Martek Biosciences Receives Additional Patent for ARA

COLUMBIA, Md.—The European Patent Office granted another patent to Martek (www.martek.com) for the use of arachidonic acid (ARA) oil, made from Martek’s Mortierella alpina microbial source, in infant formula. The divisional patent covers ARA oil that naturally contains eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in amounts up to 20 percent of ARA present in the microbial oil, and is meant to prevent competitors from designing around the claims by adding EPA from other sources such as fish oil. “This patent grant is further evidence of Martek’s strong intellectual property position in Europe for infant formulas supplemented with ARA oil,” said Steve Dubin, chief executive officer (CEO).