Johnson & Johnson has acquired a 19.9% stake in Tokyo-based Ci:z Holdings, the company has confirmed with Cosmetics Business.
Ci:z Holdings is the parent company of the Dr.Ci:Labo skin care brand, which produces cleansers, exfoliators and moisturisers including the Aqua-Collagen-Gel and Ever Bright ranges.
As part of the deal, Founder and Chairman Yoshinori Shirono will sell off some of his stake, which will result in Johnson & Johnson becoming Ci:z Holdings’ second major shareholder. Ci:z Holdings will make up to approximately ¥3.5bn from the deal.
The rights to Dr.Ci:Labo outside of the company’s domestic market Japan will transfer to Johnson & Johnson and two of Ci:z Holdings’ board members will also transition over.
Johnson & Johnson has been growing its skin care portfolio this year, acquiring NeoStrata and Exuviance in April.