STONY BROOK, NY--(Marketwire - May 26, 2009) - Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (
OTCBB:
APDN), a
provider of DNA-based security solutions, has developed sustainable,
"green" and affordable layered security solutions for protecting packaging
from counterfeiting, piracy and fraud. At the Summit held by the Institute
of Packaging Professionals (IOPP) in Chicago on May 19-20, APDN presented
and met with packaging professionals from Fortune 500 companies and a range
of contract manufacturers. APDN addressed the importance of a layered
security approach that protects the entire supply chain. This approach
requires a comprehensive plan that protects not only the packaging around
the product, but the product itself.
Ken Goetze, Brand Protection Alliance (BPA) President, stated, "Secure
packaging is one of the best defenses against counterfeiting. Without
secure packaging, brands and consumers are not protected from the potential
risks associated with poorly controlled supply chains. Applied DNA Sciences
and other BPA members provide the ultimate security tools required to
assist the packaging professional."
Critical topics discussed at the Summit included how packaging
professionals can get the most value for their packaging dollars, the
importance of sustainable, new technology and how secure packaging can help
to stimulate product sales and reinforce brand loyalty. Along with the
need for green solutions comes the need for genuine products.
"Better technology allows for cost-efficient packaging solutions, and DNA
is a perfect example of a sustainable, green, and affordable solution which
is created from natural plant sources. This technology can be used to
trace and audit the movement of goods from inception to packing, shipping
and ultimately to the retail consumer," stated MeiLin Wan, APDN Director of
Project Management.
SigNature® DNA markers are botanically derived and have been applied in
packaging materials, including but not limited to, a wide range of inks,
coatings, laminates, adhesives and substrates. Compared to other
synthetically derived taggants, SigNature DNA offers a truly forensic, and
highly stable, patented system that is compatible with conventional
printing and manufacturing processes.
At the meeting, APDN also discussed the economic impact and consequences of
unsecured packaging. Every product category is at risk: from
pharmaceuticals to toys, to clothing, to electronics and even the product
warranties and manuals supplied with the counterfeit product. The ability
for consumers to distinguish the difference between genuine and fake items
is nearly impossible. Holograms, 2D barcodes and even RFIDs, are all
vulnerable to sophisticated counterfeit operations, however, when these are
layered with DNA, they cannot be copied.
Global counterfeiting is a growing problem, which poses significant health
and safety concerns for consumers, and creates significant financial, legal
and intellectual property problems for legitimate businesses worldwide.
Government and law enforcement agencies are also affected and need an
indisputable evidentiary trail that can only be provided by DNA
authentication.
For the drug and food industries, the combined US market for verification
technologies in the packaging industry was over $68 billion in 2006 and is
forecasted to grow to $86 billion by 2012 (BCC Research).
-- U.S. sales of anti-counterfeiting packaging technologies amounted to
almost $34 billion in 2006 and is projected to reach $43 billion by 2012.
-- U.S. sales of authentication packaging technologies amounted to almost
$10 billion in 2006 and is projected to grow to $17 billion by 2012.
-- U.S. sales of track and trace packaging technologies amounted to $24
billion in 2006 and is projected to grow to $26 billion by 2012.
"Security measures are a necessary cost of doing business in a world
overrun with counterfeits, accounting for 7% to 10% of global trade.
Sophisticated replication techniques have made counterfeiting and fraud a
serious threat to every person on the planet. That is why DNA is so
compelling, because it can be used immediately to protect virtually any
unsecured product in the market," continued MeiLin Wan.
About APDN
APDN sells patented DNA security solutions to protect products, brands and
intellectual property from counterfeiting and diversion. SigNature DNA is a
botanical mark used to authenticate products in a unique manner that
essentially cannot be copied. APDN also provides BioMaterial GenoTyping™
by detecting genomic DNA in natural materials to authenticate finished
products. Both technologies protect brands and products in a wide range of
industries and provide a forensic chain of evidence that can be used to
prosecute perpetrators. To learn more, go to (
www.adnas.com).
The statements made by APDN may be forward-looking in nature and are made
pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform 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 16, 2008 and
our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. 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.
Contact Information: INVESTOR CONTACT:
Debbie Bailey
631-444-8090
fax: 631-444-8848
MEDIA CONTACT:
Janice Meraglia
631-444-6293
fax: 631-444-8848
FCMN Contact:
Web site: http://www.adnas.com