Alliance will Utilize Technology from Applied DNA Sciences in ETCH biotrace™ to Secure Supply Chains
Stony Brook, NY, May 15, 2019 – Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: APDN), announced today that partner TheraCann International Benchmark Corporation (“TheraCann”), a leading full service international cannabis consultancy and technology firm, in conjunction CannAcubed Pte Ltd (CannAcubed), a pioneer in the China cannabis space with a focus on building the world’s largest diversified cannabis operations, has formed an agreement focused on the implementation of TheraCann’s molecular-tagging ETCH biotrace™ technology for the industrial hemp and cannabinoid markets in China.
TheraCann’s ETCH biotrace™ platform uses both a physical molecular tag (exclusively supplied by Applied DNA Sciences) and a non-appendable distributed ledger (blockchain) to provide forensic levels of traceability of cannabis and cannabis derivatives at any point in the supply chain. Whether introduced at the farmer, processor, manufacturer, or at packaging, ETCH biotrace links a unique molecular tag to the cannabis plant that will survive extraction or conversion into new products within the supply chain.
“The base technology behind ETCH biotrace has enjoyed a long and proven track record in the cotton industry and other global supply chains,” said Dr. James Hayward, President and CEO of Applied DNA Sciences and partner to TheraCann on the technology; “The molecular tags used in the ETCH biotrace system are considered GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe). The ETCH molecular tags are very small; too small to function as genes and are non-GMO. Tags are typically applied at a ratio of parts per billion, levels too low to have any impact on form or function, or the biological properties of cannabis or hemp. The opportunity to supply molecular tags to TheraCann on a large commercial scale to support the CannAcubed project leverages our core competency in large-scale taggant supply and authentication.”
The rapid global adoption of cannabis legislation has accelerated the need to secure and truly validate cannabis supply. Current systems, many of which rely on RFID or bar code technologies, are capable of accurately tracking cannabis supply chains through the cultivation stage but cannot forensically track cannabis and/or hemp derivative products back to a specific source once the physical tags and packaging are removed or the product is mixed with other suppliers.
“CannAcubed’s focus will be from tracking inception of an individual plant or crop, through harvest, processing, and distribution, all the way to the point of sale to the patient, said Glen Davis, Chief Executive Officer at CannAcubed. “This collaboration with TheraCann and ETCH biotrace provides visibility into the cannabis ‘chain of custody ‘, tracking cannabis supply chains with the ultimate aim to create a successful, sustainable and professional cannabis industry that is legitimately, safely and responsibly bringing cannabis to China, and the world.”
“TheraCann is excited to fully introduce this breakthrough technology to the Chinese market. Global regulatory bodies, large industrial hemp producers and cannabis brands have been somewhat limited by their reliance on traditional “seed-to-sale” systems,” said Jason Warnock, Chief Executive Officer of TheraCann International Benchmark Corporation. “The size and scale of these industrial markets require new and more complete solutions to facilitate global commerce in the sector.”
The CannAcubed project has been granted large-scale areas of land to cultivate, process, manufacture and export cannabis in all its forms. Once complete, it will position CannAcubed as one of the world’s largest supplier and validator of high-grade pure CBD Oil, and Pharmaceutical grade Isolate. Within China, CannAcubed will continue to work closely with Government & Private sector around the Textiles, Clean Energy, and Bio-New Materials sector.
Leading up to the collaboration with TheraCann, CannAcubed has been working with some of China’s largest organizations to build the world’s first ever environmental Industrial Hemp Eco-Park in the Yunnan province.
More information about ETCH biotrace is available at www.etchbio.solutions
Founded in 2004, TheraCann International Benchmark Corporation offers a one-stop, full-service solution for the International cannabis marketplace. TheraCann provides business, technology and industry experts who apply advanced technology and help clients design, build and run their cannabis businesses. Integrating nearly 3.5 million square feet of cannabis operations and the successful launch of groundbreaking Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, Aeroponic cultivation systems and patented genetic tracking and diversion prevention systems, TheraCann provides cannabis-related businesses with solutions to fit their regulatory requirements.
More information about TheraCann is available at www.theracanncorp.com. Follow us on Twitter or Linkedin
CannAcubed is a diversified global cannabis company focused on 4 major areas – Licensing, Cultivation, Processing & Research. Our world-class scientific team uses patented Stem-Cell technology to research the benefits of medical cannabis for people facing everything from Alzheimer’s disease, Diabetes, Glaucoma, chronic pain to Cancer.
Applied DNA is a provider of molecular technologies that enable supply chain security, anti-counterfeiting and anti-theft technology, product genotyping and pre-clinical nucleic acid-based therapeutic drug candidates.
Applied DNA makes life real and safe by providing innovative, molecular-based technology 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.
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The statements made by Applied DNA 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 Applied DNA’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 Applied DNA. Actual results could differ materially from those projected due to its history of net losses, limited financial resources, limited market acceptance, shifting enforcement priorities of US federal laws relating to cannabis, and various other factors detailed from time to time in Applied DNA’s SEC reports and filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on December 18, 2018 and our subsequent quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed on May 9, 2019, and other reports we file with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov. Applied DNA 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.
investor contact: Sanjay M. Hurry, LHA Investor Relations, 212-838-3777, shurry@lhai.com
program contacts: Celia Villareal, Celia Villarreal Osorio, Director Marketing, +1 (844) 877-2649 ext. 3044, cvillarreal@theracanncorp.com
John Shearman, 631-240-8838, john.shearman@adnas.com
web: www.adnas.com, www.theracann.solutions
twitter: @APDN, @theracanncorp
