UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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Item 2.05 Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.
On June 30, 2025, Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (the “Company”) announced a strategic restructuring and realignment of resources to focus exclusively on its synthetic DNA manufacturing business, LineaRx. As part of actions undertaken, the Company implemented a workforce reduction of approximately 27% of headcount and has ceased operations at Applied DNA Clinical Labs (“ADCL”), a business that provides molecular and genetic testing services, effective June 27, 2025.
The Company’s actions are intended to substantially reduce its operating costs and concentrate resources behind LineaRx to: (i) enhance the capabilities of LineaRx’s LineaDNA™ and LineaIVT™ platforms while scaling commercial adoption; (ii) expand its service offerings; and (iii) pursue strategic partnerships. The workforce reduction equates to a projected 23% reduction in annual payroll costs, excluding payroll expenses incurred as a result of the previously announced retirement of the Company’s former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The projected annual payroll savings is expected to be partially offset by approximately three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) in one-time charges related to the workforce reduction and ceasing of operations at ADCL, primarily for separation benefits. The Company expects to incur the majority of workforce reduction-related costs by the end of the quarterly period ending September 30, 2025, excluding expenses associated with the retirement of the Company’s former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Effective June 30, 2025, Judith Murrah, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairperson, voluntarily agreed to a fifteen percent (15%) temporary reduction in her annual base salary in connection with the Company’s efforts to reduce its ongoing operating expenses. Ms. Murrah’s reduced annual base salary is $340,000. The reduction is expected to end on a future date to be agreed by and between Ms. Murrah and the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors.
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
On June 30, 2025, the Company issued a press release announcing the strategic restructuring and realignment of resources. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.
The information in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in any such filing.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Current Report on Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements regarding the Company’s belief that restructuring will position the company for future growth potential, its goal to position the company for long term-growth and value creation and the potential to achieve that goal, the future success of its Linea DNA and Linea IVT platforms and future reductions in operating expenses. All forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s beliefs and assumptions only as of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances. Capitalized terms shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Current Report on Form 8-K.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
| Exhibit No. | Description | |
| 99.1 | Press Release, dated June 30, 2025. | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| Date: June 30, 2025 | APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC. | |
| By: | /s/ Beth Jantzen | |
| Name: | Beth Jantzen | |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |