Applied DNA and TheraCann International Conduct Successful Tagging and Testing Pilot of Legal Cannabis and
Derivative-Products
Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: APDN, “Applied DNA,” “the Company”) announced today that in conjunction with
TheraCann International Benchmark Corporation, it has had early success in the tagging and authentication of legal cannabis and its
derivatives in a laboratory pilot. The pilot demonstrated that after a single application of Applied DNA’s molecular taggants to
cannabis plants during their growth stage, the taggants are detectable in processed trimmed cannabis, extracted cannabis oils and
derivative products later produced from the tagged cannabis plants.
“These early pilot results provide us confidence that our combined expertise will produce a seed-to-sale solution that will
provide an unparalleled level of transparency for growers, processors and dispensaries,” said Richard Goodman, President of
TheraCann’s Tracking Technology Division. “Our solution will enable all members of the cannabis supply chain to conduct their own
testing and prove, with scientific certainty, that their products are originating from their facilities or other legal
sources.”
“The ability for our molecular taggants to be detected throughout all points in the legal cannabis supply chain, and for the
tagged product(s) to be forensically analyzed, is an important strategic advantage for our platform,” said Gordon Hope, Director of
Cannabis Markets at Applied DNA. “We are encouraged by these initial pilot study results, as we expect that our taggants will serve
as a unique forensic identifier that becomes part of a blockchain transaction throughout the legal cannabis supply chain.”
In January 2018, Applied DNA and TheraCann announced an initial two-year, $1 million contract for the integration of the
Applied DNA’s SigNature® molecular tagging and testing technology into TheraCann’s blockchain-based, seed-to-sale
Enterprise Resource Platform (ERP) for legal cannabis operations. Applied DNA will develop the technologies necessary to tag and
authenticate legal cannabis throughout the supply chain and seamlessly integrate tagging and authentication data into TheraCann’s
ERP and blockchain platform.
This new platform is expected to be the first system of its kind to include molecular track-and-trace built on a powerful
blockchain backbone for the management and tracking of legal cannabis and derivative products within the industry. Whereas broader
and expanded testing is still to be performed, this is a significant milestone toward the eventual commercialization of the
combined cannabis system.
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 DNA mass production for diagnostics and therapeutics. The Company 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.
The proprietary DNA-based CertainT® platform can be used to identify, tag, test, and track products, to help assure
authenticity, origin, traceability, sustainability and quality of products. SigNature® DNA describes the core
technology ingredient that is at the heart of a family of uncopyable, security and authentication solutions such as SigNature®T and
fiberTyping®, targeted towards textiles and apparel, BackTrac® and DNAnet®, for anti-theft and loss prevention, and
digitalDNA®, providing powerful track-and-trace. All provide a forensic chain of evidence and can be used to prosecute
perpetrators. Applied DNA Sciences is also engaged in the large-scale production of specific DNA sequences using the polymerase
chain reaction.
Visit adnas.com for more information. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Join our mailing list.
About TheraCann International Benchmark Corporation
Founded in 2004, TheraCann International Benchmark Corporation offers a one-stop, full-service solution for the International
cannabis marketplace. TheraCann provides business, technology and industry experts who apply advanced technology and help clients
design, build and run their cannabis businesses. With nearly 5 million square feet of cannabis operations under management and the
successful launch of groundbreaking Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, Aeroponic cultivation systems and patented genetic
tracking and diversion prevention systems, TheraCann provides cannabis-related businesses with solutions to fit their regulatory
requirements.
More information about TheraCann is available at www.theracanncorp.com. Follow TheraCann on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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 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 our short operating history, limited financial
resources, limited market acceptance, shifting enforcement priorities of US federal laws relating to cannabis, market competition
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 28, 2017, which is 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 to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, unless otherwise
required by law.
For Applied DNA Sciences, Inc.
Investors:
Sanjay M. Hurry, 212-838-3777
shurry@lhai.com
or
Media:
Cheryl Schneider, 212-825-3210
cschneider@dgicomm.com
or
Program:
Gordon Hope, 631-240-8850
gordon.hope@adnas.com
web: www.adnas.com,
twitter: @APDN
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