Dr. Vikram Andrew Naharwar

CEO

Medicinal plants, for centuries, have been widely used as a primary healthcare practice for treating various acute diseases. Over the last decade, the growing awareness regarding the side effects of allopathic medicines has led to a growing inclination towards alternative medicines, such as Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Homeopathy, and Herbal medicine, which, in turn, has helped the herbal extracts manufacturing sector experience massive growth. Being known as the global Ayurveda hub, India is blessed with a rich diversity of medicinal plants and is home to numerous Ayurvedic companies. The Indian herbal Extract industry is estimated to reach $2.6 billion by 2027 at a staggering CAGR of 11.7 percent.

Founded in 1963 by two scientists, Amsar is a Goa-based leading Herbal extract, nutraceutical, and natural cosmetic manufacturer that employs the highest levels of technical expertise, advanced manufacturing, and validation technologies in a transparent, dedicated, and visionary environment to offer best-quality deliverables to its customers. As the first organization to manufacture full-spectrum standardized extracts, the company has been at the forefront of the Indian herbal industry for over six decades while representing a unique blend of traditional knowledge and modern science. Amsar, a family-owned business, is currently led by the third-generation technocrat in the family, Dr. Vikram Andrew Naharwar.

A Major Focus on Product Quality

Coming to product portfolio, Amsar manufactures a wide range of products under categories, such as Herbal extracts, cosmetic extracts, natural colors, aquaculture solutions, and natural sweeteners. According to Dr. Naharwar, “The Indian herbal market today is marred with adulteration, with companies using a lot of herb substitution in place of the real ones. A majority of the companies don’t even have their own laboratories or testing facilities. So you don’t have much idea whether the extract that you are getting is authentic or not. Several companies nowadays are involved in the substitution of herbs with the same class of compounds, which impacts the efficacy and safety of extracts.

When it comes to product quality, Amsar, as an organization, has a no-compromise policy and mitigates the quality challenges present in the market by getting the raw herbs directly from the ethnic tribal communities from the forest, which, even though a bit expensive, ensures the highest product quality. In other words, it also cuts the middlemen out of the picture as the business is done directly with the sellers, which also ensures a sustainable livelihood for the communities that get the actual value of the produce rather than a fraction.

Stringent Quality Checks to Ensure Customer Satisfaction

Once received, the raw materials then go through a series of stringent quality checks to ensure the best quality deliverables. Dr. Naharwar is also a consultant and an expert advisor to the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia committee. At Amsar, every batch of raw material that comes for production is tested microscopically & macroscopically. Amsar provides voucher samples of plants to AHP.

The raw materials initially go through microscopic and macroscopic analysis, where parameters, such as authenticity, maturity, and right chemical profile, are checked. The materials then go through HPTLC analysis, which further ensures the plant's authenticity by analyzing whether the factors or contents guaranteed are present in the extract or not. The company also does microbiology for pharma-standard bacterial profiles to ensure that the plants don't have any risks of contamination. When it comes to exports, every single batch of extracts at Amsar is tested for any contaminants by EU-accredited third-party laboratories.

The Only Company to Use Biotope Ingredients

One of the major factors that make Amsar stand out from the rest of its peers in the market is the diverse range of exceptionally unique Biotope herbs offered by the company. Amsar is the only company in the country to use Biotope ingredients and herbs. “As wild-crafted herbs are pretty expensive and there is a lack of the same, herbs are cultivated all across the country now. However, cultivating them in different geographies rather than the native geography results in the herbs losing their efficacy as prescribed in Ayurveda. At Amsar, we buy the herbs exactly from the places mentioned in the ancient Ayurvedic texts, which ensures a proper growing environment for the herbs as well as the best quality products”, explains Dr. Naharwar.

Fermented Plant Extracts for Cosmetic Extraction

When it comes to cosmetics extracts, the conventional extraction process requires water and solvents. However, the solvents used, such as Benzene, Acetone, Ethyl acetate, and so on, are toxic compounds, and on use, the residues in them cause major skin issues. Around two years ago, Amsar also ventured into fermented extract manufacturing, which has become extremely popular in terms of product quality and aroma. However, instead of following the conventional process, we produce fermented plant extracts using the natural bacteria found in food sources. These bacteria have the advantage of digesting the sugar and creating an environment for extraction that produces the most authentic and safest form of extract while retaining the natural aroma and colors, which is not possible through solvent extraction.

Torchbearer of R&D Operations

One of the biggest strengths of Amsar is its extensive R&D operations. The company has been doing R&D since 1979 and was also the first organization in India to be recognized by DSIR in 1981. The company works on development, safety, efficacy, and clinical & preclinical studies regularly. In a country where less than one percent of all companies in the traditional medicine sector have active R&D programs with an average R&D expenditure being 0.5 percent of the overall revenue, Amsar has been a torchbearer for the last 45 years.

The company has more than 30 published papers as well as several patents in therapeutic areas, where there is yet no cure available in modern medicine. “Our family has a history of scientists. Even my grandfather, who started this company, was a scientist, who completed his studies at Cambridge, England, and worked for a few MNCs before returning and starting this company. Scientists play a major role in Amsar, without whom, we wouldn't be where we are. One of the major surprising factors about Amsar is that the company doesn't have a sales or marketing team. We have survived over 61 years without sales and marketing because of the product quality that comes through extensive R&D”, shares Dr. Naharwar.

Future Roadmap

Coming to the future roadmap, Amsar is gradually transitioning to fermented extracts. It also has its own line of products, such as medicinal products, formulas, and cosmetics. In terms of growth, instead of focusing on overall revenue growth, Amsar is primarily focused on ensuring customer satisfaction through best quality products. “Growth comes with serious risks in terms of ethics. Sometimes, you will have no choice but to compromise in case you have huge a demand and you can't meet that. We derive growth from customer satisfaction. What makes us truly happy and satisfied is when people with serious chronic health issues get better by using our product”, Dr. Naharwar signs off.