Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: APDN), a leader in PCR-based DNA technologies, announced that Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Dr. James A. Hayward officially retired from the Company and stepped down from its Board of Directors on June 18, 2025, concluding a transformative 20-year tenure that helped define the Company’s scientific and commercial direction.
Dr. James A. Hayward served as Chairman, President, and CEO of Applied DNA Sciences. With over 20 years of experience in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, life science, and consumer product industries, Dr. Hayward was actively involved in the global effort to ensure the authenticity of products and the protection of global supply chains from counterfeiting and diversion. Patented and applied in over a billion products worldwide, the Company’s SigNature DNA tags are unique sequences that help preserve the quality and integrity of products—from pharmaceutics to cosmetics.
Dr. Hayward received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry from the State University of New York at Oneonta in 1976, his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1983, and an honorary Doctor of Science from the same institution in 2000. He was one of the founding principals and research director of Europe’s first liposome company, Biocompatibles Ltd. From 1984 to 1989, he was responsible for product development at Estée Lauder Companies.
In 1990, Dr. Hayward founded The Collaborative Group, a provider of products and services to the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and consumer-product industries based in Stony Brook. For 14 years, he served as Chairman, President, and CEO of Collaborative, spawning multiple businesses including The Collaborative BioAlliance, a contract developer and manufacturer of human gene products that was sold to Dow Chemical in 2002, and Collaborative Laboratories, a service provider and manufacturer of ingredients for skincare and dermatology that was sold to Engelhard (now BASF) in 2004.
Dr. Hayward was twice named “Entrepreneur of the Year”—in 2002 by Inc. Magazine and in 2009 by the Long Island Technology Hall of Fame. In January 2014, he received the David Award by Networking Magazine as one of Long Island’s eight most accomplished individuals.
He has also served as a General Partner of Double D Venture Fund, a venture capital firm based in New York, and held board positions at organizations including the Stony Brook Foundation, the Research Foundation of the State University of New York, the Long Island Association, the New York Biotechnology Association, the Long Island Life Sciences Initiative, and the Ward Melville Heritage Foundation.
“On behalf of all the employees of the Company and the Board of Directors, I offer sincere thanks to Jim for his many years of scientific innovation, personal contribution, and passion he brought to Applied DNA,” said Board Director Robert C. Catell. “His accomplishments and impact are wide-ranging and will endure with the Applied DNA team and the local Long Island community.”
Following Dr. Hayward’s retirement, the Board appointed Judy Murrah to the roles of Chairperson, Board Director, and Chief Executive Officer, in addition to her existing position as President. Ms. Murrah now leads the executive team, which includes Clay Shorrock, Chief Legal Officer and President of LineaRx, and Beth Jantzen, Chief Financial Officer.
“Judy has played an increasingly key role in recent years and has helped to grow who we are today as a company,” Mr. Catell continued. “Applied DNA is poised for opportunity with an established biotherapeutic manufacturing capability that we believe is proven to address the manufacturing challenges identified by the industry. Driving it to deployment and scale with customers, partners, and regulators is our next mission, and the Board is confident that Judy’s leadership will put the Company on the best path forward to maximize long-term shareholder value.”
“I am honored to take on the Chairperson and CEO roles and lead our associates and Applied DNA forward at this important inflection point, as we focus on our most promising aspects of our businesses, drive increased operating efficiency, and navigate the current macro environment,” said Ms. Murrah.
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