Martek, General Mills Collaborate on Microencapsulation Technology for Food Applications

Martek, General Mills Collaborate on Microencapsulation Technology for Food
Applications

COLUMBIA, Md., Feb. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) omega-3
innovator and maker of the life'sDHA(TM) brand of DHA, Martek Biosciences
announced today that 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, shelf-life and flavor of
the finished food or beverage product.

Developed by General Mills, this technology is anticipated to enhance Martek's
ability to produce high-quality, cost-effective DHA powders for certain food
applications, particularly long-shelf life 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 their 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. Leading experts around the world have noted
that DHA is an important nutrient for health throughout the life cycle. Yet
despite its importance, Americans have among the lowest dietary intakes of DHA
omega-3 in the world.

Fish are often incorrectly thought to be the only source of DHA omega-3.
However, life'sDHA offers a trusted, vegetarian form of DHA that contains no
oceanic pollutants or toxins. Fish are sources of DHA because of the DHA-rich
microalgae in their food chain; life'sDHA is derived directly from microalgae,
a renewable, sustainable source of DHA that does not deplete ocean resources,
and is produced entirely in the U.S. in an FDA-inspected facility. Today,
life'sDHA is found in numerous foods, beverages and supplements for people of
all ages. It is also the only source of DHA used in U.S. infant formula and is
included in more than 99 percent of all formulas on the U.S. market, as well
as in more than 200 brands of infant formula, nutritional supplements and
functional foods sold in over 75 countries worldwide.

One of the world's leading food companies, General Mills operates in over 100
countries and markets more than 100 consumer brands, including Cheerios,
Haagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El
Paso, Progresso, Cascadian Farms, Muir Glen and more. Headquartered in
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A., General Mills had fiscal 2008 global net sales
of U.S. $14.9 billion, including the company's $1.2 billion proportionate
share of joint venture net sales. Visit www.generalmills.com.

Martek Biosciences Corporation (Nasdaq: MATK) is a leader in the innovation
and development of DHA omega-3 products that promote health and wellness
through every stage of life. The company produces life'sDHA, a sustainable and
vegetarian source of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), for
use in foods, beverages, infant formula, and supplements. The company also
produces life'sARA(TM) (arachidonic acid), an omega-6 fatty acid, from a
sustainable, vegetarian source, for use in infant formula. For more
information on Martek Biosciences Corporation, visit www.martek.com. For a
complete list of products containing life'sDHA, visit http://www.lifesdha.com
.

Sections of this release contain forward-looking statements. These statements
are based upon numerous assumptions which Martek cannot control and involve
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ. These
statements should be understood in light of the risk factors set forth in the
company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but
not limited to, the company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31,
2008 and other filed reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-K/A, Form 10-Q and Form
8-K.

Contact:
Cassie France-Kelly
Public Relations, Martek
(443) 542-2116
media@martek.com

Kyle Stults
Investor Relations, Martek
(410) 740-0081
investors@martek.com

SOURCE Martek Biosciences Corporation

Public Relations, Cassie France-Kelly, +1-443-542-2116, media@martek.com, or
Investor Relations, Kyle Stults, +1-410-740-0081, investors@martek.com, both
of Martek Biosciences Corporation