Reorientation in the Functional Ingredients Industry

The functional ingredients industry is experiencing a significant shift. Increased regulatory scrutiny, tighter health claim standards, and sophisticated consumer expectations urge manufacturers to support their products with peer-reviewed clinical research. This approach is replacing traditional marketing narratives.

In the United States, the FDA’s evolving stance on structure-function claims and consumer demand for clinically validated ingredients are transforming how suppliers present their offerings. In Europe, health claim legislation imposes a comparable proof burden on manufacturers.

This change poses a challenge for the collagen sector, traditionally centered on commodity hydrolysates and broad wellness claims. However, manufacturers focusing on clinical validation over marketing find new opportunities for competitive positioning.

CollaSel’s Strategic Positioning

Companies like Sel Sanayi A.Ş. are adapting to these trends. Through its brand CollaSel, Sel Sanayi has published three clinical studies in two years. Their technical approach to bioactive peptide production deviates from industry norms.

The March 2026 issue of Biomedicines featured a study by the University of Milan’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The study investigated CollaSel Tripeptide, showcasing superior bioactivity compared to a benchmark collagen hydrolysate. Researchers highlighted its potential for cardiometabolic health and weight management applications.

Clinical Studies and Findings

This Milan study marks the third peer-reviewed publication on Sel Sanayi’s collagen products within two years. CollaSel Pro has been examined in two double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical studies published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine.

The first study in September 2024 evaluated its effectiveness in enhancing skin elasticity, hydration, and roughness in women over eight weeks. The second study in 2025 reviewed its efficacy and safety for 160 osteoarthritis patients, showing significant improvements in joint pain, stiffness, and physical function in various joints.

CollaSel Tripeptide stands out due to its smaller molecular size, ranging from 300 to 500 Daltons, compared to other collagen supplements weighing between 2,000 and 5,000 Daltons.

Researchers believe the smaller size aids absorption. It passes through the intestinal wall using the PepT1 transport system, resulting in 2.7 to 3.3 times higher exposure than standard collagen products.

Commitment to Clinical Validation

Selim Tezman, CEO of Sel Sanayi, emphasizes clinical validation as an operational commitment. “Science and clinical studies are not a marketing tool for us; they are the foundation of our production standard,” he states. He observes that products lacking scientific proof are losing their market presence, whether in the United States, Europe, or Asia.

Founded in 1961, Sel Sanayi produces hydrolyzed collagen, hydrocolloids, protein, and bioactive ingredients. The company exports 95% of its output to 45 countries, serving the pharmaceutical, dietary supplement, nutraceutical, and cosmeceutical industries worldwide.

Recent capital investments have bolstered production facilities, R&D infrastructure, and the development of new protein derivatives. Sel Sanayi reports that its R&D intensity is among the highest globally in its sector.

Tezman views the industry shift as a durable change, stating, “We see clinical research as a long-term investment in credibility.” He underscores a philosophy centered on high-technology production and validated by scientific evidence, benefiting patients, consumers, and the industry.