The maker of life'sDHA nutritional additive plans to overcome a drop in the U.S. birthrate by growing in global markets and conventional food applications. Martek Biosciences reported third-quarter revenues fell 12 percent to $77.8 million mainly due to inventory destocking, which the Columbia, Md., firm predicted (1"The Tan Sheet" June 8, 2009, In Brief). Martek's infant formula sales fell 15.4 percent, to $63.3 million, in the May-July period, although its pregnancy and nursing, nutritional supplements and animal feeds businesses shot up 58 percent to $7.9 million. Third-quarter net income dipped 4.3 percent to $8.9 million, Martek reported Sept. 2. ... DHA patents prevail: A ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit supports certain Martek patents on the process of extracting lipids from fermented microorganisms to produce DHA. Martek previously asserted that Swiss ingredients manufacturer Lonza infringed its patents, which Lonza said were invalid. In a Sept. 3 2decision, the court remands the case

On this week’s podcast, senior reporter Elizabeth Orr highlights the most exciting medical device technology coming down the pike as part of the US FDA’s Breakthrough Devices Program.

Private Company Edition: VC deals fell short of the record-breaking level seen in 2018 and financings may slow a bit more in 2020. Also, UPMC and Frazier close new VC funds, and Emendo raises $61m for gene-editing platform.