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October 4,
2001 |
Given
Imaging Ltd Lists on Nasdaq
New York, NY—The Nasdaq Stock Market® today announced that Given Imaging Ltd., commenced trading under the Nasdaq symbol GIVN. It joins the 80 other Israeli companies currently listed on Nasdaq, and is the first company this quarter to initiate an initial public offering in the U.S. market.
Given
Imaging is the developer of the Given® Imaging Diagnostic System,
a proprietary wireless imaging system that represents a fundamentally
new approach to visual examination of the gastrointestinal tract. The
Given System uses a miniaturized video camera contained in a capsule
that is ingested by the patient and delivers high quality color images
in a painless and noninvasive manner.
There
are more Israeli companies listed on Nasdaq than companies from any
other country with the exception of the USA and Canada. The first Israeli
company to trade on Nasdaq was Scitex Corporation (Nasdaq: SCIX) in
1980. Since then, leading companies such as Teva Pharmaceutical Industries
(Nasdaq:TEVA), Check Point Software Technology (Nasdaq:CHKP) and Comverse
Technology (Nasdaq:CMVT) have chosen to list on Nasdaq.
"We
are pleased to have Given Imaging join the universe of innovative companies
that are listed on the Nasdaq market," said Rick Ketchum, president
of Nasdaq. "Its initial public offering today, the first in the
U.S. since August 14, is a meaningful event as Wall Street and financial
community continue to get back to the business of investing," Mr.
Ketchum added.
Dr. Gavriel Meron, President and CEO of Given Imaging, said: "I think it is important to note that the United States economy is fundamentally strong and moving forward after the events of last month. Given Imaging is proud that we are reopening the market for IPOs. We also are excited to offer advanced diagnostic solutions to patients with gastrointestinal diseases in countries around the world."
Given Imaging was founded by Dr. Meron in 1998 to commercialize a noninvasive, disposable imaging capsule for diagnosing small intestine disorders and diseases. Given has submitted more than 40 patents worldwide for the technologies employed in the Given System and for new capsules proposed to be developed in the future using the basic technological platform. Given maintains its corporate headquarters, research and development laboratories, and production plant in a newly constructed 29,000 square foot facility in the New Industrial Park in Yoqneam, Israel. The company's North American headquarters are located in the USA in Atlanta, GA.
The Nasdaq
Stock Market lists nearly 4,300 companies, has a larger dollar volume,
and trades more shares per day than any other U.S. market. For more information
about Nasdaq, visit the Nasdaq Web site at www.nasdaq.com
or the Nasdaq NewsroomSM at www.nasdaq.com/newsroom.
For more information about the Given® Imaging Diagnostic System, visit
the Given Imaging Web site at www.givenimaging.com.