［Health Science domain］

Sales of Kirin’s unique LC-Plasma series are strong! Sales revenue for January to June increased by approximately 20% year on year

August 19, 2025

Kirin Holdings Company, Limited

TOKYO, August 19, 2025 - Kirin Holdings Company, Limited (Kirin Holdings) has achieved strong performance in its business related to the proprietary postbiotic material LC-Plasma [postbiotic], with product sales from January to June 2025 rising approximately 20%*1 year on year.
*1 Based on our sales revenue from January to June 2025.

Factors Behind the Strong Performance (cumulative January to June 2025)

1.Increased customer awareness of health management throughout the year

In addition to winter health measures in January and February and immune support needs during the exam season, the LC-Plasma business as a whole grew against the backdrop of increased demand for summer health measures due to sudden rises in temperature from June onwards and other seasonal changes.
In June, many regions experienced the highest number of hot days and extremely hot days on record. According to our survey,*2 approximately 90% of respondents felt that “the heat became more intense earlier than usual” in June, which saw sudden temperature rises, and approximately 80% reported that “health management awareness increased as the heat intensified.” In response to these growing health needs in summer, we have developed advertisements that clearly communicate the benefits of LC-Plasma, which supports the immune function of healthy people, with a focus on its efficacy, shelping our customers manage their health confidently, even during the summer months. These advertisements have contributed significantly to the growth of the LC-Plasma business.
*2 Kirin Beverage nationwide “Summer Health Management Survey” July 2025, among men and women aged 20–60, N=500.

Summer Health Management Survey

Summer Advertising Campaign for LC-Plasma

2.Continued sales growth in mainstay products such as supplements and chilled beverages

Core brands that promote positive habit formation continued to perform well, with sales of supplements containing LC-Plasma increasing by approximately 30% year on year, and sales of dual-care products for sleep and visceral fat increasing by approximately 90% year on year. In the Non-Alcoholic category, the sales volume of the Kirin Oishii Immune Care series increased by approximately 40% year on year, performing well. In particular, in the month of June, the sales volume increased significantly by 80% year on year, thanks to the success of promotional activities such as the launch of bulk sale products tailored to the growing demand for summer health products.

About LC-Plasma

LC-Plasma is a heat-killed lactic acid bacteria that supports the maintenance of immunity in healthy people. It has been reported in research papers that it is the first in the world*3 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, 34 papers*4 have been published and numerous presentations made at academic conferences.
*3 The world’s first lactic acid bacteria reported to act on pDC in humans (based on information published in PubMed and the Medical Journal Web).
*4 As of the end of July 2025.

Sales Trends by Category (cumulative January to June 2025)

Supplements

Sales of the iMUSE supplement increased by approximately 30% compared to the same period last year, driven by strengthened promotional activities across all channels (in-house e-commerce, external e-commerce, and distribution), which contributed to the continuous expansion of regular customers.
The W Care Series products, targeting health management needs such as sleep and visceral fat, saw sales revenue increase by approximately 90% compared to the same period last year, with Kirin iMUSE Immune Care & Visceral Fat Down leading the overall supplement category.

Beverages

The total sales volume of beverages containing LC-Plasma increased by approximately 10% year on year in the first half of 2025, demonstrating strong performance.
In particular, the Kirin Oishii Immune Care series led sales of beverages containing plasma lactic acid bacteria, with the sales volume increasing by approximately 40% year on year. The sales volume in June alone increased significantly, by 80% year on year, due to the launch of bulk sale products tailored to customers’ health needs for summer at the change of season, such as the sudden rise in temperature in June. This expanded contact with customers who had not previously purchased small-size drinkable yogurt and lactic acid bacteria beverages, leading to an increase in sales volume.*5
*5 The sales volume of the Kirin Oishii Immune Care series increased 40% year on year in the January to June period! June sales were up 80% year on year, showing a very strong performance.

Yogurts

Sales of the Koiwai Immune Care Yogurt brand increased by approximately 20% year on year, with sales of Koiwai Immune Care Yogurt Sweetness Reduced (400 g) increasing by approximately 30% year on year. In addition to the continued strong performance of large-size products since 2024, repeat purchases by customers buying single-serve (100 g) products drove sales. We will continue to promote table-top displays and in-store sampling to provide meal suggestions and information on daily immune care habits.

Partner Company Products

The number of foods with functional claims containing LC-Plasma sold through partner companies increased to 19 products from 10 companies,*6 and sales of ingredients in Japan grew by approximately 60% year on year. We are promoting the establishment of immune care habits by developing foods with functional claims for new immune functions through products that are compatible with healthy lifestyles.
*6 As of the end of July 2025.

Overseas

Overseas shipments of LC-Plasma remained strong, with sales increasing by approximately 80% year on year. In March, Kirin and Blackmores launched the first product developed jointly by the two companies, Blackmores Revolutionary Strain LC Plasma Powder 4 benefits formula / 澳佳寶® 4效特攻億菌革命プラズマ乳酸菌粉末, on Blackmores Taiwan's e-commerce site. In addition, in May RevWell Lacto Stick was launched, a product containing LC-Plasma developed jointly by Kirin Holdings, AXXZIA Inc., and FANCL CORPORATION, on AXXZIA's cross-border e-commerce site in China. Kirin Holdings is continuing to develop products containing LC-Plasma globally.

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.