Applied DNA Sciences to Forensically Mark Elite Musical Instruments

SigNature DNA Anti Counterfeiting Technology Provides Provenance and Brand Security


STONY BROOK, NY--(Marketwire - March 10, 2011) - Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB: APDN), SigNature® DNA will be used as forensic marks of authenticity to protect elite, museum, quality musical instruments. APDN, a provider of DNA-based anti-counterfeiting technology and product authentication solutions, has received an initial order for its SigNature DNA anti-counterfeiting taggants to be embedded in musical instruments produced by an elite manufacturer. Marking instruments with botanical DNA taggants offers definitive protection against counterfeits -- protecting the consumer, the company, its brand and its products.

DNA Ensures Originality and Verifies Provenance
"The values of craftsmanship, trust and integrity are universal to all brands worldwide. Our customers are resolute in our commitment to ensure that products that bear the forensic mark are 100% authentic. When rapid screens in the stores are combined with forensic audits, you change the conditions for counterfeiters, and you take back control of your supply chain. The cleaner the supply chain, the less likely there will be diversion and counterfeiting," commented Dr. James Hayward, President and CEO of APDN.

Counterfeit Instruments a Global Problem
Counterfeiting is problematic in the musical instruments industry with the escalating problem originating mainly in China. China regularly defends its record in fighting piracy and counterfeit production of merchandise. However, rogue manufacturers continue to sell pirated consumer goods in many Chinese cities with impunity. Manufacturers of consumer goods in every industry feel the impact in declining sales and revenues.

Label forgery has become so rampant that it is difficult for most ordinary people, and even some experts, to tell authentic from fake. For example, some pirates photocopy images of actual violin labels from old reference books, usually those of rare and obscure makers. They then stain the paper with black tea and glue the counterfeit labels into cheap violins hoping to pass them off as much more valuable products.

"As the Director of one of the leading performing arts center's in the country and one who presents and produces over 200 annual concerts a year, I have a lot of interaction with musicians, and they often talk about the great expense of their instruments. Obviously, the artist's instrument is an integral part of the creative process and performance and insuring that instruments are authentic by using DNA makes great sense," stated Alan Inkles, Director, Staller Center for the Arts.

Planting DNA, Protecting Musicians
From natural sources, botanical DNA taggants provide musical instrument brands assurance for original musical components and associated packaging. The value of protecting the original parts stems from the need to know where the source of diversion or counterfeiting is occurring. In most fraud cases, it is not clear to the brand owner where the problem resides. DNA helps the brand owner to "root out" the problem, with extreme accuracy.

"When customers have real counterfeiting and diversion issues, they come to us. They know that the counterfeiters will not be able to figure out what, where, how and when we placed the forensic mark. It's not a question of if you will get caught...with the help of DNA, you will be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," stated Dr. Hayward.

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About APDN
APDN sells patented DNA security solutions that provide anti-counterfeit protection, as well as protecting brands and intellectual property from counterfeiting and diversion. SigNature DNA is a botanical mark used for product authentication in a unique manner that essentially cannot be copied. When used in conjunction with other law enforcement technologies, SigNature DNA can provide a forensic chain of evidence that has been used successfully in more than 15 convictions. To learn more, go to www.adnas.com where APDN routinely posts all press releases.

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 15, 2010 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.

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