Digimarc Corporation (NASDAQ: DMRC) has licensed its mobile visual search software to New Jersey-based Catalent Pharma Solutions, a leading provider of innovative packaging solutions to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and consumer healthcare industries.
The agreement allows Catalent to deliver new Media Enhanced Packing solutions to its clients worldwide that will instantly connect consumers to a range of network services from printed packaging, inserts, and labels using smart phones and other digital devices.
“We are very excited to be working with Digimarc to provide our clients with Media Enhanced Packaging solutions that will deliver added value to the consumer while differentiating our customers’ products on crowded store shelves,” stated Victor Dixon, VP and General Manager, Catalent Pharma Solutions. “We believe that working with Digimarc will uniquely position us to assist the pharmaceutical and consumer packaging industries to better inform and engage the consumers of their products.”
Digimarc’s mobile software enables the phone’s camera to “see” digital data that has been embedded into all forms of printed materials, including advertisements, editorial content, brochures, posters, product packaging, labels and more. Unlike 2D barcodes or QR codes, the digital codes do not take up precious space on packages, and they are imperceptible to human senses, but can easily be detected by computers, networks, and today’s most popular smart phones.
“We are pleased to partner with Catalent Pharma Solutions to bring Digimarc’s visual search innovations to the packaging industry,” said Jeri Owen, Vice President, Marketing, Digimarc. “Together we will address the growing need for brands to build consumer preference and loyalty by delivering innovative new packaging solutions that simplify and enrich the lives of customers using the device they carry with them 24/7.”
Catalent is marketing its solution to large, global pharmaceutical companies, mid-sized biotech and generic drug makers, and to small companies in the healthcare and other packaged good markets. The company expects its Media Enhanced Packaging solution to be put into commercial use within the next few months.