iMUSE Named Product of the Year for Immune Health
Winner of the 2021 NutraIngredient-Asia Awards for its Scientifically Substantiated and Successful Health Claims
Out of the surge of new immune health products launched in 2020, Kirin Holdings Company Limited’s iMUSE brand was named Product of the Year for Immune Support at the 2021 NutraIngredients-Asia Awards. iMUSE is the brand of finished product, which is launched by Kirin group companies. IMMUSE™ (as it is known in other countries) is the brand name of LC-Plasma, the dietary supplement and food ingredient.
About The Nutralngredients-Asia Award
Held by William Reed Business Media (WRBM), a leading publisher of digital newsletters, publications and data sources for the food, beverage and nutrition industries worldwide, this year’s awards expanded to 16 categories to include the Product of the Year for Immune Support – making iMUSE the first-ever winner.
The award celebrates the best branded supplements, functional foods and beverages for supporting immune health, recognizing iMUSE for its scientific research validating its effects on the immune system, successful achievement of labeled health claims and commercial growth.
"The judges admired the scientific endeavor underpinning the products, its health claims success and commercial growth."
Scientific Substantiation of Immune Health Claims
iMUSE is also Japan’s first-ever Food with Functional Claims (FFCs) products for immunity, requiring scientific substantiation of its immune health claims.
The key ingredient in iMUSE branded products – Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma (LC-Plasma) – was discovered and cultivated by Kirin Holdings over ten years ago for its novel mechanism of action that provides more comprehensive immune support at the cellular level. The ingredient has since been backed by 29 published studies, including 14 human clinical trials with more studies being done every year.
"It's an honor for Kirin Holdings to be chosen for its Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma - the functional ingredient in iMUSE. This is the culmination of many years of research," affirmed Dr. Daisuke Fujiwara, General Manager, Health Science Department (who discovered LC-Plasma) in his acceptance speech.
"Over 10 years ago, when I set out to do this research, my mission was to find ways to contribute to protection against viral infection. This award validates our hard work. Moving forward, Kirin Holdings will carry on this mission, finding more ways to contribute to the health of as many people as possible; first by making efforts to spread this kind of research through Asia."
Commercial Growth
Widely available on the Japanese health market since 2012 in numerous products, including in tablets, gummies, functional beverages and yogurts, Kirin Holdings launched a series of new products containing LC-Plasma in the fall of 2021 — expanding to a total of 22 products in collaboration with external partner companies in Japan.
Internationally distributed by the global offices of KYOWA HAKKO BIO CO., LTD, a worldwide specialty fermentation company and leader in research and manufacturing of high-quality branded ingredients for use in dietary supplements, functional foods and beverages, IMMUSE™ entered the U.S. market in 2020, launching in Europe the year after.
Where to Find Products with IMMUSE™
