The study used the Collagen Activator supplement from Switzerland-based longevity startup Avea Life AG. The product is built around Colgevity, a patented vegan collagen precursor developed in cooperation with ETH Zurich that is a combination of glycine, proline and hydroxyproline in a 3:1:1 ratio. The consumer product is also formulated with alpha-ketoglutarate, astaxanthin, and vitamin C from acerola cherry.
The new paper explored the potential of the Colgevity amino acid combination to prolong lifespan in a range of pre-clinical models, including C. elegans, lab mice and human cell lines. A subsequent human clinical trial with the full formulation with the other ingredient supported the effects.
“It is remarkable that the physiological and molecular effects of combining these three amino acids are conserved across C. elegans, mice, human fibroblasts, and human participants. We demonstrated that upon [3 Gly:1 Pro:1 Hyp] supplementation, collagen and ECM [extracellular matrix] homeostasis were elicited during the old age of C. elegans, in human cell culture, and visible in dermatological improvements in human skin,” wrote scientists from ETH Zürich, Avea Life, University Hospital Zurich, TruMe Inc, and Hautwerk AG.
“Similarly, we showed that [3 Gly:1 Pro:1 Hyp] supplementation increased the healthspan and lifespan of C. elegans, counteracted age-related strength loss and obesity in old mice, and reduced biological age in humans. This suggests an ancient underlying mechanism for detecting the ratio of these three amino acids.”
Avea
In a post on LinkedIn, Dr. Matilde Mantovani, Avea’s Scientific Research Manager and co-author on the paper, stated: “The formulation is the result of research on in vivo models to identify a specific amino acid ratio that supports collagen synthesis and promotes healthspan.
“This work also serves as a great example of how research that begins in the laboratory can culminate in a final product that is tested with real participants and demonstrates measurable beneficial effects in real life.”
Avea was founded in 2021 by Duri Granziol (CEO), Sophie Chabloz (CSO), Teresa Budetta (CMO), and Pascal Rode (COO).
Study details
The researchers performed a series of studies using just the Colgevity amino acid combination in C. elegans, human skin cells, and geriatric mice. The data from the C. elegans trials showed a 6–27% increase in lifespan across five independent trials, and the amino acid combination outperformed collagen supplementation.
Further studies using the worms found that alpha-ketoglutarate provided an additive effect to [3 Gly:1 Pro:1 Hyp] for prolonging lifespan.
In geriatric mice, supplementation with these collagen amino acids was associated with improved grip strength and reductions in age-related fat accumulation.
The researchers then studied the potential of the full Collagen Activator formulation in 66 healthy adults aged 35 years and older. All the participants of the observational human trial took the one sachet (powder) of Collagen Activator daily for six months. Skin measurements were taken at the start of the study, and again after four and 12 weeks. Self-assessment questionnaires were also collected every month for six months. Biological age was assessed using an epigenetic methylation clock test.
“Given the additive longevity effect of [3 Gly : 1 Pro : 1 Hyp] supplementation with alpha-ketoglutarate and the fact that alpha-ketoglutarate is a cofactor for 4-prolyl hydroxylase, an enzyme that stabilizes collagens, we generated a combined formulation, including vitamin C and astaxanthin, both of which improve collagen homeostasis, before going into humans,” wrote the researchers. “We found that this Collagen Activator was safe and effective for improving dermatological features and reducing participants’ biological age.”
The researchers said that future studies may elucidate the underlying mechanisms behind the benefits of the 3 glycine to 1 proline to 1 hydroxyproline ratio.
“Our study presents promising evidence for the health and aging benefits of a collagen-derived amino acid composition across multiple model systems,” they wrote.
Source: npj Aging, 2025, 11, 91. doi: 10.1038/s41514-025-00280-7. “A collagen amino acid composition supplementation reduces biological age in humans and increases health and lifespan in vivo”. Authors: A. Dakhovnik, et al.
