Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. Engages Vertical Capital Partners, Inc.

Business Editors

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 24, 2003

Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (OTCBB: APDN) a leading provider of proprietary DNA-embedded security solutions that protect corporate and intellectual property from counterfeiting and fraud, has engaged the New York-based investment banking firm, Vertical Capital Partners, Inc., a member of NASD, SIPC and MSRB. Vertical Capital Partners, Inc. will provide Applied DNA Sciences with a broad range of investment, advisory and financing services to help the company through the next phase of its development. The firm has broad expertise in initial and secondary offerings, private placements and bridge financings, and will also help Applied DNA to pursue strategic alliances to propel the company forward.

"We are proud to have retained Vertical Capital Partners, a firm with proven expertise in accelerating the development of emerging technology companies," said Larry Lee, CEO of Applied DNA. "In addition to providing us with valuable insight and counsel, Vertical Capital Partners will facilitate access to top-tier institutional investors and capital resources, which will allow us to accelerate penetration of the security market."

Robert Fallah, Senior Managing Director, Corporate Finance with Vertical Capital Partners commented, "Applied DNA Sciences' proprietary technology of embedding DNA into materials is unique and, given the greater current security concerns, quite timely. In our opinion Applied DNA Sciences presents an excellent opportunity."

About Vertical Capital Partners

Vertical Capital Partners, Inc. (VCPI), was founded in 1995, and has been the lead underwriter and investment banker for select publicly traded and private companies and has a unique specialization for assisting those in the small-cap sector. VCPI arranges one-on-one meetings for its companies with pre-qualified money managers, Accredited Investors, Funds and other funding sources.

About Applied DNA Sciences

Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. provides proprietary, DNA-embedded biotechnology security solutions, using plant DNA, that verify authenticity and protect corporate and government agencies from counterfeiting, fraud, piracy, product diversion, identify theft and unauthorized intrusion. Applied DNA Sciences has an exclusive licensing and partnership agreement covering North America and Europe with Biowell Technology, Inc. (http://www.biowell.com/tw/eng) of Taiwan. The company develops, markets and sub-licenses DNA security systems, supply-chain management systems and anti-counterfeit solutions. Applied DNA Sciences' technology addresses the more than $350 billion in counterfeit products sold each year, as well as the multi-billion dollar homeland security market. The company is headquartered at 9255 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90069. Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone] or visit www.ADNAS.com.

The statements made by Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (The Company) may be forward-looking in nature and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements describe the Company'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 Sciences, Inc. Actual results could differ materially from those projected due to changes in interest rates, market competition, changes in the local and national economies, and various other factors. 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.