Applied DNA to Establish North America’s First Enzymatic (Cell Free) Large-Scale cGMP DNA Manufacturing Capacity in Suffolk County, New York

Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: APDN) (the “Company”), a leader in PCR-based DNA technologies, announced today plans to establish a new, separate manufacturing facility to be located in Suffolk County, New York, for the enzymatic production of cGMP LinearDNA for use in genetic medicines. The expansion plan will double the Company's production capacity and is being undertaken in response to the growing number of new nucleic acid-based therapies under development¹ and in the market that are driving greater demand for high-quality, large-scale therapeutic DNA, as well as a healthy backlog of repeat and new proof-of-concept orders, the latter from leading pharma/biotech customers that have expressed a long-term need for cGMP DNA at scale. Concurrently, the Company is in active discussions with New York State, local municipalities, and private entities regarding funding opportunities that may assist in underwriting the costs of its planned cGMP build-out.

Steve Bellone, the Suffolk County Executive, stated, “Long Island’s DNA Corridor is the beating heart of the region’s premier life sciences hub. The advances in medicine being used today to combat the pandemic that now serve as the basis for mRNA vaccines were birthed here. The area continues to advance the forefront of modern medicine with local talent like Applied DNA, whose enzymatically produced DNA holds the potential to transform human health. I am pleased to lend my Office’s support to help it reach its goals for the benefit of us all.”

LinearDNA is produced using the Company’s proprietary LinearDNA platform, a novel, enzymatic DNA manufacturing approach capable of rapidly producing high-quality DNA for nucleic acid-based therapies, including mRNA therapies, cell and gene therapies, and DNA vaccines. Unlike large and capital-intensive plasmid-based DNA production facilities, the LinearDNA platform uses bench-top equipment to rapidly produce DNA in a minimal physical footprint. The Company’s majority-owned biotherapeutics subsidiary, LineaRx, Inc., currently serves pharma and biotech companies as a Contract Research Organization (CRO) with GLP-grade (Good Laboratory Practices) LinearDNA primarily for research and development applications.