“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” — Alan Kay
Innovation rarely arrives with fireworks. It emerges quietly, layer by layer, from the mind of someone who sees what others overlook. It lies in the delicate unraveling of cells, the rebirth of chemistry in nature, and in the audacious faith that better health could be engineered. On the frontier of nutraceuticals, the future is not something to wait for—it is about bringing innovations to life, making them accessible to people.
The man leading this revolution is Dr. Arun Balakrishnan, Chief Innovation Officer at OmniActive Health Technologies. A visionary and a scientist by instinct, he has over 30 years of experience in defining the frontiers of health and wellness. Whether it was during his early days as a Director at the Centre of Biotechnology, Anna University, or as an Innovator in drug discovery at Piramal Enterprises, his continued career has been one that has blended the art of strategy with extreme science.
Since April 2015, Arun has been working as the Chief Innovation Officer at OmniActive Healthtechnologies in Mumbai, as the head of innovation in the nutraceutical industry. Previously, he held various top management positions at Piramal Life Sciences Limited from 2005 to 2015, serving as Vice President and then Senior Vice President in the areas of high-throughput screening, natural products, and external liaison. Arun has a fine academic background, having served as a Lecturer, subsequently as a Director, and as Head of the Department of Biotechnology Research and Teaching at the Centre of Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai, until 2005, when he ventured into the industry.
Dr. Arun, with over 83 publications, patents, and a postdoctoral research experience at UC Berkeley, has built a strong foundation in science, having co-led one of the largest natural product screening programs in India. Now, he is traversing the path between biology and business as he shapes the future of preventive health, one breakthrough at a time.
Turning Research into Reality
Arun’s diverse career has been shaped by his passion for scientific innovation and its real-world impact. Reflecting on his journey, he shares, “Each experience has been a valuable opportunity for learning and success, driven by a deep passion for scientific innovation and its real-world impact.” His journey began at UC Berkeley, where he deepened his knowledge in breast cancer research and learned the value of collaboration over competition. This philosophy became a cornerstone of his career.
After returning to India, Arun spent 15 years at the Centre for Biotechnology, Anna University, where he mentored over 20 PhD students and secured significant funding for international research collaborations. His expertise in managing global programs led to his promotion to Full Professor and later to Director. Arun’s work with industries and international organizations helped him build cutting-edge infrastructure for both research and product development. He shifted his focus from publishing papers to translational research, successfully out-licensing products for commercialization.
The Alchemist of Oncology
Arun’s career then transitioned to the pharmaceutical sector, where he had the privilege of collaborating with two large pharmaceutical companies on research activities. While his early research centered on basic cancer biology, he expanded his interests to include exploring how medicinal plants from traditional knowledge could yield novel molecules for drug development. This area sparked significant interest within the pharmaceutical industry, opening the door to new and exciting career opportunities.
Arun holds numerous prestigious professional memberships that reflect his deep involvement in science, education, and industry. He is a member of FICCI, CII, the Kerala State Science and Technology Council, and several global organizations, including the American Association for Cancer Research, the New York Academy of Sciences, and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. In India, he has been affiliated with the Indian Society of Cancer Research since 1981. Arun served as Joint Chairman of VIT’s Industry-Education Expert Committee on Medical Science and Technology. He is a member of the advisory boards at CIMAP, Shri Ramachandra University, and the Tamil Nadu Planning Commission, among other reputed institutions.
Formulating the Future
OmniActive is a leading nutraceutical company specializing in lutein and zeaxanthin-based products, with a vertically integrated supply chain ensuring quality at every step. Under Arun’s scientific leadership, the company invests heavily in R&D and innovation, with his team of extraction chemists and formulation scientists advancing technologies to enhance the biological efficacy of key ingredients. The scientific and marketing teams collaborate to create wellness-focused products backed by scientific rigor and practical application. Arun’s strategic vision enables the company to meet consumer demands while maintaining rigorous quality standards. OmniActive’s R&D centers in India focus on innovative extracts and delivery forms, supported by clinical research, regulatory approvals, and a commitment to continuous improvement in product development and manufacturing processes.
The Wellness Architect
At OmniActive, Arun and his team have developed value-added products, overseeing every stage from cultivation to safe human administration, ensuring regulatory compliance and quality at each step. Arun also spearheaded the creation of a dedicated clinical study group with expertise in designing studies, defining endpoints, and collaborating with accredited CROs. These studies adhere to ICH-GCP and global clinical trial regulations, resulting in successful inspections by the FDA, EMEA, and DCGI. The results are published in scientific journals in collaboration with partners.
Arun joined Piramal Healthcare to scale up his academic work on medicinal plants, utilizing advanced technologies such as microarrays and high-content robotics. Arun points out, “My decade at Piramal, within a world-class facility, saw the development of national programs, including a landmark screening initiative with the Government of India that led to the creation of national institutes like the microbial cultures centre in Pune.”
Evolution from Pharma to Functional Wellness
After his tenure at Piramal, Arun took on a new challenge as Chief Innovation Officer at OmniActive Health Technologies, a dynamic startup in the nutraceutical sector. This role revealed the key difference between pharmaceuticals, which isolate pure molecules, and nutraceuticals, which leverage the power of plant extracts for broad health benefits.
Arun applied his research background to rapidly develop innovative products that integrate cutting-edge science with consumer needs. He championed cross-functional collaboration across R&D, product development, marketing, and sales, ensuring every product addresses market demands and consumer wellness. Under his leadership, OmniActive’s portfolio expanded globally, positioning the company as a leader in the nutraceutical industry. “This unique experience has solidified my belief in the power of translating scientific insights into tangible, impactful products that contribute directly to global health and wellness,” he adds.
Fusion of R&D and Market Success
Throughout his career, Arun has consistently sought to learn, integrating new knowledge to refine his strategic thinking and support business objectives. This journey has been deeply rewarding, allowing him to contribute to the development of some of the best products currently on the market. His ability to adapt and innovate has been a key factor in driving the success of the products he’s helped create.
Personal Approach & Philosophy
Arun is an empowering leader who promotes healthy competition and democratic execution. He identifies passionate individuals, manages challenges with clarity and composure, and emphasizes the importance of trust and collaboration in the decision-making process. Committed to growth, he actively mentors his team, sharing knowledge and guiding them toward success with unwavering dedication.
Leadership & Organization Building
Arun has excelled in leading and building organizations centered on teaching and scientific research, using innovative thinking to establish globally competitive facilities. He has trained over 20 PhD students and published more than 80 high-quality research papers. His leadership and scientific contributions earned him the Forbes Best Manager Award in 2018.
Educational Program Development
Arun has been instrumental in developing teaching programs that equip students to meet global education standards and pursue competitive careers or entrepreneurship. By integrating research with teaching, he enhances educational quality, offering students practical insights from advanced scientific work. His approach aligns learning with industry needs, fostering the development of future-ready professionals.
Cross-Functional & Collaborative Expertise
Arun has excelled in building cross-functional training and research initiatives to accelerate development. With extensive experience in industry-university research collaborations, he has effectively bridged the gap between academia and industry. His efforts have ensured that research aligns with real-world applications, fostering innovation and equipping both students and professionals with the skills necessary for scientific advancement.
R&D & Innovation Acumen
Arun is exceptionally strong in core research areas, with a wide range of interests from foundational “blue sky” research to product development in both academic and industrial environments. He has a clear understanding of innovation, skillfully transforming basic research into practical products and building successful business models around them. His ability to navigate both scientific and commercial landscapes has been a key factor in driving meaningful advancements.
Translational Research & Commercialization
Arun has demonstrated strong expertise in industrial product development research, consistently identifying early-stage innovations with high potential for commercialization and revenue generation. His ability to pinpoint breakthrough ideas and translate them into market-ready products has been crucial in driving business growth and industry impact.
Team Leadership & Empowerment
Arun is a true team builder and leader who empowers teams, fosters healthy competitiveness, and drives programs forward through clear, democratic processes. He excels in managing complex turnarounds and challenging situations, always focusing on effective execution and strict timeline management. His leadership is grounded in collaboration, ensuring that goals are achieved efficiently while fostering a strong and cohesive team dynamic.
Administrative & Financial Acumen
Arun possesses strong administrative capabilities, building trust and fostering collaborative models that drive organizational success. He has a clear understanding of financial and business strategies, using this insight to improve performance and ensure sustainable growth. His approach integrates sound management practices with a focus on efficiency, enabling teams to achieve both short-term and long-term objectives.
Passion for Science & Education
Arun is a passionate teacher, researcher, and trainer with a proven track record in academia, research, and corporate product development. His dedication to education and innovation has made a significant impact across all sectors, helping to shape the next generation of leaders while driving forward cutting-edge scientific advancements in industry.
Specialized Expertise
Arun has extensive research experience in health benefits, focusing on both disease treatment and wellness through the use of nutraceuticals. His expertise spans the discovery of novel molecules, whether from synthetic leads or natural products, guiding them from concept to clinic. With a passion for engineering scale-ups and robotics, he believes in integrating technology and IT-driven learning algorithms across all sectors to drive innovation and improve outcomes.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Arun understands the vital interplay between chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists in drug discovery, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and collaboration. He values the contributions of each discipline and believes in giving credit where it’s due, ensuring that every team member’s expertise is recognized in the pursuit of innovative solutions.
Proven Track Record
Arun brings fifteen years of teaching and research experience at Anna University, with world-class publications and patents to his name. This is complemented by fifteen years of experience in the industry, during which he has led high-end translational research, contributed to groundbreaking publications, and driven successful product development. His unique blend of academic and industry expertise has enabled him to bridge the gap between research and real-world application.
