Bioiberica, Lactalis launch first-ever collagen-enriched functional milk

SPAIN – Bioiberica has partnered with Lactalis to launch industry-first functional milk beverage enriched with native type II collagen, Collavant® n2.

Puleva Vita Calcio Colágeno is a first-of-its-kind milk beverage enriched with the company’s science-backed native type II collagen, Collavant® n2, for joint health.

Developed via a strategic partnership with leading dairy producer Lactalis Spain, the pioneering product brings the scientifically validated benefits of Collavant® n2 together with other essential nutrients, offering Spanish consumers a convenient, everyday route to joint support.

Through the development of this new product, the companies aim to provide a blueprint for the successful integration of scientific innovation into commercial products. This reinforces both companies’ commitment to the mission of promoting health for all.

Puleva Vita Calcio Colágeno is the first milk drink enriched with native type II collagen to be released in Spain, setting a new precedent for mainstream dairy products that harness the power of science-backed functional health ingredients.

The inclusion of Collavant® n2 adds significant credibility to the products’ joint support claims, with the ingredient shown across multiple studies to produce tangible results at the low daily dose of 40 mg.

The latest clinical research conducted by Bioiberica demonstrated that 40 mg/day of Collavant® n2 supports faster recovery after exercise and could help support articular cartilage in healthy individuals experiencing activity-related joint discomfort.

The study investigated the effect of six months of Collavant® n2 supplementation (40 mg/day) on urinary CTX-II concentration – a key biomarker of collagen degradation and cartilage breakdown – in healthy individuals reporting joint discomfort during exercise.

Results revealed a significant improvement in a sub-population with higher levels of discomfort (VAS score during movement > 40 mm): participants taking Collavant® n2 experienced an 18.3% reduction in CTX-II levels, while those in the placebo group showed a 20.6% increase.

These findings add to existing evidence demonstrating that Collavant® n2 not only helps reduce exercise-related joint discomfort but also supports mobility, quality of life and cartilage health at the structural level.

Collavant® n2 also lends the new beverage a robust seal of safety and quality through its self-affirmed Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status and, what’s more, it was the first collagen ingredient to receive NutraStrong™ Collagen Verification.

“The launch of Puleva Vita Calcio Colágeno is both a success story in itself, and a positive sign for future innovations,” commented Antonio Vendrell, Marketing Director at Bioiberica.

“Its development demonstrates the successful application of Collavant® n2 in a mainstream consumer beverage, highlighting our ability to integrate our high-quality bioactive ingredients across diverse consumer segments,” Vendrell explains. The release “also reinforces our position in the functional food space, which we are dedicated to strengthening through continuous innovation and strategic partnerships.”

Cristina Torres Antelo, Brand Manager at Lactalis Puleva, said, “Collagen is an ingredient for which there is increasing scientific evidence”, Torres Antelo adds, noting that market data shows “consumers are increasingly confident in its benefits. Puleva Vita Calcio is already the leading brand in the calcium-enriched dairy drink category, and now this new formulation offers an innovative, practical, and natural solution to the growing demand for collagen in Spain“.

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