A major shift is happening in the longevity market right now. Beyond just extending lifespan, consumers of all ages are increasingly looking for solutions that can maximize their healthspan—the number of years lived in good health. This is fueled, in part, by an increased focus on maintaining optimal wellbeing—both physical and mental—throughout life. Wondering how your brand can turn this trend into an opportunity to innovate?

Joint health is a key piece of the healthspan puzzle, allowing people to maintain mobility, flexibility and strength, so they can keep doing the things they love most—whether that’s playing with grandchildren, dancing in the kitchen, or running round the park. This presents an opportunity for nutraceutical brands to appeal to consumers of all ages with innovations that help them move better so they can live better.

When it comes to choosing the preferred ingredient for joint health and mobility consumers, collagen comes out on top^[1]. Amid the growing interest in collagen for mobility, and despite the market surge, consumers and brands alike come up against a persistent challenge in this market—confusion around the many different types of collagen. One solution stands out—UC-II® undenatured type II collagen. It has a unique mechanism of action that triggers the immune system to help support the body’s natural cartilage repair process and promote building of new cartilage^[2][3][4]* It’s also the most researched brand of undenatured type II collagen on the market** clinically shown to improve joint flexibility, helping joints feel 10 years younger^[5][6][7].

Ready to give your brand the edge in the longevity market? Download Lonza Capsugel’s new eBook to unlock the healthspan opportunity by helping consumers stay active, mobile, and independent for longer.

* Animal studies suggest that the likely mechanism of action is that it promotes normal inflammatory response while helping to support cartilage regeneration.

** As of January 2025.

References :

1. 1] Nutrition Business Journal. (2022). Condition Specific Report.
2. 2] Bagi, C. M., et al. (2017). Oral administration of undenatured native chicken type II collagen (UC-II) diminished deterioration of articular cartilage in a rat model of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 25(12), 2080-2090.
3. 3] Bagchi, D., et al. (2002). Effects of orally administered undenatured type II collagen against arthritic inflammatory diseases: a mechanistic exploration. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Research, 22(3-4), 101–110.
4. 4] Pan, P., et al. (2024). Undenatured type II collagen protects against collagen-induced arthritis by restoring gut-joint homeostasis and immunity. Communications Biology, 7(1), 804.
5. 5] Schön, C., et al. (2022). UC-II® Undenatured Type II Collagen for Knee Joint Flexibility: A multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 28(6), 540–548.
6. 6] Knaub, K., et al. (2022). UC-II® undenatured type II collagen reduces knee joint discomfort and improves mobility in healthy subjects: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. Journal of Clinical Trials, 12(1), 1000492.
7. 7] Soucie, J. M., et al. (2011). Range of motion measurements: reference values and a database for comparison studies. Haemophilia, 17(3), 500–507.