LC-Plasma-based Vaccine Research Selected for SCARDA Project

Kirin Holdings Company, Limited (Kirin Holdings)(TOKYO:2503) and National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) are jointly conducting studies to investigate the protective efficacy of L. lactis strain Plasma [postbiotic] (LC-Plasma) immunization against infectious diseases. We now announce that a proposal for our collaborative research has currently been accepted as a project for research and development into new modalities contributing to vaccine development by the Strategic Center of Biomedical Advanced Vaccine Research and Development for Preparedness and Response (SCARDA) in the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED).

Backgrounds
SCARDA was established at AMED in March, 2022, based on the national strategy, to strengthen strategic research funding and to promote the formation of world-class research and development centers (https://www.amed.go.jp/en/program/list/21/index.html). SCARDA is supporting Research & Development for new generation vaccines. Traditional vaccines are expected to induce adaptive immune responses including antibody and T cell responses to prevent infection with pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. Recently, the concept of trained immunity has been discussed and there have been several attempts to develop vaccines inducing effective innate responses against infectious diseases, which has not yet been achieved.

LC-Plasma is characterized by its ability to activate plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and stimulate interferon production, leading to enhancement of innate immune responses. Through joint research with NIID, Kirin Holdings has confirmed that SARS-CoV-2 replication is inhibited by the culture supernatants of pDCs stimulated with LC-Plasma (Ishii et al, BBRC 662:26, 2023).

Kirin Holdings and NIID are now conducting collaborative research for the development of vaccines inducing innate immune responses against respiratory virus infection by utilizing LC-Plasma for medical use. This project is to explore the potential of intranasal LC-Plasma vaccination to prevent respiratory infection with viruses including SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses.

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.