Bioiberica has entered the Japanese nutraceutical market for the first time through the announcement of a strategic partnership with distributor Ryusendo Co., bringing its native (undenatured) type II collagen ingredient, Collavant n2, to one of the world's most tightly regulated dietary supplement markets.
The new agreement represents a significant milestone for the Spanish life science company, whose presence in Japan has previously focused on pharmaceutical ingredients for the last two decades.
Under the new partnership, Ryusendo will exclusively distribute Collavant n2 to Japanese dietary supplement and functional food manufacturers, targeting the country's growing demand for science-backed solutions for mobility and healthy ageing.
Japan's joint health market is expected to expand as its ageing population continues to grow and consumers increasingly seek preventative approaches to maintaining mobility.
However, the country's stringent regulatory framework for dietary supplements presents a high barrier to entry, making regulatory compliance and scientific substantiation key differentiators for ingredient suppliers.
Bioiberica said its Collavant n2 complies with all relevant Japanese food regulations and is supported by seven scientific studies.
Unlike hydrolysed collagen ingredients, the native type II collagen is effective at a daily dose of just 40 mg and works through oral tolerance — a mechanism designed to modulate the immune response against the body's own type II collagen to help maintain cartilage health.
The evidence base for the ingredient was strengthened earlier this year by the publication of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in healthy adults.
The study found that supplementation with 40 mg/day of Collavant n2 significantly reduced CTX-II levels, a recognised biomarker of cartilage degradation, suggesting the ingredient may help protect joint cartilage in physically active individuals experiencing exercise-related joint discomfort.
The low inclusion rate, Bioiberica said, also offers formulation flexibility across multiple delivery formats, including capsules, tablets, gummies, powders, beverages and functional foods, enabling Japanese manufacturers to develop differentiated joint health products.
Yoshiaki Shiojima, President & CEO of Ryusendo, said the partnership was founded on Bioiberica's "commitment to quality, scientific rigour and transparency."
"As a trusted and experienced operator in Japan's nutraceutical market, Ryusendo brings the market knowledge and industry relationships necessary to position Collavant n2 for success with local dietary supplement brands."
We will also leverage Ryusendo’s accumulated experience in clinical research, Foods with Function Claims (FFC) notification support and scientific communication in Japan to further enhance the value of Collavant n2 in the Japanese market.
Antonio Vendrell, Marketing & Communications Director at Bioiberica, described the agreement as "a significant milestone" in the company's global growth strategy.
“Bioiberica’s established reputation for circular, fully traceable production has also played an important role in bringing Collavant n2 to Japan. Meeting the country's stringent import and quality regulations requires complete transparency across the supply chain, an area where Bioiberica's processes are well-placed to deliver."
Looking ahead, we see this agreement as the key that unlocks limitless opportunities in one of the world’s most dynamic and innovative nutraceutical markets.
