The Founder CRIA · Est. 2009

Dr. Narendra
Bhatt.

Over five decades of enriched - acquired, assimilated and in-depth - knowledge in Ayurvedic research and industry. Truly, a rare combination of academic, research and industrial leadership : and the architect of CRIA as an integrative consulting vocation.

52+ Years
Of Ayurveda experience informing research, industry and consulting
Multi Activity
Multidimensional activities with a strong focus on Ayurveda industry
6 Domains
Integrated offerings, from Ayurveda strategy to validation
100+ Paper & Studies
Publications, studies, patents and book chapters
Professional Dimensions

A four-dimensional domain.

A rare confluence of clinical lineage, translational research, industrial leadership and policy foresight : applied to accelerate Ayurveda business, growth and development.

01 · CLINICAL LINEAGE

Ayurveda Physician

4th Generation clinician with extensive clinical experience, carrying a humane approach and representing exclusive Ayurvedic practice adapted to modern healthcare needs.

Clinical Expertise & Care
02 · TRANSLATIONAL R&D

Ayurvedic Researcher

A pioneer in integrative and translational research, conceptualizing methodologies that validate authentic Ayurvedic principles through rigorous contemporary scientific models.

Scientific Validation & Patents
03 · INDUSTRIAL BLUEPRINT

Business Strategist

A corporate manager who integrates gut-feel with successful product strategies. He pioneered applied Ayurvedic logic and a scientific objective approach for industrial and commercial success across pharma sectors, maintaining a firm belief in privatization for sector-wide growth.

Corporate Growth & SAP Deployed
04 · POLICY & VISION

Policy & Academia influencer

With wide experience, international exposure and critical observations, articulating strategic views to address academic standards, professional efficiency and health and medical care delivery (to attend to present day biomedical challenges).

AYUSH Advisory & Global Summits
Corporate Chronology

Four decades on the frontier.

Strategic advisory across the most consequential houses for Ayurveda products, combined with original research, corporate leadership for the best business and financial performance, continued strategic advisory roles and consultancy services for Ayurveda business and industry.

2008 : PresentCRIA
CRIA Consultants Pvt. Ltd. : Founder & Principal

The Ayurveda business and product strategy consultancy.

Founder Govt. of India · IMPCL Benefyt (EU) HERBALIFE

Founded CRIA to share four decades of operating and research experience with industry, institutes and investors. Strategy, products, validation, alliances and IT : under one synergistic practice.

Current mandates
Selected engagements include IMPCL business plan for the Government of India; technical advisor to Benefyt (EU); long-form mandates with HERBALIFE International India (2019–22), HOLISAN (NL) and PADMA AG (Switzerland).
2007 : 2008Kerala Ayurveda
Kerala Ayurveda Ltd. : Director (Strategy, Planning & Research)

Structure–function for healthcare retail.

Strategy Retail healthcare Training

Brief association adding to experience of structure-function relationships for corporate health care management : including customized learning and training.

2003 : 2007Zandu, Phase II
Zandu Pharmaceutical Works : CEO

The best growth performance in a decade.

CEO MANTHAN deployed SAP & BSC Bhishag division

Best growth performance in more than a decade : and the best financial ratios for two consecutive years in the 88-year history of the company. Implemented MANTHAN, Balanced Scorecard and SAP for efficiency, performance and quality. Launched 'Bhishag' : a dedicated division to enhance business with the Ayurvedic profession.

Operating record
Best financial ratios in two consecutive years across the 88-year history of Zandu. Field-tested the MANTHAN model with parametric norms applied to media, advertising and consumer communication.
1998 : 2003BIOVED USA
BIOVED Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (USA) : President · Executive Director

R&D as an independent business.

R&D as a business Disease-specific Global mandate

Developed 'R&D' as an independent business concept for the first time in the field of Ayurved : designed to cater to disease- and product-specific needs of global importance. Concurrent role as Director (Strategy, Planning & Research) at Shree Dhootapapeshwar.

1993 : 2007Ajanta Pharma
Ajanta Pharma Ltd. : Vice President, Ayurveda R&D · Head, CPD

Integrative research, at industrial scale.

VP · R&D Head · CPD Integrative research

Established a products-driven R&D in record time with efficient systems. Took on the Consumer Products Division : restructured field staff, held budget, and focused communication around what mattered to the consumer.

A term he coined
In 1998, the first person to use the phrase 'Corporatization of Ayurved' : articulating the role of industry for enhanced sector growth.
1987 : 1993Zandu, Phase I
Zandu Pharmaceutical Works

Research Executive · Medical Director.

55 clinical studies RA / OA / Liver / UTI OTC trials Patent (Parkinson's)

Coordinated 55 clinical studies on Ayurvedic products at academic hospitals across India.

A first in Ayurveda
First-ever double-blind active-control study on an Ayurvedic product, compared with Auranofin for disease-modifying activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis : where absorption of metallic gold was demonstrated for the first time. Indian patent (jointly held) for treatment of Parkinson's disease.
1980 : 1987Beginnings
Ranbaxy · Zandu (Hon. Advisor)

The first systematic Ayurvedic R&D practice.

Hon. Advisor QC & research Richardson Hindustan HOECHST, Germany

Honorary Advisor with Ranbaxy and Zandu : supporting prescription markets through medical services, clinical research, QC and product positioning.

First in sector
As consultant to Richardson Hindustan (now P&G), used computers for the first time in the Ayurvedic sector : to compile and correlate data on formulations and ingredients, and design new products for specific illnesses.
HONORS - National and International

Honors and service of the sector.

Recognition for contributions to Ayurvedic research, advisory roles for government committees and international academic orations.

National & International Honors

  • 2006 Prof. A. L. Basham Award: By IASTAM at ICTAM VI, Texas, USA for international contribution. (First Indian recipient)
  • 2017 Vaidya Sundarlal Joshi Smriti Puraskar: Awarded at J. S. Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Nadiad, Gujarat for Excellence in Research.
  • 2002 Honoured Senior Physician: By Union Minister of HR & S&T at All India Ayurvedic Congress centenary celebrations (Kottakal).
  • 2001 Ayurveda Scholar of the Year: By Shree Gyan Kalyan Datavya Nyas, Delhi, in memory of Late Vaidya Bhuvan Chandra Joshi.
  • 2000 Pandit Durgaprasad Sharma Award: Instituted by Shree Baidyanath Bhavan Ltd., Patna for Professional Excellence.
  • 1995 Bharat Bhishak Ratna: Awarded by Academy of Ayurved, Madras, at the hands of Shri R. Venkataraman, former President of India.

Government Bodies & Committees

  • 2009Advisory Board, International Collaboration for Research in Ayurved : High Power Committee, Dept. of AYUSH
  • 2006–11Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia Committee (APC), Dept. of AYUSH, Ministry of Health
  • 2001–10Governing Body, CCRAS : Central Council for Research in Ayurveda & Siddha
  • 2003–05Herbal Committee, PHARMEXCIL, Ministry of Commerce
  • 2002–07Steering Committee, National Bio-Resource Development Board, DBT, Ministry of Science & Technology

International Orations & keynotes

  • 2017Presidential Scholar Invitee, Fayerweather, Columbia University : Research Modalities and Integrative Oncology
  • 2006Prof. A. L. Basham Oration : ICTAM VI, Texas, USA
  • 20023rd Monroe Wall Symposium Oration : 43rd Annual Meeting, American Society of Pharmacognosy, NJ, USA
  • 2001World Economic Forum, Indian Economic Summit : Ayurveda, Health-Care Potentials, Export Promotion
  • 2017Tomorrow's India Global Summit : Medicine, Science & Technology
Engagements & Publications

National and global influence.

Serving as a key voice in national policy submissions, representing the country in high-profile delegations, shaping industry symposia, and contributing foundational chapters to global texts.

Parliamentary Submissions

  • 2007 Invitee Submission: Submitted authoritative recommendations on the 'B. Pharm. Ayurveda Course' to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India.
  • 2006 Indian Medicine Bill: Invited expert presentation on 'The Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy Bill' addressing regulatory reforms.

Industry Activities & Sector Forums

  • ADMA Secretary General & Chairman: Deployed the first ever national-scale symposia under ADMA to align policy, industry challenges, and strategic vision: Delhi 1998 ("Challenges of Today & Tomorrow"), 2003 ("Problems, Potentials, Possibilities"), and 2005 ("Agenda 2010").
  • AyuTech Strategic Advisor to UBM: Guided UBM to establish the AyuTech platform, bringing pioneers together to formulate practical edible Ayurvedic and herbal strategies.
  • GAAMA Industry Workshop: Led strategic frameworks addressing determinant factors, quality, and regulatory compliance.

Global Footprint & Publications

International Delegations (Govt. of India)

  • 2005 Tanzania & World Bank: Joint delegation representing CSIR and the Government of India for the Indigenous Knowledge Pilot Project with GRA and World Bank.
  • 2004 World Health Assembly: Official delegate from the Dept. of ISM&H, Ministry of Health on global traditional medicine policies in Geneva.
  • 2003 EU Directives: Delegated to London (UK), Hague (EU), and Rome (Italy) to address regulatory challenges regarding traditional herbal medicines.
  • 2001 House of Lords (UK): Presented scientific foundations of Ayurveda to the House of Lords Select Committee on Complementary & Alternative Medicine.
  • 1998 Integrated Marketing Program: Led Indian delegation to the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands to evaluate market potential, sponsored by CFTC & Ministry of Commerce.

Textbooks & Chapters Contributed

  • IASTAM Textbook Editor-in-Chief

    "Integrative Perspectives: Ayurveda, Phyto-Pharmaceuticals & Natural Products": Edited a comprehensive, highly cited text with 9 core sections and 41 chapters.

  • Springer Science (2010) Oncological R&D

    Complementary & Alternative Medicine for Cancer Care in India: Contributed clinical perspectives on oncology, edited by Mouley Alaoui-Jamali.

  • Arya Vaidya Sala (2005) Universal Healthcare

    Ayurved : A Case for Universal Application: Contributed to the commemorative volume of Dr. P. K. Warrier, detailing strategic structural retail and healthcare delivery.

  • NIMH/NIMHANS (1996) Mental Health

    Traditional Medicine and Mental Health: Authored standard Ayurvedic understanding for Indo-US proceedings published by NIMH (Bethesda).

Distinguished Guest Appearances

  • 2010 Labdhi Vikram Sansthan: Inaugurated Ayurvedic Chikitsalaya at Durg, Chhattisgarh.
  • 2007 AICTE Quality Improvement: Inaugurated national workshop on drug standardization at Poona College of Pharmacy.
  • 2006 Regional Research Lab: Chief Guest for Technology Transfer symposium under Ministry of S&T (Jammu).
  • 2004 FIHI Office Launch: Chief Guest for inauguration of the Federation of Indian Herbal Industry head office in Chennai.
Engage

Bring five decades
to your next mandate.

CRIA solutions are proposed after a critical study of organizational needs, potentials, resources and growth barriers. Each engagement is customized, not templated.

Talk to CRIA Methodology & Models
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Let's discuss synergy.

Meaningful understanding of specific needs of the sector and a realistic perception of business dimension are vital to create opportunities for better returns in newer markets. Whether you are an established industry player seeking to pivot, a start-up formulating strategy, or an institute improving research outcomes : CRIA offers customized consulting designed to help you achieve desirable, sustainable growth.

Head Office
15, Bachubai Bldg.,
J. Bhatankar Marg, Parel,
Mumbai 400012, India
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