［Health Science domain］

LC-Plasma Product Series Sales Increase 40% From January To June Of This Year

August 05, 2024

Kirin Holdings Company, Limited

Sales of Kirin Oishii Immune Care and Kirin Oishii Immune Care Calorie Off, which were relaunched in March, grew 183% year on year, supporting Kirin Holdings’ “immune care” concept
Kirin Group companies’ sales of beverages, yogurt, and supplements containing LC-Plasma increased 10%, 40%, and 20% respectively
A survey showed that the awareness of "immune care" increased by approximately 10%*4 compared to the same period last year, showing consumer demand for immune function products

TOKYO, Wednesday Aug 5, 2024- Kirin Holdings Company, Limited (Kirin Holdings) is pleased to announce that the sales amount of its Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma (LC-Plasma, a postbiotic) proprietary ingredient in Japan and overseas related businesses for the period from January to June 2024 was 114% compared to the previous year.

Factors behind strong first half performance

1．Changes in health awareness and behavior of consumers

According to the "24th Annual Health Awareness Survey" released by CCC MK HOLDINGS CO., Ltd., when surveyed on a 7-point scale from "very careful" to "not very careful at all" about their own health , approximately 10% responded that they are "very careful". The total number of respondents who answered "very careful" to "fairly careful" exceeded 70%, indicating that consumer health awareness remains high.
When asked "What do you use to maintain your health?" the highest percentage of respondents (31.7%) answered "supplements/health foods," and furthermore, those who think that "maintaining a healthy lifestyle" and "maintaining and improving physical fitness" are important for maintaining their health. These results showed that they are engaged in “self-maintenance.*1”
*1 CCC MK HOLDINGS Corporation, "2024 Health Awareness Survey" (Japanese)
https://www.cccbiz.jp/columns/research1

2．Educate people on how to take care of themselves during the change of seasons.

Kirin Beverage Company, Limited (Kirin Beverage) conducted a "Spring Physical Management Survey*2" in March and found that during the spring season from March to May, when the seasons change, about 90% of respondents said they "feel the difference in temperature" and about 70% said they “have difficulty managing their physical condition.”
*2 Kirin Beverage release: "In spring, about 90% of respondents feel a "difference in cold temperatures," and about 70% say it is "difficult to manage their physical condition. (Japanese)

In response to these issues faced by consumers, Kirin Beverage is holding a limited-time event to raise awareness of “immune care,” including the installation of vending machines that only sell immune-function products in Japan and is also conducting activities to support family health care in Japan in cooperation with the Tokyo Private Nursery School Association*3.
*3 Kirin Beverage Release "Kirin Oishii Immune-Care” and Tokyo Private Nursery School Association cooperate to support “Family Health Care in Japan”! (Japanese)
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000010.000086647.html

3．Increased recognition of the “immune care” function of LC-Plasma

Due to changes in health awareness and behavior among consumers, as well as the effects of various promotions of LC-Plasma-related products, including educational activities by Kirin Beverage, Kirin Holdings conducted an awareness survey on "immune care," a function of LC-Plasma from January to May 2024. The survey showed that the recognition of "immune care" increased by approximately 10%*4 compared to the same period last year.
*4 Average of January-May 2023 survey by Kirin Holdings, Japan. Men and women aged 20-69 (n (n=14,490) / Average of Jan-May 2024 survey 14,490) / Average of Jan-May 2024 survey Nationwide males and females aged 20-69 (n = 14,490)

Kirin Holdings’ Proprietary Ingredient Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma (LC-Plasma)

L. lactis strain Plasma (LC-Plasma) is a lactic acid bacteria (postbiotic) that supports the maintenance of immunity in healthy people. It has been reported in research papers that it is the first in the world*5 to work on pDC (plasmacytoid dendritic cells), a leader of the immune system. Kirin Holdings, KOIWAI DAIRY PRODUCTS CO., LTD., and KYOWA HAKKO BIO CO., LTD. have jointly conducted research on this product, and with the cooperation of universities and research institutions in Japan and overseas, 31 papers have been published and numerous presentations made at academic conferences.
*5 Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma was the first lactic acid bacteria reported to work on pDC in humans (based on information published in PubMed and the homepage of the Central Medical Journal).

L. lactis strain Plasma

Sales Trends by Category

Beverages

The total sales volume of beverages containing LC-Plasma has been growing favorably, increasing approximately 10% year on year in the period from January to June 2024.
Kirin Oishii Immune Care and Kirin Oishii Immune Care Calorie Off, which were relaunched in March, have maintained a high level of in-store turnover. The brand is habitually consumed as a measure to maintain one’s physical condition, and the sales of the brand grew 183% year on year. In March, Kirin iMUSE Karada Omoi Yogurt Taste was launched, and in April, Kirin Nama-cha Karada Hare-cha and Kirin Sports Professional were launched to expand the product lineup to meet the various drinking occasions and needs of consumers.

Yogurt

Koiwai immune Care Yogurt, launched in March, comes in three flavors: Refreshingly sweet, Low-fat, and Sugar-free. The lineup consists of a total of nine products, each available in 400g and 100g containers. Since its launch, the product range has been increasingly sold by mass retailers, and the 400g size in particular has seen a large influx of yogurt users from other categories in addition to existing yogurt users, resulting in a 40% increase over the previous year. *6
A large-scale tasting event was held in Japan at mass merchandisers nationwide, where consumers enjoyed the smooth taste and delicious flavor as well as the “immune care” function. Positive feedback was received from consumers about the taste and their desire to incorporate the product into their daily lives.

*6 Pre-launch products compared to iMUSE yogurt group; March-June shipments (volume) year on year

Supplement

Total sales of supplements containing LC-Plasma increased approximately 20% year on year in the January-June period of 2024.
In March, Kirin Holdings relaunched Kirin iMUSE Immune Care +8 Multivitamins. In addition to the 15-day supply, a 7-day supply and a 30-day supply product were added to the new lineup, and sales were launched at drugstores nationwide, resulting in strong sales.
Meneki Support sold by FANCL CORPORATION is an "immune-specific" supplement containing LC-Plasma that acts on a leader of the immune system. It also contains a daily supply of vitamins C and D*7, and has received high praise. Two types of products are available: granule type and chewable type, appealing to family preferences and usage scenarios.

*7 Nutrient Labeling Standard Values (18 years and older, as a percentage of the standard calorie content of 2,200 kcal), 2020 edition.

Partner Company Products

This year, Wada Calcium Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. joined as a new partner, and in May Kirin Holdings launched Japan's first “double health claim” functional food for bone density and immunity, Bone Density & Immune Care Tablet. Currently, 11 partner companies (not including Kirin Group companies) sell 17 functional food products containing LC-Plasma*8. Kirin Holdings aims to continue to expand sales of the LC-Plasma business by expanding its lineup of functional foods with immune function claims that are tasty and easy to consume, through joint development with products from partner companies that have a high affinity for LC-Plasma.

*8 As of July 30, 2024

Bone Density & Immune Care Tablet

＜Reported Indication＞

This product contains calcium maltobionate and plasma lactic acid bacteria (L. lactis strain Plasma). Calcium maltobionate has been reported to help maintain bone density that tends to decrease with age. Plasma lactic acid bacteria have been reported to work on pDC (plasmacytoid dendritic cells) and help maintain the immune function of healthy individuals.

Functional foods other than those listed above.

＜Reported Indication＞

This product contains Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma (L. lactis strain Plasma). L. lactis strain Plasma act on pDC (plasma cytoid dendritic cells) and have been reported to help maintain immune function in healthy people.

Notes:

Diet is based on staple foods, main dishes, and side dishes to balance the diet.
These products have not been approved by the government.
These products are not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent disease.

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*9, 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.
*9 Creating Shared Value. Combined added value for consumers as well as for society at large.