NutrifyToday Academy took nutraceutical formulation science into the public spotlight with the launch of The Master Formulator, billed by organisers as the world’s first nutraceutical industry R&D formulators contest in a reality-show format, at NutrifyToday C-Suite SumFlex 2026 in Mumbai.
The show brings formulation scientists out of the backroom and into a live, purpose-built R&D lab at the venue. Contestants will receive formulation challenges in real time and create nutraceutical concepts under the scrutiny of industry leaders, technical experts and business decision-makers. Public programme communication ahead of the event described The Master Formulator as the world’s first nutraceuticals reality show, with 86 applicants, a cash award and an all-expenses-paid trip to a leading US nutraceutical conference among the winner benefits.
The launch aligns with the positioning of NutrifyToday C-Suite SumFlex 2026 as a deal-first, leadership-led platform for the nutraceutical sector. The SumFlex platform says the 2026 edition brings together C-suite leaders, R&D decision-makers, founders, pharma strategists, commerce players and capital into outcome-oriented conversations for scale-up and commercial execution. Industry coverage has also noted that SumFlex will feature unconventional formats, including Master Formulator, to move the industry beyond passive conference learning into real-time problem solving around formulation, regulation and commercialisation.
The timing is commercially significant. The global nutraceuticals market was estimated at US$636.2 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach US$1.15 trillion by 2033, growing at a 7.7% CAGR, according to Grand View Research. Asia Pacific held the largest global revenue share in 2025 and is projected to grow at the fastest regional pace, driven by rising health awareness, ageing populations, e-commerce and strong demand for immunity, digestive health and cognitive-function products.
But the next phase of nutraceutical growth is not only about ingredients. It is about how ingredients are delivered, experienced and trusted. Consumers are increasingly moving from conventional capsules and tablets toward gummies, powders, sachets, liquid shots, oral sprays, layered gummies and other convenient formats that fit daily lifestyle routines. A 2025 dsm-firmenich VMS trends report notes that pill fatigue is driving demand for enjoyable, convenient and experience-led formats, and that consumers are moving away from traditional pills and capsules toward formats that are portable, engaging and easier to adopt consistently.
That shift is making organoleptics: taste, aroma, texture, mouthfeel, aftertaste and visual appeal—a strategic formulation capability. Nutritional supplements often carry unpleasant tastes or aftertastes because of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other active compounds; a 2025 sensory study on effervescent nutritional supplements notes that improving organoleptic quality requires deeper understanding of sensory characteristics and interaction between taste-active and aroma-active molecules.
The rise of claims-driven nutraceuticals is adding another layer of complexity. Wellness consumers are no longer satisfied with generic “good for health” products; they increasingly expect functional nutrition, science-backed claims, clear benefits and trusted recommendations. McKinsey’s 2025 Future of Wellness research estimates the global wellness market at about US$2 trillion and notes that companies need science- or data-backed claims to help consumers build confidence that products will deliver results.
Botanicals and Ayurveda are further accelerating the need for advanced formulation science. The global botanical supplements market was valued at US$38.24 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach US$67.01 billion by 2030, growing at a 9.9% CAGR, supported by consumer preference for natural and plant-based products. The global Ayurveda market was valued at US$20.42 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach US$85.83 billion by 2033, growing at a 19.72% CAGR, with herbals accounting for the dominant share by form.
This growth creates a formulation challenge. Ayurvedic actives, botanicals, minerals, amino acids and plant extracts often bring bitterness, astringency, earthy notes, colour instability, sedimentation, solubility issues and bioavailability limitations. The industry therefore needs stronger capabilities in taste masking, microencapsulation, emulsion science, controlled release, aroma-matrix design, ingredient compatibility, stability engineering and sensory-led prototyping.
The nine selected Master Formulators are:
- Dr. Trupti Naikare — Ashtatech Wellness Pvt Ltd
- Dr. Rahul Anil Rajmane — Cipla Health Ltd
- Ms. Divya Chandradhara — Bioagile Therapeutics Pvt Ltd
- Dr. Girish Kumar Gupta — Sudeep Nutrition Pvt Ltd
- Dr. Ved Prakash Dwivedi — Sarvagun Ayurveda
- Mr. Joey Savage — Future Nutra Foundation / Savage Nutra
- Dr. Yashawant Kumar — Benefic Nutrition
- Dr. Pankaj Bhatt — Piramal Pharma Solutions
- Dr. Nidhi Chauhan — Himalaya Wellness
Dr. N. Balkumar Marthi, President, NutrifyToday Academy, said the initiative is designed to recognise the scientists who create consumer delight behind the scenes.
“Having led R&D across multinational companies around the world, it is my delight to bring my fellow R&D professionals into the limelight,” Dr. Marthi said. “When a consumer says ‘wow’ after tasting a nutraceutical product, it is these scientists behind the scene who have solved the real problem—taste, stability, dose, claims, bioavailability and consumer experience. They deserve the best recognition.”
The winner of The Master Formulator will receive a cash award, full access to the NutrifyToday network, and an all-expenses-paid trip to a leading nutraceutical conference in the United States. The show will also be filmed and developed into an entertaining industry movie, giving the nutraceutical sector a new storytelling format around formulation science and the scientists who make products work.
The launch reinforces Mumbai’s growing role as a global nutraceutical leadership hub. Express Nutra has described NutrifyToday C-Suite SumFlex as a platform through which Mumbai is emerging as the “Davos of the nutraceutical industry,” bringing together science, regulation, investment, pharma, ingredients, AI, formulations and international trade corridors.
With The Master Formulator, NutrifyToday Academy is shifting the industry conversation from “what is the ingredient?” to “who made it work for the consumer?” In a market where claims, compliance, delivery format and consumer experience increasingly define commercial success, the formulation scientist is becoming one of the nutraceutical industry’s most important value creators.
