VeriChip Corporation Selects Raytheon Microelectronics Espana For Product Manufacture

VeriChip Corporation ("VeriChip" or the "Company") recently announced that it has entered into a manufacturing agreement with Raytheon Microelectronics España (operating as "ELCAN Optical Technologies") for the production of the Company's radio frequency identification (RFID) implantable microchips, including its existing Health Link microchip for patient identification, its new 8 millimeter microchip for use in Medical Components, Inc.'s (Medcomp) vascular access medical devices, and its glucose-sensing RFID microchip currently under development with RECEPTORS, LLC.

In December 2008, VeriChip purchased all intellectual property related to its implantable RFID business line from Digital Angel Corporation and canceled its manufacturing relationship. Now, the Company is properly aligned and prepared to re-establish its manufacturing capabilities and has chosen to do so with ELCAN Optical Technologies.

Scott R. Silverman, VeriChip's Chairman and CEO, said, "We are pleased to partner with a company that has the name and reputation that ELCAN brings with it."

About ELCAN Optical Technologies (Raytheon Microelectronics España)
ELCAN Optical Technologies is a fully integrated provider of custom, precision optical and electronic solutions for medical, defense & security and commercial customers. ELCAN Optical Technologies, with manufacturing facilities in Midland Ontario, Richardson Texas and Málaga Spain is part of the Raytheon Network Centric Systems group of companies. The Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2B, is a technology leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.

About VeriChip Corporation
VeriChip Corporation, headquartered in Delray Beach, Florida, has developed the VeriMed™ Health Link System for rapidly and accurately identifying people who arrive in an emergency room and are unable to communicate. This system uses the first humanimplantable passive RFID microchip and corresponding personal health record, cleared for medical use in October 2004 by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

On September 8, 2009, VeriChip Corporation announced it agreed to acquire Steel Vault Corporation to form PositiveID Corporation. PositiveID will provide identification technologies and tools to protect consumers and businesses. The companies expect the merger to close in the fourth quarter of 2009.

For more information visit www.verichipcorp.com

Statements about VeriChip's future expectations, including that the companies expect the merger to close in the fourth quarter of 2009, and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and VeriChip's actual results could differ materially from expected results. Additional information about these and other factors that could affect the Company's business is set forth in the Company's various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those set forth in the Company's 10-K filed on February 12, 2009, under the caption "Risk Factors." The Company undertakes no obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this statement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

Additional Information and Where to Find It
On September 8, 2009, VeriChip and Steel Vault issued a joint press release announcing the signing of an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, among VeriChip, Steel Vault and VeriChip Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of VeriChip (the "Acquisition Subsidiary"), pursuant to which the Acquisition Subsidiary will be merged with and into Steel Vault, with Steel Vault surviving and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of VeriChip (the "Merger"). Upon the consummation of the Merger, each outstanding share of Steel Vault's common stock will be converted into 0.5 shares of VeriChip common stock.

In connection with the Merger, VeriChip filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") a Registration Statement on Form S-4 that will contain a Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus of VeriChip and Steel Vault. Investors and security holders are urged to read the Registration Statement and the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus carefully because they contain important information about VeriChip, Steel Vault and the proposed transaction. The Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other relevant materials (when they become available), and any other documents filed with the SEC, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC's web site (www.sec.gov). In addition, investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of other documents filed by VeriChip or Steel Vault by directing a written request, as appropriate, to VeriChip at 1690 South Congress Avenue, Suite 200 Delray Beach, Florida 33445, Attention: Investor Relations, or to Steel Vault at 1690 South Congress Avenue, Suite 200 Delray Beach, Florida 33445, Attention: Investor Relations. Investors and security holders are urged to read the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the other relevant materials before making any voting or investment decision with respect to the proposed transaction.

VeriChip, Steel Vault and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction.

Information regarding the interests of these directors and executive officers in the proposed transaction will be included in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus referred to above. Additional information regarding the directors and executive officers of VeriChip is also included in VeriChip's Form 10-K, which was filed with the SEC on February 12, 2009. Additional information regarding the directors and executive officers of Steel Vault is also included in Steel Vault's proxy statement (Form DEF 14A) for the 2009 annual meeting of Steel Vault's stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on February 9, 2009, as amended.

SOURCE: ELCAN Optical Technologies