Centre of Excellence in Nutraceuticals (CoEN)

The Centre of Excellence in Nutraceuticals [CoEN] is an initiative by Government of Kerala, under Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, to generate potent nutraceuticals, which impart therapeutic, preventive or immune stimulant function to human body, by exploiting the rich biodiversity and vast aquatic ecosystems of Kerala. Nutraceuticals range from functional foods, dietary supplements, and components derived from natural sources, to pure compounds.

The major focus of the centre will be to

Connect research centres, start-ups and other stakeholders working in this field

Establish a Research Industry Interface to address health issues using nutraceutical interventions

Screening nutraceuticals for therapeutic potential against diseases or boosting the immune system and confirm their biological safety

Generating start-ups for manufacturing nutraceutical products

Kerala, renowned as India’s Herbal, Ayurveda, and Marine Food capital, is set to become a hub for nutraceutical innovation with the establishment of the Centre of Excellence in Nutraceuticals (CoEN) that can cater to a nutraceutical manufacturing cluster, at the Biotechnology ecosystem, and is currently initiated at the Institute of Advanced Virology in the Bio360 Life Science Park at Thonnakkal, Thiruvananthapuram. Surrounded by Kerala’s abundant biodiversity—from the Western Ghats to rich aquatic ecosystems- CoEN aims to tap the immense potential of native plants and marine resources to create solutions for lifestyle diseases, cardiovascular issues, metabolic disorders, and cancers. CoEN aims to integrate the nutritional and pharmaceutical sciences with traditional knowledge and medical practices imparted by aboriginal communities around the world.

The site is ideal due to the proximity of institutes like Institute for Advanced Virology (IAV), Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology (SCTMIST), Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Central Laboratory for Instrumentation and Facilitation (CLIF), Government Ayurveda College (GAC), Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) etc. Strategically located near these prominent research institutions as well as the essential transit hubs such as Vizhinjam port, Thiruvananthapuram airport, and Central railway station would make it easier for the manufacturing units for supply chain/final product management, the centre is poised to streamline research, development, and distribution, transforming Kerala into a global nutraceutical leader.

This landmark initiative, spearheaded by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology & Environment (KSCSTE) and the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC), merges the best of nutrition, pharmaceutical science, and traditional wisdom to pioneer advancements in health and wellness and will be initially supported financially by Kerala development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC), which will facilitate a programme to integrate research centres, start-ups and other institutes in the field. The Kerala State Council for Science, Technology & environment (KSCSTE) under the Science and Technology Department is the nodal institution to observe the CoEN on a Build-Operate-Transfer Basis. The Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC), under the Industries and Commerce Department is assigned the management of the Nutra Enterprises Division of the CoEN.

OUR TEAM

Location of the Centre of Excellence in Nutraceuticals (CoEN)