Martek Biosciences Corporation announced that Canada's government health agency, Health Canada, has completed a favorable review of the company's submission supporting the use of Martek's proprietary Dhasco and Arasco oils in infant formulas in Canada. Health Canada's action pertains solely to Martek's oil blend and does not extend to any other sources of DHA and ARA. As a result of this action, once infant formula manufacturers satisfy Health Canada's pre-market notification procedures relating to infant formula, products containing Martek's oils will become available in Canada.

Martek's oil blend contains two long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), docosahexanoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA), both of which are found in mother's breast-milk. These substances have been demonstrated to be important building blocks for the developing brain and retina of infants. Currently, infant formula containing Martek's oil blend is sold in over 60 countries by various infant formula manufacturers that are licensees of Martek. In the U.S., infant formulas with this oil blend are offered by Mead Johnson (Enfamil LIPIL) and Abbott Laboratories' Ross Products Division (Similac Advance).

"Canadian babies won a big one today," commented Henry Linsert, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Martek Biosciences Corporation. "We are pleased to see this positive trend in infant nutrition extend to Canada."

Martek Biosciences Corporation develops, manufactures and sells products from microalgae. The Company's products include: (1) specialty, nutritional oils for infant formula that aid in the development of the eyes and central nervous system in newborns; (2) nutritional supplements and food ingredients that may play a beneficial role in promoting mental and cardiovascular health throughout life; and (3) new, powerful fluorescent markers for diagnostics, rapid miniaturized screening, and gene and protein detection.