Sabinsa Founder
Late Dr. Muhammed Majeed
Sep 25, 1948 – Mar 13, 2024
Founder, Sami-Sabinsa Group
About Dr. Majeed
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.
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 & developed evidence-based plant products through innovation, standardization, & value-addition at every step.
- 1988In 1988, Dr. Majeed founded Sabinsa Corporation in New Jersey to produce generic drugs. He soon shifted focus to Ayurvedic ingredients backed by modern science, aligning with America’s growing interest in natural health. Emphasizing research, he launched ‘Sabinsa on Wheels’ to share scientific insights with supplement companies.
- 1991In 1991, Dr. Majeed founded Sami Labs (now Sabinsa) in Bengaluru, focusing on advanced research and manufacturing. With 11 facilities and 1,400+ employees, including 120+ senior scientists, the group specializes in herbal research across multiple sciences. It markets 120+ botanical extracts in 17 countries and holds over 500 global patents.
- 1992Dr. Majeed founded America’s Finest, Inc. in 1992 for condition-specific dietary supplements. He later launched Sami Spices (1999), Organica Aromatics (1999), and Sabinsa Cosmetics (2001) to expand into spices, fragrances, and personal care. In 2010, he introduced Sami Direct in India, offering 20+ wellness and skincare products directly to consumers.
36 years of legacy
Over 36 years, the Sabinsa 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.
