Lonza’s UC-II Collagen earns NutraStrong certification, backed by clinical evidence on knee flexibility

In a September 8, 2025, press release¹, SGS Nutrasource announced that UC-II collagen from Lonza Capsules & Health Ingredients (CHI) had received NutraStrong Collagen Verified certification. The product aims to support joint comfort and support cartilage repair and building. The verification program is developed by SGS Nutrasource and assesses collagen product and ingredient identity, source, safety and quality to verify label claims.

“Achieving the NutraStrong™ Collagen Verified certification for UC-II® collagen underscores our commitment to delivering clinically studied, high-quality ingredients that brand owners, and ultimately consumers, can trust,” stated Hanna Charron, associate director, global product management, UC-II®, Lonza CHI, in the press release. “This certification is another way we demonstrate our dedication to transparency, scientific rigor and excellence from raw material sourcing through to finished product formulation.” The product is suitable for formulation in small capsules or gummies.

Clinical research on UC-II collagen and knee flexibility

A study published in the Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine in 2022 demonstrated the effects of a 40 mg supplementation of UC-II on knee flexibility². In “UC-II Undenatured Type II Collagen for Knee Joint Flexibility: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study,” 96 healthy participants ages 20–55 years old with activity-related joint discomfort were given the supplementation or placebo daily for 24 weeks with measurements taken for knee range of motion (ROM) flexion and extension at the end of the period. 

The supplementation group demonstrated a significantly higher range of motion compared to placebo. Highlighted results of this study stated:

• Knee ROM extension was increased by 2.21° in the test group compared with a nonsignificant increase of 1.27° in the placebo group
• Subgroup examination showed that knee ROM flexion in participants older than 35 years was significantly increased (6.79°) compared with placebo (0.30°)

As Mike Goetter, vice president and Americas regional business unit head explained in a feature article of Nutritional Outlook³, collagen type II is the primary protein in cartilage, the degradation of which causes joint discomfort, disease, and more. The processing of collagen II is also significant for functionality of the product, he adds. “Undenatured collagen has a truly preserved structure,” Goetter explains. “Lonza’s UC-II undenatured type II collagen is produced using a proprietary manufacturing process that preserves the native structure and binding regions of type II collagen. This process maintains undenatured Type II collagen’s triple helix structure and bioactive binding regions.”

As noted in a June 2025 feature article in Nutritional Outlook⁴, the collagen product is also suitable for companion animals.

Industry leaders endorse transparency

The certification for UC-II was given in the ‘Certifications by Nutrasource’ program for dietary supplement brands. “Congratulations to Lonza on its success in securing the Collagen Verified distinction,” stated Kevin Yan, vice president of product certifications at SGS Nutrasource. “This coveted certification verifies that UC-II® collagen meets the highest standards of purity, source integrity, manufacturing excellence and claim substantiation and will help this break-through product stand out in an increasingly saturated market.”

The NutraStrong Collagen Verified program is also supported by the Collagen Stewardship Alliance (CSA).“The CSA’s mission is to foster responsible growth of the global collagen category and the Collagen Verified program plays a vital role in this effort by recognizing suppliers and brands that do the right things by prioritizing quality, efficacy, and transparency,” explained Len Monheit, Executive Director at the CSA. “This is about elevation and driving transparency in this category.”

References

1. SGS Nutrasource. SGS Nutrasource awards NutraStrong™ Collagen Verified certification to Lonza Capsules & Health Ingredients https://www.nutrasource.ca/resources/news/sgs-nutrasource-awards-nutrastrong-collagen-verified-certification-to-lonza-capsules-and-health-ingredients/ (accessed 2025-09-12).
2. Schön, C.; Knaub, K.; Alt, W.; Durkee, S.; Saiyed, Z. Juturu, V. UC-II Undenatured Type II Collagen for Knee Joint Flexibility: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study, Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 2022, 28(6), 540-548. DOI: 10.1089/jicm.2021.03
3. Straus, M. Collagen craze https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/collagen-craze (accessed 2025-09-12).
4. Colli, M. Proactive pet care https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/proactive-pet-care (accessed 2025-09-12).