About Late Dr. Muhammed Majeed
As a researcher, scientist, entrepreneur, and business leader, Dr. Majeed pioneered the development of
standardized herbal extracts from India’s Ayurvedic plants and created a global market for them. He
founded and, for 36 years, led the Sami-Sabinsa Group as it became a leading multinational health &
life sciences company.
Dr. Majeed grew up in Kollam, in Kerala, India, one of six children. After his father passed away when
he was 12, his mother, Fatima, did everything in her power to see that her son be highly educated. After
earning an undergraduate degree in Pharmacy from the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College in 1973,
Muhammed Majeed worked as a teacher before emigrating to the United States in 1975 with eight dollars in
his pocket. Initially working in a pharmacy, he pursued his master’s in industrial pharmacy from Long
Island University (NY, USA). He then went on to complete his doctorate in industrial pharmacy from St.
John’s University (NY, USA) in 1986. His Pharma industry experience included Pfizer, Carter Wallace and
as Head of Research at Paco Pharmaceuticals, New Jersey, USA.
Realizing the potential of India’s Ayurvedic system of medicine, Dr. Majeed anticipated an
underdeveloped market opportunity to provide Ayurveda-based products to the developed world. He focused
on combining the ancient knowledge of Ayurveda with modern science and developed evidence-based plant
products through innovation, standardization, and value-addition at every step.
In 1988, Dr. Majeed started operation of the Sabinsa Corporation in New Jersey as the first phase of his
vision. Initially launched to make generic drugs, he saw an opportunity to introduce ingredients based
upon traditional Ayurvedic knowledge backed by modern science at a time when Americans were turning
towards natural health care options. With research at the core of the company, sharing that science was
a priority. Dr. Majeed pioneered a unique concept in the U.S. called ‘Sabinsa on Wheels’, inviting
dietary supplement companies to attend detailed scientific presentations about the company’s offerings.
In 1991, Dr. Majeed set up Sami Labs Limited (now known as Sami-Sabinsa Group Limited), a cutting-edge
research and manufacturing facility in Bengaluru, India. Today, Sami alongside Sabinsa, operates seven
manufacturing facilities and employs over 1,400 people, including over 120 senior scientists who dig
deeply into the mechanisms of action and physiological effects of herbs, then share that knowledge
through publication in peer-reviewed journals. Specialized research and product development are
conducted across Phytochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Tissue Culture, and Plant
Biotechnology. Today, the Sami-Sabinsa Group commercially markets over 120 standardized botanical
extracts in 18 countries. Many of these are patented: Dr. Majeed was granted over 500 U.S. and
international patents.

In 1992, Dr. Majeed founded America’s Finest, Inc, a dietary supplement company specializing in
ingredient-specific and condition-specific formulations with the company’s ingredients. In early 1999,
Sami Labs started a division called Sami Spices in Cochin, India, to promote procurement and marketing
of spices. In the same year, Organica Aromatics was launched to serve the flavor and fragrance industry
by developing high-quality aromatic chemicals and perfumery compounds. Sabinsa Cosmetics was formed in
2001 to market specialized ingredients for the personal care and cosmetics industries. When the wellness
wave hit India in 2010, Dr. Majeed seized upon the direct-to-consumer business model and started Sami
Direct to market his company’s ingredients in consumer product goods. Sami Direct now offers 20
products, ranging from weight management, joint health, bone strength, detox supplements, and skincare
and cosmetics.
Over 36 years, the Sami-Sabinsa Group has expanded its operations in the U.S. and India, and established
full-fledged operations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Poland, South Africa, South
Korea, UAE, and Vietnam, in addition to satellite offices in France, Hungary, Spain, Taiwan and the UK.
Dr. Majeed believed that a good supplement begins with quality ingredients sustainably supplied. He
directed his team to identify small and marginal farmers in Salem and surrounding districts in the state
of Tamil Nadu, India to cultivate key Ayurvedic herbs. Beginning in 2006, Dr. Majeed provided training,
planting materials, and ongoing support to these farmers as well as their communities. Committed to fair
trade practices, the company contracts call for paying a guaranteed price even if crop fails due to
weather extremes, and pays more for a harvest when market prices dictate.
Underlying all the company’s endeavors was a commitment to sustainability, from the environmental
considerations incorporated into all the company’s manufacturing facilities to the award-winning Kino
tree reforestation program.

During his lifetime, both Dr. Majeed and the companies he created were often recognized for his achievements.
He was a two-time recipient of the Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award. For enterprising work in developing
science-based proprietary ingredients, the governments of India and the U.S., as well as institutions and
global organizations recognized Dr. Majeed and his company. He was presented the National Award for Quality
and Innovation by the President of India in 1995, 1997, and 2008, and in 2002, the prestigious Department of
Scientific & Industrial Research award. In recognition of his leadership, commitment, and service to his
heritage and the American community, Dr. Majeed received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for Distinguished
Americans in 2004. His pioneering role in building the U.S. nutraceuticals industry was recognized by his
induction into the New Hope Network Hall of Legends in 2016. He was awarded the Shield of Honor by ASSOCHAM
India at the 2018 National Symposium for his Pioneering Research and Outstanding Achievements in the
Nutraceutical Space, the 2018 NutraIngredients, the American Herbal Products Association’s Herbal Industry
Leader Award, and the American Botanical Council’s Varro E. Tyler Commercial Investment in Phytomedicinal
Research award.
Dr. Majeed’s scientific literature contributions include more than 250 peer-reviewed research papers,
including four book chapters in leading scientific journals. He has authored or co-authored 19 books
describing the history and benefits of multiple herbal extracts and the research into their beneficial
compounds.
Dr. Majeed’s philanthropic endeavors via the Dr. Majeed Foundation, launched 20 years ago, were notable. To
give children and women the opportunity to play a vital role in the socio-economic growth of the world, the
Foundation facilitates a support base for children from poor families in India for their education,
irrespective of their caste, creed, or religion, and women's shelters. Among other charitable programs, the
Foundation made significant financial contributions to State and Central Government aid programs, and funded
and organized food deliveries to underserved communities in India during the Covid pandemic, and natural
disasters.
More about Late Dr. Muhammed Majeed: drmajeed.comAwards