AI is rapidly transforming every sector, and nutraceuticals are no exception: Dr Arunkanth Krishnakumar, Co-founder and CEO, Zeus Hygia Lifesciences

Exporting to over 20 countries, Zeus Hygia Lifesciences has carved a distinct niche in the global nutraceutical ingredients market by focusing on enriched, branded ingredients. The company works closely with leading nutraceutical, dietary supplement, and wellness brands worldwide. In an interaction with NUFFOODS Spectrum India, Dr Arunkanth Krishnakumar, Co-founder and CEO, Zeus Hygia Lifesciences, speaks about the company’s latest innovations, the growing role of AI in nutraceuticals, and its sustainability initiatives.

How do you see the nutraceuticals market in India evolving over the next few years?

India is at a very interesting inflection point when it comes to the nutraceuticals and wellness industry. We are one of the largest consumer markets globally, backed by a rapidly growing economy and a demographic that is becoming increasingly health-conscious. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant shift in how consumers perceive preventive healthcare. Wellness is no longer aspirational; it is becoming essential.

What is particularly noteworthy is the increasing maturity of the Indian consumer. A clear transition is underway from generic supplements and anecdotal claims to ingredients supported by robust scientific research. Consumers today want transparency, safety, and efficacy. They are asking the right questions: Is this ingredient clinically validated? Is it safe for long-term use? Does it actually deliver results?

This shift is significantly benefiting companies that are research-driven and science-led. The nutraceuticals industry in India is evolving rapidly, moving closer to global benchmarks in terms of quality, compliance, and innovation. Over the next few years, we expect the market to see accelerated growth, especially in specialised wellness segments such as cognitive health, gut health, immunity, and lifestyle-related conditions.

Who are your key clients across India and international markets?

Zeus Hygia Lifesciences has carved a distinct position in the global nutraceutical ingredients space through its focus on enriched, branded ingredients that are validated through safety and efficacy studies. Our strength lies in bridging traditional knowledge with modern scientific validation.

Today, Zeus exports to more than 20 countries worldwide, and this footprint continues to expand steadily. Internationally, we work closely with leading nutraceutical, dietary supplement, and wellness brands that value innovation, compliance, and scientific credibility. In India, our collaborations extend to some of the country’s major pharmaceutical companies and supplement marketing organisations.

What differentiates Zeus is not just the breadth of our client base, but the depth of our partnerships. We work closely with our clients right from the concept stage i.e. helping them identify unmet needs, providing clinically backed ingredients, and supporting them with regulatory and technical expertise. This collaborative approach has allowed us to build long-term relationships across both domestic and global markets.

You recently established an office in Florida, US. Which global markets will this office primarily cater to?

The establishment of Zeus Hygia Nutra in Florida is a strategic milestone for us. This office is primarily focussed on the North American market and will serve as a hub for sales, marketing, and warehousing operations across the region.

North America is one of the most mature and regulated nutraceutical markets globally, and having a local presence enables us to respond faster to customer needs, ensure better supply chain efficiency, and strengthen our engagement with partners. It also allows us to align more closely with regulatory expectations and market dynamics in the US and Canada.

From this base, we aim to deepen our penetration into North America while also laying the groundwork for expanding into other international markets in a more structured and scalable manner.

You have launched STADICE, India’s first clinically validated and enriched mango extract. Could you elaborate on the R&D efforts behind its development and the challenges encountered?

The journey of STADICE is deeply rooted in both nostalgia and innovation. For many of us, mangoes are synonymous with childhood summers, especially in India. Despite mango being one of the most widely consumed fruits globally, its standardised bioactive compounds, particularly those offering targeted health benefits, have not been extensively explored through modern scientific frameworks.

At Zeus Research & Innovations, we saw an opportunity to change that. Our R&D team undertook extensive investigations into various parts of the mango tree, including the fruit, leaves, and bark. The objective was to identify specific bioactive compounds that could deliver measurable benefits in health and wellness.

This process was both exciting and challenging. Standardising a natural extract while ensuring consistency, bioavailability, and efficacy requires significant scientific rigour. We conducted detailed analytical studies and human clinical trials to validate safety and effectiveness.

The result was STADICE, a clinically validated branded ingredient standardised to contain Mangifera from mango extract. It is designed to support memory, focus, and attention in everyday life. STADICE represents a unique fusion of traditional Indian knowledge and contemporary science, and we believe it sets a new benchmark for innovation originating from India.

What AI-driven technologies are currently being implemented at your manufacturing or R&D facilities?

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming every sector, and nutraceuticals are no exception. AI has the potential to significantly accelerate research, improve precision, and optimise manufacturing processes.

At Zeus, we have already begun integrating advanced technologies such as Process Analytical Technology (PAT) and Quality by Design (QbD) into our development and manufacturing workflows. These tools allow us to better understand critical process parameters, enhance consistency, and reduce variability.

Our recently launched ingredient, Gevalin, is a good example of this approach; it was researched and refined using QbD methodologies. In parallel, we have established a dedicated team focused on advanced technologies and digital innovation.

We are actively exploring the use of AI tools during the early stages of product screening and development, particularly for evaluating traditional Ayurvedic herbs, wellness domains, and efficacy pathways. While we are still in the early phases, we see AI playing a much larger role in speeding up discovery, reducing time-to-market, and improving overall research outcomes in the near future.

How do you ensure sustainability and maintain stringent quality control while sourcing raw materials?

Sustainability and quality are non-negotiable pillars for Zeus. We strongly advocate responsible sourcing and verifiability across our supply chain. This begins with working closely with our raw material suppliers and adhering to established procurement and sustainability protocols.

Our quality assurance framework is comprehensive and rigorous. From the sourcing of raw materials to the final delivery of finished ingredients, multiple layers of testing are implemented. Traceability is a core focus we ensure that every ingredient can be tracked back to its source.

The Zeus Quality team acts as a gatekeeper at every stage, enforcing testing protocols to ensure that what is promised is precisely what is delivered. This approach not only ensures compliance with global quality standards but also builds trust with our partners and customers.

Are there any new products, research initiatives, or innovations in the pipeline?

Innovation is central to our business philosophy. We consistently look for consumer pain points and market gaps and address them through research-driven plant-based ingredients.

Our recent launches reflect this commitment. STADICE, a proprietary extract from Mangifera indica, is designed to support focus, alertness, memory, and overall cognitive wellness. Developed using a unique patent-pending technology, it is the first of its kind from India and is particularly relevant for emerging categories such as E-sports nutrition.

Notably, a brain supplement containing STADICE has already been launched in the US by a Unilever Group company, underscoring the premium scientific validation and quality standards behind the ingredient.

In addition, we have introduced Gevalin, a plant fruit extract of Indian origin targeting acidity, GERD, and digestive wellness. Gevalin complies with the USP Herbal Compendia, making Zeus the first and only company globally to offer this ingredient backed by robust human clinical safety and efficacy data.

What is your growth outlook for the company through 2030?

The global nutraceutical industry is projected to witness steady and sustained growth over the coming years. Companies that are focused on science, research, sustainability, and quality will play a critical role in shaping this growth trajectory.

At Zeus, we see ourselves as catalysts within this ecosystem. As the industry increasingly moves toward clean, green, and clinically validated ingredients, we are gearing up well in advance to meet these expectations.

Over the next three to five years, particularly with the wider adoption of AI-based tools and advanced research methodologies, we believe there will be a significant shift in how nutraceutical solutions are developed and delivered. Our investments in innovation, global expansion, and technology position us strongly for long-term growth through 2030 and beyond.

Sanjiv Das
sanjiv.das@mmactiv.com