Research and Development
Shaping the Future with the Power of Science Message from the Kirin Group Research & Development Division
Kirin Group has steadily advanced its microbial fermentation technologies, such as yeast fermentation, since founding its beer business in 1907. Kyowa Hakko Kogyo, another main technical origin of Kirin group, has also refined its microbial fermentation technology through its antibiotic and amino acid fermentation businesses. In other words, our origin is microbiology, and our philosophy is "Reverence for Life”. Over time, our advanced biotechnologies emerged from classic fermentation technologies, giving birth to the pharmaceutical business. The third pillar of our business, health science, was created from our understanding of both classic fermentation technologies and advanced biotechnologies. In this way, the evolution of Kirin Group has always been the result of the scientific development. And today, we are a company comprised of three businesses: alcoholic beverages, soft drinks & health science, and pharmaceuticals.
We are proud of our history of creating such a variety of businesses, and now, under the vision of "Vitalize the world through innovation by our people and technology, as a global leader in CSV", many research scientists and engineers including young talents and those with outstanding experience have come together. First of all, our advantage is high-level basic research. We aim to make new discoveries that are original and well-differentiated. Then, we also excel in applied technology to commercialize them. Furthermore, in recent years, we have been increasingly connecting with all kinds of internal value chains and external innovations to turn discoveries into businesses. In other words, our effort doesn’t end with research findings and technological advancements. Rather, we aim to utilize the findings and advancements for global society . This process encourages us as we realize our engagement with the world and our growth as human beings.
We, Kirin Group research scientists and engineers, as corporate scientists equipped with science as our advantage, continuously challenge and inspire one another to grow together in our daily endeavors. With unwavering determination and steadfast commitment, we will see through to the end the full delivery of the value to the world, even in the face of difficulties.
Senior Executive Officer
Vision of the Research and Development Division
The Evolution of Research and Development at the Kirin Group
The Kirin Group’s R&D has evolved around its core fermentation and biotechnology, built since the founding of Kirin Brewery. Over time, these technologies have expanded beyond brewing, creating value across the beverages business and other fields. The Group also entered the pharmaceuticals field, which became a core business following the integration with Kyowa Hakko Kogyo. In the Health Science domain, we continue to take on new challenges, bringing together diverse expertise and technologies from FANCL and Blackmores under a shared vision. Across Alcoholic Beverages, Non-alcoholic Beverages, Health Science, and Pharmaceuticals, we continue to create value that supports healthier lives and a better future for people around the world.
Research and Development
The Kirin Group drives value creation through integrated R&D activities, spanning basic research, applied research for commercialization, and product and service development based on these technologies. In addition, in frontier domains that will form the foundation of future businesses, we explore next-generation core technologies while generating innovative knowledge and insights. By connecting organizations with diverse expertise, the Group continuously creates innovation across a broad range of business domains.
Research and Development in the Alcoholic Beverages and Non-alcoholic Beverages Domains
Since our founding in 1907, we have continued to grow by expanding our Alcoholic Beverages and Non-alcoholic Beverages businesses over a century. Kirin Holdings’ R&D Division conducts basic research and applied research aimed at commercialization, while the laboratories of each operating company and business division carry out business-driven R&D, including the development of products utilizing technologies generated through research.
Research and Development in the Health Science Domain
Building on the fermentation and biotechnology expertise cultivated through our beer business, we are discovering and developing a wide range of materials that contribute to addressing health challenges. By aligning our marketing and R&D strategies, the Health Science Research Institute—which works closely with business operations—and Kirin Holdings’ research institutes, which focus on mid-to-long-term initiatives, work together to continuously create new health-related products and services.
Research and Development in the Pharmaceuticals Domain
We began pharmaceutical research and development in the 1980s, combining biotechnology with the advancements made in our research on microorganisms and cells cultivated through beer production. Today, our research and development efforts are centered on Kyowa Kirin, which was founded in 2008 through the merger of Kirin Pharma and Kyowa Hakko Kogyo.
Furthermore, in order to provide value that is not limited to pharmaceuticals, we are leveraging our connection to the Kirin Group’s Health Science domain.
Intellectual Property Activities
We acquire and utilize intellectual property generated in the domains of Alcoholic Beverages, Non-alcoholic Beverages, Health Science, and Pharmaceuticals, because these property is considered one of our important business assets.
Kirin’s unique approach to intellectual property involves a dual strategy: seed-driven IP strategies (linked with R&D strategies) and needs-driven IP strategies (linked with business strategies). This approach enables us to align R&D with business operations. As a result, we can enhance our ability to create new value through intellectual property, ultimately benefiting the operation.