Our Story
A New Beginning in Natural Innovation
Every story of innovation begins with a spark of curiosity - a desire to make life healthier and more fulfilling.
The story of JANUS Life Sciences began in 2013, when a small team of passionate minds came together with a shared belief: that nature still holds the answers to many of today’s complex health challenges.
Our Inspiration
The Meaning Behind JANUS
Our name, JANUS, is inspired by the Roman God of New Beginnings and Transitions - the guardian who looks both backward and forward, one face reflecting the wisdom of the past and the other seeking the promise of the future. That dual vision defines who we are.
At JANUS Life Sciences, we draw from ancient traditions of natural healing while embracing the possibilities of modern science. We bring together the best of both worlds - timeless wisdom and futuristic innovation - through pioneering research and technology development in phytochemicals, industrial enzymes, and biopesticides.
Our Purpose & Vision
Guided by Integrity. Driven by Innovation.
But beyond science, our purpose is deeply human: to heal the health scars of our fast-paced lifestyles through safe, sustainable, and nature-based solutions.
Out of this vision was born our flagship innovation - iStevia, a 100% natural, zero-calorie sweetener crafted from Stevia leaves. It’s our way of adding a touch of nature’s kindness to everyday life - a delicious, guilt-free option for the health-conscious and diabetics alike.
Thus Janus Life Sciences evolved from “A New Beginning” to “Innovating for a Healthier Tomorrow.”
Our journey is guided by uncompromising quality and integrity. JANUS Life Sciences is ISO 22000:2005 certified for Food Safety Management Systems and holds a valid FSSAI certification for the manufacture of stevioside-based formulations - reflecting our commitment to excellence.
Behind JANUS stands a team of promoters with decades of global experience in research, manufacturing, marketing, finance, and administration. Their vision continues to shape our path forward - a path where science meets soul, and innovation serves wellbeing.
At JANUS, we believe every beginning holds the power to transform.
Like the god JANUS himself, we bridge the wisdom of yesterday with the possibilities of tomorrow - creating natural solutions that nurture life, sweetness, and health for generations to come.
Our Partners
At the heart of JANUS Life Sciences lies the vision of three leaders whose diverse expertise and shared passion have shaped the company’s growth - from a bold idea to a trusted name in nature-inspired innovatio
Shantanu Chakraborty
A pioneer in Stevioside research and natural product development, Shantanu Chakraborty brings over two decades of experience in phytochemical innovation.
A Postgraduate in Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science from the University of Calcutta, he combines scientific depth with hands-on industrial expertise.
Having served in senior roles at Innova Biosystems and Stanpack Pharma, Shantanu played a key role in introducing stevioside-based formulations to India — transforming the market from obscurity in 2015 to broad consumer acceptance today.
His experience spans continents. As COO of Guatemala’s largest Stevia cultivation and processing project and advisor to organizations in South Africa, Egypt, Ghana, and Bangladesh, he has shaped global practices in Stevia farming and extraction.
Under his leadership, JANUS was recognized by FICCI-USAID’s Millennium Alliance for promising technologies in Steviosides. The National Medicinal Plants Board has also appointed him Technical Expert and Consultant at its Regional Centre in Kolkata.
At JANUS, Shantanu leads research, development, and commercialization of new technologies - ensuring every product reflects the harmony of science, sustainability, and purity.
Shibaji Dasgupta
With an engineer’s precision and an innovator’s vision, Shibaji Dasgupta brings over three decades of experience across industries and continents.
A postgraduate in Mineral Processing and Management, he spent much of his career with the TATA Group, pioneering automation technologies in ports and mineral processing.
Shibaji’s professional journey is defined by his ability to turn complex challenges into practical, technology-driven solutions. His experience spans India, the Far East, Western Europe, and the Middle East, giving him a unique global perspective.
He continues to share his expertise as an advisor to SMB Tech (an Indo-Italian joint venture in the port machinery sector) and as a consultant to Essell Logistics. He also serves on the boards of Stewarts & Lloyds of India Ltd. and Essell Tradelinks India Ltd.
At JANUS, Shibaji drives materials management, project execution, and marketing - ensuring every venture reflects precision, performance, and trust.
Abhay Somani
A Chartered Accountant with a Post-CA Diploma in Business Finance, Abhay Somani brings strategic foresight and financial acumen to JANUS.
He has led the adoption of technology-driven financial systems through Cynosure Company Pvt. Ltd., where he introduced modern, tech-based processes in share trading.
Abhay has guided numerous ventures in textiles, education, and manufacturing, helping them establish sustainable financial models.
He also advises global firms like DFIC (Germany) and Bassetti & Bassetti (France) on their Indian operations, and serves on advisory boards of Gloster Jute Mills, Malabar Estates & Industries Ltd., Port Shipping Co. Ltd., and Cabcon Udyog.
He also manages an industrial unit in Jamshedpur specializing in coal tar-based products.
At JANUS, he oversees finance, investments, mergers, and administration — ensuring the company’s growth remains stable and sustainable.
Together for a Healthier Tomorrow
Together, Shantanu, Shibaji, and Abhay embody the spirit of JANUS - distinct in expertise yet united in purpose, bridging wisdom and innovation to shape a healthier, sustainable future.
iStevia - Nature’s Sweetest Gift
Born from the vision of JANUS Life Sciences, iStevia® stands as India’s pioneering brand in Stevioside-based natural sweeteners. Since 2013, it has redefined the way India experiences sweetness - pure, safe, and inspired by nature.
In a health-conscious world, iStevia offers the perfect harmony between taste and wellness. Extracted from Stevia leaves, this zero-calorie sweetener lets you enjoy sweetness without compromise. Recognized as one of India’s best-tasting Stevioside formulations, it blends science, nature, and pleasure in every grain.
Crafted for Every Taste and Purpose
iStevia fits effortlessly into everyday life - from morning tea to gourmet desserts - with formulations designed for specific applications:
- General-purpose sweetener in sachets, pouches, and liquid bottles
- Special blends for bakeries and the sweetmeat industry (Kalakand, Kaju
Katli, Rasgulla, Sandesh, Misti Doi) - Jams and preserves with real fruit pulps (Orange, Jamun, Blackberry, Strawberry,
Guava) - Fruit drink concentrates (Lemon, Orange, Guava, Peach, Strawberry)
- Ayurvedic formulations such as Chyavanprash
Innovation that Never Rests
The JANUS R&D laboratory is continually creating new formulations - including iStevia-sweetened chocolates, candies, herbal teas, pharmaceuticals, and energy drinks - combining taste, nutrition, and wellbeing in every creation.
All iStevia products are made in our state-of-the-art facility in Kolkata, under strict technical supervision and with a capacity of 2 metric tonnes per
month. Every batch reflects the precision of science and the passion of
craftsmanship.
From individual consumers to professional chefs and Ayurvedic practitioners, iStevia is the trusted choice of those who believe sweetness should heal, not harm.
The Strength Behind the Sweetness
What gives iStevia its enduring strength? A foundation built on trust, taste, and uncompromising quality.
As India’s pioneering Stevioside brand, iStevia has earned the confidence of both consumers and industries through purity, innovation, and consistency. Ingredients are sourced from global leaders in Stevia cultivation, ensuring top-tier quality and near-zero replacement claims.
With one of the widest ranges of Stevioside formulations in India, iStevia caters to everything from home kitchens to large-scale food manufacturing. Its clean, natural sweetness - free from any aftertaste - has won a loyal base of repeat customers and strong B2B acceptance across the sweetmeat segment around Kolkata.
iStevia also serves as a trusted third-party manufacturer for several formulation companies and is expanding globally, with repeat international orders affirming its reliability. Recognized by the National Medicinal Plants Board (Eastern Zone) as a promising name in Steviosides, iStevia is now easily accessible through major e-commerce platforms like Amazon.
Pure, natural, and refreshingly real - iStevia is more than a sweetener.
It’s proof that when science and nature unite, the result is truly sweet.