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Raising the Bar: Biomarkers and the New Standards in Clinical Trials

Clinical trials aren’t a differentiator anymore; they’re expected. As more supplement brands invest in research, the real question has shifted from “should we run a study?” to “how strong does that study actually need to be?” That’s where biomarkers come in.

Biomarkers bring an objective signal into your trial. They show what’s happening in the body, not just how participants feel. Think stress markers, inflammation levels, sleep-related hormones, metabolic signals, or other physiological data tied to your product’s purpose. It adds different levels of evidence, and brands are starting to notice the impact.

For brands, this opens the door to clearer product claims, stronger confidence with retailers, and data that feels credible to consumers who are paying closer attention more than ever. For the industry, it signals a move toward more measurable, transparent evidence.

In this live fireside chat hosted by Citruslabs, guest speakers Kasia Feng (Green Chef) and Kimberly Sukhum (Tiny Health) will unpack what biomarkers really are, when they make sense to include in a study, and how brands can use them to strengthen the credibility of their clinical studies. They’ll also share how expectations are evolving and what the next wave of supplement and functional food research may look like as we move into 2026.

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