US provider of DNA-based security solutions Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., has entered into an agreement with Supima, the promotional organisation of the American Pima cotton growers, to help it preserve the brand's reputation. This agreement provides for APDN to begin a $250,000 feasibility study to establish authentication methodologies to confirm the Supima cotton content of branded apparel and home fashion products. Upon successful completion of the study, which is expected to take approximately six months, APDN anticipates offering authentication services to Supima members for a fee.

Each year, of the 115 million bales of cotton produced around the world, less than 1% qualifies for the Supima name.