What KINS does

KINS (株式会社KINS) is a Japanese microbiome-focused health-tech company founded in December 2018 by Yutaka Shimokawa, a dentist and former medical corporation director. The company operates three integrated business lines: (1) Consumer Healthcare — D2C e-commerce brands for humans (KINS core brand covering supplements such as KINS VINEGAR PROTEIN, KINS WOMAN BALANCE, KINS BIO DRINK, and skincare like KINS MILK) and pets (KINS WITH), plus men's health (KINS PRIME) and clinic-exclusive women's health (KINS MEDICAL); (2) Clinic operations — two KINS WITH veterinary hospitals in Japan (Futakotamagawa Main Branch, Tachikawa Branch) specializing in dentistry, dermatology, and gastroenterology, and a Singapore human dermatology clinic (KINS Clinic) treating moderate-to-severe acne using skin microbiome research; and (3) Medical/Research — proprietary bacterial strain library including polyamine-producing lactic acid bacteria, spermidine-producing spore-forming strains, and the Bellp post-biotic fermentate, plus drug discovery partnerships with pharmaceutical companies. The underlying technology platform combines proprietary bacterial strain isolation, -omics analysis (shotgun metagenomics, genome sequencing, RNA expression profiling), and fermented ingredient development, supported by an in-house KINS Lab and academic partners at Okayama University, Jikei University, and Kyoto Prefectural Medical University.

KINS operates across Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan, with more than 62 employees and a cumulative user base exceeding 120,000 consumers across its product brands. Distribution combines owned D2C e-commerce (yourkins.com), EC marketplaces (Rakuten, Amazon), @cosme retail placement across six Japanese cities, clinic channels, and B2B ingredient supply to pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetics manufacturers. Strategic corporate partnerships include Suzuyo (distribution), Panasonic (product co-development), Rakuten (EC ecosystem), NIPPON EXPRESS Holdings (cold-chain logistics), Da Han Enzymes (Taiwan market), Maruho (dermatology drug discovery), and Asahi Group Foods (yeast-synergy research). The company has raised approximately 3.5-5 billion yen cumulatively through a Series C round involving multiple corporate and financial venture investors, with the July 2024 round alone reported as a 5 billion yen first close led by a syndicate of Japanese corporate VCs.

Pricing is segmented by sub-brand: VINEGAR PROTEIN at 3,980 JPY per unit with subscription discounts; KINS WOMAN BALANCE at 5,400 JPY single / 2,980 JPY first order / 4,400 JPY recurring; KINS BIO DRINK at 6,480 JPY per bottle; KINS Clinic Singapore from 80 SGD consultation plus separate medication and procedure fees. The KINS Clinic Singapore achieved monthly profitability in its second year, while broader disclosure notes the company stably exceeding 1 billion yen in annual sales as of September 2024 per Tokyo Metropolitan Government selection criteria.

Name

KINS

Legal name

株式会社KINS

Website

https://corporate.yourkins.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

KINS is a Japanese microbiome-focused health-tech company that develops proprietary bacterial strains and operates D2C supplement and skincare brands, two veterinary hospitals, a Singapore dermatology clinic, and a drug discovery program targeting chronic skin and gut conditions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Microbiome Healthcare

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Veterinary Services (54194), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Food And Kindred Products (2000), Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)

akta.pro primary industry

Microbiome Diagnostics & Biomarker Platforms (gut/skin/oral/vaginal) (HLAAAFAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Remote Diagnostics & Home Testing Devices (Connected POC/At-Home Diagnostic Readers) (HLAHACAL), Synthetic Biology & Genetic Circuit Design Platforms (pathway engineering, chassis development) (HLAAAIAD)

Keywords

• Microbiome research
• Probiotic supplements
• Skincare products
• Veterinary hospitals
• Dermatology services

Headquarters

HQ city

Ginza

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Consumer Healthcare Product Sales (D2C E-commerce): KINS sells supplements, skincare, and pet products directly to consumers via its own e-commerce platform (yourkins.com) and EC mall stores. Products include KINS VINEGAR PROTEIN, KINS WOMAN BALANCE, KINS BIO DRINK, KINS MILK, and pet supplements. Revenue is generated through one-time purchases and subscription (regular delivery) models. The company also operates its own animal hospitals in Japan and a human dermatology clinic in Singapore, providing clinical services that simultaneously generate revenue and collect microbiome data for research.
2. B2B Ingredient and Raw Material Supply: KINS supplies its proprietary bacterial strains and ingredients (e.g., polyamine-producing lactic acid bacteria, Bellp post-biotic extract) to pharmaceutical companies, food manufacturers, and cosmetic companies for use in their own products. KINS also provides research services and co-development partnerships with corporations seeking microbiome-based solutions.
3. Microbiome Drug Discovery (創薬事業): KINS conducts pharmaceutical R&D on proprietary bacterial strains identified through its microbiome bank, targeting chronic skin and gut conditions. The company pursues drug discovery partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, with Maruho partnership as an example of co-development in dermatology. Revenue not yet material; positioned as a long-term future revenue stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

KINS is a microbiome-focused healthcare company that conducts proprietary research on resident bacteria (microbiome) and translates findings into consumer healthcare products, clinical services, and drug discovery. The company develops and sells probiotic supplements, skincare, and pet health products directly to consumers through its own e-commerce platform, operates veterinary hospitals in Japan and a dermatology clinic in Singapore, supplies proprietary bacterial strains and post-biotic ingredients to B2B partners (pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic companies), and pursues microbiome-based drug discovery.

Product overview

KINS is a microbiome-focused health tech company operating multiple integrated business lines: (1) Consumer Healthcare (KINS brand), a D2C e-commerce platform offering supplements, cosmetics, and functional beverages for skin, gut, and oral microbiome care targeting women, men, and pets, with over 120,000 cumulative users and 20+ products; (2) KINS PRIME, a health-tech sub-brand launched October 2025 combining at-home next-generation gut flora testing, saliva hormone testing, and proprietary fermented red ginseng supplements for business professionals; (3) KINS MEDICAL, a clinic-exclusive supplement sub-brand for women's health launched February 2026; (4) Clinic operations including KINS WITH Animal Hospital (two Japanese locations offering dermatology, dentistry, and gastroenterology for pets) and KINS Clinic (a Singapore-based human dermatology clinic specializing in acne using microbiome research); and (5) a Medical platform pursuing microbiome-based drug discovery using proprietary bacterial strains and clinical data. The company also developed a proprietary post-biotic ingredient (Bellp) and polyamine-producing lactic acid bacteria. KINS operates in Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KINS: Core consumer healthcare brand offering probiotic supplements, skincare products, vinegar protein, and gut flora testing kits for humans.
• KINS WITH
• KINS PRIME
• KINS MEDICAL
• KINS LABO

Products and services

• VINEGAR PROTEIN
• KINS BIO DRINK
• KINS WOMAN BALANCE
• KINS MILK
• KINS PRIME
• KINS MEDICAL Women's Health Supplements
• KINS WITH Pet Supplements
• KINS Clinic Singapore
• KINS WITH Animal Hospital
• Polyamine-producing Lactic Acid Bacteria (B2B Ingredient)
• Bellp Post-biotic Fermentation Extract (B2B Ingredient) KINS's first proprietary post-biotic fermentation liquid created through co-culture fermentation of 24 strains (5 Bifidobacterium species and 19 Lactobacillus species) on whole soy medium. Contains 468 metabolites including lactic acid, amino acids, vitamins, polyphenols, polyamines, and short-chain fatty acids. Demonstrates anti-aging, antioxidant, barrier improvement, and dermis enhancement effects. Supplied to B2B partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Collagen production increased ~1.5x with 1% Bellp concentration in fibroblast cell culture studies
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Paramount Bed Co., Ltd. (パラマウントベッド株式会社)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 May 2026Co-hosted wellness event 'Sleep x Gut Health Strategy for Business Performance' at Paramount Bed's Milli Gallery TOKYO showroom on May 12, 2026. Featured talk by Kyoto Prefectural Medical University Professor Naito and KINS CEO Shimokawa on sleep-gut-brain connection. Event targeted executives and business leaders; KINS PRIME products featured.
• to clinic shibuya (トゥークリニックシブヤ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 January 2026Business partnership in men's health field between KINS PRIME and to clinic shibuya. Integrates KINS PRIME's gut flora testing and supplement products with to clinic's anti-aging medical consultations. KINS PRIME refers patients to clinic based on test results; clinic refers patients to KINS PRIME for post-treatment follow-up. Mid-term goal includes co-developing new solutions for patients.
• Da Han Enzymes Biotechnology Corp. (大漢酵素生物科技股份有限公司)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2025Business partnership and product co-development agreement with Asia's large-scale enzyme manufacturer. Combines KINS's diagnosis-analysis-solution ecosystem with Da Han's fermentation technology and product development capabilities. Goals include launching KINS inner care products in Taiwan, joint product development, and establishing microbiome testing service infrastructure in Taiwan.
• HORAC Grand Front Osaka Clinic (、医療法人三慧会HORACグランフロント大阪クリニック)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 December 2025Joint research on vaginal microbiome composition/function and fertility treatment clinical indicators. KINS provides lactobacillus-based synbiotics and shotgun metagenomics analysis; HORAC provides ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) clinical expertise, patient recruitment, and in-house ethics review. Study examines microbiome changes before and after synbiotic intervention and correlation with ART clinical indicators from fertilization through embryo transfer.
• Asahi Group Foods Co., Ltd. (アサヒグループ食品株式会社)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 November 2025Joint research to verify synergistic effects between KINS's polyamine-producing lactic acid bacteria and Asahi's beer yeast and bread yeast. Studies yeast's influence on bacterial growth and polyamine production efficiency. KINS aims to expand applications in health and beauty; Asahi pursues new functional possibilities for yeast ingredients.
• Maruho Co., Ltd. (マルホ株式会社)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 October 2025Joint research contract for microbiome-based drug discovery in dermatology. KINS contributes its microbiome research platform and skin microbiome data; Maruho contributes disease expertise and clinical knowledge. Aims to develop novel microbiome pharmaceuticals for specific skin diseases by combining KINS's unique research methods with Maruho's clinical insights.
• Kyoto Prefectural Medical University — Division of Immunonutrition (京都府立医科大学 生体免疫栄養学講座)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 August 2024KINS joined Prof. Yuji Naito's endowed chair on immunonutrition. Partnership accelerates research on gut microbiome's role in anti-aging and longevity. Prof. Naito is a leading researcher on gut bacteria and health; his chair focuses on gut microbiome metabolism, frailty/sarcopenia prevention, and developing 'medical food' technology for 100-year healthy digestion. KINS contributes proprietary bacterial strains and research implementation knowledge.
• Watanabe Animal Hospital / KINS WITH Animal Hospital GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2024Business succession/acquisition of Watanabe Animal Hospital (渡邊動物病院), rebranded as KINS WITH Animal Hospital Tachikawa Branch. Acquisition brings dermatology specialization to KINS WITH hospital group. Dr. Kimura Tomoki (veterinary dermatologist) appointed as new director. Expands animal hospital network to 2 locations and adds dermatology as a second specialty alongside dentistry.
• Jikei University School of Medicine — Department of Dermatology (東京慈恵会医科大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 January 2024Joint research with Dr. Tokoroyama Deleo to analyze acne patient skin microbiome, secretions, and Cutibacterium acnes metabolites. Goal is to elucidate acne pathophysiology from a microbiome perspective. Research leverages KINS's microbiome analysis capabilities and the clinic's patient population.
• Okayama University Hospital — Center for Genomic Medicine (岡山大学病院 ゲノム医療総合推進センター)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 November 2023Joint research with Prof. Shuta Tomita's team using whole genome analysis and RNA expression profiling of KINS's proprietary bacterial strains. Applies omics technologies (next-generation sequencing) to characterize functional features of KINS's skin microbiome strains. KINS contributes strains and clinical samples; the university provides bioinformatics and genomics expertise. Aims to identify genetically distinct strains in patient-derived samples for more efficient microbiome drug discovery.
• Biogenomics Co., Ltd. (バイオジェノミクス)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 August 2023Collaboration with Kyushu-based research institute specializing in microbiome research. Full cooperation in developing Bellp (べルプ) post-biotic ingredient through co-culture fermentation of 24 bacterial strains. Biogenomics provided scientific support including evidence development for Bellp's efficacy in skin aging care applications.
• co11ab NOVENA (Biomedtech Incubation Center)coreTechnology or Integration · 30 May 2023KINS Singapore relocated to co11ab NOVENA, Singapore's first biomedical technology incubator co-founded by Nanyang Technological University, A*STAR, and National Healthcare Group. Provides KINS with access to local university research programs in skin microbiome, clinical trial infrastructure, and Singapore's healthcare innovation ecosystem.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• BioGaia: Swedish probiotic company that develops and commercializes proprietary Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains for consumer health (supplements, infant formula, oral health) and licensed B2B partnerships. Closely comparable to KINS in its proprietary strain-based D2C plus B2B licensing model, though BioGaia is publicly listed and more mature.
• Evelo Biosciences: US-based clinical-stage microbiome therapeutics company developing orally delivered bacterial strains for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Comparable to KINS in its single-strain discovery platform and pharmaceutical ambitions, though Evelo has struggled clinically and KINS retains a stronger consumer revenue base.
• Vedanta Biosciences: US clinical-stage microbiome company developing defined bacterial consortia for immune-mediated diseases using a rationally designed, GMP-manufactured platform. Comparable to KINS in its proprietary strain library approach and pharmaceutical orientation, but with a more focused therapeutic development path.
• Seres Therapeutics: Pioneer in microbiome therapeutics, with VOWST (first FDA-approved oral microbiome therapeutic). Closely comparable to KINS in translating microbiome science into pharma products, though Seres has experienced significant clinical and commercial setbacks illustrating the drug-development risk in this category.

Broad incumbents

• Yakult Honsha: Japan's leading probiotic dairy beverage company, founded on Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota research. Comparable to KINS in its consumer probiotic franchise and Japan-centric distribution, but vastly larger scale and a more limited R&D-to-pharma pipeline.
• Morinaga Milk Industry: Major Japanese dairy company with a long-standing Bifidobacterium longum BB536 probiotic business spanning supplements, infant formula, and dairy. Comparable to KINS in the consumer probiotic space and B2B ingredient supply, with deeper regulatory and retail infrastructure.
• Meiji Holdings: Japanese food and pharmaceutical conglomerate with a substantial probiotics business (LG21, R-1 strains) across dairy, supplements, and infant nutrition. Overlaps with KINS in Japan's consumer probiotic market and B2B ingredient licensing, with a much broader product portfolio.
• Otsuka Pharmaceutical: Major Japanese pharmaceutical company with a dedicated microbiome and lactic acid bacteria business (Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Otsuka Chemical) producing supplements, OTC products, and pursuing drug discovery. Comparable to KINS in the broader Japan microbiome ecosystem, with established pharma distribution and clinical infrastructure.

Regional players

• Anicom Holdings: Japan's leading pet insurance and pet healthcare company, with growing veterinary clinic and pet supplement operations. Comparable to KINS's KINS WITH animal hospital and pet supplement strategy, with a much larger established pet-owner customer base and pet-focused distribution.
• Fancl Corporation: Japanese direct-to-consumer supplements and cosmetics company with strong positions in skin health, gut health, and women's health. Comparable to KINS in its D2C e-commerce model and Japanese consumer positioning, with greater brand scale and a longer OTC regulatory track record.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/yourkins_official
• Xx.com/yourkins

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors5 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KINS