The new entity, named Kirin Health Science International (KHSI) Pty Ltd, will come into operation from April 1, 2026.
Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, the company will oversee Kirin’s B2C business in the health science domain outside of Japan.
These businesses include Blackmores itself, as well as FANCL, Kyowa Hakko Bio and Koiwai Dairy Products.
Kirin announced the formation of the new entity today (February 13) as it presented its FY25 financial results.
Symington will serve as president of KHSI and also continue his role as Blackmores’ CEO.
“Alastair Symington was selected based on the leadership capabilities required for KHSI’s role in overseeing the Group’s overseas B2C health science business and accelerating growth in the APAC region,” Kirin said in response to queries from NutraIngredients. “The position calls for strong experience in operating businesses in global markets, as well as the ability to lead and grow multiple brands across different regions.”
The company added that Symington has extensive management experience in international business environments, including his track record as CEO of Blackmores, where he led the business primarily across APAC.
“Based on this experience, Kirin determined that he is well-suited to lead KHSI and drive the integrated growth of the Group’s overseas health science business.”
Kirin acquired Australia-based Blackmores in 2023.
A single global brand strategy
Through KHSI, Kirin will centrally coordinate strategy, branding, and operations across regions outside Japan, while local operating companies will continue to focus on executing marketing and sales in their respective markets.
The new entity will also integrate the ingredients, technological assets, and expertise of group companies, including Blackmores, FANCL, Kyowa Hakko Bio, and Koiwai Dairy Products.
“This structure enables the Group to operate in a more unified and consistent manner globally,” the company told NI. “In addition, roles and responsibilities will be clarified between KHSI and brand owners, with brand strategies developed by brand owners being shared and deployed internationally, and KHSI supporting their execution in each market. This is expected to strengthen alignment and speed of execution across regions.”
Under this structure, brand strategy is still determined by the respective brand owners.
“Overall brand strategy continues to be determined by the respective brand owners. For overseas markets, local marketing and sales execution will be handled by KHSI and, where applicable, by local operating companies such as Blackmores.
“This approach is intended to ensure a clear separation between global brand strategy and local market execution, while maintaining close coordination between the two.”
Specific reporting lines and governance structure are currently under consideration as KHSI moves toward establishment.
The new entity will also focus on combining its brands’ products with “external solutions” such as information, services, and devices, to meet consumer needs across the Asia Pacific.
Goal: One of the largest health science companies
Kirin said it aimed to become “one of the largest Health Science companies in the Asia-Pacific region.”
As one of the four major alcoholic beverage producers, Kirin has been investing more in its health science business in recent years amid growing health consciousness and declining alcohol consumption.
“In 2025, the world continued to undergo rapid and drastic changes, significantly impacting the business environment surrounding the Group. In addition to subdued consumer sentiment globally, heightened health consciousness has intensified regulatory measures to curtail alcohol and sugar consumption, further exacerbating business conditions,” said Kirin.
“Alongside our alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic beverages, and pharmaceuticals businesses, we have aimed to position our Health Science business, which views solving health issues as a business opportunity, as the Group’s growth driver.”
Upcoming activities
Kirin earlier announced that it would be launching a urine-immune test in Q3 this year to help users visualize and understand their immune health status.
The company is also conducting clinical trials in Australia with Blackmores and Griffith University on its flagship immune health ingredient Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma postbiotic - also known as LC-plasma or IMMUSE in the market.
There are plans to expand the sales of LC-Plasma supplements into Australia and Southeast Asian countries.
Last May, Kirin launched its first product with Blackmores in Taiwan by leveraging the latter’s distribution channels.
Marketed as Blackmores Revolutionary Strain LC Plasma Powder 4 Benefits Formula, the product is formulated with Kirin’s proprietary immune health ingredient LC-plasma and indigestible dextrin.
