STONY BROOK, NY--(Marketwired - July 12, 2016) - Applied DNA Sciences (Applied DNA), Inc. (NASDAQ: APDN), a provider of DNA-based supply chain, anti-counterfeiting, genotyping and anti-theft technology, and authentication technologies, today announced that it shipped an order for SigNature T DNA to mark 10 million pounds of Acala cotton in the third quarter of 2016. Acala is a type of Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) that produces the longest staple among the Upland species, making it one of the highest quality Upland cottons in the world.

In addition, building upon recent business successes, Applied DNA received orders for two new DNA transfer units that will support gin expansion into new regions and cotton varieties that will be delivered in its fiscal fourth quarter, 2016. These new gin installations will process Texas and Acala Upland cotton varieties. The initial four gins continuing tagging from the prior season will sustain the SigNature DNA process with Pima and Upland Delta cottons. Additional DNA Transfer Units are under discussion with the Company's customers at a time when global demand for sustainably grown, ethically-sourced American cotton is strengthening.

"Authenticating Acala cotton with the SigNature T solution adds to our business momentum," said Dr. James Hayward, Chairman, President and CEO of Applied DNA. "This development comes at a very important time in the industry. Retailers, product developers, and consumers are asking for more authenticity, especially with the sophistication of forensically-proven sourcing. In addition, with the recent decline of 50% in Egyptian production and the controversies surrounding its quality, Acala cotton is an excellent candidate to replenish the supply. We are honored to be part of the solution."

At this time, more than 260 companies have signed The Cotton Pledge Against Forced Labor in the Cotton Sector and the U.S. Department of State is increasing their demands on manufacturers to prove that sourcing of cotton is ethically produced without slave labor (U.S. Department of State, 2016 Trafficking in Persons Report, June 30, 2016). The SigNature T solution currently used for PimaCott ® and HomeGrown ® offers a means for transparency, traceability and trust for consumers, brands and retailers alike.

About Applied DNA Sciences
We make life real and safe by providing botanical-DNA based security and authentication 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. Our patented DNA-based solutions can be used to identify, tag, track, and trace products, to help assure authenticity, traceability and quality of products. SigNature^® DNA describes the platform ingredient that is at the heart of a family of uncopyable, security and authentication solutions such as SigNature^® T and fiberTyping^®, targeted toward textiles and apparel, 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. We are also engaged in the large-scale production of specific DNA sequences using the polymerase chain reaction.

Go to adnas.com for more information, events and to learn more about how Applied DNA Sciences makes life real and safe. Common stock listed on NASDAQ under the symbol APDN, and warrants are listed under the symbol APDNW.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements made by APDN 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 APDN'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 APDN. Actual results could differ materially from those projected due to our short operating history, limited financial resources, limited market acceptance, market competition and various other factors detailed from time to time in APDN's SEC reports and filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on December 14, 2015, and our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed on February 10, 2016 and May 12, 2016 which are available at www.sec.gov. APDN 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.