TOKYO - Kirin Holdings Company, Limited's (Kirin Holdings) will expand its lineup of functional food products with immune function claims that contain its proprietary Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma (L. lactis strain Plasma [postbiotic]) in cooperation with external partner companies.
The number of items of functional food products using L. lactis strain Plasma will expand to a total of 38 products2 consisting of 27 products from the Kirin Group and 11 products from 6 external partner companies.
Comparison with October 5, 2021 (17 products)
Sum of the number of products currently on the market and the number of products to be launched as of October 5, 2022 (Wed.)
The Kirin Group will launch Kirin iMUSE Immune Care Good Sleep Plus, a double-care supplement for immunity and good sleep, under the Kirin iMUSE brand on Tuesday, October 18. Kirin iMUSE Immune Care Visceral Fat Down a double-care supplement for immunity and visceral fat, will also go on sale on Tuesday, November 1. Kirin Beverage Company, Limited will launch a new product name and package design for Kirin Namacha Immune Care on Tuesday, October 11. Kirin iMUSE Lemon and Kirin iMUSE Yogurt Taste will also be available in the new packaging from Tuesday, November 22. Koiwai Dairy Products CO., LTD. also launched Koiwai iMUSE Yogurt Low Fat 400g on Tuesday, September 27.
Kirin Holdings will begin working with two new pharmaceutical manufacturers as external partners. Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. will launch VICKS Throat Drops Premium L. lactis strain Plasma, Immune Care and Immune Function Support sequentially from Monday, October 3 to Wednesday, October 12 at drugstores, supermarkets and convenience stores nationwide, and through Taisho Pharmaceutical Direct (E-commerce sales). TOKIWA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. of the Noevir Group will launch the functional food L. lactis strain Plasma Delicious green juice on December 1 (Thursday) through its sales network of placement drugs 3. In September, an agreement was reached with Coca-Cola (Japan) Company, Limited. for the planning and development of future products by Coca-Cola.
Against the backdrop of various environmental changes in society and people's lives, people are becoming increasingly aware of the need to manage their physical condition, and the market for immune support is showing particularly high growth. According to the Health Food (Supplements, Foods & Beverages) Survey 4, the 'immune support' market has maintained a high level of 5.4%, compared to a CAGR of 2.6% for the overall market from 2013 to 2021, and is expected to continue to grow in the future.
Sales of this product by Japanese companies that provide prescription drug distribution services and TOKIWA Medical Service Co., Ltd.
Health food: Food and beverages consumed for the purpose of supplements and health functions.
Kirin Holdings' survey 5 also found that approximately 85% of consumers are aware that 'immunity' is necessary for good health, in line with the growing health consciousness associated with recent environmental changes. On the other hand, only about 11% of respondents have immune care habits (the habit of taking foods, beverages, supplements, etc. for immunity), showing a large gap between awareness and behavior. This is thought to be that the need for immune care is not strongly felt and the hurdles for taking action toward immune care are high.
In order to promote the habit of immune care, which is the foundation of good health, Kirin Holdings will educate people about the need for immune care and work with external partners to create an environment where L. lactis strain Plasma can be purchased and consumed according to various lifestyles.
Sales of L. lactis strain Plasma related products have been expanding, increasing approximately 50% year-on-year in the period from January to June 2022. In addition to the development of the Kirin Group companies, the base of functional foods containing L. lactis strain Plasma is expanding through external partner companies. Kirin Holdings will continue to support the health of each and every individual living with 'immune care' and aim to achieve a society where people can live a bright, healthy, and lively life.
Abbreviation for Creating Shared Value: combined added value for consumers as well as for society at large.
About L. lactis strain Plasma
L. lactis strain Plasma (Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma [postbiotic]) is the world's first lactic acid bacteria that can activate the entire immune system by directly activating pDC (plasma cytoid dendritic cells), which is a leader of the immune system. L. lactis strain Plasma is the world's first lactic acid bacteria that can activate the entire immune system by directly activating these pDCs. Kirin Holdings discovered it in 2010.
About Kirin Holdings
Kirin Holdings Company, Limited is an international company that operates in the Food & Beverages domain (Food & Beverages businesses), Pharmaceuticals domain (Pharmaceuticals businesses), and Health Science domain (Health Science business), both in Japan and across the globe.
Kirin Holdings can trace its roots to Japan Brewery which was established in 1885. Japan Brewery became Kirin Brewery in 1907. Since then, the company expanded its business with fermentation and biotechnology as its core technologies, and entered the pharmaceutical business in the 1980s, all of which continue to be global growth centers. In 2007, Kirin Holdings was established as a pure holding company and is currently focusing on boosting its Health Science domain.
Under the Kirin Group Vision 2027 (KV 2027), a long-term management plan launched in 2019, the Kirin Group aims to become A global leader in CSV, creating value across our world of Food & Beverages to Pharmaceuticals. Going forward, the Kirin Group will continue to leverage its strengths to create both social and economic value through its businesses, with the aim of achieving sustainable growth in corporate value.
KIRIN HOLDINGS COMPANY, LIMITED 
