L. lactis strain Plasma Series Sales in 2025 Exceed 28 Billion Yen

Factors Behind the Strong Performance

1. Heightened Consumer Awareness of Health Management Throughout the Year

In 2025, consumer awareness of daily health management increased significantly. According to a Kirin survey, more than 70% of respondents indicated that “awareness of health management has increased regardless of the season.”*2
This reflects the ongoing need for continuous health maintenance due to climate change and lifestyle shifts. Japan experienced record‑high average temperatures between June and August 2025—the highest since statistical tracking began in 1898. In a separate survey conducted in Kumagaya City, known for extreme heat, about 50% of respondents were concerned about their physical condition during the summer, and nearly 70% expressed a desire to adopt more effective measures for managing their health in hot weather.*3
As a result, consumer demand—previously concentrated in autumn and winter—shifted toward consistent, year‑round purchases of products containing LC‑Plasma.

2 Kirin survey (n = 635), conducted from October 31 to November 4, 2025.
3 Kirin survey “Survey on Health Measures During Extreme Heat,” conducted online from June 23 to 24, 2025, among 300 men and women aged 20–60 living in Kumagaya City.

2. Continuous Promotion of “Immune Care”*4

In response to rising demand for year‑round health support, Kirin continued to conduct promotional activities focused on immune care.
During winter—when health concerns peak, especially among families with students preparing for exams—the company emphasized the importance of immune support.
During the summer, when extreme heat posed additional health risks, Kirin provided clear and accessible explanations of the function and mechanism of LC‑Plasma in supporting immune function, helping consumers maintain their health with confidence. By aligning communication with seasonal health needs, more consumers became familiar with the concept of immune care, leading to broader product adoption.
4 Supporting the maintenance of immune function in healthy people (research report on LC-Plasma).

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*5 to work on pDCs (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, 37 papers have been published and numerous presentations made at academic conferences.*6
5 LC-Plasma was the first lactic acid bacteria reported to work on pDCs in humans (based on information published in PubMed and the homepage of the Central Medical Journal).
6 As of December 31, 2025.

Sales Trends by Category

Supplements

Total annual sales of the iMUSE supplement series increased by approximately 30% year on year.
Strengthened promotions across all channels—including direct online sales, external e‑commerce platforms, and retail distribution—along with advertising such as TV commercials, expanded product awareness, and increased purchasing opportunities.
New customer acquisitions progressed, with Kirin iMUSE Immune Care Supplement growing by about 10% year on year.
The W-Care series, addressing needs such as sleep and visceral fat management, grew by approximately 80%, driving overall growth in the supplement category.
FANCL CORPORATION’s (FANCL) Meneki Support, an immune‑focused supplement formulated with LC‑Plasma, recorded year‑on‑year growth of around 20%.

Beverages

Annual sales volume for beverages containing LC-Plasma increased by about 10% year on year.
In the chilled beverages category, sales of the Kirin Oishii Immune Care series expanded significantly increasing by approximately 40% year on year. By strengthening promotions that emphasized the importance of immune care in line with seasonal health concerns, the series attracted new customers and achieved substantial growth.
In shelf-stable beverages, the iMUSE series exceeded the previous year’s performance. The November 2025 renewal of Kirin iMUSE Yogurt Taste contributed to further sales growth, particularly among consumers seeking convenient daily health management.
Kirin will continue to propose health solutions for diverse lifestyles through its Health Science beverage portfolio.

Yogurt

Total sales of the Koiwai Immune Care Yogurt brand grew by approximately 10% year on year.
The 400g Koiwai Immune Care Yogurt – Light Sweetness performed particularly well, increasing by around 40% year on year.
Growth was supported by strong continued demand for the 400g size and increased repeat purchases of 100g single‑serve items.
Kirin Holdings will continue to offer table-top suggestions and information on daily immune care habits through in-store exposure and consumption experiences, with the aim of turning customers into loyal fans.

Partner Company Products

In 2025, Wada Calcium Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., launched a dual‑benefit “Bone Density & Immune Care Tablet” while Phiten Co., Ltd., released a tablet‑type supplement that allows consumers to easily continue daily immune care.
As a result, the total number of companies selling functional foods containing LC-Plasma through partner companies increased to 12 companies and 24 products.*7
These collaborations help promote widespread adoption of immune‑care habits through products aligned with consumers’ daily health routines.
7 As of December 31, 2025.

Overseas

Overseas shipments of LC‑Plasma as a raw material grew by approximately 50% 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.*8 In addition, in May, the 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.*9
Kirin also entered a sales‑commission agreement with Lallemand, a Canada based manufacturer of yeast and lactic acid bacteria, to expand the presence of LC‑Plasma products in Europe, the Americas, and other regions previously difficult to reach.
8 Kirin News Release Kirin and Blackmores Team Up To Release LC-Plasma in Taiwan | 2025 | KIRIN - Kirin Holdings Company, Limited
9 Kirin News Release [Japanese only] https://www.kirinholdings.com/jp/newsroom/release/2025/0512_02.html

Functional foods
[Kirin iMUSE Immune Care Supplement][Kirin Oishii Immune Care][Kirin iMUSE Yogurt Taste]
[Koiwai Immune Care Yogurt – Light Sweetness][Phiten LC‑Plasma]
[Reported indication]
This product contains LC-Plasma (L. lactis strain Plasma). LC-Plasma acts on pDCs (plasmacytoid dendritic cells) and has been reported to help maintain immune function in healthy people.

[Bone density and Immunity Care Tablets Yogurt Taste]
[Reported indication]
This product contains maltobionic acid Ca and LC-Plasma (L. lactis strain Plasma). Maltobionic acid Ca has been reported to help maintain bone density, which declines with aging. LC-Plasma acts on pDCs (plasmacytoid dendritic cells) and has been reported to help maintain immune function in healthy people.

Notes:
1 Diet should include staple foods, main dishes, and side dishes for a balanced diet.
2 Unlike Foods for Specified Health Uses (FOSHU), this product has not been evaluated by the government for its functionality or safety. Information on the scientific evidence submitted can be found on the Consumer Affairs Agency website.
3 This product is not a pharmaceutical product.

This product is not intended for individuals with diseases, minors, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or women who are planning to become pregnant.