［Health Science domain］
Kirin Holdings to Double Lactococcus Lactis Strain Plasma Production
iMUSE Health Science Factory to boost production capacity to about 28 tons in 2023
- Other
September 9, 2021
Kirin Holdings Company, Limited
TOKYO, Thursday September 9, 2021 – Kirin Holdings Company, Limited (Kirin Holdings) announces that it will expand manufacturing equipment at the iMUSE Health Science Factory (located in Saitama Prefecture, just north of Tokyo) - a manufacturing center for lactic acid bacteria raw material - in order to meet the increasing demand for Kirin's proprietary Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma (L. lactis strain Plasma), the functional ingredient in the popular iMUSE brand of immune maintenance products. The new manufacturing equipment is scheduled to begin operating in 2023, and will double the annual production capacity of L. lactis strain Plasma to approximately 28 tons in 2023.
L. lactis strain Plasma is a type strain of Lactococcus lactis, which is a natural lactic acid bacterium mainly used for the fermentation of cheese and yogurt. L. lactis strain Plasma is a product of joint research by Kirin Holdings, Koiwai Dairy Products CO.,LTD., and KYOWA HAKKO BIO CO., LTD., and a number of relevant papers have been published and many presentations have been given at medical societies in cooperation with medical schools and research institutions.
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L. Lactis strain Plasma label graphic
In addition to the strong performance of the L. lactis strain Plasma business within the Kirin Group, Kirin Holdings has decided to expand the production facilities for the bacteria in anticipation of accelerated overseas development and the expansion of products to be licensed out.
iMUSE Health Science Factory
| 1. Start of operations: | Spring of 2023 (planned) |
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| 2. Production site to be introduced at: | iMUSE Health Science Factory |
| 3. Location: | 1254 Oaza Kamihirose, Sayama City, Saitama Prefecture (Inside the Koiwai Dairy Products Tokyo Factory) |
| 4. Site area: | 895 square meters |
| 5. Products to be manufactured: | Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma Lactobacillus paracasei strain KW3110 |
| 6. Manufacturing capacity after expansion: | 28 tons/year |
| 7. Investment amount (additional facilities): | Approximately 900 million yen |
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iMUSE Health Science Factory
Background
1. Strong performance in the L. lactis strain Plasma business
Kirin Holdings has received high praise from iMUSE consumers, as sales of products containing L. lactis strain Plasma, have risen 60% year-on-year for the term of January to August 2021. Kirin Holdings expects consumers' interest in immune system care to continue to grow and demand to expand.
2. Expansion of products to be licensed out in Japan
From September 2021, Kirin Holdings will team up with a number of companies that cater to immune system care and develop products containing L. lactis strain Plasma to target consumers outside of the Kirin Group’s reach. This is expected to further expand the market for L. lactis strain Plasma.
3. Accelerate overseas expansion
Kirin Holdings is currently expanding its overseas sales channels, including the sale of iMUSE brand products in Vietnam and the sale of the L. lactis strain Plasma through BtoB channels in the United States and EuropePDF：593KB. In addition Kirin Holdings will further accelerate expanding its overseas sales channels.
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.
* Creating Shared Value: combined added value for consumers as well as for society at large.