February 11/Pharma Business Week -- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3 innovator and maker of the life'sDHA brand of DHA, Martek Biosciences announced it has entered into a license agreement with General Mills for a patented microencapsulation technology. Microencapsulation is a process widely used in food manufacturing that protects the integrity of food ingredients and helps maintain the nutritional value, shelflife and flavor of the finished food or beverage product.

Developed by General Mills, this technology is anticipated to enhance Martek's ability to produce DHA powders for certain food applications, particularly long shelflife products and applications with sensory and formulation challenges. Under the terms of the agreement, Martek is granted a perpetual and generally exclusive license, with respect to third parties, to the General Mills technology for use with DHA and other polyunsaturated fatty acids. General Mills retains the right to this technology for its own use and exclusively for all uses within some of its core businesses.

"Through this technology, we look forward to providing the important health benefits of DHA to even more consumers around the world through healthy, convenient and high-quality products in a broad range of categories," said David Abramson, Martek president.

DHA omega-3 is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid that serves as a primary building block for the brain and the eyes and supports brain, eye and cardiovascular health throughout life. There is a large and growing body of scientific evidence demonstrating that people of all ages benefit from an adequate supply of DHA omega-3 in the diets. Scientific reviews highlight the importance of DHA omega-3 in proper brain and eye development and function, as well as its importance in cardiovascular health. Clinical studies are underway to evaluate the role of DHA in decreasing the prevalence of certain neurological disorders.

From the February 16, 2009, Prepared Foods E-dition