4 March 2019 - - US-based PCR-based DNA manufacturing specialist Applied DNA Sciences Inc.'s (NASDAQ: APDN) LineaRx, Inc. subsidiary, which is focused on next-generation biotherapeutics, will ship TK7 and ConTRT amplicons to Takis/Evvivax this week as part of the companies' Joint Development Agreement entered into in September 2018, the company said.

Per the JDA, LineaRx and Takis/Evvivax will jointly develop linear DNA expression amplicons for TK7 and ConTRT, two of Takis/Evvivax's anti-cancer vaccine candidates, utilising LineaRx's validated linear DNA technology.

Linear DNA amplicons carrying the DNA sequences for Takis/Evvivax vaccine candidates will be delivered to pre-clinical animal models via Takis/Evvivax's proprietary electroporation technology.

In 2018, LinearRx and Takis/Evvivax's collaboration showed immunogenicity in mice that were vaccinated with linear DNA against the human protein telomerase that is over-expressed in more than 85% of all cancers.

Applied DNA is a provider of molecular technologies that enable supply chain security, anti-counterfeiting and anti-theft technology, product genotyping and pre-clinical nucleic acid-based therapeutic drug candidates.

Applied DNA makes life real and safe by providing innovative, molecular-based technology solutions and services that can help protect products, brands, entire supply chains, and intellectual property of companies, governments and consumers from theft, counterfeiting, fraud and diversion.

LineaRx seeks to commercialize the biotherapeutic value of Applied DNA's deep expertise and experience in the design, manufacture and chemical modification of DNA by large scale polymerase chain reaction.

Linear DNA is a form of DNA distinct from the circular form of DNA most commonly produced in plasmids and grown in bacteria.

Plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA found in bacteria and are associated with the genes for antibiotic resistance which are often exchanged between bacteria and consequentially, are seen by many to embody a serious threat to global health.

In addition, many nucleic acid-based therapies also rely on viral vectors for efficient transfection and expression of plasmid DNA. These viral vectors carry additional nontrivial risks and are extremely time consuming and expensive to manufacture.

In all forms of gene therapy, DNA exerts its influence from within the nucleus. Recombinant events for circular DNA are permanent and alter the genomes of the affected cells and their progeny.

The fundamental challenge of all gene and cellular therapies is safety.

Recent studies have elaborated "unintended consequences" when plasmid and viral vectors are combined that may pose future risks for treated patients.

When linear DNA enters the nucleus, it does not need to be incorporated into the genome in to be temporarily expressed as the intended proteins product.

LineaRx posits that for the effectiveness of genetic vaccines or genetic immune therapies, transient expression may be sufficient.