The IIT Madras Research Park has launched the country’s first phyto-pharmaceutical innovation accelerator, a dedicated platform to speed up the development of plant-based drugs from laboratory research to market-ready products.

The accelerator will support startups, researchers and traditional medicine practitioners working on botanical therapeutics. It will offer laboratory infrastructure, regulatory guidance, mentorship and connections with pharmaceutical companies looking to build botanical drug pipelines.

Phyto-pharmaceuticals, which are standardised plant-derived drugs, occupy a regulated category under India’s drug rules. Unlike classical Ayurvedic formulations, they must pass modern clinical evaluation. Officials said the accelerator aims to bridge the gap between India’s rich traditional medicine knowledge and contemporary drug development standards.

The programme will focus on areas including metabolic disorders, inflammation and infectious diseases, where plant compounds have shown early promise. Selected teams will receive support for pre-clinical studies, intellectual property filings and engagement with the national drug regulator.

The launch adds to IIT Madras Research Park’s growing portfolio of deep-tech incubation programmes and reflects a national push to convert traditional knowledge systems into globally competitive, evidence-based medicines.