The line between pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals is becoming increasingly indistinct. The CPHI 2025 trade show showcased innovations that merge efficacy and delivery formats from both sectors.
Nutrition Insight engaged with companies like PharmaLinea, Lubrizol, Sirio, Corbion, and Bioiberica on the show floor to discuss these trends. Matevž Ambrožič, marketing director at PharmaLinea, emphasized the influence pharmaceuticals have on the supplement industry.
“They have substantial marketing power and are applying pressure to the supplement industry to develop higher quality and proof of efficacy.”
PharmaLinea focuses on clinical substantiation as a key step toward achieving pharmaceutical-grade supplements. Ambrožič explained the current industry gap:
“While branded ingredients are increasingly backed by clinical studies, finished-product clinical validation is still rare — and that’s where we focus.”
Several of PharmaLinea’s product lines have already undergone finished-product clinical studies, with many more trials planned. Their aim is to clinically substantiate their entire portfolio.
“That’s our way of adapting to the future that will probably be more pharmaceutical-grade standards — at least for a part of the supplement industry.”
These developments mark a shift towards higher rigor and evidence in nutraceuticals, blending the boundaries with pharmaceuticals.
Author’s summary: The CPHI 2025 event underscores the trend of nutraceuticals evolving to meet pharmaceutical-grade standards through clinical validation and innovative delivery methods.