Diabetes drug BGR-34 powers India’s entry into global natural healthcare market

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 17, 2025

India’s herbal healthcare sector is entering a new growth phase as traditional knowledge increasingly converges with modern science to deliver validated, affordable, and globally competitive solutions. This trend was strongly evident at the recently concluded two-day CSIR Startup Conclave in Lucknow, where research institutions, startups, and policymakers came together to showcase how herbal formulations are successfully moving from laboratories to the marketplace. Among the innovations, the anti-diabetic herbal drug BGR-34 emerged as the star attraction.

The conclave highlighted the contributions of four Lucknow-based laboratories under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) — the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR), and the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI). Collectively, these institutes have developed 13 major herbal drugs targeting lifestyle and chronic diseases, including BGR-34 for diabetes, Paclitaxel derived from the bark of the Arjuna tree for blood cancer, and Picroliv for fatty liver and liver cell degeneration.

Among these, BGR-34 commanded the greatest attention. Jointly developed by NBRI and CIMAP, the formulation harnesses the properties of six herbs — Daruharidra, Giloy, Vijaysar, Gudmar, Manjistha, and Methi. While the drug is already well known for its ability to regulate blood sugar levels, it is now being positioned as a potential solution for long-term diabetes reversal, an emerging focus area in global healthcare.

“Worldwide, the narrative is moving beyond diabetes control to diabetes reversal,” said Dr. Sanchit Sharma, Executive Director of AIMIL Pharmaceuticals, which markets the drug commercially. “Formulations like BGR-34 represent the synergy of Ayurveda and modern science, and such models could become the foundation for a diabetes-free society in the years to come,” he added.

For policymakers and industry stakeholders, the conclave underlined the growing promise of India’s herbal medicine sector in both domestic and international markets.

During his visit to the event, Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said the initiative reflects the “lab to people” model of innovation. He encouraged startups to leverage government-developed technologies and scale them into global markets, where the demand for natural and herbal remedies is witnessing unprecedented growth. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who attended the exhibition alongside Dr. Singh, also urged researchers to expedite the commercialization of herbal formulations.

The timing is crucial. The global herbal medicine market is projected to grow at double-digit rates, driven by increasing consumer preference for natural therapies, especially for lifestyle-related disorders. With scientifically validated formulations, India is well-positioned to capture a larger share of this expanding sector.

Institutions such as NBRI, CDRI, and CIMAP are not only engaged in drug development but also in cultivating improved varieties of medicinal plants. This integrated approach delivers benefits across the value chain — empowering farmers with high-yield, superior-quality crops for enhanced incomes, while providing patients with affordable, safe, and side-effect-free medicines.

Industry observers emphasize that platforms like the CSIR Startup Conclave play a vital role in bridging research with enterprise, thereby accelerating India’s ambition to emerge as a global hub for herbal healthcare innovation. As Dr. Sharma noted, “This is more than just about one drug — it’s about building a sustainable healthcare model rooted in India’s tradition, powered by science, and competitive on the world stage.”