Applied DNA, Northwell Set SARS-CoV-2 Mutation, Variant Tracking Program

 Offers Valuable Real-Time Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Mutations and VoCs-

- Program Powered by Applied DNA’s Mutation-targeted qPCR Assays and NGS Platform -

- Program Data Potentially Relevant to COVID-19 Vaccine and Therapeutics Developers, Precision Medicine -

Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: APDN) (Applied DNA or the "Company"), a leader in Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based DNA manufacturing, and Northwell Health (Northwell) today announced their entry into a pro bono Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) that establishes a real-time surveillance program for the tracking and identification of SARS-CoV-2 mutations and variants of concern (VoCs) in Northwell’s COVID-positive specimens (the "Program"). Under the Program, de-identified positive COVID-19 specimens supplied by Northwell are being screened for SARS-CoV-2 mutations found in currently known VoCs using Applied DNA’s Linea™ COVID-19 Assay Kit ("Assay Kit") and Selective Genomic Surveillance™ (SGS™) Mutation Panel. The Program currently has the analysis of over 2,000 samples underway, with early results from approximately 360 samples showing that approximately 80% of specimens tested on the Company’s qPCR assays contain one or more mutations. Data generated from the Program will enable Northwell to make more efficient use of costly and time-consuming next-generation sequencing (NGS) necessary to conclusively identify specific VoCs and their subsequent descendants. Aggregate data from the Program that could influence vaccine or booster design, antibody therapies, or drug development may be monetized by either party under a revenue-share structure. The Program also provides valuable SARS-CoV-2 mutation data to support the continued validation of the Company’s SGS Mutation Panel. An Applied DNA-authored white paper on SGS of SARS-CoV-2 will be available for publication shortly.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/applied-dna-northwell-health-establish-110000859.html