On May 14, 2013 the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) issued an Action Closing Prosecution ("ACP") in a reexamination requested by Aker BioMarine of patent number 8,030,348 ("the ‘348 patent") assigned to Neptune and containing claims to phospholipid extracts from krill. Aker BioMarine believed the claims should never have been granted in the first place and thus filed for reexamination.

At the upcoming Vitafoods show in Geneva, Switzerland, May 14-16, Aker BioMarine (booth #15059) will be on hand to discuss the most recent developments with the company and its ingredient brand, Superba™ Krill.

Aker is Recognized for ‘Most Effective Marketing Campaign’ &
‘Environmental Excellence’

Nutraceutical Business & Technology (NBT) magazine has selected Aker BioMarine, an integrated biotechnology company dedicated to the sustainable harvest of krill and development of krill-derived biotech products, as a finalist in the “Most Effective Marketing Campaign” and “Environmental Excellence” categories for its 2013 NBT Awards, which will be presented in association with the Vitafoods show later this month in Geneva, Switzerland.

Aker BioMarine creates an expanded, innovative and interactive web destination @ superbakrill.com where visitors can learn everything they ever wanted to know about krill.

Aker BioMarine and the BioMar Group have entered into a new 5-year delivery agreement for Aker BioMarine’s unique QRILL™ feed ingredient. Two years ago, the two companies began working together to develop high-performance salmon feed that includes Antarctic krill. The partnering has been a great success and the parties are now extending and expanding their cooperation agreement.

Aker BioMarine and the BioMar Group have entered into a new 5-year delivery agreement for Aker BioMarine’s unique QRILL™ feed ingredient. Two years ago, the two companies began working together to develop high-performance salmon feed that includes Antarctic krill. The partnering has been a great success and the parties are now extending and expanding their cooperation agreement.

Researchers from Aker BioMarine have published a new study on krill oil in Lipids in Health and Disease. The study performed at ETAP, a preclinical research centre in France and the University of Bergen, Norway, investigated the effects of Superba™ krill oil supplementation on cognition (learning acquisition and working memory) and depression in rats. Modulation of genes linked to memory and changes in neuronal connectivity was evaluated as well.

On January 25, 2013 the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) issued an Action Closing Prosecution ("ACP") in a reexamination requested by Aker BioMarine of patent number 8,057,825 ("the ‘825 patent") assigned to Neptune and containing claims to methods of reducing cholesterol, platelet adhesion, and plaque formation by the administration of krill oil.

Responding to an invitation from Springer Publishing, Aker BioMarine Antarctic has completed a comprehensive chapter on krill phospholipid omega-3 fatty acids for the book Omega-6/3 Fatty Acids, which is now available for purchase. The chapter, titled “Recent Findings on Cardiovascular and Mental Health Effects of Krill Oil and Omega-3 Phospholipids,” discusses the latest research and developments regarding phospholipid omega-3 fatty acids in relation to heart and brain health.

Aker BioMarine Antarctic announces today that a review article on the beneficial effects of krill oil and marine phospholipids has been published. The wide range of health effects by cardiovascular health, obesity, inflammation, brain health and liver health. To that end, this new review summarizes the findings from 137 papers and book chapters.

Although the 2012 krill catch declined for the second year in a row, according to the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), Aker BioMarine Antarctic secured the largest share, putting them in an ideal supply position for 2013 and beyond.

Aker BioMarine is pleased to announce the certification of Australian Innovation Patents No. 2012101332, 2012101333, 2012101334 and 2012101335 containing claims covering krill oil compositions currently being sold in Australia, as well as extraction of krill oil from denatured krill products, e.g. a krill meal or a powder. None of the granted claims are limited to krill oil extracted by any specific extraction method.

In anticipation of the upcoming SupplySide West Show in early November, Aker BioMarine Antarctic is revealing recent data from SPINS showing that krill oil has grown 43% in the natural products channel during the last year, significantly outpacing growth of other sources of omega-3s. (“SPINSscan Natural 52 weeks ending 7/7/12”).

In 2009, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) commissioned Accenture Development Partnerships (ADP) to assess on-pack wild-capture seafood sustainability certification programs and seafood ecolabels. The purpose of that study was to benchmark a wide range of seafood sustainability certification and ecolabel programs.

Aker BioMarine has today filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) a request for re-examination of all claims in Neptune‘s recently-issued U.S. Patent Number 8,278,351 (the ‘351 patent). Neptune’s patent is a continuation of their U.S. Patent Number 8,030,348 (the ‘348 patent), which was granted on Oct. 4th, 2011 and which is currently under re-examination at the USPTO.

Aker BioMarine Antarctic US has hired Becky Wright to be its new Communications and Marketing Manager. She will be responsible for providing a broad range of communications and marketing support, as well as developing and coordinating the design of sales materials as part of the Aker BioMarine Global Marketing Group. She will also handle the execution of Aker’s PR plan.

Aker BioMarine Antarctic AS announces that the assignment of Russian Patent Number 2460309 was published in the Official Bulletin for inventions on September 10th. The granted patent expires on August 29, 2028 and contains claims that cover krill processing technology and krill-based products made by that processing technology. The covered products include krill oils and krill powders that contain krill proteins and phospholipids.

To strengthen, harmonize and improve our overall efforts on marketing activities supporting our sales, we have established a Global marketing group that will support all the sales units. The group will, in close discussion with the sales teams, develop and execute these marketing plans. The group will be headed by Eric Anderson, who up to this point has been heading Aker BioMarine in US. Eric will continue to direct the marketing effort in the US as Superba Brand Manager. We are in the process of staffing this group with additional resources as the need demands.

Following the third meeting of the Aker BioMarine Science Board (ASB) in Ålesund, Norway, Aker BioMarine, after discussionl with leading neuroscientists, aims to fund a study on the neuroprotective health effects of krill oil.

Aker BioMarine announces a publication in the European Journal of Nutrition of a new study on krill oil and fish oil and their effects on the disturbed lipid metabolism in a mouse model of chronic inflammation. Researchers from University of Bergen, Norway have shown that feeding mice a high-fat diet with krill oil for 6 weeks is enough to change the lipid metabolism and substantially lower plasma lipid and cholesterol levels. They suggest that krill oil lowers lipid levels by increasing degradation of fatty acids.

Aker BioMarine is pleased to announce that, during re-examination proceedings requested by Neptune Technologies & Bioressources, Inc. (“Neptune”), IP Australia has confirmed the novelty and inventiveness of the broad krill oil composition claims in its Australian patent #2008231570 (the “Patent”).

Following the Marine Stewardship Council’s second audit of Aker BioMarine Antarctic’s krill fishery, conducted by Intertek Moody Marine, the overall score for principle 2 (Maintenance of Ecosystem) increased from 91 to 94.3. Also, all existing MSC-related conditions were judged to have been met (i.e. the score for the relevant performance indicator has been raised to 80 or more reflecting improvements in information and/or fishery management).

Aker BioMarine today announces a publication on a new study on krill oil. The study documents the suppression of fat accumulation and prevention of weight gain in rats when krill oil was added to a high fat diet. Researchers from University of Salento, Lecce, Italy, performed the study, where they investigated the effect of feeding rats a low-fat diet or a high-fat diet with or without krill oil for 12 weeks. The study is published in the online journal PLoS One.

Aker BioMarine Antarctic AKBM announces a new study published in Environmental Science and Technology titled “Life Cycle Environmental Impacts of Three Products Derived from Wild-Caught Antarctic Krill (Euphausia superba).” The study, authored, by Robert Parker and Prof. Peter Tyedmers, was undertaken at the School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia.

Aker BioMarine today announces a publication on its first preclinical study on krill powder and the effect of krill powder supplementation on the disturbed lipid metabolism and inflammation in a mouse model of chronic inflammation in the journal Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental. Researchers from University of Bergen, Norway performed the study, where they investigated the effect of feeding mice a high-fat diet with or without krill powder for 6 weeks. Chronic low-grade inflammation is linked to obesity and the metabolic syndrome by unfavorably affecting lipid metabolism. Superba Krill powder extracted from Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) contains approximately 40% protein and 60% lipid of which 34% of the fatty acids are omega-3 fatty acids.

Aker BioMarine is pleased to announce the unopposed grant of Australian Patent No. 2008231570 containing claims covering, among other things, a krill oil composition containing (i) astaxanthin in the range from about 400 to about 2,500 mg/kg and (ii) ether phospholipids in the range of from about 3 to 10%.

A recent survey conducted by Discovery Research Group, in partnership with Aker BioMarine Antarctic, US, revealed that nearly four out of ten consumers who want to take an omega 3 supplement are looking for an alternative to fish oil.

The New York Times published an article on Tuesday, March 13, 2012, quoting Matts Johnasen, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Aker BioMarine Antarctic AS on the subject of krill sustainability. The fair and balanced article by Susan Moran covered the recent history of the krill fishery and featured researchers studying krill near Palmer Station, the US research facility off the western Antarctic Peninsula. It can be found here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/13/science/tracking-antarctic-krill-as-more-is-harvested-for-omega-3-pills.html?scp=1&sq=krill&st=cse

Aker BioMarine Antarctic announces today that its krill harvesting vessel, the Saga Sea, is now ISO 9001:2008 Certified. The Saga Sea has a registered food-facility onboard and Aker BioMarine Antarctic offers krill oil that has been harvested and processed in a food-grade facility meeting international standards for cleanliness.

Recently, the Aker BioMarine Science Advisory Board (SAB) met with Aker BioMarine’s (AKBM) research and development scientists; the second meeting since the board was formed last fall. This meeting had a particular focus on joint health and inflammation.

On February 17, 2012, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) granted Aker BioMarine‘s request for reexamination of US patent number 8,057,825 assigned to Neptune Technologies & Bioressources. The reexamination was granted on all 12 claims of the patent and in view of multiple references presented to the USPTO by Aker BioMarine.

The United States District Court for the District of Delaware has ordered a stay in the litigation brought by Neptune Technologies & Bioressources against Aker BioMarine and Schiff Nutrition International. The order, issued on February 2, 2012, states that the litigation will be stayed until the USPTO issues an “Action Closing Prosecution” in the inter partes reexamination of the U.S. Patent No. 8,030,348 (the “’348 patent”). The validity of the claims of the ’348 patent were called into question when, on December 19, 2011, the USPTO granted Aker BioMarine’s request for reexamination and issued an initial rejection of all 21 of the patent’s claims. The Delaware Court’s order follows a stipulation by both the Defendants and Neptune seeking that the Delaware litigation be put on hold until the USPTO reaches a final determination as to the validity of the claims in the ’348 patent. Aker BioMarine expects that the USPTO may take 18 to 24 months to reach its decision.

Superba™ Krill oil supplementation recently demonstrated beneficial effects on heart function in an experimental model of heart failure. Pre-treatment with krill oil attenuated left ventricular dilatation and hypertrophy after myocardial infarction.

Krill oil demonstrated protective potential against a form of inflammatory bowel disease called ulcerative colitis that is characterized by inflammation and sores in the gastrointestinal tract. The study performed at the University of Bergen, Norway included 30 male rats divided into three groups: a control group, a group with induced colitis, and a group with induced colitis that received krill oil supplementation. The group that received krill oil supplementation showed significant preservation of colon length, a reduction of oxidative stress markers, and consistent beneficial changes as compared to the untreated colitis group.

Dr. Stephen Nicol, world-renowned expert on krill sustainability and scientific advisor to the Association of Responsible Krill Harvesting Companies (ARK), spoke on behalf of ARK earlier this month at the Omega-3 Symposium in Sydney, Australia.

The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) met in Hobart, Australia, from 24 October to 4 November for CCAMLR- XXX (2011) meeting. During the two-week meeting, CCAMLR established a framework of marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean, designed to preserve the ecosystem and further conservation goals in the Antarctic ecosystem while also ensuring that the krill fishery will be able to continue sustainable harvesting practices in the region.

Aker BioMarine yesterday filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) a request for reexamination of all claims in Neptune Technologies and Bioressources Inc.’s recently-issued U.S. Patent Number 8,057,825. This is the second Neptune patent that Aker BioMarine has asked the USPTO to reexamine.

Renowned scientist and noted expert on krill and the krill fishery, Dr. Stephen Nicol has joined Aker BioMarine Antarctic’s Science Board (ASB). "I am very pleased and honoured to be able to join the ASB. Aker BioMarine Antarctic represents the company that has taken the driving seat in developing a sustainable approach to utilising Antarctic krill in the Southern Ocean. Being a member of ASB, I will be able to participate in a continuous improvement in managing the harvest of this key resource in a sustainable manner," said Dr. Nicol.

The Aker BioMarine Science Board (ASB), made up of recognized scientific experts, met last week in Oslo, Norway to discuss the commercial and regulatory landscape for krill phospholipid omega-3s and the global demands for increased omega-3 consumption and supplementation. Given the international scope of Aker BioMarine Antarctic’s business, each member of the ASB will provide guidance to the company from diverse complementary disciplines as well as from different geographical regions.

Aker BioMarine Antarctic announces today the formation of the Aker BioMarine Science Board (ASB), made up of recognized scientific experts in fields that directly impact the commercial and scientific activities in which the company is engaged. Given the international scope of Aker BioMarine Antarctic’s business, each member of the ASB will provide guidance to the company from diverse complementary disciplines as well as from different geographical regions,

Aker BioMarine announces today the availability of the recent monitoring survey conducted onboard its vessel, Saga Sea, by scientists from the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research. Results from the survey will be important data for CCAMLR (Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources) scientists. This report describes the data collection procedure and presents the raw data and preliminary findings.

Aker BioMarine Antarctic (Aker BM) announces today that the US FDA has accepted with no objections the notification of its independent GRAS determination for Superba™ Krill oil for use as a food ingredient. This acceptance, plus FDA’s recent acknowledgement of Aker BM’s New Dietary Ingredient Notification (NDIN), provides regulatory support for existing and prospective customers of Superba™ Krill oil for inclusion in new products and in new markets.

Aker BioMarine today announces a publication of a new preclinical study on krill oil and its effect on the endocannabinoid system that is dysregulated in obesity in the journal Nutrition & Metabolism. Researchers from Australia and Italy performed a study where they investigated the effect of krill oil in mice fed a high fat diet with or without 3 different doses of krill oil. This animal model is widely used to mimic an obese state in humans.

Aker BioMarine today announces a publication of a new preclinical study on krill oil. The study results showed a significantly higher impact on gene regulation in the liver when the omega-3 fatty acids were given in the form of phospholipids (krill oil), compared to the triglyceride form (fish oil). More specifically, krill oil downregulated the activity of pathways involved in hepatic glucose production as well as lipid and cholesterol synthesis. The data also suggested that krill oil-supplementation increases the activity of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Neither diet elicited changes in plasma levels of lipids, glucose, or insulin, probably because the mice used in this study were young and were fed a low fat diet.

. Aker BioMarine AS announces today the publication of a new study investigating the effect of krill oil on the lipid metabolism in rats. According to Kjetil Berge, PhD, R&D Director at Aker BioMarine, “These studies confirm the beneficial effects of krill oil on liver lipid levels that we have previously seen in two different animal models of obesity. Moreover, the study elucidated the mechanism behind the beneficial effects of omega-3 supplementation, by demonstrating regulation of lipid synthesizing enzymes. This study gives us a foundation to study cellular mitochondrial processes in more detail in future studies.”

Aker BioMarine ASA announces today that as of March 1, 2011 Aker BioMarine Antarctic US will assume responsibility for all customer service and product fulfillment in North America. The company has previously worked with an ingredient distributor in North America for its Superba™ Krill products and has now opened North American operations to distribute its goods directly.

Aker BioMarine Antarctic announces today that Superba™ Krill Oil has been determined to be safe for use as a human food ingredient by an independent panel of recognized experts. The panel conducted a critical review of extensive safety, toxicology and clinical research data obtained from animal and human testing, based on scientific procedures and safety assessment criteria established by the U.S. FDA. The determination comes from experts qualified by scientific training and is based on Superba™ Krill Oil’s intended use in food.

Aker BioMarine, in cooperation with the Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, and the Marine Research Assessment Group (MRAG) Ltd., is supporting an acoustic survey near the South Orkney Islands off the northeastern tip of Antarctica. This is part of an ongoing effort from WWF-Norway and Aker BioMarine to support sustainable fishing practices and to assist in the collection of scientific data to monitor the health and size of the krill biomass in Antarctica. Aker BioMarine has committed to donate the Saga Sea, its krill trawler in the Southern Ocean, to the researchers for five days annually.

on fat Signaling Markers in Obese Humans

Aker BioMarine announces today the publication of a new study investigating the effect of krill oil on the endocannabinoid (EC) system in humans. The EC system is comprised of a group of lipids (fats) and receptors that act within the nervous system to help modulate a number of physiological processes including appetite and mood, among others. In this study, normal weight, overweight, and obese subjects were given two grams of krill oil, menhaden fish oil, or olive oil per day for four weeks. Obese persons have elevated levels of plasma ECs compared to normal weight individuals, which was confirmed in the current study. The results demonstrate for the first time that a relatively low dose of omega-3 fatty acids (< 400 mg EPA + DHA), have beneficial effects on EC levels in obese persons when given in the form of krill oil.

on fat Signaling Markers in Obese Humans

Aker BioMarine announces today the publication of a new study investigating the effect of krill oil on the endocannabinoid (EC) system in humans. The EC system is comprised of a group of lipids (fats) and receptors that act within the nervous system to help modulate a number of physiological processes including appetite and mood, among others. In this study, normal weight, overweight, and obese subjects were given two grams of krill oil, menhaden fish oil, or olive oil per day for four weeks. Obese persons have elevated levels of plasma ECs compared to normal weight individuals, which was confirmed in the current study. The results demonstrate for the first time that a relatively low dose of omega-3 fatty acids (< 400 mg EPA + DHA), have beneficial effects on EC levels in obese persons when given in the form of krill oil.

Aker BioMarine Antarctic announces today its receipt of Nutrition Business Journal’s Growth Award recognizing Aker, a mid-sized company, for its growth in 2010, estimated at 300% with sales exceeding $20 million through the first three quarters alone. Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ) is the leading business publication in the natural products industry and each year it recognizes individual company achievements in key business areas.

Aker BioMarine Antarctic announces today the achievement of numerous important milestones in 2010, including publications substantiating and validating Superba™ Krill’s benefits, elucidation of the composition of krill oil, receipt of sustainability certification and significant commercial success.

Krill Oil is an important source of EPA & DHA for consumers worldwide

Aker BioMarine AS (AKBM) is announcing its membership in the leading omega-3 education initiative GOED (www.goedomega3.com). Krill Oil supplements have gained significant momentum and acceptance over the past three years and Aker BioMarine, a primary harvester and producer of sustainable krill biotechnologies, is delighted to participate in and support GOED’s efforts to promote the unique health benefits of krill EPA/DHA.

New Clinical Study in Healthy Volunteers

Aker BioMarine Antarctic announces today the publication of a new study on the effects of Superba™ Krill Oil supplementation in healthy volunteers demonstrating superior benefits compared to fish oil. SuperbaTM Krill Oil provides the majority of its omega-3 fatty acids in the form of phospholipids, whereas other common marine oils contain omega-3 fatty acids in the form of triglycerides or ethyl esters. The work has been performed in cooperation with researchers at Akershus University College and University of Oslo, Norway.

with Superba™ Krill Oil, to be presented at SupplySide West

Aker BioMarine will share the latest research, including a study benefiting children with an established diagnosis of ADHD

Aker BioMarine announces today that new research, including a clinical study in children with ADHD, will be presented at SupplySide West Friday, October 22 at 10 am. The latest research substantiating Superba™ Krill Oil‘s scientifically proven health benefits, including safety, stability and advanced efficacy as measured by the Omega-3 Index will be presented by Nils Hoem, Ph.D.

Krill Phospholipid EPA & DHA significantly improves brain function in boys with established diagnosis of ADHD

Aker BioMarine announces today that a clinical study in children with ADHD has demonstrated significant improvements in both clinical scores and in identified EEG patterns as compared to the typical “ADHD EEG pattern.” 18 boys (age 7 – 11 years) with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) were supplemented daily with Superba™ Krill Oil for a period of 13 weeks. The EEG patterns for the study participants was compared to a database of more than 400 children with an established ADHD diagnosis, providing ample comparative data.

Scientific Elucidation of the Unique, Complex Composition of Krill

Aker BioMarine Antarctic announces today the publication of a new study providing detailed characterization of the phospholipid fatty acids profile of Superba™ Krill Oil in the journal Lipids. SuperbaTM Krill Oil provides the majority of its omega-3 fatty acids in the form of phospholipids, whereas other common marine oils contain omega-3 fatty acids in the form of triglycerides or ethyl esters. The work has been performed in cooperation with researchers at School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Norway.

VitaDirect’s ActivKRILL has received the prestigious Professors of Pharmacy Award

Aker BioMarine announces today new honors for its Superba™ Krill Oil ingredient. The Professors of Pharmacy Awards works to educate leading pharmacies and consumers about the positive health benefits derived from dietary supplement products. The key criteria for the award are the efficacy and safety of the product. The Professors of Pharmacy Award’s panel of scientists has unanimously approved all products selected to complete for this award.

Krill Phospholipid EPA & DHA significantly decrease scores of RA Severity

Aker BioMarine announces today the publication of a new study on its proprietary ingredient Superba™ Krill Oil, demonstrating a significant reduction in rheumatoid arthritis scores in an experimental animal model (BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2010, 11:136). Superba™ Krill Oil provides the majority of the omega-3 fatty acids in the form of phospholipids, whereas fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids exclusively in the form of triglycerides. The study also demonstrated that fish oil too showed positive effects, but was less potent than Superba ™ Krill Oil.

Industry Veterans Anderson and Norton Join Aker’s Team

Aker BioMarine Antarctic US, Inc. announced today the addition of two new staff concentrating on the North American market. Eric Anderson was named VP Sales & Marketing and Todd Norton was appointed to VP New Business Development. Both have extensive experience in the branded ingredients business.

COUNCIL CERTIFICATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Aker BioMarine has today received confirmation that its krill fisheries will be certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), an independent, global, non-profit organization that works to promote the best choices in sustainable seafood. In future purchases of Aker BioMarine’s SuperbaTM and QrillTM products, consumers can be assured that their Omega-3 rich krill products are harvested in an environmentally sustainable way.