STONY BROOK, N.Y., April 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. , a DNA security solutions company, today announced the collaboration between its sub-licensee, Biowell Technology Inc.(Suzhou) ("Biowell"), and Yang Cheng Mitten Crab Association ("YCMCA") to apply DNA encryption technology to protect Yang Cheng Mitten Crabs from counterfeiters.
According to YCMCA, 2005 gross sales of Yang Cheng Mitten Crabs were estimated at $250 million USD (or $2 billion CNY). Depending on the size of the mitten crab, the unit cost per crab is between $10 and $20 USD.
"The high demand in China for Yang Cheng Mitten Crabs as a gourmet delicacy has led to rampant brand imitation and counterfeiting," stated Dr. Jun-Jei Sheu, Chairman and CEO of Biowell. "The real issue here is that traditional anti-counterfeit methods do not seem to provide sufficient protection against brand imitators. We believe that an integrated, total security approach is needed that involves collaboration with YCMCA and the Chinese Government."
In May 2005, the Chinese government issued bulletin No.71 aimed at protecting Yang Cheng Mitten Crabs, and the natural water areas they inhabit. This bulletin stipulated that the only breed of mitten crabs that would be considered genuine Yang Cheng mitten crabs would be the Chinese Mitten Crab (Eriocheir sinensis). YCMCA is the primary Chinese governmental agent responsible for the implementation of bulletin No. 71 and is authorized to certify and authenticate Yang Cheng Mitten Crabs. Since the issuance of bulletin No.71, YCMCA has incorporated the use of DNA encrypted ink on the label of each packaged case of Yang Cheng Mitten Crabs, and the stapling of a DNA labeled ring on a claw of each Yang Cheng Mitten Crab, which provides another way to visually identify the Yang Cheng Mitten Crab brand and protect it from counterfeit and imitation. Only crabs that have the YCMCA "origin production mark" label will be considered authentic Yang Cheng Mitten Crabs.
Dr. James A. Hayward, CEO of Applied DNA Sciences, said, "Yang Cheng Mitten Crabs mark our entry into food protection, and are a great example of how we can work with companies and governments to develop a cohesive anti- counterfeit program. We believe that the scope of opportunity for our technology is vast and that many more companies may benefit from the added security and value that our technology provides."
About Applied DNA Sciences, Inc.
Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (APDN) develops proprietary DNA-embedded security solutions that use plant DNA to verify authenticity and protect corporate and government agencies from counterfeiting, fraud, piracy, product diversion, identity theft and unauthorized intrusion into physical plant and databases. Our common stock is listed on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board under the symbol "APDN". Contact: MeiLin Wan, Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., 25 Health Sciences Drive, Stony Brook, New York 11790; Tel: 631-444-6861; Fax: 631-444.8848; E-mail: info@adnas.com
The statements made by Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. in this press release may be forward-looking in nature and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements describe the Company's future plans, projections, strategies and expectations, and may be identified by words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates" or words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and involve a number of risks, uncertainties, situations and other factors that may cause our or our industry's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these statements. These factors include changes in interest rates, market competition, changes in the local and national economies, and various other factors detailed from time to time in Applied DNA Sciences' SEC reports and filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB, filed on January 12, 2006, and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The Company 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.
Applied DNA Sciences, Inc.CONTACT: MeiLin Wan of Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., +1-631-444-6861, orfax, +1-631-444.8848, or info@adnas.com
Web site: http://www.adnas.com/
