'Many Years, Hurdles Remain'

University of California, San Diego professor of bioengineering John T. Watson, PhD, calls the 20-dose trial an important first step in showing that a programmable drug-delivery microchip is possible.

But he tells WebMD that many years and hurdles remain before the technology reaches the clinic.

In an editorial published with the study today in the journal Science Translational Medicine, Watson writes that although the road may be long and winding, "a versatile, implantable device that exploits the microchip approach for controlled drug delivery will be worth the wait for patients with chronic diseases."

The study was funded and overseen by MicroCHIPS Inc.