STONY BROOK, N.Y.–()–Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: APDN) (“Applied DNA,” “we,” “our” or the “Company””), a leader in large-scale Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based DNA manufacturing, announced today the successful DNA tagging of leather at one of the world’s largest tanneries based in Asia.

The work follows a successful research project undertaken within the UK that demonstrated SigNature^® DNA could be successfully used to trace the hide of an animal from a farm to the product in a store. Traceability is essential when supporting claims of sustainability or the humane treatment of the animals. Further work in commercial tanneries by the Applied DNA UK team took place following the research project in other tanneries to identify the most practical ways to use SigNature DNA technology in the leather supply chain. We believe our research identified the most efficient and cost-effective methods to apply DNA at specific points in the leather-tanning process map.

The work recently carried out in Asia was focused on tagging both suede and numerous polyurethane leather finishes in a variety of different colors.

“The results are validation of previous work we carried out and we now look forward to the opportunity to apply our technology for the leather industry to help provide much needed traceability for the various stakeholders,” said Dr. James Hayward, president and CEO, Applied DNA. “We are pleased by the interest shown across the leather industry in offering to leather supply chains.”

On November 13, 2019 at Tapestry headquarters in New York City, MeiLin Wan, Vice President for Textiles at Applied DNA will be speaking about our latest developments in DNA traceability at the “Leather Compliance and Sustainability” conference hosted by Eurofins/ BLC. The Company feels that effective traceability of materials up the supply chain is the best way to manage sustainability risk and mitigate against potential environmental and social challenges.

On Thursday, 5 December 2019, Tony Benson, Managing Director of EMEA for Applied DNA, will also present a Keynote at the “SATRA Sustainable Footwear Forum” in Wyndham Way, UK.

Applied DNA has developed its CertainT^® system for marking leather through the leather value chain by using a DNA tag. This molecular-based technology can help protect leather products, brands, entire supply chains, and consumers from theft, counterfeiting, fraud and diversion.

About Applied DNA Sciences

Applied DNA is a provider of molecular technologies that enable supply chain security, anti-counterfeiting and anti-theft technology, product genotyping and pre-clinical nucleic acid-based therapeutic drug candidates.

Applied DNA makes life real and safe by providing innovative, molecular-based technology solutions and services that can help protect products, brands, entire supply chains, and intellectual property of companies, governments and consumers from theft, counterfeiting, fraud and diversion.

Visit adnas.com for more information. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Join our mailing list.

Common stock listed on NASDAQ under the symbol APDN, and warrants are listed under the symbol APDNW.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements made by Applied DNA in this press release may be “forward-looking” in nature within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements describe Applied DNA’s future plans, projections, strategies and expectations, and are based on assumptions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Applied DNA. Actual results could differ materially from those projected due to substantial doubt relating to its ability to continue as a going concern, its history of net losses, limited financial resources, limited market acceptance, its ability to effectively implement its technology in the leather industry, uncertainties relating to its ability to maintain its NASDAQ listing after December 31, 2019 in light of delisting notices received and its recent hearing, the possibility of failure to make timely payment on its outstanding secured convertible notes and resulting enforcement by noteholders of remedies on collateral which includes substantially all of Applied DNA’s assets, its ability to penetrate key markets, the uncertainties inherent in research, development, and regulatory approval for Applied DNA’s or its partners’ product candidates, shifting enforcement priorities of U.S. federal laws relating to cannabis, and various other factors detailed from time to time in Applied DNA’s SEC reports and filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on December 18, 2018, as amended, our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed on February 7, 2019, May 9, 2019 and August 13, 2019, and other reports we file with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov. Applied DNA undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, unless otherwise required by law.