Benzinga | Dec 1, 2020 08:02AM EST

Applied DNA To Provide COVID-19 Surveillance Testing To Stony Brook Basketball

Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:APDN) ("Applied DNA" or the "Company"), a leader in Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based DNA manufacturing, announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Applied DNA Clinical Laboratories, LLC ("ADCL"), will provide its COVID-19 surveillance testing program to the Stony Brook University Seawolves men's and women's basketball teams. ADCL's pooled surveillance testing platform, known as safeCircle(tm), will aid the safe return to play and will ensure that Stony Brook student-athletes and coaching staff have access to an accurate, painless, and fast COVID-19 surveillance testing program.

Through the end of the calendar year, safeCircle will provide surveillance testing-as-a-service three times a week utilizing Applied DNA's high-accuracy and high-sensitivity Linea(tm) COVID-19 Assay Kit ("Assay Kit"). Testing is being conducted using saliva and anterior nasal swab collection systems pooled in groups of five individuals per test. Individuals in positive pools identified by safeCircle surveillance testing will be referred for diagnostic testing.

Dr. James A. Hayward, president and CEO, Applied DNA, stated, "This agreement demonstrates continued execution on ADCL's surveillance testing strategy, adds prominent intercollegiate athletic teams to our client base, and elevates safeCircle's visibility in the tri-state area. With COVID-19 already making its presence felt in national collegiate sports, we hope to serve as a testing model for other sports programs. We are honored to work with the Seawolves this season."