Dr Muhammed Majeed, founder and managing director, Sami Labs India Limited is at the helm of a highly successful exporting unit dealing with botanical extracts, pharmaceutical intermediaries and fine chemicals marketed mainly in the US, Europe and Japan. He also heads Sabinsa Corporation, USA. Dr. Majeed, during his career has worked with companies such as Pfizer Inc, Carter Wallace and Paco Research before going his own by starting two companies -- Sabinsa Corporation at New Jersey in 1988 and Sami Labs in Bangalore, in 1991. According to him, a researcher has to look at how best he could exploit an existing material in a new way. The exoskeleton of shrimp, garbage for many, led him to produce cosamine, sulfate. Sami Labs is in the business of exporting value-added herbal extracts. He continues to work on promising newer products and has successfully merged modern allopathic scientific research procedures to study the miracle cures of herbal products of Ayurveda, biotechnology and fine chemicals. He has also commenced Phase I and II trials of several herbal specialties in US, UK and India. In an exclusive interview with Nandita Vijay of Pharmabiz.com, Dr. Majeed, explains about the potential drugs that can be developed with herbs, much of which is grown in India. According to Dr. Majeed, India''s traditional herbs must be brought back to life, lest other countries take away the valuable herbs which have a cure for many chronic ailments including cancer, allergies and AIDS. Excerpts:

What are the key strengths of Sami Labs and which are your focus areas?

We have maintained a steady growth since inception in 1991 in our area of expertise. We are a multi-location company today exporting fine chemicals, standardized extracts nutraceuticals, specialty chemicals and bulk drug intermediaries. Our investment in research and development has been to develop natural products. Over the years, we have standardized our extracts, won several awards, received a number of patents, set up several domain sites and own a number of trademarks.

We have a proprietary technology for Piperine (black pepper), Curcuminoids (Turmeric), Gugulipid and Boswellia. We are the largest producer of L-Selenomethionine worldwide. Our greatest strength is the newer uses with old products. Take for instance, Turmeric which is a coloring agent in culinary use. For the first time in the country, we have a turmeric extract -- Curcuminoids -- which is white in colour and we are marketing it as an effective anti-oxidant, anti-mutagenic and anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer in the nutraceuticals market in US.

The other products are Boswellai for arthritis, Garcina cambogia for weight management, Gugulipid for cholestrol reduction, L+Selenomethionine has anti tumorigenic potency, and Glucosamine Sulfate for osteoarthritis.

Our turnover has grown three-fold since 1997-98 to 2000-2001 from Rs. 18.59 crore to Rs 54 crore. Our growth rate is around 26 percent.

What are the current projects you are involved in and alliances you are planning?

We are in the advanced stages of discussions with major multinational companies for strategic alliances in biotechnology, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals and research on natural products. We are all set to have a biotech incubator, a first of its kind in the country, which will find enterprising scientists to set up their own facility within the premises. In the area of biotechnology, we have started trial production of Lactospore, a probiotic.

What are your priority areas of business?

Sami Labs has basic research capabilities in biochemistry, pharmacology and advanced analytical documentation. The biotechnology facility in Nelamangala which was started in early 2001 will focuses on medicinal plants will be expanded. We are evaluating the development of new products from secondary metabolites. Our priority is to seek collaborations and research opportunities with US and European companies in genome based projects.

The setting up of a biotech incubator is one of our major immediate plans. We will also enhance our biotech research activities and look at drug development from natural products and at the same time enter formulations in a big way. The other project in hand is the setting up of research demonstration farms at a cost of over Rs. 3 crore on 100 acres and this project is likely to be through by end of 2001.

Could you give us a brief account of your track record since inception?

We started in 1991 with the export of Gugulipid a standardized extract. In 1993, we exported Boswellia Serrata, to US. In 1992, we introduced Garcinia Cambogia [hydrocitric acid] and it became a major export order to the US in 1994. In 1996, we introduced Coleus Forskohlii which was accepted as a major product for the treatment of obesity.

As an exporter of herbs, how is your company rated in the international market?

We have a good image. Sabinsa Corporation [research and marketing] was ranked fourth among the 50 fastest growing companies in New Jersey in 1997. What is more, in India we have pioneered the herbal industry in the country, where 90 per cent of the products are introduced for the first time from India to the international market. Sami Labs shares seven US patents with Sabinsa. Both companies have an additional 15 European, Japanese and international patents pending clearance.

On the global scale, India''s exports of herbal products in the international market is miniscule and the total earnings come to just Rs 440 crore while China stands at around Rs. 20,000 crore and US at $26 million. We have the herbs but we lack of research facilities and encouragement. This has kept us backward.

What have been the ingredients of success of Sami Labs?

Firstly, it is the people in my two organizations -- Sabinsa and Sami -- that have helped make the companies succeed. Second is the investment in infrastructure. Thirdly, strict adherence to quality control at our manufacturing units. We have an excellent reputation that all of us can take pride in. Innovation has been the name of the game and the real asset of the company is the results of our research, which is encouraging and keeps us going.