STONY BROOK, N.Y. & PANAMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Applied DNA Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: APDN) (“Applied DNA,” or “the Company”), a leader in PCR-based DNA manufacturing for product authenticity and traceability solutions, and TheraCann International Benchmark Corporation (“TheraCann”), a leading global full-service legal cannabis and hemp consultancy, announced today that they have entered into a non-binding Term Sheet (the “Term Sheet”) for a long term exclusive licensing agreement for the use of Applied DNA’s proprietary CertainT® supply chain integrity platform technology within TheraCann’s ETCH BioTrace® seed-to-sale tracking system. The Term Sheet is expected to be followed by a definitive agreement (the “Agreement”).
Upon a signed Agreement TheraCann will pay to Applied DNA $5.0 million in non-contingent phased payments over a period of six (6) months from the date of the signing of the Agreement. In addition, Applied DNA will be the exclusive supplier of SigNature® molecular tags, molecular tag application systems and molecular tag authentication systems to TheraCann for use within TheraCann’s ETCH Biotrace system. The term of the exclusive license to TheraCann is patent term for patented aspects, and 20 years for non-patented components.
“Having initiated our relationship with TheraCann in early 2018 through a funded development agreement and working together to establish a go-to-market strategy and robust joint business development pipeline that includes 12 near-term revenue opportunities, we are very pleased to move closer to formalizing a new phase of our relationship with TheraCann,” said Dr. James Hayward, President and CEO of Applied DNA. “Over the past year, TheraCann has been an incredible business partner, and we look forward to supplying our CertainT platform as an integral component to the ETCH Biotrace system that is capable of true seed-to-sale tracking of legal cannabis, hemp and their derivative products.”
Chris Bolton, COO of TheraCann said, “It is with great pleasure that we have the opportunity to work more closely with Applied DNA and to take ETCH BioTrace to the global market. We believe that ETCH BioTrace will assist global governments, law enforcement, producers, processors and distributors in stabilizing the cannabis supply chain and to assist with both domestic and international import and export.”
Applied DNA cautions investors that the Term Sheet is a preliminary and non-binding document. All terms contemplated in the Term Sheet, including all upfront payments totaling $5.0 million, will only become operative if a definitive agreement is executed. It is possible that no definitive agreement will be reached, or, its terms or conditions may differ from those described above.
Applied DNA also noted that Dr. Hayward will be in attendance at CannaTech Panama on 12 and 13 February, an event hosted by Israel Cannabis (iCAN) and sponsored by TheraCann.
About TheraCann International Benchmark Corporation
Founded in 2016, 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.theracann.solutions, www.etchbio.solutions. Follow us on Twitter or Linkedin.
About Applied DNA Sciences
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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Common stock listed on NASDAQ under the symbol APDN, and warrants are listed under the symbol APDNW.
Forward-Looking Statements
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 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 February 7, 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.
