Colorcon and Applied DNA Sciences sign tech MOU

Colorcon Inc. and Applied DNA Sciences Inc. have teamed up to commercialize an on-dose traceability platform they say will help combat counterfeits.

The memorandum of understanding – which is expected to be followed by a definitive licensing deal – will see Colorcon integrate Applied DNA’s “molecular taggant” technology into its film coating, ink and colour dispersion systems.

Taggants are encoded materials that are impossible to duplicate.

Kelly Boyer, manager of film coating at Colorcon, said, “By incorporating molecular taggants from Applied DNA into our specialty excipients, Colorcon is able to offer a simple and seamless solution to our pharmaceutical and nutraceutical customers to address counterfeiting and product diversion issues.”

According to Colorcon "This collaboration will commercialize a platform for traceability directly on dose, and is intended to significantly reduce the risks associated with counterfeit and falsified medications entering the drug supply chain."