VeriChip Corporation ("VeriChip") (NASDAQ: CHIP) announced today that it has entered into a strategic partnership with the Diabetes Research Institute ("DRI") to combine efforts on the further development of the glucose-sensing radio frequency identification (RFID) microchip in conjunction with VeriChip's development partner, RECEPTORS LLC. VeriChip and DRI also intend to create a prospective, randomized, comparative clinical study that will seek to address the lack of appropriate, concise, and up-to-date patient health information available to both practitioners caring for diabetic patients and the patients themselves through the utilization of VeriChip's interoperable personal health record, Health Link, and an electronic medical record system.
Robert Pearlman, President and CEO of the DRI Foundation, said, "We are pleased to partner with VeriChip on this important initiative to develop a glucose-sensing RFID microchip, which could potentially improve patient care and compliance among individuals with diabetes. Furthermore, we believe access to a personal health record is vital for all patients, but particularly those with chronic illnesses. Our relationship with VeriChip will enable us to provide that access to our patients and study the utility of Health Link and the role it plays within a larger electronic medical record system."