The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, operating under the Ministry of Ayush, has officially launched the second edition of its flagship translational research platform, SIDDHI 2.0. This initiative, short for Scientific Innovation in Drug Development, Healthcare and Integration, was unveiled during a national conclave held in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. The event was jointly organized by the Regional Ayurveda Research Institute in Vijayawada and the Confederation of Indian Industry’s Vijayawada Zone.
SIDDHI 2.0 is designed as a national-level interface to bring together pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, research bodies, and regulatory authorities with the aim of fast-tracking evidence-based Ayurvedic drug development. Building on earlier efforts such as PRAGATI-2024, the initiative represents a strategic shift toward translational research, indigenous formulation validation, and collaborative commercialization. The goal is to align the science of Ayurveda with the operational models of modern pharmaceutical innovation.
The inaugural session featured key figures including Director General of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences Prof. Vaidya Rabinarayan Acharya, Director (Ayush) of the Government of Andhra Pradesh Shri K. Dinesh Kumar, Deputy Director General Dr. N. Srikanth, CII Vijayawada Chairperson Dr. V. Nagalakshmi, Laila Nutra and Chemiloids Life Sciences Chief Executive Officer Shri Kiran Bhupatiraju, and Assistant Director of the Regional Ayurveda Research Institute in Vijayawada Dr. B. Venkateshwarlu. Each emphasized the growing urgency to institutionalize research, industry alignment, and scalable solutions for India’s traditional medicine sector.
How is CCRAS using policy reform and digital infrastructure to scale Ayurveda-based pharma development?
To support SIDDHI 2.0, the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences launched new digital and literary assets that aim to modernize the research and regulatory landscape of Ayurveda. One key release was the Drug Inventory Management System portal, designed to enhance digital oversight of formulation tracking and inventory flows. Another was the medico-historical volume titled “Evolution of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani Drug Regulations in India,” which documents the legislative milestones shaping India’s traditional health systems.
The Director General of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences stated that the rising burden of non-communicable and lifestyle-related diseases is driving renewed interest in Ayurveda’s wellness-first, preventive philosophy. He noted that CCRAS is prioritizing joint innovation pathways with pharmaceutical firms, including through initiatives such as SPARK, SMART, and PDF fellowships. These are aimed at building clinical research capacity and standardizing scientific methodologies in traditional medicine.
He further emphasized that intellectual property rights generated from industry-academia collaborations will be shared equitably, reinforcing the Council’s commitment to transparent and inclusive partnerships. These measures reflect the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences’ ongoing transition from a regulator-researcher model to a facilitator of commercially viable, scientifically validated healthcare solutions.
Why industry leaders believe the time is right to modernize Ayurvedic pharma exports
Shri Kiran Bhupatiraju, Chief Executive Officer of Laila Nutra and Chemiloids Life Sciences, underlined the commercial urgency to reformulate and standardize Ayurvedic herbal preparations for global pharmaceutical and nutraceutical markets. He argued that innovation must focus on product stability, clinical consistency, and regulatory compatibility if Ayurvedic products are to enter high-value export categories.
Other speakers echoed this sentiment. Dr. V. Nagalakshmi of the Confederation of Indian Industry highlighted the need to synchronize manufacturing, education, and R&D under one innovation continuum. She emphasized that research-driven product development would not only elevate industry standards but also unlock large-scale employment opportunities in emerging sectors such as wellness tourism, herbal therapeutics, and digital health.
The Deputy Director General of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Dr. N. Srikanth, stated that more than 150 Ayurvedic formulations, including herbo-mineral and proprietary blends, have already been validated by the Council. He called upon pharmaceutical firms to leverage this data repository, which includes quality assessments, safety parameters, and toxicity profiling across various delivery formats.
He also noted that CCRAS supports technology-led and artificial intelligence–powered Ayurveda-based start-ups, including those engaged in machine learning for diagnosis, wearable diagnostics, and teleconsultation platforms. His remarks underscored a broader institutional pivot toward market adoption of validated traditional medicine.
Why Andhra Pradesh wants to become a research and manufacturing hub for Ayurvedic pharma
Shri K. Dinesh Kumar, Director (Ayush) of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, acknowledged that the state currently has a limited number of Ayurveda colleges and pharmaceutical manufacturing units. He proposed the establishment of a National Ayurveda Institute to consolidate research infrastructure, attract faculty talent, and serve as a national incubator for Ayurvedic innovation.
He pointed out that while modern allopathic systems may have increased average life expectancy, Ayurveda has the potential to enhance health-adjusted life expectancy by focusing on holistic well-being. He positioned SIDDHI 2.0 as a single-window platform to facilitate inter-agency collaboration and remove bottlenecks in licensing, formulation approval, and scale-up.
Speakers also noted that states like Andhra Pradesh, with strong pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystems and export capacity, could serve as ideal hubs for hybrid models that combine traditional ingredients with modern drug delivery mechanisms.
What technical outcomes and collaboration tracks emerged from the two-day conclave?
SIDDHI 2.0 brought together over 100 delegates from more than 25 Ayurvedic pharmaceutical firms including Himalaya Wellness Company, Oushadhi, IMPCOPS, Imis Pharmaceuticals, and Laila Nutra. These companies were joined by researchers from Dr. NRS Ayurvedic College, postgraduate scholars, Ayush department officials, and leading clinicians.
Throughout the technical sessions, scientists from the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences showcased the Council’s R&D pipeline, including lab-to-market formulations, pharmacological evaluations, and clinical trial readiness data. Delegates were briefed on opportunities to co-develop formulations, adopt validated protocols, and leverage pre-approved safety dossiers to shorten the regulatory approval lifecycle.
The event also hosted expert sessions with participation from research and development leaders at Himalaya Wellness Company and other established Ayurvedic brands. Presentations focused on topics such as standardization of raw materials, global regulatory filings, and the use of AI tools in formulation design and quality assurance. Multiple companies expressed interest in exploring follow-up partnerships, with commercial and research memoranda of understanding likely to follow in early 2026.
How SIDDHI 2.0 fits into India’s broader vision for global Ayurvedic pharma leadership
The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences has positioned SIDDHI 2.0 as a cornerstone initiative for India’s aspiration to lead globally in the commercialization of scientifically validated traditional medicine. The platform seeks to move beyond legacy narratives of cultural wellness toward pharmaceutical-grade quality assurance, scalable supply chains, and intellectual property monetization.
Analysts tracking India’s wellness economy believe that SIDDHI 2.0 could trigger a step change in how Ayurveda is perceived by mainstream healthcare players, regulators, and investors. By integrating rigorous scientific validation with public–private partnerships, the initiative could catalyze international confidence in India’s Ayurveda-based therapeutics.
Industry experts expect future editions of SIDDHI to focus on export-compliant dossiers, international clinical validation, and active pharmaceutical ingredient traceability. There is also increasing demand for data interoperability, especially in light of the growing number of wellness platforms and diagnostics tools built around traditional medicine.
As regulatory authorities worldwide begin to examine the role of traditional health systems in universal healthcare models, India’s ability to present a robust, science-driven, and industry-integrated Ayurveda ecosystem could become a key soft power asset.
Key takeaways from the launch of SIDDHI 2.0 by CCRAS in Vijayawada
- The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), under the Ministry of Ayush, launched SIDDHI 2.0 (Scientific Innovation in Drug Development, Healthcare & Integration) as a national research–industry interface platform to accelerate Ayurvedic drug innovation.
- Held in Vijayawada in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, the two-day conclave brought together over 100 delegates including top pharma firms, regulators, clinicians, and researchers.
- CCRAS unveiled the Drug Inventory Management System portal and a regulatory history publication to support digital governance and traceability in Ayurvedic pharma supply chains.
- The initiative builds on PRAGATI-2024 and aims to institutionalize evidence-based, translational product development pathways with industry co-development and IP-sharing mechanisms.
- More than 150 validated formulations from CCRAS, including herbo-mineral products, are now open for adoption or co-commercialization by private firms with access to complete safety, quality, and toxicity data.
- Industry voices, including executives from Laila Nutra and Chemiloids Life Sciences, called for modernization of Ayurvedic products to meet international standards and export-readiness benchmarks.
- Andhra Pradesh officials proposed the creation of a National Ayurveda Institute to boost infrastructure for research and manufacturing in the state.
- Delegates from companies such as Himalaya Wellness Company, Oushadhi, IMPCOPS, and Imis Pharmaceuticals engaged in technical sessions to explore collaborations, data sharing, and validation strategies.
- SIDDHI 2.0 is envisioned as a translational accelerator platform aligned with India’s broader strategy to position Ayurveda as a scientifically validated, globally competitive healthcare system.
- The initiative signals a shift in India’s Ayurveda narrative from cultural wellness to industrial scale, IP-driven, pharma-grade innovation backed by institutional research frameworks.
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