Advanced BioNutrition Corp. (ABN), a leader in developing technology to improve animal health and functional nutrition, announced that it has signed an agreement with Martek Biosciences Corporation to become the sole provider of Martek's ARA-enriched phospholipids to the aquaculture industry.

The Agreement provides ABN with a worldwide license for access to 91 of Martek's patents related to the use of ARA (Arachidonic acid) in aquaculture feed products, as well as the right to purchase all of Martek's output of these products. In exchange, Martek gains the first right to license from ABN any technological improvements that ABN may make on Martek's technology.

The supply and license agreement gives ABN the right to 100% of all ARA-enriched phospholipids for use in aquaculture applications. Martek's ARA-enriched phospholipids consist primarily of phospholipids, free fatty acids, and triglycerides which are generated as a by-product from the refining process.

"We were pleased to convert our existing agreement with Martek to an exclusive one in the aquaculture field for these ARA materials," said David J. Kyle, President and CEO of ABN. "This meshes nicely with ABN's patent applications and IP, and will open the door to a greater expansion of our AquaGrow ARA product line for use in hatcheries and grow-out facilities."

Dr. Moti Harel, ABN's Director of AquaNutrition, added, "ABN's AquaGrow ARA products have been thoroughly tested and shown to significantly reduce stress-related mortalities and improve immunological responses in several marine and fresh water fish species. We believe that Arachidonic acid will soon be recognized as a key ingredient in many other areas of aquaculture nutrition."