The story
Given Imaging was founded in 1998 by Gavriel Meron and Rafael Development Corporation (RDC) Ltd. based on the purchase of an early patent from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. Initial funding for the company was provided by Elron Electronic Industries, Israel's leading technology holding company, in cooperation with Rafael. Elron sold all of its shares, directly and through its affiliate RDC, when Covidien completed its purchase of the company in February 2014. The idea for the solution was developed by Dr. Iddan, while working in the missile division of Rafael, where he envisioned that missile technology could be miniaturized to create a medical product.
The company's first capsule endoscopy product was the M2A capsule. It received CE marking in May 2001 and in August 2001 was cleared
by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for visualization of abnormalities of the small intestine. The capsule uses a radio developed for Given by Zarlink Semiconductor's medical team in San Diego and Jarfalla, Sweden.
In October 2001, Given Imaging had an Initial public offering on NASDAQ under ticker GIVN. In September 2004, M2A capsule re-branded PillCam SB(R).
In March 2004, Given Imaging became a member of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
In November 2004, US FDA clears PillCam(R) ESO for the esophagus.
In May 2006, US FDA clears Agile Patency System.
In October 2006, PillCam COLON was cleared for marketing in the European Union (CE Mark).
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In December 2008, Given Imaging acquired Bravo pH Monitoring System(R).
In May 2009, 1 millionth PillCam capsule was sold.
In September 2009, PillCam COLON 2 receives CE Mark.
In July 2012, Given Imaging's capsule endoscopy featured in a live broadcast on the BBC, when the reporter Michael Mosley spent the day as an exhibit at the Science Museum in London, after swallowing a PillCam which transmitted live pictures to a public screen.
On 8 December 2013, Covidien announced an agreement to acquire Given Imaging for US$30 per share in cash, about US$860 million net of cash and investments acquired. The deal closed on 27 February 2014, and Given Imaging became a wholly owned subsidiary of Covidien. On 26 January 2015, Medtronic completed its acquisition of Covidien.
From Wikipedia’s article on Given Imaging, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.3