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

A lack of regulatory harmonization for dietary supplements in Asia is a big challenge facing companies operating in the region, according to experts from the Asia Regulatory Professionals Association. The ARPA is looking to start a conversation on the issue which the association hopes will lead to regulatory change.

The Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) annual meeting, against the background of the global pandemic, has one clear message that local researchers and players are pressing ahead to take a leadership role in cutting-edge cancer research globally.