Kirin Holdings Company, Limited (Kirin Holdings) has reported a year-on-year increase of approximately 40% in sales of its proprietary ingredient Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma (L. lactis strain Plasma, a postbiotic) in Japan and overseas from January to June of this year.
Factors behind the strong performance
Establishment of health measures that can be easily taken on a daily basis
With the recent changes in the environment, there is a growing need to maintain a healthy body and mind. Approaches to maintaining good health are not something that require a lot of money, time and effort, but people rather prefer easy approaches that they can implement in their daily lives, such as a regular lifestyle and daily diet, and a survey score for ' I continue eat certain foods for my health' has improved compared to 2019. 1
The functional food market has also continued to grow in recent years, with sales of functional food products such as soft drinks and supplements increasing due to key factors such as ease of purchase by consumers, including the ability to purchase these products at familiar sales outlets such as supermarkets and convenience stores.2 This indicates that more and more consumers want to maintain their daily health habits more easily.
Intage Knowledge Gallery April 25, 2023 Published article New Living Landscape - Series: Past and Future (1) Awareness of Safety and Security https://gallery.intage.co.jp/ihr-column35/ (Japanese)
Yano Research Institute Ltd. 'Research on Health Food Market (2023)' (released April 14, 2023) https://www.yano.co.jp/press-release/show/press_id/3235 (Japanese)
Expanding awareness of 'Immune-Care' and a lineup that meets consumer needs
To meet the needs of our consumers who want to easily maintain their daily health habits, a total of 52 products3 are being sold that are labeled with the functionality of immune functions using L. lactis strain Plasma' in various categories such as beverages, green juice, candy, and jelly, not only Kirin Holdings' own products but also through collaboration with partner companies. As a result of creating an environment where people can easily get hold of the products and communicating the importance of immune care through TV commercials, in-store POP, and various other lifestyle scenes, The recognition rate of 'immune care' has been steadily increasing, with an 8.9-point4 increase in the recognition rate between January and June 2023.
Kirin Holdings' Proprietary Ingredient L. lactis strain Plasma
L. lactis strain 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 world5 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.
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).
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.
KIRIN HOLDINGS COMPANY, LIMITED 
