Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:APDN) Files An 8-K Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing
Item 3.01. Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing.
On January 29, 2019, Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (the “Company”) received written notice (the “First Notification Letter”) from the Listing Qualifications Department of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) notifying the Company that it is not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirements set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market. Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) requires listed securities to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share, and Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A) provides that a failure to meet the minimum bid price requirement exists if the deficiency continues for a period of thirty (30) consecutive business days. Based on the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock for the thirty (30) consecutive business days from December 13, 2018 to January 25, 2019, the Company no longer meets the minimum bid price requirement.
The First Notification Letter does not impact the Company’s listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market at this time. The First Notification Letter states that the Company has 180 calendar days, or until July 29, 2019, to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). To regain compliance, the bid price of the Company’s common stock must have a closing bid price of at least $1.00 per share for a minimum of ten (10) consecutive business days. If the Company does not regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) by July 29, 2019, the Company may be eligible for an additional 180 calendar day compliance period. To qualify, the Company would be required to meet the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards for The Nasdaq Capital Market, with the exception of the bid price requirement, and would need to provide written notice of its intention to cure the deficiency during the second compliance period, by effecting a reverse stock split, if necessary. However, if it appears to the staff of Nasdaq (the “Staff”) that the Company will not be able to cure the deficiency, or if the Company is otherwise not eligible, Nasdaq would notify the Company that its securities would be subject to delisting. In the event of such a notification, the Company may appeal the Staff’s determination to delist its securities, but there can be no assurance the Staff would grant the Company’s request for continued listing.
The Company intends to monitor the closing bid price of its common stock and may, if appropriate, consider implementing available options, including, but not limited to, implementing a reverse stock split of its outstanding securities, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement under the Nasdaq Listing Rules.
Additionally, on January 30, 2019, the Company received written notice (the “Second Notification Letter”) from the Listing Qualifications Department of Nasdaq notifying the Company that it is not in compliance with the market value of listed securities requirements set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(2), or the alternative standards of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1), which requires the Company to have minimum stockholders’ equity of $2.5 million, or Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(3), which requires the Company to have had net income from continuing operations of at least $500,000 in the latest fiscal year or in two of the last three fiscal years. Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(2) requires listed securities to maintain a market value of at least $35 million for the previous thirty (30) consecutive business days for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market. Based on the Company’s market value of listed securities for the thirty (30) consecutive business days from November 30, 2018 to January 29, 2019, the Company no longer meets the market value of listed securities requirement. In addition, the Company does not satisfy the alternative requirements of sufficient minimum stockholders’ equity or sufficient net income from continuing operations.
The Second Notification Letter does not impact the Company’s listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market at this time. The Second Notification Letter states that the Company has 180 calendar days, or until July 29, 2019, to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(2). Alternatively the Company could gain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1) or Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(3). In order to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(2), the Company must maintain a market value of listed securities of at least $35 million for a minimum of ten (10) consecutive business days. If the Company does not regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(2) or, alternatively, gain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1) or Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(3), prior to the expiration of the compliance period, Nasdaq would notify the Company that its securities would be subject to delisting. In the event of such a notification, the Company may appeal the Staff’s determination to delist its securities, but there can be no assurance the Staff would grant the Company’s request for continued listing. Unlike the minimum bid price noncompliance described in the First Notification Letter, no additional compliance period is applicable to the noncompliance described in the Second Notification Letter.
The Company will consider available options to resolve the deficiencies and regain compliance with all applicable Nasdaq Listing Rules.
About Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:APDN)
Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. is engaged in creating security solutions addressing the challenges of modern commerce. The Company is also engaged in the large-scale production of specific deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequences using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Its principal technology platform includes SigNature DNA, SigNature T DNA, fiberTyping, DNAnet, digitalDNA, SigNify and Beacon. Its SigNify IF portable DNA reader provides definitive real-time authentication of SigNature DNA in the field-DNA becomes a solution for supply chain integrity. SigNature DNA is the Company’s platform ingredient, at the core of all its security solutions. It provides forensic power and protection for a range of applications. SigNature T DNA is a tagging and authentication system specifically designed for textiles and apparel. DNAnet is a DNA marker that can be used to definitively link evidence and offenders to specific crime scenes and help return stolen or lost property to its rightful owner.
