Himalaya Wellness, CSIR-CDRI join forces to develop new therapy for PMOS

Himalaya Wellness Company has entered into a licensing agreement with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Drug Research Institute (CSIR-CDRI), Lucknow, to develop a new evidence-based intervention for Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), formerly known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

The collaboration brings together CSIR-CDRI’s expertise in drug discovery and phytopharmaceutical research with Himalaya’s capabilities in herbal research and product development. The partnership aims to advance the discovery and development of a safe and effective therapy for PMOS, a complex condition that affects approximately 1 in 8 women and more than 170 million people globally.

Unlike conditions that affect a single organ or pathway, PMOS involves interconnected reproductive, metabolic, and endocrine factors. This complexity can make its management challenging and underscores the need for approaches that address the condition more comprehensively.

Under the agreement, a standardized herbal extract developed by CSIR-CDRI scientists, Dr T. Narender and Dr Rajesh Jha, will be advanced by Himalaya Wellness Company, for its potential application in PMOS. The company will focus on formulation development, clinical safety, and efficacy evaluation, with the broader objective of translating scientific research into a potential therapeutic option for women.

Dr Radha Rangarajan, Director, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, said, “CSIR-CDRI has a strong track record in drug discovery and phytopharmaceutical research aimed at addressing unmet healthcare needs. This collaboration with Himalaya brings together complementary scientific and industry capabilities to advance the development of a potential therapy for PMOS. We hope this partnership will contribute to expanding evidence-based options for women’s health.”

Dr Babu UV, Director–R&D, Himalaya Wellness Company, said, “PMOS is a significant women’s health challenge with interconnected reproductive, metabolic, and endocrine dimensions. At Himalaya, our focus has been on building science-led and evidence-based solutions in healthcare. Our collaboration with CSIR-CDRI brings together complementary expertise in scientific research, drug discovery, and product development. Through this agreement, we aim to accelerate the journey from promising research to a potential healthcare solution for women living with PMOS.”

The agreement was signed and exchanged by Dr. Babu UV, Director–R&D, Himalaya Wellness Company, and Dr. Naseem Ahmed Siddiqui, Head, Business Development, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, in the presence of Dr Radha Rangarajan, Director, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, and Jayashree Ullal, CFO and COO, Himalaya Wellness Company, along with senior scientists from both organizations.

The collaboration reflects the growing importance of industry-academia partnerships in translating scientific discoveries into potential healthcare applications. By combining research capabilities, such partnerships can help advance innovation while enabling specialized scientific expertise and industry development capabilities to work towards a common healthcare objective.