Japan’s Kirin buys Canadian vitamin maker for $1.3bn in health science push

Business deals

Brewer aims to expand in North America, world’s largest supplement market

Kirin Holdings has been diversifying into health foods and supplements. (Photo by Tokuyuki Matsubuchi)

TOKYO — Japanese brewer and beverage maker Kirin Holdings has announced a deal worth 1.898 billion Canadian dollars ($1.3 billion) to buy Ontario-based vitamin and supplement maker Jamieson Wellness, giving it a foothold in the health science sector in North America amid a flat beer market.