?

Sabinsa Corporation, a division of a research oriented Indian multinational health science company- Sami Labs Ltd, is a manufacturer, supplier and marketer of herbal extracts, cosmeceuticals, minerals, dietary supplements and specialty fine chemicals for nutritional, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries.

Founded by Dr Muhammed Majeed, M.S. and Ph.D., in 1988, Sabinsa is a company dedicated to the principles of tradition, innovation and research with a mission to provide alternative and complementary natural products for human nutrition and well-being.

Sabinsa continues to innovate and patent phytonutrients with more than 120 scientists conducting scientific research in India and the United States. Today, Sami/Sabinsa Group holds a strong intellectual property portfolio with over 200 US and International Patents to its credit including several hundred awards and recognitions worldwide.

To cater to the intensifying global marketplace, Sabinsa has presence and strategic alliances in US, Australia, China, Europe, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Africa, South Korea, UAE, Vietnam and India with state-of-the-art GMP certified manufacturing facilities and NABL certified laboratories.

Sabinsa presence in Korea, through its’ office, allows for a deeper connection to the Korean customers, catering to their needs and answering any questions they may have immediately. We see a tremendous opportunity in South Korea, in terms of research and marketing of ingredients and formulations.

2. What do you want to introduce about technology?

Mother Nature is the biggest chemist synthesizing a wide variety of interesting and amazing chemical moieties with potential benefits to mankind. R&D laboratories back at Sabinsa’s Indian operations, endeavor to tap this immense natural potential to bring out products with the goal of "Design to Delivery." In order to standardize bioactives and dosages that are both safe and effective, the role played by R&D is crucial. While the rich abundance of knowledge lies in Ayurveda, the appropriate translation using modern scientific techniques to cater to the global market is a vital role played by the R&D division.

To achieve this goal, several independent divisions work with a synergistic approach and help profile the product to meet international standards. The innovations have brought us not just growth, but also have won us several accolades and awards, both national and international.

The Formulations R&D division forms the convergence of the various product concepts that have been developed as ingredients. Bioactives—based on their activity and functionality—are molded into various forms with Nutraceutical, Cosmeceutical, Nutricosmetic as well as Food & Beverage applications. The three major functional areas include Nutraceutical and Nutricosmetic formulations, Cosmetic and Personal Care formulations and Functional Food and Beverage formulations.

Technology is, of course, a significant component of our research facilities, with lab after lab housing state of the art equipment. We have biological research going on that allows us to expand our plant-based ingredients with new discoveries and unique uses. We also have fermentation technology that is producing a top selling probiotic, and a dedicated site for mixing and blending enzymes, creating a multi-enzyme complex that has been studied for gut health and sports nutrition.

Another interesting technological innovation is our supercritical fluid extraction (SCFE) capabilities. A first of its kind facility, established by the Sami-Sabinsa group, is fully automated and uses green chemistry for the extraction of active compounds from plant parts. This facility uses carbon dioxide in its critical phase as an extraction medium. The unit is fully computerized and it avoids industrial pollution and ensures the safety of its products when compared to traditional extraction methods.

Yet another breakthrough in technology was incorporating “continuous extraction” in place of the traditional vessel type of extraction. This allows us to increase our capacity from extracting 2 tonnes to nearly 40 tonnes of the same material at a given time. The process for continuous extraction caters to larger demands, saving us time and money.

3. What would you like to mention about the production and distribution system of the product?

With its 120 world-class scientists who are working tirelessly to discover and develop standardized natural ingredients that make life better, over 20,000 acres of contract farming and commitment to sustainable development, Sabinsa continues to develop innovative, patented nutraceutical and cosmeceutical products for its clients.

The company selects ingredients with a long history of traditional success and conducts clinical research to confirm its efficacy. Research is the foundation of the Group's success.

ForsLean^® is manufactured by a proprietary process and is a standardized extract from the roots of the Coleus forskohlii plant, the only known plant source of Forskolin. Forskolin can be used to promote lean body mass and in the treatment of mood disorders. ForsLean is a registered trademark of Sabinsa Corporation and is the only Coleus Forskohlii preparation supported by US Patent # 5,804,596. In 2004, Sabinsa received the coveted Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award for ForsLean. This annual award instituted by the Research & Development Council of New Jersey, USA honors the most important scientific breakthroughs and revolutionary product innovations. This is the second award for ForsLean in the innovation arena. The product had earlier won the Best New Product award in 2001 at Nutracon. This product is supported with over 6 human studies conducted in USA, Japan and India.

BioPerine^® is a standardized extract from the fruit of Piper nigrum L (black pepper) or Piper longum L (long pepper). BioPerine is the only source of piperine to obtain a patented status for its ability to increase the bioavailability of nutritional compounds. BioPerine is also the only source of piperine to undergo clinical studies in the U.S. to substantiate its safety and efficacy for nutritional use.

One of our best-selling ingredients, Curcumin C3 Complex^®, is obtained from the dried rhizomes of Curcuma longa (Turmeric) and standardized for minimum 95% Curcuminoids. The name C3 Complex^® has reference to its three main chemical compounds - Curcumin, Demethoxycurcumin (DMC) and Bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC)—collectively known as “Curcuminoids”. Curcumin C3 Complex^® achieved a major landmark in 2013 when it received “No Question” GRAS affirmation from the USFDA, which meant that it achieved the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status and now could be used in the food category as well. There are more than 100 studies that have been published in peer-reviewed journals using Sabinsa’s Curcumin ingredient. Today, Sabinsa’s Curcumin C3 Complex^® enjoys the special status of being the “Most Extensively Studied and Clinically Documented Curcumin Brand.”

4. What motivations or episodes did you develop for your product?

All ancient civilizations in the world used medicinal plants to treat various diseases as they had in-depth knowledge about their properties. The growing awareness across the globe about the medicinal and therapeutic effects of herbal products and the adverse side effects of allopathic medicines was the main motivation for creating a demand for herbal products—herbal extracts, dietary supplements, and herbal beauty aids. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 80% of the global population still relies on traditional herbal therapies for primary healthcare.

This knowledge is presently validated and tested through clinical studies for major lifestyle disorders which require the prevention and management of various disorders and disease conditions.

5. Do you have any comments on your management philosophy and consciousness?

Sami-Sabinsa Group is a research-oriented organization with a constant emphasis on innovation. There is a constant contribution of everyone working for our firm, and this is seen through achievements such as the 200+ patents, and the vast number of publications in peer-reviewed journals. A healthy yet competitive environment leads to the growth of both the innovator as well as the organization. Access to current scientific innovations through peer-reviewed journals, conferences and advice of pioneers in the industry help keep up the culture of constant innovation, and the professional satisfaction that brings to all personnel.

6. What do you want to mention about patents and awards?

The Group holds over 200 US and International patents and over 100 in the pipeline. A few of the Group’s patents were adjudged as the “Best Patent” by the Research & Development Council of New Jersey, USA. We have been awarded Best Herbal Company & Industry Leader awards by numerous groups throughout the world as well.

Both Dr. Majeed and the Sami-Sabinsa Group have been honored various times over the last three decades, with awards and recognition. Few of them are Export Excellence Award from Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, National Award by the Spice Board from Late President of India, Shankar Dayal Sharma, National Award for Quality & Innovation (Basic Drugs) from Late Shankar Dayal Sharma (President of India), National R&D Award, DSIR (Department of Scientific & Industrial Research), Government of India, Frost & Sullivan Recognition with the North American Personal Care Ingredient Green Excellence Award, Herbal Industry Leader Award from the American Herbal Products Association and many, many more. Most notably, Dr. Majeed was presented with the Ellis Island Medal of Honour by NECO authorized by the United States Congress in 2004. In 2010, he received the Daniel B. Stateman Award for Distinguished Alumni from Long Island University. In 2016, he was honored for his pioneering role in building the nutraceuticals industry when he was inducted into the Hall Of Legends at Natural Products Expo West on in Anaheim California by New Hope Network, which honors industry’s greatest contributors each year in the Hall of Legends ceremony, with citation “An individual who has devoted significant portion of his life making this industry what it is today”. In 2017, he was honored with Lifetime Achievement Award by the Indian American Kerala Cultural And Civic Center (IAKCCC). The much-acclaimed award is given to an individual deemed by the IAKCCC members of having high caliber and exceptional contributions made to society. In 2018, he was chosen as the 2018 NutraChampion in the NutraIngredients Awards in association with VitaFoods Europe. The NutraChampion award honors the nutraceuticals industries biggest champions and heroes, recognizing those who leave a lasting impact on nutrition and the nutrition industry. In 2018, Dr. Majeed also received the Shield of Honour for his Pioneering Research and Outstanding achievements in the Nutraceutical industry across the globe. Sami Labs was honored with two Certificate of Excellence Awards: Best Nutraceutical Company and Best Herbal Research Company. ASSOCHAM also honored Sami Labs and Johara Cosmetics with Best Raw Material/Ingredient Supplier and Best Cosmetics Company.

7. What are the future R&D areas?

In today’s innovation-driven world, R&D has acquired a major position, for economic competitiveness and global development. In developed economies, industrial investment in R&D sector is close to 70-80%, in contrast to developing economies where the amount invested in R&D sector is minuscule, accounting to only a few firms investing in such activities. Sabinsa’s main aim to focus on R&D to introduce new and innovative products and stay ahead of technological advances globally. Areas such as plant protein, sports nutrition, beauty from within, blood sugar support, cardiovascular health and weight management remains some of the most prominent areas where are our research is taking us.

8. What other things do you want to tell us or something you would like me to deal with?

The newest initiative with the cultivation program is that Sami-Sabinsa is working to acquire additional farmland across the globe to grow herbs and medicinal plants, as well as set up a demonstration farms to train more farmers in how to best grow specific herbs.

In addition, we are constantly investigating other applications and benefits of Indian herbs. New clinical studies discovering previously unknown benefits of our branded ingredients are being published every month. For example, Sabinsa’s Curcumin C3 Complex^® is the most studied branded curcumin in the world, with evidence that goes far beyond the well-known anti-inflammatory benefits. More recently, evidence has emerged on benefits for alleviating depression, metabolic syndrome, and managing lipid levels.

The foundation for our success continues to be in the vision Dr. Muhammed Majeed has laid out for our company, by bringing out well researched products, Sabinsa is a reliable and responsible company to work with.