Collagen Industry Faces Shifts Amid Tightened Regulations

The functional ingredients industry is experiencing a significant transformation. Increased regulatory scrutiny in major markets, along with higher health claim standards in both the US and Europe, are driving manufacturers to validate their products through peer-reviewed clinical research rather than marketing narratives.

Regulatory Impacts on Manufacturers

In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is changing its stance on structure-function claims, influencing how ingredient suppliers market their products. Concurrently, consumer demand for clinically validated ingredients is evolving. European manufacturers face similar demands for proof under current health claim legislation.

These shifts pose challenges for sectors traditionally relying on broad wellness claims, such as the collagen industry. Manufacturers focused on clinical validation as a production standard, rather than a marketing tool, may find opportunity in differentiating their competitive positioning.

Sel Sanayi A.Ş. Leading with Clinical Validation

Companies like Sel Sanayi A.Ş., through their brand CollaSel, are pivotal in capitalizing on these transitions. With three peer-reviewed clinical publications within two years, Sel Sanayi is redefining standard practices through innovative production methods.

A study published in the March 2026 issue of Biomedicines from the University of Milan scrutinized CollaSel Tripeptide, discovering its notable bioactivity in ACE and DPP-IV inhibition and GLP-1 stimulation. These results suggest potential for future applications in cardiometabolic health and weight management.

Clinical Research and Product Validation

In the last two years, CollaSel products have undergone considerable validation. Two clinical studies, published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, examined the impacts of CollaSel Pro. The first study from September 2024 focused on enhancing skin elasticity, hydration, and roughness in adult females over eight weeks. The second, conducted with 160 osteoarthritis patients in 2025, saw improvements in joint pain, stiffness, and physical function.

The CollaSel Tripeptide distinguishes itself through its small molecular size. Standard collagen supplements have molecule sizes between 2,000 and 5,000 Daltons, while CollaSel ranges from 300 to 500 Daltons. This smaller size may allow greater absorption through a natural transport system called PepT1, exposing the body to significantly more CollaSel Tripeptide than regular collagen products.

Commitment to Research and Innovation

According to Selim Tezman, CEO of Sel Sanayi, “Science and clinical studies are the foundation of our production standard.” He emphasizes that products lacking scientific substantiation are losing ground in regulated markets, highlighting the informed nature of today’s consumers.

Although collagen as a supplement has gained popularity relatively recently, Sel Sanayi has been operational since 1961. The company produces hydrolyzed collagen, hydrocolloids, proteins, and bioactive ingredients and exports 95 percent of its products across 45 countries, serving multiple sectors including pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements.

Over the past three years, Sel Sanayi has significantly invested in production facilities and R&D infrastructure. This includes expanding capacity and developing new protein derivatives to enrich its product portfolio.

Tezman views clinical research as foundational to enduring credibility. He asserts that an industrial philosophy rooted in high-technology production and scientific validation benefits patients, consumers, and the industry. This is the strategic path they’ve chosen, envisaging it as the only sustainable approach for manufacturers in serious markets.