03.21.24
Dr. Muhammed Majeed, founder and chairman of the Sami-Sabinsa Group, died March 13 following complications from surgery. He was 75 years old. He is survived by his daughters Anju and Sami, his son Shaheen, and seven grandchildren.
Dr. Majeed is succeeded as chairperson of the Sami-Sabinsa Group by his daughter Dr. Anju Majeed, director and senior scientist.
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 led the Sami-Sabinsa Group to become a renowned multinational health and life sciences company.
After earning an undergraduate degree in Pharmacy from the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College in 1973, Majeed worked as a teacher before emigrating to the U.S. in 1975 with only $8 in his pocket. Initially working in a pharmacy, he pursued his master’s in industrial pharmacy from Long Island University (New York). He then completed his doctorate in industrial pharmacy from St. John’s University (New York) in 1986. His pharma industry experience included Pfizer, Carter Wallace, and Paco Pharmaceuticals as head of research.
Believing in the potential of India’s Ayurvedic system of medicine and its application in the developed world, Majeed focused on combining the ancient knowledge of Ayurveda with modern science, developing evidence-based plant products through innovation, standardization, and value-addition.
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 on traditional Ayurvedic knowledge backed by modern science at a time when Americans were turning toward natural healthcare options.
With research at the core of the company, Majeed often invited dietary supplement companies to attend detailed scientific presentations about the company’s offerings, calling the approach “Sabinsa on Wheels.”
In 1991, Majeed set up Sami Labs Limited, a research and manufacturing facility in Bengaluru, India. Today, Sami, a division of Sami-Sabinsa Group Limited alongside Sabinsa, operates 11 manufacturing facilities and employs over 1,400 people, including over 120 senior scientists who often publish their work in peer-reviewed journals.
The Sami-Sabinsa Group commercially markets over 120 standardized botanical extracts in 17 countries today. 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 time, the Sami-Sabinsa Group expanded its operations in the U.S. and India, and established 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.
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.
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 American Herbal Products Association’s Herbal Industry Leader Award, and the American Botanical Council’s Varro E. Tyler Commercial Investment in Phytomedicinal Research award among other recognitions.
Dr. Majeed’s philanthropic endeavors via the Dr. Majeed Foundation, launched 20 years ago, were also 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 as well as women 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.
Dr. Majeed is succeeded as chairperson of the Sami-Sabinsa Group by his daughter Dr. Anju Majeed, director and senior scientist.
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 led the Sami-Sabinsa Group to become a renowned multinational health and life sciences company.
Education and Entrepreneurship
Growing up in Kollam, in Kerala, India, Majeed was one of six children. After his father passed away when he was 12, Majeed’s mother, Fathima, ensured her son was well educated.After earning an undergraduate degree in Pharmacy from the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College in 1973, Majeed worked as a teacher before emigrating to the U.S. in 1975 with only $8 in his pocket. Initially working in a pharmacy, he pursued his master’s in industrial pharmacy from Long Island University (New York). He then completed his doctorate in industrial pharmacy from St. John’s University (New York) in 1986. His pharma industry experience included Pfizer, Carter Wallace, and Paco Pharmaceuticals as head of research.
Believing in the potential of India’s Ayurvedic system of medicine and its application in the developed world, Majeed focused on combining the ancient knowledge of Ayurveda with modern science, developing evidence-based plant products through innovation, standardization, and value-addition.
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 on traditional Ayurvedic knowledge backed by modern science at a time when Americans were turning toward natural healthcare options.
With research at the core of the company, Majeed often invited dietary supplement companies to attend detailed scientific presentations about the company’s offerings, calling the approach “Sabinsa on Wheels.”
In 1991, Majeed set up Sami Labs Limited, a research and manufacturing facility in Bengaluru, India. Today, Sami, a division of Sami-Sabinsa Group Limited alongside Sabinsa, operates 11 manufacturing facilities and employs over 1,400 people, including over 120 senior scientists who often publish their work in peer-reviewed journals.
The Sami-Sabinsa Group commercially markets over 120 standardized botanical extracts in 17 countries today. 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 time, the Sami-Sabinsa Group expanded its operations in the U.S. and India, and established 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.
Principles of Sustainability and Fair Trade
Dr. Majeed believed that a good supplement begins with quality, sustainably-supplied ingredients. 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.
A Legacy of Achievement
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 the prestigious Department of Scientific & Industrial Research award in 2002.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 American Herbal Products Association’s Herbal Industry Leader Award, and the American Botanical Council’s Varro E. Tyler Commercial Investment in Phytomedicinal Research award among other recognitions.
Innovator, Author, Philanthropist
Dr. Majeed’s scientific literature contributions include more than 200 peer-reviewed research papers, including four book chapters in leading scientific journals. He has authored or co-authored 15 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 also 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 as well as women 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.
