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OmniActive enters into women’s midlife health with Fenavari
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Wednesday, 09 September, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Shardul Nautiyal, Mumbai
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OmniActive Health Technologies is expanding into women’s health with the launch of Fenavari, a clinically studied botanical ingredient developed for women navigating perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause. With India being the global supplier of science-backed natural ingredients, the move opens a new area of growth within the nutraceutical sector, where women’s midlife health is receiving increasing attention.
OmniActive Health Technologies, a global provider of science-backed natural ingredients, develops clinically researched ingredients for the dietary supplement, food and beverage sectors. The company has built its portfolio around botanical and nutritional ingredients supported by research, quality systems and scientific validation.
With Fenavari, OmniActive is bringing its research and ingredient development capabilities to a category that has historically received less attention than fertility and maternal health.
India presents a sizeable opportunity. The Indian Menopause Society’s 2026 Clinical Practice Guidelines estimate that India had around 46 million women aged 45 to 49 in 2024. This population is projected to reach approximately 57 million by 2050. The country’s menopause market was valued at around $1.03 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $1.67 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research.
For OmniActive, the opportunity lies in the changing understanding of women’s midlife health. The journey begins with perimenopause and continues through menopause into post-menopause. Women may experience hot flashes and night sweats, alongside changes in sleep, mood, occasional anxiety, sexual wellness and hormonal balance.
Keya Shah, Senior Director, Women’s Health Category, OmniActive Health Technologies, said, “OmniActive Health Technologies, says, ‘Women’s health is becoming an increasingly important area of innovation, but midlife health has remained fragmented for a long time. Women can experience several concerns through this transition, yet many available solutions have been designed around individual symptoms. We see a need for a more integrated approach, supported by stronger scientific research and a better understanding of women’s needs across different stages of midlife.’”
Fenavari combines standardized extracts of shatavari and fenugreek, two botanicals with a longstanding history of use in women’s health. OmniActive developed the ingredient using its proprietary Integrated Actives technology. The resulting extract is standardized to 6% shatavarin IV and 4% protodioscin.
The company’s research programme focused on understanding how the two botanicals could work together. AI-based validation was also used to support the investigation of their mechanisms of action and potential synergistic effects. The ingredient was subsequently evaluated through a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging clinical study involving 138 women aged 40 to 60.
The study examined several concerns associated with hormonal changes during the menopausal transition. Improvements were observed as early as Day 14. By the end of the study, the research reported reductions in hot flashes and night sweats, along with improvements in sleep quality, mood, occasional feelings of anxiety, sexual wellness and hormonal balance.
Shah further explained, “The research was designed around the fact that the menopausal transition is not defined by one symptom. Our objective was to investigate the complementary properties of shatavari and fenugreek and then evaluate the resulting standardized extract through clinical research. For botanical innovation, traditional use provides an important starting point, but modern science is needed to understand the ingredient, establish consistency and build an evidence base around its intended application.”
This approach reflects a broader change within the nutraceutical industry. Botanicals are familiar to Indian consumers, but familiarity alone is becoming less important in a market where brands are seeking greater scientific differentiation.
Ingredient suppliers are therefore investing more in identifying bioactive compounds, improving extraction processes and developing standardized formulations. Clinical research is becoming another important differentiator, particularly in categories where consumers are increasingly asking for evidence behind product claims.
For formulators, consistency remains a key consideration. The composition of a botanical extract can vary depending on the source of the raw material, cultivation conditions and extraction process. Standardization provides a defined profile and can help ensure greater consistency across batches.
Women’s midlife health is also creating opportunities for more targeted product development. The category sits at the intersection of healthy ageing, hormonal health, sleep, mental wellbeing and sexual wellness. This gives nutraceutical companies scope to develop products around life-stage needs rather than broad wellness claims.
The growth of the category will depend on how effectively companies combine consumer understanding with credible science. Awareness has created interest in menopause and perimenopause, but the industry now faces the challenge of developing products supported by research, quality and responsible communication.
“OmniActive’s entry signals growing confidence in women’s midlife health as a long-term nutraceutical category. As more companies enter space, ingredient innovation, clinical substantiation and standardization are likely to play a larger role in determining how the market develops,” Shah concluded.
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