As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2012
Registration No. 333-   
 


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
 
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Applied DNA Sciences, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
59-2262718
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
25 Health Sciences Drive, Suite 215
Stony Brook, New York
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
11790
(Zip Code)

Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. 2005 Incentive Stock Plan
 (Full title of the plan)
 
James A. Hayward, Ph.D., Sc.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Applied DNA Sciences, Inc.
25 Health Sciences Drive, Suite 215
Stony Brook, New York 11790
Telephone: (631) 444-8090
 
Copies to:
 
Merrill M. Kraines, Esq.
Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
666 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10103
Telephone: (212) 318-3261
Facsimile: (212) 318-3400
(Name, address, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer
o
Accelerated filer 
o
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting company
x
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Title of securities to be
registered
Amount to be
registered (1)
Proposed
maximum
offering price
per share
Proposed
maximum
aggregate offering
price
Amount of
registration fee
Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share
 
250,000,000
$0.05(2)
$12,500,000
$1,433
 
 
(1)
Represents additional shares authorized for issuance under the Applied DNA Sciences 2005 Incentive Stock Plan.   Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement on Form S-8 also covers an additional indeterminable number of shares of Common Stock as may be necessary to adjust the number of shares being offered or issued pursuant to the Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. 2005 Incentive Stock Plan as a result of any future stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations or similar transactions effected without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock.
 
 
(2)
Estimated in accordance with Rules 457(c) and (h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, based upon the average bid and asked prices of the Common Stock as quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board on June 25, 2012.

 
 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Registration Statement on Form S-8 relates to the registration of an additional 250,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”) of Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (the “Company”) for future issuance pursuant to awards under the Company’s 2005 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended (the “Plan”).  In accordance with General Instruction E to Form S-8, the contents of the previous Registration Statement on Form S-8 related to the Plan (Commission File No. 333-163478, filed on December 3, 2009 with the Securities and Exchange Commission) are incorporated herein by reference and made part of this Registration Statement, except as amended hereby.  Effective as of January 27, 2012, the Company amended the Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan to 350,000,000 shares of Common Stock from 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock.

 
 

 
 
PART II
 
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
 
ITEM 3.
Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
 
Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., or the Registrant, hereby incorporates by reference into this Registration Statement on Form S-8 the following documents and information previously filed with the Commission:
 
 
(i)
the Registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, filed on December 9, 2011.
     
 
(ii)
the Registrant’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2012 filed on February 14, 2012 and May 15, 2012 respectively; and
     
 
(iii)
the Registrant’s current reports on Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2012 and June 26, 2012.
 
In addition to the foregoing, all documents filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended  (other than Current Reports on Form 8-K furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K, including any exhibits included with such information, unless otherwise indicated therein), subsequent to the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates that all securities offered have been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
 
Any statement contained in this Registration Statement or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document which also is, or is deemed to be, incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement.  Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
 
ITEM 4.
Description of Securities.
 
Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share.
 
The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by the stockholders. The holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends ratably when, as and if declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefore. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of common stock are entitled to share equally and ratably in all assets remaining available for distribution after payment of liabilities and after provision is made for each class of stock, if any, having preference over the common stock. Holders of common stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The outstanding shares of common stock are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
 
ITEM 5.
Interest of Named Experts and Counsel.
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 6.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
 
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers as well as other employees and individuals against expenses (including attorney’s fees), judgements, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions, suits or proceedings in which such person is made a party by reason of such person being or having been a director, officer, employee or agent to the corporation.  The Delaware General Corporation Law provides that Section 145 is not exclusive of other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
 
 
 

 
 
Our Certificate of Incorporation provides to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law that our directors shall not be personally liable to us or our shareholders for monetary damages for breach of such director’s fiduciary duty as a director.

Section 9.3 of our By-Laws provides for the indemnification of our directors, officers and employees to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law.

The Company maintains insurance under which coverage is provided to its directors and officers against certain losses arising from claims of breach of duty.
 
ITEM 7.
Exemption from Registration Claimed.
 
Not Applicable.
 
ITEM 8.
Exhibits.
   
The following exhibits are filed herewith as part of this Registration Statement.
 
Exhibit No.
 
Exhibit Description
     
4.1
 
Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended as of January 27, 2012, and form of employee stock option agreement thereunder
5.1
 
Opinion of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
23.1
 
Consent of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. (contained in Exhibit 5.1)
23.2
 
Consent of RBSM LLP, independent registered public accounting firm
24.1
 
Power of Attorney (included as part of signature page to this Registration Statement)
 
 
ITEM 9.
Undertakings.
   
(a)      The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
 
          (1)      To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
 
          (i)       To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
 
          (ii)      To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective Registration Statement;
 
          (iii)      To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement;
 
Provided, however , that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
 
 
 

 
 
          (2)      That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
          (3)      To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
 
(b)      The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
(h)      Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment of the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
 
 

 
 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Town of Stony Brook, State of New York, on June 26, 2012.
 
 
APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.
 
       
       
 
By:
/s/ JAMES A. HAYWARD
 
   
James A. Hayward
 
   
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 

 
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
Each person whose signature appears below appoints Dr. James A. Hayward and Mr. Kurt H. Jensen, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and any Registration Statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act of 1933 and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them of their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
Signature
Title
Date
     
/s/ James A. Hayward
Chief Executive Officer
June 26, 2012
James A. Hayward
( Principal Executive Officer ),
President, Chairman of the Board of
Directors and Director
 
     
/s/ Kurt H. Jensen
Chief Financial Officer
June 26, 2012
Kurt H. Jensen
( Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer )
 
     
/s/ John Bitzer, III
Director
June 26, 2012
John Bitzer, III
   
     
/s/ Gerald Catenacci
Director
June 26, 2012
Gerald Catenacci
   
     
/s/ Karol Gray
Director
June 26, 2012
Karol Gray
   
     
/s/ Charles Ryan
Director
 
June 26, 2012
Charles Ryan
   
     
/s/ Yacov Shamash
Director
June 26, 2012
Yacov Shamash
   
     
/s/ Sanford R. Simon­
Director
June 26, 2012
Sanford R. Simon
   

 
 

 
 
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 
Exhibit No.
 
Exhibit Description
     
4.1
 
Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended as of January 27, 2012, and form of employee stock option agreement thereunder
5.1
 
Opinion of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
23.1
 
Consent of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. (contained in Exhibit 5.1)
23.2
 
Consent of RBSM LLP, independent registered public accounting firm
24.1
 
Power of Attorney (included as part of signature page to this Registration Statement)
 

Exhibit 4.1
 
APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.
2005 INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN
(Amended and Restated as of January 27, 2012)
 
THIS APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC. 2005 INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN (the “ Plan ”) is designed to retain directors, executives and selected employees and consultants and reward them for making major contributions to the success of the Company. These objectives are accomplished by making long-term incentive awards under the Plan thereby providing Participants with a proprietary interest in the growth and performance of the Company.
 
1.  
Definitions .
 
(a)
Board ” - The Board of Directors of the Company.
 
(b)
Code ” - The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
 
(c)
Committee ” - The Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board, or such other committee of the Board that is designated by the Board to administer the Plan, composed of not less than two members of the Board whom are disinterested persons, as contemplated by Rule 16b-3 (“ Rule 16b-3 ”) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”).
 
(d)
Company ” - APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC. and its subsidiaries including subsidiaries of subsidiaries.
 
(e)
Exchange Act ” - The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
 
(f)
Fair Market Value ” - The fair market value of the Company’s issued and outstanding Stock as determined in good faith by the Board or Committee.
 
(g)
Grant ” - The grant of any form of stock option, stock award, or stock purchase offer, whether granted singly, in combination, or in tandem, to a Participant pursuant to such terms, conditions and limitations as the Committee may establish in order to fulfill the objectives of the Plan.
 
(h)
Grant Agreement ” - An agreement between the Company and a Participant that sets forth the terms, conditions and limitations applicable to a Grant.
 
(i)
Option ” - Either an Incentive Stock Option, in accordance with Section 422 of Code, or a Nonstatutory Option, to purchase the Company’s Stock, that may be awarded to a Participant under the Plan. A Participant who receives an award of an Option shall be referred to as an “Optionee.”
 
 
 

 
 
(j)
Participant ” - A director, officer, employee or consultant of the Company to whom an Award has been made under the Plan.
 
(k)
Restricted Stock Purchase Offer ” - A Grant of the right to purchase a specified number of shares of Stock pursuant to a written agreement issued under the Plan.
 
(l)
Securities Act ” - The Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.
 
(m)
Stock ” - Authorized and issued or unissued shares of common stock of the Company.
 
(n)
Stock Award ” - A Grant made under the Plan in Stock or denominated in units of Stock for which the Participant is not obligated to pay additional consideration.
 
2.  
Administration . The Plan shall be administered by the Board, provided however, that the Board may delegate such administration to the Committee. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board and/or the Committee shall have authority to (a) grant, in its discretion, Incentive Stock Options in accordance with Section 422 of the Code, or Nonstatutory Options, Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Purchase Offers; (b) determine in good faith the fair market value of the Stock covered by any Grant; (c) determine which eligible persons shall receive Grants and the number of shares, restrictions, terms and conditions to be included in such Grants; (d) construe and interpret the Plan; (e) promulgate, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to its administration, and correct defects, omissions and inconsistencies in the Plan or any Grant; (f) consistent with the Plan and with the consent of the Participant, as appropriate, amend any outstanding Grant or amend the exercise date or dates thereof; (g) determine the duration and purpose of leaves of absence which may be granted to Participants without constituting termination of their employment for the purpose of the Plan or any Grant; and (h) make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the Plan’s administration. The interpretation and construction by the Board and/or the Committee of any provisions of the Plan or selection of Participants shall be conclusive and final. No member of the Board or the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Grant made thereunder.
 
3.  
Eligibility .
 
(a)
General : The persons who shall be eligible to receive Grants shall be directors, officers,  employees or consultants to the Company. The term consultant shall mean any person, other than an employee or non-employee director, who is engaged by the Company to render services and is compensated for such services.  An Optionee may hold more than one Option. Any issuance of a Grant to an officer or director of the Company subsequent to the first registration of any of the securities of the Company under the Exchange Act shall comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3.
 
(b)
Incentive Stock Options :  Incentive Stock Options may only be issued to employees of the Company. Incentive Stock Options may be granted to officers or directors, provided they are also employees of the Company. Payment of a director’s fee shall not be sufficient to constitute employment by the Company.
 
 
- 2 -

 
 
The Company shall not grant an Incentive Stock Option under the Plan to any employee if such Grant would result in such employee holding the right to exercise for the first time in any one calendar year, under all Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan or any other plan maintained by the Company, with respect to shares of Stock having an aggregate fair market value,  determined as of the date of the Option is granted, in excess of $100,000.  Should it be determined that an Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan exceeds such maximum for any reason other than a failure in good faith to value the Stock subject to such option, the excess portion of such option shall be considered a Nonstatutory Option. To the extent the employee holds two (2) or more such Options which become exercisable for the first time in the same calendar year, the foregoing limitation on the exercisability of such Option as Incentive Stock Options under the Federal tax laws shall be applied on the basis of the order in which such Options are granted. If, for any reason, an entire Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option by reason of exceeding such maximum, such Option shall be considered a Nonstatutory Option.
 
(c)
Nonstatutory Option :  The provisions of the foregoing Section 3(b) shall not apply to any Option designated as a “Nonstatutory Option” or which sets forth the intention of the parties that the Option be a Nonstatutory Option.
 
(d)
Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Purchase Offers :  The provisions of this Section 3 shall not apply to any Stock Award or Restricted Stock Purchase Offer under the Plan.
 
4.  
Stock .
 
(a)
Authorized Stock : Stock subject to Grants may be either unissued or reacquired Stock.
 
(b)
Number of Shares :  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5(i) of the Plan, the total number of shares of Stock which may be purchased or granted directly by Options, Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Purchase Offers, or purchased indirectly through exercise of Options granted under the Plan shall not exceed 350 million. If any Grant shall for any reason terminate or expire, any shares allocated thereto but remaining unpurchased upon such expiration or termination shall again be available for Grants with respect thereto under the Plan as though no Grant had previously occurred with respect to such shares. Any shares of Stock issued pursuant to a Grant and repurchased pursuant to the terms thereof shall be available for future Grants as though not previously covered by a Grant.  No more than 50 million shares of Stock may be issued pursuant to Awards granted in any calendar year to any individual.
 
 
- 3 -

 
 
(c)
Reservation of Shares :  The Company shall reserve and keep available at all times during the term of the Plan such number of shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.  If, after reasonable efforts, which efforts shall not include the registration of the Plan or Grants under the Securities Act, the Company is unable to obtain authority from any applicable regulatory body, which authorization is deemed necessary by legal counsel for the Company for the lawful issuance of shares hereunder, the Company shall be relieved of any liability with respect to its failure to issue and sell the shares for which such requisite authority was so deemed necessary unless and until such authority is obtained.
 
(d)
Application of Funds :  The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Stock pursuant to the exercise of Options or rights under Stock Purchase Agreements will be used for general corporate purposes.
 
(e)
No Obligation to Exercise :  The issuance of a Grant shall impose no obligation upon the Participant to exercise any rights under such Grant.
 
5.  
Terms and Conditions of Options . Options granted hereunder shall be evidenced by agreements between the Company and the respective Optionees, in such form and substance as the Board or Committee shall from time to time approve. Option agreements need not be identical, and in each case may include such provisions as the Board or Committee may determine, but all such agreements shall be subject to and limited by the following terms and conditions:
 
(a)
Number of Shares :  Each Option shall state the number of shares to which it pertains.
 
(b)
Exercise Price : Each Option shall state the exercise price, which shall be determined as follows:
 
                    (i)
Any Incentive Stock Option granted to a person who at the time the Option is granted owns (or is deemed to own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company (“ Ten Percent Holder ”) shall have an exercise price of no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Stock as of the date of grant; and
 
                     (ii)
Incentive Stock Options granted to a person who at the time the Option is granted is not a Ten Percent Holder and all Nonstatutory Options shall have an exercise price of no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Stock as of the date of grant.
 
For the purposes of this Section 5(b), the Fair Market Value shall be as determined by the Board in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive and binding; provided however, that if there is a public market for such Stock, the Fair Market Value per share shall be the average of the bid and asked prices (or the closing price if such stock is listed on the NASDAQ National Market System or Small Cap Issue Market) on the date of grant of the Option, or if listed on a stock exchange, the closing price on such exchange on such date of grant.
 
 
- 4 -

 
 
(c)
Medium and Time of Payment :  The exercise price shall become immediately due upon exercise of the Option and shall be paid in cash or check made payable to the Company. Should the Company’s outstanding Stock be registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act at the time the Option is exercised, then the exercise price may also be paid as follows:
 
                    (i)
in shares of Stock held by the Optionee for the requisite period necessary to avoid a charge to the Company’s earnings for financial reporting purposes and valued at Fair Market Value on the exercise date, or
 
                     (ii)
through a special sale and remittance procedure pursuant to which the Optionee shall concurrently provide irrevocable written instructions (a) to a Company designated brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale of the purchased shares and remit to the Company, out of the sale proceeds available on the settlement date, sufficient funds to cover the aggregate exercise price payable for the purchased shares plus all applicable Federal, state and local income and employment taxes required to be withheld by the Company by reason of such purchase and (b) to the Company to deliver the certificates for the purchased shares directly to such brokerage firm in order to complete the sale transaction.
 
At the discretion of the Board, exercisable either at the time of Option grant or of Option exercise, the exercise price may also be paid in such other form of consideration as may be acceptable to the Board, subject to applicable Delaware and federal law, including, without limitation, deemed payment through the delivery of “net shares” by the Company to the Optionee pursuant to a cashless exercise procedure.
 
(d)
Term and Exercise of Options :   In no event shall any Option be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date it is granted, and no Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Holder shall, by its terms, be exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date of the Option.
 
Each Option shall be exercisable to the nearest whole share, in installments or otherwise, as the respective Option agreements may provide. During the lifetime of an Optionee, the Option shall be exercisable only by the Optionee and shall not be assignable or transferable by the Optionee, and no other person shall acquire any rights therein. To the extent not exercised, installments (if more than one) shall accumulate, but shall be exercisable, in whole or in part, only during the period for exercise as stated in the Option agreement, whether or not other installments are then exercisable.
 
 
- 5 -

 
 
Termination of Status as Employee, Consultant or Director : Except as otherwise determined by the Board or the Committee, if an Optionee ceases to be employed by or provided other services to the Company, then, unless sooner terminated, the vested portion of the Option will terminate if and to the extent it is not exercised within 90 days after the date of the Optionee’s termination of employment or service (or one year if the Optionee’s employment or service terminates by reason of his or her “Disability” (as defined below) or death), provided, however, that, if the Optionee’s employment is terminated by the Company for “Cause” (as defined below), then the Option (whether or not vested) will terminate upon the date of such termination of employment or service. An Option will be forfeited upon the termination of an Optionee’s employment or service if and to the extent the Option is not or does not become vested at such time.
 
(e)
Definitions : For the purposes hereof, the term “Cause” means an Optionee’s (a) conviction or plea of nolo contendre to a felony; (b) commission of fraud or a material act or omission involving dishonesty with respect to the Company or its Affiliates, as reasonably determined by the Company; (c) willful failure or refusal to carry out the material responsibilities of his or her employment, as reasonably determined by the Company; (d) gross negligence, willful misconduct, or engaging in a pattern of behavior which has had or is reasonably likely to have a significant adverse effect on the Company, as reasonably determined by the Company; or (e) willfully engaging in any act or omission that is in material violation of a material policy of the Company, including, without limitation, policies on business ethics and conduct, and policies on the use of inside information and insider trading. The term “Disability” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto pursuant to Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
 
(f)
Nontransferability of Option :  No Option shall be transferable by the Optionee, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
 
(g)
Recapitalization :  Subject to any required action of shareholders, the number of shares of Stock covered by each outstanding Option, the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be covered by Awards granted to any individual in any calendar year, and the exercise price per share covered by any Option shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Stock of the Company resulting from a stock split, stock dividend, combination, subdivision or reclassification of shares, or the payment of a stock dividend, or any other increase or decrease in the number of such shares affected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “ effected without receipt of consideration ” by the Company.
 
 
- 6 -

 
 
In the event of a proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving entity, or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets or capital stock of the Company (collectively, a  “ Reorganization ”), unless otherwise provided by the Board, each Option shall terminate immediately prior to such date as is determined by the Board, which date shall be no later than the consummation of such Reorganization.  In such event, if the entity which shall be the surviving entity does not tender to Optionee an offer, for which it has no obligation to do so, to substitute for any unexercised Option a stock option or capital stock of such surviving of such surviving entity, as applicable, which on an equitable basis shall provide the Optionee with substantially the same economic benefit as such unexercised Option, then the Board may grant to such Optionee, in its sole and absolute discretion and without obligation, the right for a period commencing thirty (30) days prior to and ending immediately prior to the date determined by the Board pursuant hereto for termination of the Option or during the remaining term of the Option, whichever is the lesser, to exercise any unexpired Option or Options without regard to the installment provisions of Paragraph 6(d) of the Plan; provided, that any such right granted shall be granted to all Optionees not receiving an offer to receive substitute options on a consistent basis, and provided further, that any such exercise shall be subject to the consummation of such Reorganization.
 
Subject to any required action of shareholders, if the Company shall be the surviving entity in any merger or consolidation, each outstanding Option thereafter shall pertain to and apply to the securities to which a holder of shares of Stock equal to the shares subject to the Option would have been entitled by reason of such merger or consolidation.
 
In the event of a change in the Stock of the Company as presently constituted, which is limited to a change of all of its authorized shares without par value into the same number of shares with a par value, the shares resulting from any such change shall be deemed to be the Stock within the meaning of the Plan.
 
To the extent that the foregoing adjustments relate to stock or securities of the Company, such adjustments shall be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided in this Section 5(i), the Optionee shall have no rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of any class or the payment of any stock dividend or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class, and the number or price of shares of Stock subject to any Option shall not be affected by, and no adjustment shall be made by reason of any dissolution, liquidation, merger, consolidation or sale of assets or capital stock, or any issue by the Company of shares of stock of any class or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class.
 
The Grant of an Option pursuant to the Plan shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company to make any adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations or changes in its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, or liquidate or to sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.
 
(h)
Rights as a Shareholder :  An Optionee shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to any shares covered by an Option until the effective date of the issuance of the shares following exercise of such Option by Optionee. No adjustment shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash, securities or other property) or distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued, except as expressly provided in Section 5(i) hereof.
 
 
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(i)
Modification, Acceleration, Extension, and, Renewal of Options :  Subject to the terms and conditions and within the limitations of the Plan, the Board may modify an Option, or, once an Option in exercisable, accelerate the rate at which it may be exercised, and may extend or renew outstanding Options granted under the Plan or accept the surrender of outstanding Options (to the extent not theretofore exercised) and authorize the granting of new Options in substitution for such Options, provided such action is not prohibited by Section 422 of the Code or other applicable law; however, no modification of an Option shall without the consent of the Optionee, alter to the Optionee’s detriment or impair any rights or obligations under any Option theretofore granted under the Plan.
 
(j)
Exercise Before Exercise Date :  At the discretion of the Board, the Option may, but need not, include a provision whereby the Optionee may elect to exercise all or any portion of the Option prior to the stated exercise date of the Option or any installment thereof. Any shares so purchased prior to the stated exercise date shall be subject to repurchase by the Company upon termination of Optionee’s employment as contemplated by Section 5(n) hereof prior to the exercise date stated in the Option and such other restrictions and conditions as the Board or Committee may deem advisable.
 
(k)
Other Provisions : The Option agreements authorized under the Plan shall contain such other provisions, including, without limitation, restrictions upon the exercise of the Options, as the Board or the Committee shall deem advisable. The Board or the Committee may permit Options to be exercised beyond the time periods described herein; provided, however, that no Option may be exercised more than 10 years after the date it is granted.  Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option, if, in the opinion of legal counsel for the Company, the exercise of such Option and/or the issuance of shares thereunder would violate applicable law or the rules and regulations of any exchange upon which the shares of the Company are listed. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the exercise of each Option shall be subject to the condition that if at any time the Company shall determine that (i) the satisfaction of withholding tax or other similar liabilities, or (ii) the listing, registration or qualification of any shares covered by such exercise upon any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or (iii) the consent or approval of any regulatory body, or (iv) the perfection of any exemption from any such withholding, listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval is necessary or desirable in connection with such exercise or the issuance of shares thereunder, then in any such event, such exercise shall not be effective unless such withholding, listing, registration, qualification, consent, approval or exemption shall have been effected, obtained or perfected free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company.
 
 
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6.  
Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Purchase Offers .
 
(a)
Types of Grants .
 
                    (i)
Stock Award .  All or part of any Stock Award under the Plan may be subject to conditions established by the Board or the Committee, and set forth in the Stock Award Agreement, which may include, but are not limited to, continuous service with the Company, achievement of specific business objectives, increases in specified indices, attaining growth rates and other comparable measurements of Company performance. Such Awards may be based on Fair Market Value or other specified valuation.
 
                     (ii)
Restricted Stock Purchase Offer .  A Grant of a Restricted Stock Purchase Offer under the Plan shall be subject to such (i) vesting contingencies related to the Participant’s continued association with the Company for a specified time and (ii) other specified conditions as the Board or Committee shall determine, in their sole discretion, consistent with the provisions of the Plan.
 
(b)
Conditions and Restrictions .  Shares of Stock which Participants may receive as a Stock Award under a Stock Award Agreement or Restricted Stock Purchase Offer under a Restricted Stock Purchase Offer may include such restrictions as the Board or Committee, as applicable, shall determine, including restrictions on transfer, repurchase rights, right of first refusal, and forfeiture provisions. When transfer of Stock is so restricted or subject to forfeiture provisions it is referred to as “ Restricted Stock ”.  Further, with Board or Committee approval, Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Purchase Offers may be deferred, either in the form of installments or a future lump sum distribution. The Board or Committee may permit selected Participants to elect to defer distributions of Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Purchase Offers in accordance with procedures established by the Board or Committee to assure that such deferrals comply with applicable requirements of the Code (including, without limitation, Section 409A of the Code) including, at the choice of Participants, the capability to make further deferrals for distribution after retirement. Any deferred distribution, whether elected by the Participant or specified by the Stock Award Agreement, Restricted Stock Purchase Offers or by the Board or Committee, may require the payment be forfeited in accordance with the provisions of Section 6(c). Dividends or dividend equivalent rights may be extended to and made part of any Stock Award or Restricted Stock Purchase Offers denominated in Stock or units of Stock, subject to such terms, conditions and restrictions as the Board or Committee may establish.
 
(c)
Cancellation and Rescission of Grants .  Unless the Stock Award Agreement or Restricted Stock Purchase Offer specifies otherwise, the Board or Committee, as applicable, may cancel any unexpired, unpaid, or deferred Grants at any time if the Participant is not in compliance with all other applicable provisions of the Stock Award Agreement or Restricted Stock Purchase Offer, the Plan and with the following conditions:
 
 
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                    (i)
A Participant shall not render services for any organization or engage directly or indirectly in any business which, in the judgment of the chief executive officer of the Company or other senior officer designated by the Board or Committee, is or becomes competitive with the Company, or which organization or business, or the rendering of services to such organization or business, is or becomes otherwise prejudicial to or in conflict with the interests of the Company. For Participants whose employment has terminated, the judgment of the chief executive officer shall be based on the Participant’s position and responsibilities while employed by the Company, the Participant’s post-employment responsibilities and position with the other organization or business, the extent of past, current and potential competition or conflict between the Company and the other organization or business, the effect on the Company’s customers, suppliers and competitors and such other considerations as are deemed relevant given the applicable facts and circumstances.  A Participant who has retired shall be free, however, to purchase as an investment or otherwise, stock or other securities of such organization or business so long as they are listed upon a recognized securities exchange or traded over-the-counter, and such investment does not represent a substantial investment to the Participant or a greater than ten percent (10%) equity interest in the organization or business.
 
                     (ii)
A Participant shall not, without prior written authorization from the Company, disclose to anyone outside the Company, or use in other than the Company’s business, any confidential information or material, as defined in the Company’s Proprietary  Information and Invention Agreement or similar agreement regarding confidential information and intellectual property, relating to the business of the Company, acquired by the Participant either during or after employment with the Company.
 
                      (iii)
A Participant, pursuant to the Company’s Proprietary Information and Invention Agreement, shall disclose promptly and assign to the Company all right, title and interest in any invention or idea, patentable or not, made or conceived by the Participant during employment by the Company, relating in any manner to the actual or anticipated business, research or development work of the Company and shall do anything reasonably necessary to enable the Company to secure a patent where appropriate in the United States and in foreign countries.
 
                       (iv)
Upon exercise, payment or delivery pursuant to a Grant, the Participant shall certify on a form acceptable to the Committee that he or she is in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Plan. Failure to comply with all of the provisions of this Section 6(c) prior to, or during the six months after, any exercise, payment or delivery pursuant to a Grant shall cause such exercise, payment or delivery to be rescinded. The Company shall notify the Participant in writing of any such rescission within two years after such exercise, payment or delivery. Within ten days after receiving such a notice from the Company, the Participant shall pay to the Company the amount of any gain realized or payment received as a result of the rescinded exercise, payment or delivery pursuant to a Grant. Such payment shall be made either in cash or by returning to the Company the number of shares of Stock that the Participant received in connection with the rescinded exercise, payment or delivery.
 
 
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(d)
Nonassignability .
 
                    (i)
Except pursuant to Section 6(e)(iii) and except as set forth in Section (d)(ii), no Grant or any other benefit under the Plan shall be assignable or transferable, or payable to or exercisable by, anyone other than the Participant to whom it was granted.
 
                       (ii)  
Where a Participant terminates employment and retains a Grant pursuant to Section 6(e)(ii) in order to assume a position with a governmental, charitable or educational institution, the Board or Committee, in its discretion, and to the extent permitted by law, may authorize a third party (including but not limited to the trustee of a “blind” trust), acceptable to the applicable governmental or institutional authorities, the Participant and the Board or Committee, to act on behalf of the Participant with regard to such awards.
 
(e)
Termination of Employment .  If the employment or service to the Company of a Participant terminates, other than pursuant to any of the following provisions under this Section 6(e), all unexercised, deferred and unpaid Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Purchase Offers shall be cancelled immediately, unless the Stock Award Agreement or Restricted Stock Purchase Offer provides otherwise:
 
                    (i)
Retirement Under a Company Retirement Plan .  When a Participant’s employment terminates as a result of retirement in accordance with the terms of a Company retirement plan, the Board or Committee may permit Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Purchase Offers to continue in effect beyond the date of retirement in accordance with the applicable Grant Agreement and the exercisability and vesting of any such Grants may be accelerated.
 
                     (ii)
Rights in the Best Interests of the Company .  When a Participant resigns from the Company and, in the judgment of the Board or Committee, the acceleration and/or continuation of outstanding Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Purchase Offers would be in the best interests of the Company, the Board or Committee may (i) authorize, where appropriate, the acceleration and/or continuation of all or any part of Grants issued prior to such termination and (ii) permit the exercise, vesting and payment of such Grants for such period as may be set forth in the applicable Grant Agreement, subject to earlier cancellation pursuant to Section 9 or at such time as the Board or Committee shall deem the continuation of all or any part of the Participant’s Grants are not in the Company’s best interest.
 
 
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                      (iii)
Death or Disability of a Participant .
 
                                       (1)  
In the event of a Participant’s death, the Participant’s estate or beneficiaries shall have a period up to the expiration date specified in the Grant Agreement within which to receive or exercise any outstanding Grant held by the Participant under such terms as may be specified in the applicable Grant Agreement. Rights to any such outstanding Grants shall pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution in the following order: (a) to beneficiaries so designated by the Participant; if none, then (b) to a legal representative of the Participant; if none, then (c) to the persons entitled thereto as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. Grants so passing shall be made at such times and in such manner as if the Participant were living.
 
                                       (2)  
In the event a Participant is deemed by the Board or Committee to be unable to perform his or her usual duties by reason of mental disorder or medical condition which does not result from facts which would be grounds for termination for cause, Grants and rights to any such Grants may be paid to or exercised by the Participant, if legally competent, or a committee or other legally designated guardian or representative if the Participant is legally incompetent by virtue of such disability.
 
                                       (3)  
After the death or disability of a Participant, the Board or Committee may in its sole discretion at any time (1) terminate restrictions in Grant Agreements; (2) accelerate any or all installments and rights; and (3) instruct the Company to pay the total of any accelerated payments in a lump sum to the Participant, the Participant’s estate, beneficiaries or representative; notwithstanding that, in the absence of such termination of restrictions or acceleration of payments, any or all of the payments due under the Grant might ultimately have become payable to other beneficiaries.
 
                                       (4)  
In the event of uncertainty as to interpretation of or controversies concerning this Section 6, the determinations of the Board or Committee, as applicable, shall be binding and conclusive.
 
 
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7.  
Investment Intent .  All Grants under the Plan are intended to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act provided by Rule 701 thereunder. Unless and until the granting of Options or sale and issuance of Stock subject to the Plan are registered under the Securities Act or shall be exempt pursuant to the rules promulgated thereunder, each Grant under the Plan shall provide that the purchases or other acquisitions of Stock thereunder shall be for investment purposes and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any distribution thereof. Further, unless the issuance and sale of the Stock have been registered under the Securities Act, each Grant shall provide that no shares shall be purchased upon the exercise of the rights under such Grant unless and until (i) all then applicable requirements of state and federal laws and regulatory agencies shall have been fully complied with to the satisfaction of the Company and its counsel, and (ii) if requested to do so by the Company, the person exercising the rights under the Grant shall (i) give written assurances as to knowledge and experience of such person (or a representative employed by such person) in financial and business matters and the ability of such person (or representative) to evaluate the merits and risks of exercising the Option, and (ii) execute and deliver to the Company a letter of investment intent and/or such other form related to applicable exemptions from registration, all in such form and substance as the Company may require. If shares are issued upon exercise of any rights under a Grant without registration under the Securities Act, subsequent registration of such shares shall relieve the purchaser thereof of any investment restrictions or representations made upon the exercise of such rights.
 
8.  
Amendment, Modification, Suspension or Discontinuance of the Plan . The Board may, insofar as permitted by law, from time to time, with respect to any shares at the time not subject to outstanding Grants, suspend or terminate the Plan or revise or amend it in any respect whatsoever, except that without the approval of the shareholders of the Company, no such revision or amendment shall (i) increase the number of shares subject to the Plan, (ii) decrease the price at which Grants may be granted, (iii) materially increase the benefits to Participants, or (iv) change the class of persons eligible to receive Grants under the Plan; provided, however, no such action shall alter or impair the rights and obligations under any Option, or Stock Award, or Restricted Stock Purchase Offer outstanding as of the date thereof without the written consent of the Participant thereunder. No Grant may be issued while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated, but the rights and obligations under any Grant issued while the Plan is in effect shall not be impaired by suspension or termination of the Plan.
 
In the event of any change in the outstanding Stock by reason of a stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of shares, recapitalization, merger, or similar event, the Board or the Committee may adjust proportionally (a) the number of shares of Stock (i) reserved under the Plan, (ii) issuable under Awards granted to any individual in any calendar year, (iii) available for Incentive Stock Options and Nonstatutory Options and (iv) covered by outstanding Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Purchase Offers; (b) the Stock prices related to outstanding Grants; and (c) the appropriate Fair Market Value and other price determinations for such Grants. In the event of any other change affecting the Stock or any distribution (other than normal cash dividends) to holders of Stock, such adjustments as may be deemed equitable by the Board or the Committee, including adjustments to avoid fractional shares, shall be made to give proper effect to such event. In the event of a corporate merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, separation, reorganization or liquidation, the Board or the Committee shall be authorized to issue or assume stock options, whether or not in a transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code applies, and other Grants by means of substitution of new Grant Agreements for previously issued Grants or an assumption of previously issued Grants.
 
 
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Unless sooner terminated, the Plan shall terminate ten years after the date it was originally adopted by the Board.
 
9.  
Tax Withholding .  The Company shall have the right to deduct applicable taxes from any compensation payable to the Participant, whether or not pursuant to the Plan, including, without limitation, the right to withhold, at the time of delivery or exercise of Options, Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Purchase Offers or vesting of shares under such Grants, an appropriate number of shares for payment of taxes required by law or to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy all obligations for withholding of such taxes. If Stock is used to satisfy tax withholding, such stock shall be valued based on the Fair Market Value when the tax withholding is required to be made.
 
10.  
Notice . Any written notice to the Company required by any of the provisions of the Plan shall be addressed to the chief personnel officer or to the chief executive officer of the Company, and shall become effective when it is received by the office of the chief personnel officer or the chief executive officer.
 
11.  
Indemnification of Board .  In addition to such other rights or indemnifications as they may have as directors or otherwise, and to the extent allowed by applicable law, the members of the Board and the Committee shall be indemnified by the Company against the reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with the defense of any claim, action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal thereof, to which they or any of them may be a party by reason of any action taken, or failure to act, under or in connection with the Plan or any Grant granted thereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved by independent legal counsel selected by the Company) or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such claim, action, suit or proceeding, except in any case in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such claim, action, suit or proceeding that such Board or Committee member is liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his or her duties; provided that within sixty (60) days after institution of any such action, suit or Board proceeding the member involved shall offer the Company, in writing, the opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same.
 
12.  
Governing Law .  All rights and obligations under the Plan and each Award agreement or instrument shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its principles of conflict of laws.
 
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Exhibit 5.1
 
 
FULBRIGHT & JAWORSKI L.L.P.
A REGISTERED LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP
666 FIFTH AVENUE, 31 st FLOOR
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10101-3198
WWW.FULBRIGHT.COM
TELEPHONE: (212) 318-3000
FACSIMILE: (212) 318-3400
 
 
 
 
June 26, 2012
 
 
Applied DNA Sciences, Inc.
25 Health Sciences Drive, Suite 215
Stony Brook, NY 11790

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
     We refer to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “ Registration Statement ”) to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Act ”), on behalf of Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), relating to 250,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“ Common Stock ”), issuable under the Company’s 2005 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended (the “ Plan ”, and such shares of Common Stock, the “ Plan Shares ”).
 
     As counsel to the Company, we have examined such corporate records, other documents and such questions of law as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion and, upon the basis of such examinations, advise you that in our opinion all necessary corporate proceedings by the Company have been duly taken to authorize the issuance of the Plan Shares pursuant to the Plan; and that the Plan Shares being registered pursuant to the Registration Statement, when issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the Plan, will be duly authorized, legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
 
     We do not express any opinion herein concerning any law other than the Delaware General Corporation Law (including the statutory provisions, all applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and reported judicial decisions interpreting the foregoing).
 
     We consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. This consent is not to be construed as an admission that we are a person whose consent is required to be filed with the Registration Statement under the provisions of the Act.
 
Very truly yours,
 
/s/ Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
 
Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P

 
Exhibit 23.2
 
 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
 
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 pertaining to the Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (the “Company”) 2005 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended, of our report dated December 8, 2011, with respect to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2011 as included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2011, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
 
 
/s/ RBSM LLP

New York, New York
June 26, 2012