Herbal Drug Development: Insight into Techno-Entrepreneurial Opportunities

Since ancient times, herbal remedies have been an essential component of human healthcare and are still used today to prevent and treat illnesses all over the world. Global interest in herbal and plant-based therapies has increased in recent decades due to growing concerns about the negative effects, high cost, and environmental impact of synthetic drugs. The need for safe, efficient, and reasonably priced herbal medications has increased due to the rising incidence of chronic illnesses, lifestyle problems, and antibiotic resistance. The scientific development, quality control, regulatory approval, and widespread commercialization of herbal medicines, however, continue to be difficult and complicated despite their enormous potential.

Herbal Drug Development: Insight into Techno-Entrepreneurial Opportunities aims to bridge this critical gap by integrating traditional medicinal knowledge with contemporary pharmaceutical science, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurial frameworks. The scope of the book spans the complete value chain of herbal drug development—from ethnomedicine and phytochemistry to industrial processing, regulatory affairs, and market translation. This book not only offering not only scientific insights but also strategic guidance for innovation-driven product development and enterprise creation in the herbal sector.

Key features of the book include:

• Overview of herbal, ethnomedicinal, and indigenous medical systems

• Comparative insights into Chinese, Indian, and Western medical practices

• Medicinal plant identification, phytochemicals, and pharmacological bioactivities

• Extraction techniques, optimization strategies, and formulation development

• Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, toxicity, and clinical ethics

• Quality control and regulatory frameworks in India, China, USA, and Europe

• Global market trends, commercialization challenges, and economic potential

• Innovation, technopreneur ship, intellectual property, and business models

• Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems and future perspectives

This book is particularly attractive to scientists, researchers, students, educators, entrepreneurs, and professionals in herbal medicine, pharmaceutical sciences, biotechnology, and allied disciplines. By blending scientific rigor with techno-entrepreneurial insights, it aims to inform, inspire, and empower readers to transform traditional herbal knowledge into sustainable, innovative, and globally competitive healthcare solutions.

Dr. Mamoni Banerjee is currently working as Asst. Professor, Rajendra Mishra School of Engineering Entrepreneurship, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India. She completed her Ph.D. in Agricultural Science. Her major research interests Bio Product Development, Pesticide formulation development & problem related to commercialization of biopesticide, Rural Technology Development, Agripreneurship, Agri Value Chain optimization and Management etc. She has published over 35 publications in various National/International journals and presented papers at 15 various National/International Conferences. He has published 20 books chapters. Dr. Banerjee has communicated two patents. She is Editor of National Journal and reviewer of many reputed National/International journals. She is Life Member of several Academic Organizations, Societies etc.

Dr. Pawan Prabhakar is a nanotech and life science professional has obtained his PhD degree from Rajendra Mishra School of Engineering Entrepreneurship, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India in “development of ethnomedicinal phytopharmaceuticals formulations” for diabetes mellitus. He did his master research on “First order kinetics of nanoparticle drug delivery.” Dr. Pawan earned his Integrated M. Tech degree in Nanotechnology in 2017 from Centre for Nanotechnology, Central University of Jharkhand, Ranchi, India with distinction. While continuing his M.Tech project, He joined TATA Steel funded project on the “Development of antibacterial grapheme oxide materials” at School of Biotechnology, KIIT University. After completing the project, he was selected for another project at nanomaterials synthesis laboratory, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar on “Effect of High Energy Ball Milling on the Sintering Behavior and Thermal Properties of Lithium based tritium ceramic breeder” followed by “Development of Graphene based functional material for energy storage applications” funded by DAE-BRFST, GoI. After completing his M.Tech, he was selected as Junior Research Fellow for DST-funded project entitled “Mechanochemical milling and low temperature sintering of nanostructured MgAl2O4” at Department of Ceramic Engineering, NIT Rourkela, India in 2018. Apart of his area of specialization in nanobiotechnology, he has also built-up a sound background in nanomaterial synthesis and its characterization, plant Biotechnology, secondary metabolites extraction and characterization, herbal drug and food formulations etc. He is also recipient of many awards and grants throughout his academic career including Young Scientist Award, Research Excellence Award, FEBS and DST international travel grants. In addition, he is member of different professional bodies and his activities and accomplishments include conferences, seminar, workshop, training and the publication of research articles, review papers and book chapters in reputed international publishing houses.

Dr. Sukanta Mondal is currently working as Principal Scientist, Physiology Division, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Bangalore, India. His major research interests involve impact of stress on maternal recognition of pregnancy, cloning, characterization and expression of genes regulating early embryonic loss, molecular characterization and expression of hormone receptors etc. He has published over 200 research publications in various National/International journals and presented more than 30 papers at various National/International Conferences. Dr. Mondal’s pioneering and path breaking contribution in hormone receptor as well as sheep and buffalo genomics has been recognized nationally and has received several prestigious awards like Prof. G. P. Talwar Midcareer Scientist award (2014), Rashtriya Gaurav award (2014), Prof. G. K. Pal award (2013), Fellow of Indian Chemical Society (2013), Fellow of Society for Applied Biotechnology (2012), Fellow of Indian Association of BioMedical Scientitsts (2010), Dr. K. Anji Reddy award (2011), Prof. P. B. Sen Memorial Oration award (2008), Biotechnology Overseas Associateship award (Long term, 2007-08) and ISSRF Young Scientist Award (2006). Dr. Mondal has been bestowed with several fellowships including National Scholarship (Govt. of India), S J Jindal Trust fellowship, Junior Research Fellowship (NDRI), Senior Research Fellowship (IVRI) and CRBR Postdoctoral fellowship (Canada). He was Associate Editor of journals viz., American Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Asian Journal of Biotechnology, Asian Journal of Cell Biology, Current Research in Poultry Science and Biotechnology etc.