Applied DNA & ACG Sign Agreement

Applied DNA Sciences and ACG have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will allow ACG to utilize Applied DNA’s SigNature® molecular tagging and authentication technologies to develop molecularly tagged empty hard-shell capsules.  

The development of molecularly tagged empty hard-shell capsules will allow ACG’s customers to enhance every distribution channel’s integrity. It will also provide pharmaceutical companies with increased and assured capabilities when investigating suspected counterfeit medicines and help enhance patient and regulator confidence in pharmaceutical companies and their supply chains.

Applied DNA’s SigNature technology allows the embedding of a bespoke molecular tag into one or more capsule component materials. Each customer’s molecular tag can be formulated to specifically adhere tenaciously to a wide variety of substrates and is optimized to allow for authentication at any point in the pharmaceutical supply chain.

Selwyn Noronha, chief executive officer of ACG Capsules, said, “With the increasing threat of counterfeits in the pharmaceutical supply chain and regulations mandating companies to deploy strategies such as serialization and to have greater awareness, there is a need for innovative and effective solutions for product authentication, track and trace and supply chain integrity. We strongly believe that our association with Applied DNA is a step towards nipping the counterfeiting problem that is grappling the industry today.”

Dr. James Hayward, president and chief executive officer of Applied DNA, said, “We are proud to announce the signing of the MoU and are excited by ACG’s development of on-dose authentication for hard-shell capsules powered by the Company’s SigNature molecular tagging and authentication technologies. The ability to forensically test a capsule in the field and quickly prove its provenance is a powerful tool for all nodes of the pharmaceutical supply chain and will ensure a more secure and traceable global pharmaceutical supply chain.”