Martek is Now the Sole-Source Supplier of ARA for all Infant Formula Products Manufactured by Hochdorf...( COLUMBIA Md. Sept. 22 /- (Nasdaq:...)

COLUMBIA, Md., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- (Nasdaq: MATK) Martek Biosciences Corporation announced today that it has entered into a multi-year sole-source supply agreement with Hochdorf Nutricare AG for the use of ARA in China and certain parts of Europe.

"We are pleased to be working with Hochdorf, one of Switzerland's leading food companies, to provide optimal nutrition to infants around the world," said Ethan Leonard, vice president of pediatric nutrition for Martek. "This agreement with Hochdorf represents Martek's continued success in expanding its infant formula business beyond the US market."

Naturally present in human breast milk, ARA (arachidonic acid) is a fatty acid important to infant development and growth. Clinical studies have demonstrated numerous benefits, including improved mental and visual development, for infants receiving infant formula supplemented with ARA and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), another fatty acid important to infant development. Martek's blend of DHA and ARA, life'sDHA & life'sARA(TM), is the only source of these nutrients currently used in U.S. infant formula, and is present in more than 95 percent of infant formula sold in the U.S. Additionally, Martek is a leading global supplier of DHA and ARA and infant formulas containing Martek's nutritional oils are available in more than 75 countries worldwide.

One of Switzerland's leading food companies, The Hochdorf Group is headquartered in Hochdorf, Switzerland. It maintains three production facilities and employs a workforce of more than 430. Extracted from natural resources such as milk and wheat germ, Hochdorf products have been contributing to the health and well-being of people of all ages, from babies to senior citizens, sinc
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