DSM to acquire Martek

GLOBAL life and materials sciences company, Royal DSM NV, has agreed to acquire Martek Biosciences Corporation for US$1,087 million. The agreed price US$31.50 in cash per share represents a premium of 35% to Martek's closing share price of $23.36 on December 20, 2010, and 39% to the volume weighted average closing price of Martek's common stock over the last 90 days. DSM intends to finance the acquisition from existing cash.

DSM said the purchase of Martek, a U.S.-based producer of high value products from microbial sources that promote health and wellness through nutrition, will be its first major acquisition after its successful transformation into a Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company.

The acquisition will provide DSM with new opportunities in the infant nutrition segment as well as food and beverage and dietary supplements and create a strong platform for DSM to enter the fast growing Omega-3 and Omega-6 market through Martek's microbial DHA and ARA products.