A recent study has demonstrated that the Collagen Activator supplement, developed by Swiss longevity startup Avea Life AG, can significantly improve skin health and reduce biological age. This innovative product is based on Colgevity, a patented vegan collagen precursor created in collaboration with ETH Zurich. The formulation combines a specific ratio of amino acids—glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline (3:1:1)—along with alpha-ketoglutarate, astaxanthin, and vitamin C from acerola cherry.
The research explored the potential of Colgevity to extend lifespan across various pre-clinical models, including C. elegans, laboratory mice, and human cell lines. Following promising results in these models, a human clinical trial involving 66 participants aged 35 years and older was conducted to assess the full formulation’s effects.
Study Findings and Implications
The findings, published on March 15, 2025, in the journal npj Aging, highlight the significant benefits of the Collagen Activator. According to the researchers, the combination of amino acids yielded substantial physiological and molecular effects across all test subjects, including improved collagen homeostasis in C. elegans and visible enhancements in human skin.
“We demonstrated that upon [3 Gly:1 Pro:1 Hyp] supplementation, collagen and extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis were elicited during the old age of C. elegans, in human cell culture, and visible in dermatological improvements in human skin,” the researchers noted. Additionally, the study indicated that this specific amino acid ratio effectively increased the healthspan and lifespan of C. elegans, countered age-related strength loss in older mice, and notably reduced biological age in human participants.
Dr. Matilde Mantovani, Avea’s Scientific Research Manager and co-author of the study, emphasized the formulation’s scientific grounding. “This work also serves as a great example of how research that begins in the laboratory can culminate in a final product tested with real participants and demonstrates measurable beneficial effects in real life,” she stated.
Research Methodology and Results
The research team conducted a series of trials using only the Colgevity amino acid combination in C. elegans, human skin cells, and older mice. Results from the C. elegans trials indicated a lifespan increase ranging from 6% to 27% across five independent studies. Moreover, the amino acid combination was found to outperform traditional collagen supplementation.
In subsequent studies with geriatric mice, supplementation with the collagen amino acids correlated with improved grip strength and a reduction in age-related fat accumulation. The human trial involved each participant taking one sachet of Collagen Activator daily for six months, with skin measurements recorded at baseline, and again after four and twelve weeks. Participants also completed monthly self-assessment questionnaires.
The researchers highlighted that the additive longevity effect of the [3 Gly:1 Pro:1 Hyp] supplementation, combined with alpha-ketoglutarate, led to the creation of a comprehensive formulation, which included vitamin C and astaxanthin—both known to enhance collagen stability. “We found that this Collagen Activator was safe and effective for improving dermatological features and reducing participants’ biological age,” they concluded.
Future studies are expected to delve deeper into the mechanisms that underpin the advantages of the 3:1:1 glycine to proline to hydroxyproline ratio. The results of this research offer promising evidence regarding the health and aging benefits of a collagen-derived amino acid composition across multiple biological systems.
The collaborative effort involved researchers from ETH Zurich, Avea Life, University Hospital Zurich, TruMe Inc, and Hautwerk AG, effectively bridging the gap between laboratory research and practical applications for consumer health and wellness.
