Date:09/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/02/09/stories/2006020903160800.htm

Back Sankunnis Ayurvedic Research goes global

Our Bureau

Chennai , Feb. 8

DR Sankunnis Ayurvedic Research Foundation Pvt Ltd (SARF), a Chennai-based company providing ayurvedic treatment has commercialised a hair oil and a skin ointment.

Announcing the launch of the two products, Kabari hair oil and Epidermend skin ointment, Mr Rajan Balakrishnan, Managing Director, SARF, said that the nearly century-old company will commercialise a range of ayurvedic products in the coming years. By 2010, when it celebrates its centenary, it will have 100 products on the shop shelves.

The clinic has treated over a million patients in the 96 years that it has been in existence. With that kind of experience, he said, the company is now "going to let the world know we are around".

Mr Balakrishnan announced a Rs 45-crore ($10 million) investment plan, to be funded by US-based investors, including NRIs, to set up a spa and wellness centre, a ayurvedic product manufacturing unit, medicinal farm and a programme that will provide scholarships to students interested in learning ayurveda.

A US-based research foundation, the International Research Institute Inc, has strategic alliance with SARF, and its head, Dr George Jacob, is handling the launch of SARF's products in the US and holds the US patent for Epidermend.

The two foundations together have a range of products on test in the US and in India, according to Mr Balakrishnan.