Textile Centre Moves to Protect Premier Weavers' Intellectual Property

Applied DNA Sciences Technology Featured by Five Renowned Fabric Manufacturers


STONY BROOK, NY--(Marketwire - Sep 21, 2011) - Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (OTCBB: APDN), a provider of DNA-based anti-counterfeiting technology and product authentication solutions, is collaborating in a new and ground-breaking anti-counterfeiting initiative to protect fine wools in Yorkshire woolen products produced for the world's premiere brands. The products of their collaboration, unique fabrics marked with APDN's SigNature® DNA to prove garment authenticity, are being featured at two of the most important textile shows in Europe that form that shopping floors for the fashion industry.

The Huddersfield Textile Centre of Excellence. a long-time APDN partner with over seventy member companies, is showcasing "Yorkshire Signature DNA," a 'DNA fabric' developed by the Centre, using APDN's SigNature® DNA technology. The product will combat rampant counterfeiting of the historically treasured Yorkshire wools. Five of the UK's most prestigious mills will feature APDN's DNA fabrics: Bower Roebuck, Dormeuil, Holland and Sherry, Taylor and Lodge, and John Foster. Collectively, these fabric designers and weavers supply fabric to many of the most famous designer lines of Europe and America.

The following is the text of a press release about the program which has been issued by the Textile Centre of Excellence, as part of the Yorkshire regional Textile Futures Programme.

Paris
In response to increasing demands by consumers for quality assurance and proof of origin, The Huddersfield Textile Centre of Excellence, as part of the regional Textile Futures Programme, has developed a 'Yorkshire SigNature' DNA to protect fabric woven in the region. Textile Futures is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the 2007-2013 Yorkshire and The Humber ERDF Programme.

Bill Macbeth, Managing Director of the Centre said "The anti-counterfeit strategy involves the use of a unique botanical DNA that is impregnated into the fabric during the manufacturing process to provide authentication and brand protection for weavers of premium quality fabrics in Yorkshire". A fully equipped laboratory has been installed in the Huddersfield Centre to carry out forensic analysis of DNA samples from weavers participating in the programme. The SigNature DNA solution has been developed by Applied DNA Sciences in Stony Brook New York.

Recent market research carried out by the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO), the Brussels based advocacy body for the global wool industry, revealed that consumers, particularly in Asia Pacific, paying high prices for premium brands were increasingly anxious about provenance of superfine wool fabrics as the counterfeit market expands in tandem with worldwide growth in luxury sales.

Peter Ackroyd, President of IWTO noted "The international luxury market is very buoyant and Yorkshire weavers of worsted suitings are benefiting from the current vogue for quality fashion". Sales of British premium brands have increased dramatically over the last year, particularly to China where 'status shopping' is set to expand, as wealthy local consumers continue to reject poor quality merchandise. Ackroyd added, "The need for DNA 'accountability' will extend far beyond the fashion fabric market in years to come as wool textile products for the interior environment are increasingly selected for health and safety reasons". Wool fabrics are featuring ever more widely in aircraft and land transport due to their inherent flame retardancy qualities. "Proof of content and origin will be paramount, given the understandably accountable world in which the sector works" Ackroyd concluded.

Richard Boide, Commercial Director of the cloth house Dormeuil, established in London and Paris in 1842, said "Dormeuil is committed to weaving its men's wear collections in Yorkshire and I am delighted the Centre has taken the initiative to create a programme that, should the need arise, allows us to prove in store the provenance of our cloths. This will be particularly welcome in Japan where customers are increasingly concerned about origin."

Edward Waterhouse of Taylor and Lodge, a weaver of fine worsted cloths in Huddersfield and part of the Bulmer and Lumb Group, a founder member of the 'Yorkshire SigNature' programme said, "UK wool fabrics are enjoying unprecedented growth in demand in Asia, as ever more discerning consumers are seeking assured quality as opposed to disposable fashion. We actively protect our brand and trademarks worldwide and we warmly welcome the DNA programme which will give forensic support to our efforts in safeguarding the Group's intellectual property."

Walid Batich, Middle East Director of Holland and Sherry, speaking from the group's new offices and showroom in Dubai said. "Sadly this region is rife with fake goods with firms having little recourse to quick commercial justice in the courts. DNA proof of origin, easily demonstrated to consumers, will significantly assist all in this market who seek to provide genuine quality".

Speaking from the company's state of the art weaving plant in New Mill just outside Huddersfield, Bower Roebuck's Managing Director Ronald Hall noted. "We, together with our sister company Scabal, invest heavily in design and technology to create unique cloths for very discerning clients. Protection of investment and quality assurance are priorities for the Group and our membership of 'Yorkshire SigNature' is seen as significant step forward in these important areas for our business".

David Gallimore, Managing Director of John Foster, a fine worsted weaver established in 1819, now part of SIL Holdings said. "As one of the founder weaver members of the Australian Superfine Wool Growers Association, a group of sheep farmers dedicated to guaranteed provenance of fine wool, we see our participation in the Yorkshire SigNature scheme as further commitment to certification of quality and origin -- assurances increasingly demanded by our East Asian customers".

The brands participating in the first commercial phase of the 'Yorkshire SigNature' programme will feature 'DNA' fabrics at Milano Unica (MU) in Milan from September 13th to 15th and Premiere Vision (PV) in Paris from September 20th to 22nd: Bower Roebuck (MU), Dormeuil (MU, PV), Holland and Sherry (PV) Taylor and Lodge (PV) and John Foster (PV).

About The Huddersfield and District Textile Training Company
The Huddersfield and District Textile Training Company was established in 1976 to unite the local textile industry in a shared approach to professional, equitable and high-quality training. In 1999 the company established the Textile Centre of Excellence, a £2 million development located in Leeds Road Huddersfield, providing a wide range of 'state of the art' textile and clothing research and development, training and production facilities including:

  • a technical workshop
  • a research and product-testing laboratory
  • a fully equipped clothing studio
  • the world's first 3D weaving machine
  • ground breaking laser/plasma processing technology
  • award winning multi-media meeting and conferencing facilities

The Centre has over 70 member companies. To learn more go to www.textile-training.com

About Applied DNA Sciences (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, 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. 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.

Contact Information:

INVESTOR CONTACT:
Debbie Bailey
631-444-8090
fax: 631-444-4888

MEDIA CONTACT:
Mitchell Miller
631-444-6370
fax: 631-444-4888

FCMN Contact:

Web site: http://www.adnas.com
Twitter: @APDN