APDN to Cut 60% Staff; $1.4M Charges, $2.9M Annual Savings

Applied DNA Sciences announced a corporate restructuring to refocus resources on a BNB-focused treasury strategy.

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Applied DNA Sciences announced a corporate restructuring to refocus resources on a BNB-focused treasury strategy. The company will cut its workforce by 16 employees, about 60% of staff, and expects to incur approximately $1.4M of pre-tax charges for severance, benefits, and related costs. Management expects the reduction-in-force to be substantially completed by end of October 2025 and for the charges to be recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2026. The company estimates the plan will generate annualized cost savings of about $2.9M, but cautions the estimates rely on assumptions and actual amounts may differ materially, including potential additional costs.

Positive

• Annualized cost savings estimated at $2.9M
• Restructuring aligns resources with a stated BNB-focused treasury strategy

Negative

• One-time pre-tax charges estimated at $1.4M
• Workforce reduction of 16 employees (~60%) represents significant operational downsizing
• Estimates subject to assumptions; company warns actual costs may differ materially

Insights

Restructuring Specialist

Workforce reduction aims to sharply cut operating costs to support a treasury shift.

The company is reducing headcount by 16 employees (60%), a deep cut that should materially lower payroll and related operating expenses once complete. The stated $2.9M in annualized savings is the primary near-term benefit driving the move.

Execution risks include higher-than-expected severance or one-time costs; management acknowledged estimated $1.4M pre-tax charges and possible additional expenses. Monitor completion by end of October 2025 and actual charge timing in fiscal Q1 2026 for realization of savings.

Financial Analyst

Short-term earnings will absorb restructuring charges; medium-term margins could improve if savings materialize.

The $1.4M pre-tax hit is expected to be recorded in the next fiscal quarter, which will reduce near-term profitability but is positioned to produce $2.9M annualized expense reduction thereafter. The net effect depends on actual costs versus estimates and timing of savings recognition.

Watch reported restructuring charges when quarterly results are filed and compare realized annualized savings to the $2.9M estimate over the following four quarters to gauge impact on operating margins.

8-K Event Classification

3 items: 2.05, 7.01, 9.01

3 items

Item 2.05 Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities Financial

The company committed to an exit plan involving layoffs, facility closures, or restructuring charges.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure Disclosure

Material non-public information disclosed under Regulation Fair Disclosure, often investor presentations or guidance.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits

Financial statements, pro forma financial information, or exhibit attachments filed with this report.

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did APDN announce in the 8-K about workforce changes?

APDN announced a reduction-in-force of 16 employees, approximately 60% of its workforce, tied to a restructuring to focus on a BNB treasury strategy.

How much will APDN record in restructuring charges?

The company estimates aggregate pre-tax charges of approximately $1.4M related to severance, benefits, and related costs.

When does APDN expect the restructuring to be completed and charged?

Management expects the reduction-in-force to be substantially completed by end of October 2025, with associated charges recorded in Q1 2026.

What are the expected savings from APDN's restructuring?

APDN estimates the restructuring will result in annualized cost savings of approximately $2.9M.

Could APDN incur additional costs beyond the estimated charges?

Yes. The company stated the estimated charges are subject to assumptions and that actual results may differ materially, including potential additional costs not currently contemplated.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Accepted by SEC EDGAR 10/06/2025 - 04:06 PM Learn about SEC filing dates

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 30, 2025

Applied DNA Sciences, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) 001-36745 (Commission File Number) 59-2262718 (IRS Employer Identification No.)

50 Health Sciences Drive

Stony Brook, New York 11790

(Address of principal executive offices; zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

631-240-8800

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.001 par value		APDN		The Nasdaq Stock Market

Item 2.05 Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.

On September 30, 2025, the Board of Directors of Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (the “Company”) authorized, and its officers implemented, a restructuring plan pursuant to which the Company will reduce overall operating expenses to focus resources on its previously announced BNB-focused treasury strategy. The restructuring plan includes a reduction of the Company’s current workforce by sixteen employees, or approximately 60%. The Company estimates that it will incur aggregate pre-tax charges of approximately $1.4 million in connection with the reduction-in-force, primarily consisting of severance payments, employee benefits, and related costs. The Company expects that the reduction-in-force will be substantially completed by the end of October 2025 and that the associated charges will be recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2026. The Company estimates that the restructuring will result in annualized cost savings of approximately $2.9 million. The estimated charges that the Company expects to incur are subject to a number of assumptions, and actual results may differ materially from these estimates. The Company may also incur additional costs not currently contemplated due to events that may occur as a result of, or that are associated with, the restructuring plan.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On October 6, 2025, the Company issued a press release announcing that it will change its ticker symbol on the Nasdaq Capital Market from "APDN" to "BNBX" effective at the opening of trading on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. 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 reduce overall operating expenses, the future success of its Linea DNA and Linea IVT platforms and its treasury strategy 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 October 6, 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: October 6, 2025	APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.
	By:	/s/ Beth Jantzen
	Name:	Beth Jantzen
	Title:	Chief Financial Officer