William & Mary alumni Alexander Colton and Joseph White have developed a new technology, a pill bottle cap that requires a thumbprint to open, which might soon be available in the market. The pill bottle cap thumbprint technology also measures the number of pills left in the bottle and tracks any unusual openings. The prototype cap, developed by their company FortisKap, has an embedded biometric security system that recognizes the thumbprint of registered users. The information will be available to users through an online portal. The aim of the technology is to prevent unauthorized access to pills and ensure users take their medication as prescribed. The product is expected to launch in Virginia in the spring.
Introduction
From VIRGINIA GAZETTE By ABIGAIL ADCOX
Thumbprint Pill Bottle Cap Technology

Pictured from left are Alexander Colton and Joseph W. White. Courtesy of Alexander Colton (HANDOUT)
A pill bottle cap requiring a thumbprint to open, measuring the number of pills left in each bottle and tracking any openings that are unusual, might soon be hitting the market thanks to two William & Mary alumni.
Development of FortisKap
Alexander Colton and Joseph White first came up with the idea as sophomores at W&M. Having seen several friends and family members suffer from opioid addiction first-hand, they wanted to be part of a solution.
Company Progress and Patents
Their company, FortisKap, first started in 2017 with a hand-drawn sketch of the product. Today, they have a prototype of their pill cap.
Features of the Pill Cap
In their prototype, each cap comes with an embedded biometric security system that will recognize the thumbprint of registered users. Each of the registered users will be required to place their finger on the thumbprint before the chute will open, releasing the pills.
Online Portal and Data Analytics
The user’s information will be made available to that person through an online portal.
Preventative Measures and Rewards Program
Colton said that they are hoping to prevent other members of a household from taking pills not prescribed to them, while also holding users accountable for taking their medication.
Future Plans and Market Launch
They anticipate the product hitting the market in Virginia in the spring.
Question & Answer
What is the new technology developed by William & Mary alumni Alexander Colton and Joseph White?
The new technology developed by Alexander Colton and Joseph White is a pill bottle cap that requires a thumbprint to open, measures the number of pills left in the bottle, and tracks any unusual openings.
How does the pill bottle cap thumbprint technology work?
The pill bottle cap thumbprint technology has an embedded biometric security system that recognizes the thumbprint of registered users. Users need to place their finger on the thumbprint before the chute will open, releasing the pills.
What is the purpose of the technology developed by FortisKap?
The aim of the technology developed by FortisKap is to prevent unauthorized access to pills and ensure users take their medication as prescribed.
How will users access their information related to the pill bottle cap technology?
Users will be able to access their information related to the pill bottle cap technology through an online portal provided by the company.
When is the product expected to launch in the market?
The product is expected to launch in Virginia in the spring according to the developers, Alexander Colton and Joseph White.