The functional ingredients industry is experiencing a significant shift. Increased regulatory scrutiny in key markets, stricter health claim standards in both the United States and Europe, and higher consumer expectations are driving manufacturers to validate products through clinical research. Marketing narratives are losing significance.
Regulatory Changes in the United States and Europe
In the United States, the FDA is reshaping how suppliers position their ingredients. Consumers demand clinically validated products. Europe imposes similar burdens of proof on manufacturers. This creates challenges for the collagen sector, previously reliant on commodity hydrolysates and wellness claims.
A select group of manufacturers sees opportunity in clinical validation as a core production principle, changing competitive dynamics. Sel Sanayi A.Ş., through its CollaSel brand, is at the forefront. The company has published three peer-reviewed studies in two years and adopts a technical approach to bioactive peptide production that diverges from industry norms.
Advancements in Collagen Research
In March 2026, Biomedicines published a study by the University of Milan’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, highlighting CollaSel Tripeptide’s exceptional bioactivity. The study found its ACE and DPP-IV inhibitory activity superior to standard collagen hydrolysates. Potential applications include cardiometabolic health and weight management.
This Milan study is the third publication on Sel Sanayi’s collagen products. CollaSel Pro was the focus of previous studies published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine. The September 2024 study evaluated its effect on skin elasticity and hydration, showing improvements in adult females over eight weeks. A 2025 study assessed its impact on 160 osteoarthritis patients, revealing enhancements in joint pain and physical function.
Benefits of CollaSel’s Molecular Structure
CollaSel Tripeptide differentiates itself from typical collagen products due to its smaller molecular size. Most collagen supplements feature molecules weighing 2,000 to 5,000 Daltons. CollaSel’s molecules are around 300 to 500 Daltons. The smaller size supports better absorption through the intestinal wall using PepT1 transport.
Researchers assert this leads to increased exposure, with the body absorbing about 2.7 to 3.3 times more CollaSel Tripeptide over time compared to traditional collagen products.
Commitment to Clinical Validation
CEO Selim Tezman emphasizes the strategic focus on scientific validation. He states, “Science and clinical studies are not a marketing tool for us; they are the foundation of our production standard.” Products lacking scientific backing are losing ground in regulated markets worldwide.
Consumers today, whether formulators or end users, are better informed. The industry cannot accommodate outdated practices.
Corporate Longevity and Expansion
Though collagen supplements have gained popularity recently, Sel Sanayi has a long-established presence. Since 1961, the company has produced hydrolyzed collagen, hydrocolloids, proteins, and bioactive ingredients. It exports 95% of its output to 45 countries. It serves pharmaceutical, dietary supplement, nutraceutical, and cosmeceutical markets globally.
Major capital investments have upgraded production facilities recently, and more are planned for 2026. These efforts aim to expand capacity, strengthen R&D infrastructure, and develop new protein derivatives, enhancing the bioactive ingredient portfolio. Sel Sanayi’s investment in clinical research and product development ranks among the highest in the industry.
Future Outlook
Tezman identifies the industry’s current transformation as a lasting change. Clinical research is deemed a long-term investment in credibility. He notes, “An industrial philosophy grounded in high-technology production and validated by scientific evidence ultimately benefits patients, consumers, and the wider industry.”
Sel Sanayi is committed to this direction, believing it is the only sustainable path for serious market participants.