June 29, 2021

New Research Suggests Citicoline Aids in Memory Function⚫
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Published clinical trial demonstrated improved overall memory performance in healthy elderly
populations when given citicoline.
The findings suggest that regular consumption of citicoline may be safe and potentially beneficial
against memory loss due to aging.
Citicoline is naturally-occurring substance in the body that helps maintain cell membranes in brain andnerve cells.

TOKYO, Tuesday June 29, 2021 – The Kirin Central Research Institute of Kirin Holdings, Company,Ltd., (Kirin Holdings), announces that its proprietary citicoline*1 ingredient may improve composite
memory, specifically episodic memory according to a clinical study. The study was published in Oxford
Academics’ The Journal of Nutrition on May 12, 2021.
Citicoline is a naturally-occurring substance in the body that helps maintain cell membranes in brain andnerve cells. The study was conducted using Citicoline manufactured by Kirin Holdings subsidiary Kyowa
Hakko Bio Co., Ltd. (Kyowa Hakko Bio).
*1 These statements have not been evaluated by the United States’ Food and Drug Administration nor Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, andWelfare. In Japan, citicoline is not permitted for use in food and beverages. This substance is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent anydisease.

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How the Study Was Conducted

The study, titled aimed to investigate the effects of citicoline on memory in healthy elderly populations
with age-associated memory impairment (AAMI). A total of 100 healthy men and women between ages 50
and 85 were evaluated as a part of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial*2 during anintervention period of twelve weeks. Participants were randomized to receive either a 500 mg/d dosage of
citicoline or a placebo, with memory functions assessed at baseline and at the end of the intervention using
standardized computerized tests.
This study was conducted in United States where citicoline is approved for food ingredients. Betweengroup analysis indicated that the changes from baseline scores were statistically significantly different
between test groups for Paired Associates, which was the outcome for episodic memory, and Composite
Memory which was the outcome for overall memory, whereby the citicoline group demonstrated greater
improvements in these tests compared with the placebo group. We did not observe any serious adverse
events following daily consumption of citicoline for 12 weeks during the study.
*2 A testing methodology used in clinical trials in which participants are randomly divided into groups to receive the placebo or the actual active
ingredient, and which group is which is unknown until the trial is completed.

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Conclusions

The
study
concludedthat
dietary
supplementation of citicoline for 12-weeks
improved overall memory performance,
especially episodic memory, in healthy older
males and females with AAMI. The findings
suggest that regular consumption of citicoline
may be safe and potentially beneficial against
memory loss due to aging.”
One of the study’s researchers, Dr. Eri Nakazaki,Ph.D., Lead Researcher at the Kirin Central
Research Institute, explains: “Citicoline increases an important
substance in the brain called phosphatidylcholine that supports healthy
brain function. Citicoline is also especially vital to brain health. The
data from this analysis is very encouraging that regular consumption,
500mg/day of citicoline may be safe and potentially beneficial against
memory loss due to aging.
⚫ Future developments
Citicoline was launched by Kyowa Hakko Bio in the United States in the early 1990’s, and is now globallyfeatured in over 200 products as an ingredient in health foods and beverages. It is also used as an ingredientof pharmaceuticals. Especially in the United States and EU, Citicoline is used in supplements that support
increased cognitive function*3.
In the future, through Citicoline, Kyowa Hakko Bio aims to support brain health in society and to contributeto solving social issues related to the health and well-being around the world.
*3: Uses of citicoline are designated by the laws and regulations in each country; so the use of citicoline in pharmaceuticals or
food products varies in each country or region.

● KIRIN Brain Research
Japan’s average life expectancy has been increasing and the country has entered a superaged society in which one in four people is elderly.*4 Given that an estimated one in fiveelderly people will suffer from dementia in 2025,*5 the extend of healthy life expectancy
is a social issue.
The Kirin Group understands that the joys and concerns in a daily life are intimately
associated with brain activity, and thus launched KIRIN Brain Research to develop thenew solutions mainly in health science to promote brain health and create joy.
Kirin Brain Research Logo

KIRIN Brain Research based on Kirin’s distinct technology and ways of thinking
contributes to promote brain health in an effort to help resolve social issues and will
create a society conducive to psychologically prosperous living, where everyone has confidence and ambition
and feels free to experience their emotions.
*4 Cabinet Office, White Paper on the Aging Society FY 2020
*5 Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, MHLW Special Research Project, Research on Future Trends in the Prevalence of Dementia among
Elderly People in Japan, 2014, Report on General & Specialized Research, 2015

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Overview:
1. Title of study: Citicoline and Memory Function in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized, DoubleBlind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
2. Presented by: Eri Nakazaki, Eunice Mah, Kristen Sanoshy, Danielle Citrolo, Fumiko Watanabe
Press Contact
Corporate Communication Department
Kirin Holdings Company, Limited
Nakano Central Park South, 4-10-2 Nakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo
+81-3-6837-7028
https://www.kirinholdings.com/en/kirin-cc@kirin.co.jp-more-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 toPharmaceuticals.” Going forward, the Kirin Group will continue to leverage its strengths to create bothsocial and economic value through its businesses, with the aim of achieving sustainable growth in corporate
value.

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