Martek Biosciences Corporation announced today that The Ross Products Division of Abbott Laboratories has announced plans to launch an infant formula supplemented with Martek's nutritional docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) oils in the United States. Ross' U.S. launch is targeted to take place early in 2002.
"American babies won a big one today," stated Henry Linsert, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Martek.
In May 2001, the Food and Drug Administration completed a favorable review of Martek's generally recognized as safe (GRAS) notification regarding the use of its DHA and ARA in infant formula. The FDA's clearance pertained solely to Martek's oil blend and does not extend to any other sources of DHA and ARA.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is the most abundant omega-3 fatty acid in the brain and retina. DHA comprises 40% of the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the brain and 60% of the PUFAs in the retina. Fifty percent of the weight of a neuron's plasma membrane is composed of DHA. DHA is richly supplied during breastfeeding, and DHA levels are high in breastmilk regardless of dietary choices.
Arachidonic acid (ARA) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid present in the phospholipids (especially phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylinositides) of membranes of the body's cells, and is abundant in the brain, muscles, and liver.
DHA and ARA are natural components of breast-milk and are believed by many researchers to play a pivotal role in perinatal neural development. Extensive clinical research has demonstrated that Martek's pure, proprietary formulation of DHA and ARA, when added to infant formulas at the proper level, significantly improves the mental and visual development of formula fed babies. Martek's DHA and ARA are currently available in infant formulas in over 60 countries worldwide.
Martek Biosciences Corporation develops, manufactures and sells products from microalgae. The Company's products include: (1) specialty, nutritional oils for infant formula; (2) nutritional supplements and food ingredients that may play a beneficial role in promoting mental and cardiovascular health, and in the development of the eyes and central nervous system in newborns; and (3) new, powerful fluorescent markers for diagnostics, rapid miniaturized screening, and gene and protein detection.