Chronicled launches blockchain-registered supply chain and pharmaceutical packaging

San Francisco-based blockchain and IoT company, Chronicled, has launched its CryptoSeal prototype for immutable supply chain provenance and the secure movement of physical assets, such as pharmaceuticals.

The tamper-evident CryptoSeals each contain a Near Field Communication (NFC) chip embedded with unique identity information, which is immutably registered and verified on a blockchain. In addition to an object’s identity, the seal also records the identity of its registrant and packaging or asset metadata to the block chain.

The tamper-evident form factor for the CryptoSeal was developed in partnership with Cellotape Smart Products, a 70-year-old Newark, CA based manufacturing company.

Pharmaceutical tracking is a promising use case for CryptoSeal. Often a much-needed secure chain of custody and immutable provenance is lacking in this area. The high monetary value, along with the human suffering, of fraudulent pharmaceuticals necessitates new solutions for tracking authenticity.

Chronicled’s CryptoSeals can be customised to fit and seal shipments of pharmaceuticals, including individual cartons and containers, said a released statement. If the antenna in the adhesive seal is broken at any time, it will be impossible to verify the chip inside the CryptoSeal, ensuring that patients have confidence when they receive legitimate, untampered pharmaceuticals.

Additional business cases for high-value asset verification and supply chain provenance include medical equipment, fine art, electronics, cold chain, and forensic evidence tracking. Chronicled CryptoSeals can also benefit individual consumers; from marking artistic creations to securing luggage to ship high valuable items internationally, a CryptoSeal can be affixed to any physical item, guaranteeing its identity and authenticity in an unforgeable way, said the statement.

Chronicled CEO Ryan Orr said: “You can think of the CryptoSeal like the old system of the King’s Signet Ring stamping a wax seal on a letter. The signet holder is analogous to the registrant of the CryptoSeal, the wax to the chip inside of the seal, and the stamping of the signet is like the signing of the CryptoSeal to the Blockchain.

“On its own each component, from the cryptographic chips to the tamper evident seals and blockchain registration, is necessary but insufficient to solve the problem. Together the three technologies create a strong solution.”

Tim Daly, president at Cellotape Smart Products, said: “We are excited to be working with the team at Chronicled. We see potential to combine our expertise in materials, adhesives, engineering, and printed electronics with Chronicled’s expertise in blockchain and IoT to create solutions for the packaging, shipping, logistics, and product authentication markets.”

Maksym Petkus, software engineer at Chronicled, added: “We can now put a tiny computer chip with cryptographic identity into a slim adhesive seal strip form factor to secure a package, enabling mathematically- and cryptographically-closed loop integration with the blockchain, and securing high-value assets with this tamper-evident technology.

“With their customisable size, allowing application to a variety of packages from envelopes to shipping containers, CryptoSeals have the ability to securely verify sender identity and timestamp shipment deliveries, and provide a secure chain of custody in the supply chain.”Chronicled CryptoSeals will begin entering the market late this year with standard offerings and unique solutions, with customisable sizing and adhesives for clients.