-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, SmRr8C9JoILM+lGjVJbZSpyM3aKcO55+xgG4NclqrvqqI6QiTryBvD+FEEbKa5Xm 8R0PoaWNiDmio2NUEqwNXA== 0000950117-04-001016.txt : 20040317 0000950117-04-001016.hdr.sgml : 20040317 20040317171551 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950117-04-001016 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 20-F PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 12 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20031231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20040317 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: GIVEN IMAGING LTD CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001126140 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS [3841] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 20-F SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-33133 FILM NUMBER: 04676216 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2 HA CARMEL ST STREET 2: NEW INDUSTRIAL PARK CITY: YOQNEAM STATE: L4 ZIP: 20692 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2 HA CARMEL ST CITY: YOQNEAM STATE: L4 ZIP: 20692 20-F 1 a37244.htm GIVEN IMAGING, LTD.

As filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on March 17, 2004


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 20-F

o

REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OR (G) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

x

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003

OR

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


GIVEN IMAGING LTD.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Israel
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

13 Ha’Yetzira Street
Yoqneam 20692, Israel

(Address of principal executive offices)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None.

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Ordinary Shares, par value NIS 0.05 per share

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None.

The number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of
December 31, 2003:

25,649,188 Ordinary Shares, par value NIS 0.05 per share


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

Item 17 o Item 18 x




TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

Page

PART I

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers

3

Item 2.

 

Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

3

Item 3.

 

Key Information

3

Item 4.

 

Information on the Company

14

Item 5.

 

Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

33

Item 6.

 

Directors, Senior Management and Employees

45

Item 7.

 

Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

53

Item 8.

 

Financial Information

59

Item 9.

 

The Offer and Listing

60

Item 10.

 

Additional Information

61

Item 11.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

73

Item 12.

 

Description of Securities other than Equity Securities

73

 

 

 

 

PART II

 

 

 

Item 13.

 

Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies

74

Item 14.

 

Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds

74

Item 15.

 

Controls and Procedures

74

Item 16.

 

[Reserved]

75

Item 16A.

 

Audit Committee Financial Expert

75

Item 16B.

 

Code of Ethics

75

Item 16C.

 

Principal Accountant’s Fees and Services

75

 

 

 

 

PART III

 

 

 

Item 17.

 

Financial Statements

76

Item 18.

 

Financial Statements

76

Item 19.

 

Exhibits

76


-2-



PART I

ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS

Not Applicable.

ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

Not Applicable.

ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION

The selected consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003, and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2002 and 2003, have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements set forth elsewhere in this Form 20-F. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The selected consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 1999 and 2000, and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001, have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this Form 20-F and have also been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. You should read the selected consolidated financial information set forth below in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes as well as Item 5 “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

  

1999

  

2000

  

2001

  

2002

  

2003

 

 

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

Statements of Operations Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

 

$

 

$

4,733

 

$

28,904

 

$

40,539

 

Cost of revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,476

 

 

11,907

 

 

13,551

 

Gross profit

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,257

 

 

16,997

 

 

26,988

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development, gross

 

 

(2,207

)

 

(4,137

)

 

(6,156

)

 

(8,609

)

 

(7,037

)

Royalty-bearing participation

 

 

752

 

 

312

 

 

44

 

 

 

 

1,303

 

Research and development, net

 

 

(1,455

)

 

(3,825

)

 

(6,112

)

 

(8,609

)

 

(5,734

)

Sales and marketing

 

 

(64

)

 

(2,923

)

 

(12,902

)

 

(22,681

)

 

(26,804

)

General and administrative

 

 

(419

)

 

(1,224

)

 

(2,664

)

 

(4,749

)

 

(5,312

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

(1,938

)

 

(7,972

)

 

(21,678

)

 

(36,039

)

 

(37,850

)

Operating loss

 

 

(1,938

)

 

(7,972

)

 

(19,421

)

 

(19,042

)

 

(10,862

)

Financing income, net

 

 

73

 

 

433

 

 

764

 

 

1,469

 

 

995

 

Other expenses, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(711

)

 

 

Loss before minority share

 

 

(1,865

)

 

(7,539

)

 

(18,657

)

 

(18,284

)

 

(9,867

)

Minority share in losses (profits) of subsidiary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(26

)

 

258

 

Net loss

 

$

(1,865

)

$

(7,539

)

$

(18,657

)

$

(18,310

)

$

(9,609

)

Basic and diluted loss per ordinary share (1)

 

$

(0.23

)

$

(1.14

)

$

(1.60

)

$

(0.73

)

$

(0.38

)

Ordinary shares used in computing basic and diluted loss per ordinary share (1)

  

 

8,029,973

  

 

8,804,188

  

 

12,879,369

  

 

25,182,563

  

 

25,493,073

 


-3-



 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

1999

 

2000

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

$

1,508

 

 

 

$

21,360

 

 

 

$

61,230

 

 

 

$

35,792

 

 

 

$

25,367

 

 

Working capital

 

 

 

1,133

 

 

 

 

20,584

 

 

 

 

62,891

 

 

 

 

43,972

 

 

 

 

34,970

 

 

Total assets

 

 

 

2,167

 

 

 

 

25,530

 

 

 

 

75,923

 

 

 

 

68,728

 

 

 

 

55,569

 

 

Long-term liabilities, net of current portion

 

 

 

219

 

 

 

 

317

 

 

 

 

522

 

 

 

 

882

 

 

 

 

1,192

 

 

Total liabilities

 

 

 

716

 

 

 

 

2,455

 

 

 

 

6,590

 

 

 

 

12,969

 

 

 

 

8,847

 

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

 

(2,856

)

 

 

 

(12,059

)

 

 

 

(30,716

)

 

 

 

(49,026

)

 

 

 

(58,635

)

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

1,451

 

 

 

 

23,075

 

 

 

 

69,333

 

 

 

 

53,577

 

 

 

 

44,798

 

 


(1)

See Notes 1L and 10 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements for an explanation of the number of shares used in computing per share data.

CAUTIONARY LANGUAGE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Form 20-F contains forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. These statements include but are not limited to:

 

 

expectations as to the timing of profitability, and the adequacy of our cash balances and cash flow from operations to support our operations or future growth, in general or for specified periods of time;

 

 

 

 

expectations as to raising additional financing;

 

 

 

 

statements as to the potential or expected expansion in acceptance of our current and future products by the medical community, particularly gastroenterologists;

 

 

 

 

statements as to expected increases in sales, operating results and certain expenses, including research and development and sales and marketing expenses;

 

 

 

 

statements as to anticipated reimbursement from U.S. and non-U.S. healthcare payors for our products;

 

 

 

 

expectations as to the development of our products and technology, and the timing of enhancements to our products and new product launches;

 

 

 

 

expectations as to the market opportunities for the Given System and other products, including capsule endoscopes, for visualizing other sections of the gastrointestinal tract, such as the esophagus, stomach and the colon, as well as our ability to take advantage of those opportunities;

 

 

 

 

expectations as to the timing and content of future clinical studies and publications;

 

 

 

 

statements as to the expected outcome of legal and patent proceedings in which we are involved;

 

 

 

 

expectations as to the receipt and timing of regulatory clearances and approvals, and the anticipated timing of sales of the Given System in new markets or for new indications;

 

 

 

 

estimates of the impact of changes in currency exchange rates on our operating results;

 

 

 

 

expectations as to the adequacy of our inventory of critical components and finished products;


-4-



 

 

expectations as to the adequacy of our manufacturing facilities and the timing of any expansion; and

 

 

 

 

statements as to our expected treatment under Israeli and U.S. federal tax legislation and the impact that new Israeli tax and corporate legislation may have on our operations.


In addition, statements that use the terms “believe”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this Form 20-F reflect our current views about future events and are based on assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Unless we are required to do so under U.S. federal securities laws or other applicable laws, we do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

RISK FACTORS

If we are unable to achieve broader penetration of the Given System among gastroenterologists, we will not be able to maintain our current growth rate.

Our principal product is the Given System, consisting of the M2A capsule and the related data recorder and computer workstation. In 2003, we sold 631 Given Systems and approximately 51,400 M2A capsules compared to 799 Given Systems and approximately 26,300 M2A capsules in 2002. As of December 31, 2003, we had sold a total of approximately 1,640 systems worldwide. We believe that the majority of our sales of the Given System to date were to physicians who are open to the adoption of new technologies. In order for our revenues to continue to grow we must increase our installed base of Given Systems among other physicians who may be slower to adopt new technologies. Our success in making sales of the Given System to these physicians depends on a number of factors. First, we must demonstrate that the Given System is clinically-effective and cost-effective in diagnosing a range of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, and we must inform and educate both physicians and the third-party payors responsible for providing reimbursement coverage about the clinical and economic benefits of using the Given System. Second, we must broaden the indications for which the use of the Given System is reimbursed, expand the number of lives with access to such reimbursement and educate healthcare providers as to the clinical and economical benefits of using the Given System for such broader indications so that they are encouraged to adopt the Given System as an integral part of their practice. Although certain third-party payors already provide reimbursement for broader indications, such as suspected Crohn’s disease, most third-party payors cover the Given System’s use only for diagnosing suspected small intestinal bleeding. If we are unable to increase reimbursement for expanded indications and convince more physicians to adopt the Given System as an integral part of their practice, then the future penetration of the Given System among gastroenterologists may not be sufficient to maintain our current growth rate.

If we are unable to increase M2A capsule usage rates among gastroenterologists, we will not be able to maintain our current growth rate.

A substantial portion of our revenue growth has resulted from increased sales of the M2A capsule. Sales of the M2A capsule contributed $1.4 million, or 28.7%, of our revenues in 2001, $10.9 million, or 37.7%, in 2002, and $22.9 million, or 56.4% in 2003. While growth in the installed base of Given Systems is one factor that contributes to growth in sales of the M2A capsule, another factor is the number of capsules that are used during a given time period on each Given System, referred to as the usage rate. The usage rate per system during the last three years has varied slightly but has generally been approximately 1 M2A capsule per system per week in the United States and between 0.6 to 0.7 M2A capsules per system per week globally (including the United States). We are seeking to increase the usage rate by a number of methods, including attaining reimbursement coverage for broader indications, educating physicians regarding the clinical benefits of the M2A capsule and reducing the viewing time required for each examination. Increasing the usage rate of our customers is key to attracting new customers to purchase and use the Given System. If we are unable to increase the usage rate of the Given System, we may not be able to generate the revenues necessary to maintain our growth.

     


-5-



We may incur future losses and be unable to achieve long-term profitability.

We were formed in 1998 and recorded our initial sales of the Given System in the third quarter of 2001. We have generated losses each year since our inception and as of December 31, 2003, we had accumulated losses of $58.6 million. We achieved positive cashflow in the fourth quarter of 2003; however, we have significant operating expenses, particularly those associated with operating our direct sales and marketing operations in the United States, Germany and France. We must continue to increase our revenues from sales of the Given System and of the M2A capsules in the future in order to achieve and maintain our profitability. If we fail to do so, we may incur future losses and may be unable to achieve long-term profitability.

We currently depend on the Given System and the M2A capsule for substantially all of our revenues.

Sales of the Given System and service contract revenue associated with the Given System currently account for substantially all of our revenues. In November 2003, we launched our Patency System in Europe, which allows physicians to confirm free passage in a patient’s gastrointestinal tract by detecting obstructions or strictures. We plan to conduct clinical trials for the Patency System in the United States in 2004, and if results are positive, pursue FDA clearance. We also recently completed clinical feasibility testing of a newly-designed esophageal capsule in patients suffering from acid reflux symptoms, and we are currently conducting clinical trials to support a submission for FDA clearance for this capsule, which is required prior to commencing marketing in the United States. However, we expect that sales of the Given System will account for substantially all of our revenues for the foreseeable future. As a result, if we are unable to manufacture, market or sell the Given System, our financial condition and results of operations would be materially adversely affected.

If we are unable to expand reimbursement coverage from third-party healthcare payors for procedures using the Given System, or if reimbursement is insufficient to cover the costs of purchasing or using the Given System when compared to alternative procedures, demand for the Given System may not continue to grow.

Demand for the Given System depends in part on the eligibility of the Given System for reimbursement through government-sponsored healthcare payment systems and private third-party payors. In general, the process of obtaining reimbursement coverage approvals has been slower outside of the United States. Reimbursement practices vary significantly from country to country and within some countries, by region, and we must obtain reimbursement approvals on a country-by-country or region-by-region basis. We cannot assure our shareholders that we will obtain further approvals in a timely manner or at all. To date, the public healthcare systems in Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland and Portugal have approved budgets for capsule endoscopy procedures performed in public hospitals, providing coverage for the entire populations of approximately 39.5 million people of those countries. In Australia, reimbursement has been approved for procedures performed in public hospitals, providing coverage for approximately 19 million Australian citizens. In Japan, which we believe is an important potential market for the Given System, we completed the first phase of the approval process which is the conduct of a clinical study with the Given system on a total of 65 patients in two hospitals. If we are unable to obtain reimbursement approvals in additional countries, particularly Japan, we may be unable to generate sufficient sales to continue to grow.

In the United States, a Current Procedural Terminology, or CPT, code is generally necessary to facilitate claims for reimbursement. In October 2003, the American Medical Association assigned a permanent CPT code specific to capsule endoscopy. However, the assignment of the CPT code does not require either Medicare carriers or private payors to cover capsule endoscopy. As of January 2004, Medicare carriers in 41 local jurisdictions covering approximately 37 million people and private payors, including three national and 31 local payors, covering approximately 114 million people, had adopted policies providing for reimbursement of capsule endoscopy. As of January 1, 2004, Medicare payment for use of the Given System in a physician’s office was $938 on a national average (which includes physician professional fees and the cost of the facility and supplies related to the procedure) and in a hospital outpatient setting was, on a national average, $184 for professional fees and $650 for the cost of the facility and supplies related to the procedure. These fees represent a 22%, 69% and 4% increase, respectively, over Medicare’s 2003 national average payments. To date, no official amounts for reimbursement by private payors have been published; however, the level of reimbursement paid by private payors in the United States is typically higher than Medicare. Nearly all of the reimbursement policies currently in effect in the United States require that a previous procedure, such as endoscopy or radiology, be performed prior to using the Given System. If physicians, hospitals and other healthcare providers are unable to obtain sufficient coverage and reimbursement from third-party payors for procedures using the Given System, or if reimbursement is insufficient to cover the costs of purchasing or using our product or does not adequately compensate physicians and health care providers compared to the other procedures they offer, we may be unable to generate sufficient sales to continue to grow.


-6-



Our future growth depends in part on our ability to market the Given System for a variety of disorders of the small intestine.

The Given System has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, for the detection of disorders of the small intestine. However, in order to achieve sustained long-term growth we must successfully market the Given System for detection of a variety of disorders of the small intestine with high prevalence. Use of the Given System is highly dependent on the availability of third party reimbursement. All reimbursement policies issued for the Given System in the United States in 2002 by third party payors covered its use only for detection of suspected bleeding in the small intestine, which represents a small part of the total population with suspected disorders of the small intestine. In 2003, three Medicare carriers and five private payors, with a total insured population of more than 31 million, began covering capsule endoscopy also for suspected Crohn’s disease. In addition, in November 2003, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association’s Medical Advisory Panel determined that capsule endoscopy meets the Association’s Technology Evaluation Center’s criteria for the initial diagnosis of patients with suspected Crohn’s disease, and a number of Blue Cross Blue Shield local carriers have issued policies adopting this determination. Our ability to further expand the use of the Given System depends substantially on our ability to demonstrate to additional governmental and private third-party payors the diagnostic and cost-effectiveness of the Given System for other disorders of the small intestine. If third-party payors do not accept our data as supporting coverage and reimbursement for the detection of other disorders of the small intestine, our ability to sell the Given System for the detection of these disorders would be harmed and our growth would be adversely affected.

Our future growth also depends in part on our ability to expand the use of the Given System to, or introduce other products for use in, other parts of the gastrointestinal tract.

The current M2A capsule is used to detect disorders in the small intestine. Our objective is to expand the use of the Given System by developing and introducing new capsules for visualizing other parts of the gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, the stomach and the colon. We recently completed clinical feasibility testing of a newly-designed esophageal capsule in patients suffering from acid reflux symptoms, and we are currently conducting clinical trials to support a submission for FDA clearance for this capsule, which is required prior to commencing marketing in the United States. There can be no assurance of widespread market acceptance of the Given System as superior to existing technologies for detection of abnormalities in other parts of the gastrointestinal tract or that we will succeed in marketing and selling capsules for use in other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, we will be required to obtain FDA clearance in the United States and other regulatory approvals outside of the United States before commercially distributing the Given System for use in other parts of the gastrointestinal tract or introducing new products for use in the gastrointestinal tract. These regulatory processes can be lengthy and expensive and we cannot be sure that FDA clearance or other regulatory approvals will be granted. In order to obtain FDA clearance and other regulatory approvals, and to obtain reimbursement coverage for use of the Given System in other parts of the gastrointestinal tract, we will be required to conduct additional clinical trials to demonstrate the diagnostic and cost-effectiveness of the Given System. If future clinical trials indicate that the Given System is not as clinically or cost-effective as current methods, or that it causes unexpected complications or other unforeseen negative effects, we may not obtain regulatory clearance to market and sell the Given System for use in other parts of the gastrointestinal tract or obtain reimbursement coverage, and our growth would be adversely affected.

Changes in healthcare system policies may make it difficult for physicians, hospitals and other healthcare providers to obtain full reimbursement for the purchase of, and procedures using, the Given System, which could adversely affect demand for the Given System.

Some healthcare payors are moving toward a managed care system in which they contract to provide comprehensive healthcare for a fixed cost per person, irrespective of the amount of care actually provided. Therefore, the amount of reimbursement provided may not be sufficient to encourage physicians to purchase or utilize the Given System. We are unable to predict what changes will be made in the reimbursement policies of third-party payors. We could be adversely affected by changes in reimbursement policies of governmental or private healthcare payors to the extent any such changes affect reimbursement amounts or methods for procedures in which the Given System is used.

Because of the importance of our patent portfolio to our business, we may lose market share to our competitors if we fail to protect our intellectual property rights.

Protection of our patent portfolio is key to our future success. We rely on patent protection, as well as a combination of copyright, trade secret, design and trademark laws, nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements and other contractual restrictions to protect our proprietary technology. However, these legal means afford only limited protection and may not


-7-



adequately protect our rights or permit us to gain or keep any competitive advantage. Our patents may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented by third parties. Our patent applications also may not issue as patents in a form that will be advantageous to us or at all. Our patents and applications cover particular aspects of our products and technology. There may be more effective technologies, designs or methods. If the most effective method is not covered by our patents or applications, it could have an adverse effect on our sales. If we lose any key personnel, we may not be able to prevent the unauthorized disclosure or use of our technical knowledge or other trade secrets by those former employees. The laws of foreign countries also may not protect our intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. Even if we adequately protect our intellectual property rights, litigation may be necessary to enforce these rights, which could result in substantial costs to us and a substantial diversion of management attention. If we do not adequately protect our intellectual property, our competitors or other parties could use the intellectual property that we have developed to enhance their products or make products similar to ours and compete more directly with us, which could result in a decrease in our market share. If we are not successful in challenging the competitor’s claims, our ability to market the Given System in that jurisdiction would be harmed.

Because the medical device industry is litigious, we are susceptible to intellectual property suits that could cause us to incur substantial costs or pay substantial damages or prohibit us from selling our products.

There is a substantial amount of litigation over patent and other intellectual property rights in the medical device industry. Whether a product infringes a patent involves complex legal and factual issues, the determination of which is often uncertain. While we have attempted to ensure that the Given System does not infringe other parties’ patents and proprietary rights, our competitors or other parties may assert that our product and the methods it employs may be covered by patents held by them. In addition, because patent applications can take many years to issue, there may be applications now pending of which we are unaware, which may later result in issued patents which our product may infringe. If our products infringe a valid patent, we could be prevented from selling them unless we can obtain a license or redesign the product to avoid infringement. A license may not always be available or may require us to pay substantial royalties. We also may not be successful in any attempt to redesign our product to avoid any infringement. Infringement and other intellectual property claims, with or without merit, can be expensive and time-consuming to litigate and can divert management’s attention from our core business.

We face competition from large, well-established manufacturers of existing technologies for detecting gastrointestinal disorders, as well as from gastrointestinal products in general which compete for the limited capital expenditure budgets of customers.

We consider the current competition for the Given System to be existing technologies for detecting gastrointestinal disorders and diseases. Existing technologies include traditional endoscopy and radiological imaging. The principal manufacturers of gastrointestinal endoscopes are Olympus, Pentax, and Fujinon. The principal manufacturers of equipment for radiological imaging are General Electric Medical Systems, Siemens AG, Philips Medical Systems Ltd., Toshiba Corporation, Shimadzu Corporation and Trex Medical Corporation for x-ray machinery. These companies have substantially greater financial resources than we do, and they have established reputations as well as worldwide distribution channels for medical instruments to physicians. If we are unable to convince physicians to adopt the Given System over the current technologies marketed by our competitors, our financial results will suffer. We are aware of research and development efforts by some of these companies and other individuals and companies to develop imaging capsules or other less invasive imaging techniques that may be competitive with the Given System. In addition, a government-funded consortium in South Korea has announced that it has developed and animal-tested a wireless imaging capsule. In addition to competition from products performing similar clinical functions to the Given System, there is also competition among gastrointestinal products for the limited capital expenditure budgets of customers. For example, another capital equipment item for gastroenterology that is priced similarly to our system may compete with our system for the same hospital capital budget, which is typically limited, and therefore the potential purchaser may be required to choose between the two items of capital equipment. If we are unable to market the Given System more effectively than other products which could be purchased using the same budget as the Given System, we may be unable to maintain our current growth rate.

We will be required to increase manufacturing quantities of the Given System and could encounter manufacturing problems or delays that could result in lost revenue.

As of December 2003, we had manufactured approximately 100,000 M2A capsules, initially using manual assembly techniques and currently using two semi-automatic production lines installed at our manufacturing facilities in Yoqneam, Israel. Our semi-automatic production lines have a combined capacity to manufacture approximately 350,000 M2A capsules


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per year. However, if demand for the M2A capsule continues to grow we will have to manufacture M2A capsules in quantities that we have not manufactured to date. We have installed a back-up semi-automatic production line at the facilities of Pemstar, Inc. in Ireland and we may order from Pemstar one or more fully-automated production lines for installation either at our facilities or Pemstar’s facilities, subject to approval from the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Israeli Ministry of Industry and Trade. We may be unable to establish or maintain reliable, high-volume manufacturing capacity and may encounter difficulties in scaling up production of the Given System, whether by installing one or more fully-automated production lines, or otherwise. If demand for the Given System exceeds our manufacturing capacity, we could develop a substantial backlog of customer orders and our ability to generate revenues will be limited and our reputation in the marketplace may be harmed.

We are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA which could restrict the sale and marketing of the Given System and could cause us to incur significant costs.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, regulations prohibit us from promoting or advertising the Given System, or any other devices that the FDA may clear in the future, for uses not within the scope of our clearances or making unsupported safety and effectiveness claims. Currently, the Given System has been cleared by the FDA for the detection of abnormalities of the small intestine. These determinations can be subjective, and the FDA may disagree with our promotional claims. Noncompliance with applicable regulatory requirements can result in enforcement action which may include recalling products, ceasing product marketing, paying significant fines and penalties, and similar FDA actions which could limit product sales, delay or halt product shipment, delay new product clearance or approval, and materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Unanticipated changes in existing regulatory requirements or adoption of new requirements could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The FDA also requires us to adhere to the Quality System Regulation, which covers the methods and documentation of the design, testing, production, control, quality assurance, labeling, packaging and shipping of the Given System. The FDA enforces the Quality System Regulation through inspections. Our quality system has passed three audits pursuant to the Medical Devices Directive of the European Union, the International Standard Organization’s standard ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 13485:1996, a quality standard setting forth requirements for medical device manufacturers that are more specific than the general requirements specified in ISO 9001. While these quality standards contain requirements which are generally similar to the Quality System Regulation required by the FDA, we have never been through a Quality System Regulation inspection by the FDA and cannot assure you that we would pass. If we fail a Quality System Regulation inspection, our operations could be disrupted and our manufacturing delayed. Failure to take adequate corrective action in response to a Quality System Regulation inspection could force a shutdown of our manufacturing operations and a recall of the Given System, which would have a material adverse effect on our product sales, financial condition and results of operations.

If we or our distributors do not obtain and maintain the necessary regulatory approvals in a specific country or region, we will not be able to market and sell the Given System in that country or region.

In addition to the United States, Germany, France, Australia and Israel, where we market and sell the Given System directly with our own direct sales and marketing organizations, we sell the Given System in more than 50 other countries. To be able to market and sell the Given System in a specific country or region, we or our distributors must comply with the regulations of that country or region. While the regulations of some countries do not impose barriers to marketing and selling the Given System or only require notification, others require that we or our distributors obtain the approval of a specified regulatory body. These regulations, including the requirements for approvals, and the time required for regulatory review vary from country to country. Obtaining regulatory approvals is expensive and time-consuming, and we cannot be certain that we or our distributors will receive regulatory approvals in each country or region in which we plan to market our product. If we modify the Given System, we or our distributors may need to apply for new regulatory approvals before we are permitted to sell it. We cannot be certain that we will continue to meet the quality and safety standards required to maintain the authorizations that we or our distributors have received. If we or our distributors are unable to maintain our authorizations in a particular country or region, we will no longer be able to sell our products in that country or region, and our ability to generate revenues will be materially adversely affected.

Our failure to comply with radio frequency regulations in a specific country or region could impair our ability to commercially distribute and market the Given System in that country or region.

Because the Given System includes a wireless radio frequency transmitter and receiver, it is subject to equipment authorization requirements in a number of countries and regions. In the United States, the Federal Communications


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Commission, or FCC, requires advance clearance of all radio frequency devices before they can be sold or marketed in the United States. The FCC granted our equipment certification application for the Given System in March 2001 based on the current system design and specifications. Any modifications to the Given System may require new or further FCC approval before we are permitted to market and sell a modified system, and it could take several months to obtain any necessary FCC approval.

In Europe, the frequency range in which the Given System operates is subject to technical standards for radio frequency use developed by the Short Range Device Maintenance Group of the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations. In February 2002, the Short Range Device Maintenance Group modified the technical standards for the specific radio frequency that the Given System uses to redefine the period of time during which any device can operate continuously in that frequency, known as the “duty cycle.” This change permits the Given System to transmit for more than 10% of the time that it is in operation, which is necessary for the Given System to function. The Short Range Device Maintenance Group standards and European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations rules generally are not legally binding, and must be implemented into national laws by European governments to become binding. As of January 14, 2004, records of the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations indicate that only two European governments, Italy and Poland, have indicated that they will not implement the new technical standards for the duty cycle. Prior to the implementation of the new technical standards change described above or if the technical standards are not implemented in a timely manner, we will seek to obtain waivers or separate authorizations to operate our system in each individual European country, either in advance or if our compliance with spectrum requirements is questioned. If those countries do not implement the technical standards, or we are unable to receive such a waiver or a separate authorization or to redesign our transmitter to operate on a radio frequency that is not subject to a limit on the duty cycle, an enforcement action could be brought to prevent the sale or use of the Given System in these countries. Any such action could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Some of our activities may subject us to risks under federal and state laws prohibiting “kickbacks” and false or fraudulent claims.

A federal law commonly known as the Medicare/Medicaid anti-kickback law, and several similar state laws, prohibit payments that are intended to induce physicians or others either to refer patients or to acquire or arrange for or recommend the acquisition of health care products or services. While the federal law applies only to referrals, products or services for which payment may be made by a federal health care program, state laws often apply regardless of whether federal funds may be involved. These laws constrain the sales, marketing and other promotional activities of manufacturers of medical devices, such as us, by limiting the kinds of financial arrangements, including sales programs, we may have with hospitals, physicians, and other potential purchasers of medical devices. Other federal and state laws generally prohibit individuals or entities from knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, claims for payment from Medicare, Medicaid, or other third-party payors that are false or fraudulent, or are for items or services that were not provided as claimed. Since we provide some coding and billing advice to purchasers of our products, and since we cannot be sure that the government will regard any billing errors that may be made as inadvertent, these laws are potentially applicable to us. Anti-kickback and false claims laws prescribe civil and criminal penalties for noncompliance that can be substantial. Even an unsuccessful challenge could cause adverse publicity and be costly to respond to, and thus could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We have experienced rapid growth and our failure to manage this growth could harm our business.

Our revenues have grown rapidly and we face significant challenges and risks in building and managing our sales and marketing team, including managing geographically dispersed sales efforts and hiring and adequately training our sales people in the use and benefits of the Given System. To succeed in the implementation of our business strategy and maintain our growth, our management team must diligently plan and rapidly execute our sales and marketing strategy, while continuing our research and development, regulatory, clinical and manufacturing activities, as well as manage our continued growth by implementing effective planning. If we are unable to effectively plan, manage and execute these efforts, our business may be harmed.

We rely on local distributors to market and distribute the Given System in most of the territories in which we sell it.

With the exception of Australia, France, Germany, Israel and the United States, we rely on distributors for the marketing and distribution of the Given System. Under our agreements with local distributors, each distributor is granted the right to market the Given System for an initial period of approximately three years in a particular country or region, subject to


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the attainment of minimum sales targets. In 2003, we extended the term of some of our initial distributors by an additional two years, subject to updated minimum sales commitments. The distributor is required to prepare and submit to us for our approval a sales plan for the Given System and to obtain the requisite regulatory and reimbursement approvals for the Given System. Our success in making sales in countries or regions where we have engaged local distributors depends in part on the efforts of others whom we do not control. In 2003, we derived $7.3 million, or 18%, of our revenues from sales to local distributors, compared to $8.7 million, or 30%, from sales to local distributors in 2002. To date, we have changed a number of our distributors due to a failure to meet minimum sales targets. If a distributor is terminated by us or goes out of business, it may take us a period of time to locate an alternative distributor and to train its personnel to market the Given System and our ability to sell the Given System in that distributor’s country or region could be adversely affected.

Our reliance on single source suppliers could harm our ability to meet demand for the Given System in a timely manner or within budget.

We depend on single source suppliers for some of the components necessary for the production of the Given System. Specifically, Micron Technology, Inc., through its Micron Imaging Group and other wholly-owned subsidiaries, is currently the sole supplier of the imaging sensor and the packaging for the sensor, and Asicom Technologies Ltd. is currently the sole supplier of the transmitter that is integrated into the M2A capsule. If the supply of these components is disrupted or terminated, or if these suppliers are unable to supply the quantities of components that we require, we may not be able to find alternative sources for these key components. As a result, we may be unable to meet demand for our product, which could harm our ability to generate revenues, lead to customer dissatisfaction and damage our reputation. If we are required to change the manufacturer of any of these key components of the Given System, there may be a significant delay in locating a suitable alternative manufacturer. Additionally, we may be required to verify that the new manufacturer maintains facilities and procedures that comply with FDA and other applicable quality standards and with all applicable regulations and guidelines. The delays associated with the verification of a new manufacturer could delay our ability to manufacture our product in a timely manner or within budget. Furthermore, in the event that the manufacturer of a key component of our product ceases operations or otherwise ceases to do business with us, we may not have access to the information necessary to enable another supplier to manufacture the component. The occurrence of any of these events could harm our ability to meet demand for the Given System in a timely manner or within budget.

Conditions in Israel affect our operations and may limit our ability to produce and sell our product which could decrease our revenues.

Our corporate offices, our manufacturing facilities and our research and development facilities are located in Israel. Political, economic and military conditions in Israel directly affect our operations. Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, a number of armed conflicts have taken place between Israel and its Arab neighbors and a state of hostility, varying in degree and intensity, has led to security and economic problems for Israel. Over the last two years there has been a significant increase in violence in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, including armed hostilities between Israel, the Palestinian Authority and other groups in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Any further escalation in these hostilities or any future armed conflict, political instability or violence in the region, could have a negative effect on our business condition, harm our results of operations and adversely affect the share price of publicly traded Israeli companies such as us.

If we lose our key personnel or are unable to attract and retain additional personnel, our business and ability to compete will be harmed.

We are dependent on the principal members of our management and scientific staff. In order to implement our business strategy, we will need to keep our key personnel with expertise in research and development, clinical testing, government regulation, manufacturing, sales, marketing and finance. Our product development plans depend in part on our ability to retain engineers with expertise in a variety of technical fields. The loss of a number of these persons or our inability to attract and retain qualified personnel would harm our business and our ability to compete.

Our operations could be disrupted as a result of the obligation of key personnel in Israel to perform military service.

Generally, all male adult citizens and permanent residents of Israel are, unless exempt, obligated to take part in up to 43 (and sometimes as many as 50) days of military reserve duty annually. Many of our male employees are currently obligated to perform annual reserve duty. Additionally, all Israeli residents who perform reserve duty are subject to being called to active duty at any time under emergency circumstances. Our operations could be disrupted by the absence for a


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significant period of one or more of our officers or employees due to military service. Any disruption to our operations could adversely affect the development of our business and our financial condition.

Our international operations will expose us to the risk of fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

In 2003, we derived 70% of our revenues in U.S. dollars and 28% in the Euro, with the remainder denominated in other currencies. The currency denomination of our revenues depends on the location of the customer or the distributor used to fulfill our customers’ orders. Conversely, in 2003, in addition to our U.S. dollar and Euro-denominated liabilities, 23% of our expenses were denominated in new Israeli shekels, or shekels. Our shekel-denominated liabilities consist principally of salaries and related personnel expenses. We anticipate that for the foreseeable future a material portion of our liabilities will continue to be denominated in shekels. If the value of a currency in which our receivables are denominated weakens against the value of a currency in which our liabilities are denominated, there will be a negative impact on our profit margin for sales of the Given System. Our 2003 revenues and expenses were not hedged against our currency exposure through financial instruments. In addition, if we wish to maintain the dollar-denominated value of our product in non-U.S. markets, devaluation in the local currencies of our customers relative to the U.S. dollar could cause our customers to cancel or decrease orders or default on payment. In addition, as of December 31, 2003, 15% of our cash and cash equivalents were denominated in Yen and we are therefore subject to the risk of exchange rate fluctuations between the Yen, the Dollar and the Euro.

The use of the Given System, including ingestion of the M2A capsule, could result in product liability claims that could be expensive, damage our reputation and harm our business.

Our business exposes us to an inherent risk of potential product liability claims related to the manufacturing, marketing and sale of medical devices. The medical device industry has historically been litigious, and we face financial exposure to product liability claims if the use of our product were to cause or contribute to injury or death, whether by aggravating existing patient symptoms or otherwise. There is also the possibility that defects in the design or manufacture of the Given System might necessitate a product recall. Although we maintain product liability insurance for the Given System, the coverage limits of these policies may not be adequate to cover future claims. Particularly as sales of the Given System increase, we may be unable to maintain product liability insurance on acceptable terms or at reasonable costs and such insurance may not provide us with adequate coverage against potential liabilities. A successful claim brought against us in excess of, or outside of, our insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. A product liability claim, regardless of its merit or eventual outcome, or any product recalls could result in substantial costs to us and a substantial diversion of management attention.

We may need to raise additional capital in the future and may be unable to do so on acceptable terms. This could limit our ability to grow and carry out our business plan.

We believe that our cash reserves and cash from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures moving forward. However, if, in the future, cash generated from operations is insufficient to satisfy our liquidity requirements, or if our estimates of revenues, expenses or capital or liquidity requirements change or are inaccurate, we may need to raise additional funds. We may also need to raise additional funds, or may seek to take advantage of any capital raising opportunities, to finance expansion plans, develop or acquire new products or technologies, enhance our existing product or respond to competitive pressures. We cannot be certain that we will be able to obtain additional financing on commercially reasonable terms or at all, which could limit our ability to grow and carry out our business plan, or that any such additional financing, if raised through the issuance of equity securities, will not be dilutive to our existing shareholders.

Our quarterly financial performance is likely to vary in the future, and may not meet our guidance or the expectations of analysts or investors, which may lead to additional volatility in our share price.

Our ordinary shares commenced trading on October 4, 2001. Since that time, the closing price of our shares has ranged from $6.65 to $32.74 per share. The price of our shares could fluctuate significantly for, among other things, the following reasons: future announcements concerning us or our competitors, changes in third-party reimbursement practices, regulatory developments, and new clinical or economic data regarding our current or future products. In addition, it is our practice to provide guidance to the market as to our expected revenues based on information available to us at the time of the guidance. If our quarterly operating results do not meet our guidance or the expectations of securities analysts or investors, the price of our shares would likely decline. In addition, based on our experience to date, we believe that many of our customers delay purchasing systems until the end of the fiscal quarter because they believe this will enable them to negotiate


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more favorable terms. Therefore, revenues from system sales may be concentrated at the end of each fiscal quarter making it difficult for us to determine the success of each quarter until its end and resulting in lower than expected quarterly revenues if external or other events cause a large number of potential customers to defer their purchasing decisions even for a short period of time. Furthermore, we believe that demand for systems and capsules may be affected by seasonal factors during the summer months when physicians and administrators are more likely to postpone purchasing decisions relating to systems due to summer vacations and patients are more likely to postpone less urgent diagnostic procedures until later in the year. Both of these factors may result in fluctuations in our quarterly operating results. Share price fluctuations may be exaggerated by low trading volume of our ordinary shares. Securities class action litigation has often been brought against companies following periods of volatility. Any securities litigation claims brought against us could result in substantial expense and divert management’s attention from our business.

The two largest beneficial owners of our shares, IDB Holding Corporation Ltd., which is controlled by four individuals, and certain funds affiliated with OrbiMed Advisors, Inc., which we refer to as the OrbiMed investors and which are controlled by Samuel D. Isaly, have significant influence over matters requiring shareholder approval, which could, among other things, delay or prevent a change of control.

The largest beneficial owners of our shares, four individuals in Israel through IDB Holding Corporation Ltd., beneficially own 36.6% of our ordinary shares, and the principal of the OrbiMed investors beneficially owns 15.8% of our ordinary shares. As a result, these shareholders, acting together, can exercise a controlling influence over our operations and business strategy and have sufficient voting power to control the outcome of matters requiring shareholder approval. These matters may include:

 

the composition of our board of directors which has the authority to direct our business and to appoint and remove our officers;

 

 

 

 

approving or rejecting a merger, consolidation or other business combination;

 

 

 

 

raising future capital; and

 

 

 

 

amending our articles of association which govern the rights attached to our ordinary shares.


This concentration of ownership of our ordinary shares could delay or prevent proxy contests, mergers, tender offers, open-market purchase programs or other purchases of our ordinary shares that might otherwise give our shareholders the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market price of our ordinary shares. This concentration of ownership may also adversely affect our share price.

Future sales of our ordinary shares in the public market and low trading volume could adversely affect our share price.

As of the date of this annual report, we have approximately 25.7 million ordinary shares outstanding. Over 50% of these shares are “restricted securities” available for resale subject, however, to volume limitations under Rule 144. Future sales of these restricted shares, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares. In addition, we have experienced a low trading volume of our ordinary shares, and if one or a small number of parties buys or sells a large number of our ordinary shares, we may experience volatility in our share price and our share price may be adversely affected. These factors could also make it more difficult for us to raise additional funds through future offerings of our ordinary shares or other securities.

The government grants we have received for research and development expenditures limit our ability to manufacture products and transfer technologies outside of Israel and require us to satisfy specified conditions. If we fail to satisfy these conditions, we may be required to refund grants previously received together with interest and penalties, and may be subject to criminal charges.

From 1998 to 2003, we received grants totaling $2.5 million from the government of Israel through the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Industry and Trade for the financing of a portion of our research and development expenditures in Israel. The terms of the Chief Scientist grants prohibit us from manufacturing products or transferring technologies developed using these grants outside of Israel without special approvals. Even if we receive approval to manufacture the


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Given System outside of Israel, we would be required to pay an increased total amount of royalties, which may be up to 300% of the grant amount plus interest, depending on the manufacturing volume that is performed outside of Israel. This restriction may impair our ability to outsource manufacturing or engage in similar arrangements for those products or technologies. We currently hold an approval from the Office of the Chief Scientist to manufacture limited quantities of the M2A capsule in Pemstar’s facilities in Ireland. In addition, if we fail to comply with any of the conditions imposed by the Office of the Chief Scientist, we may be required to refund any grants previously received together with interest and penalties, and may be subject to criminal charges. In recent years, the government of Israel has accelerated the rate of repayment of Chief Scientist grants and may further accelerate them in the future.

We receive tax benefits that may be reduced or eliminated in the future.

Our investment program in leasehold improvements and equipment at our manufacturing facility in Yoqneam, Israel has been granted approved enterprise status and we are therefore eligible for tax benefits under the Israeli Law for Encouragement of Capital Investments. From time to time, the government of Israel has discussed reducing or eliminating the tax benefits available to approved enterprise programs such as ours. We cannot assure you that these tax benefits will be continued in the future at their current levels or at all. If these tax benefits were reduced or eliminated, the amount of taxes that we pay would likely increase. In addition, our approved enterprise status imposes certain requirements on us, such as the location of our manufacturing facility, location of certain subcontractors and the extent to which we may outsource portions of our production process. If we do not meet these requirements, the law permits the authorities to cancel the tax benefits retroactively. See Item 10 “Additional Information—Taxation.”

It may be difficult to enforce a U.S. judgment against us, our officers and directors or to assert U.S. securities laws claims in Israel or serve process on our officers and directors.

We are incorporated in Israel. The majority of our executive officers and directors are not residents of the United States, and the majority of our assets and the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. Therefore, it may be difficult for an investor, or any other person or entity, to enforce a U.S. court judgment based upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws in an Israeli court against us or any of these persons or to effect service of process upon these persons in the United States. Additionally, it may be difficult for an investor, or any other person or entity, to assert U.S. securities law claims in original actions instituted in Israel. Israeli courts may refuse to hear a claim based on a violation of U.S. securities laws because Israel is not the most appropriate forum to bring such a claim. In addition, even if an Israeli court agrees to hear a claim, it may determine that Israeli law and not U.S. law is applicable to the claim. If U.S. law is found to be applicable, the content of applicable U.S. law must be proved as a fact which can be a time-consuming and costly process. Certain matters of procedure will also be governed by Israeli law. There is little binding case law in Israel addressing the matters described above.

Under current Israeli law, we may not be able to enforce covenants not to compete and therefore may be unable to prevent competitors from benefiting from the expertise of some of our former employees involved in research and development activities.

We currently have non-competition agreements with substantially all of our employees who are involved in research and development, nearly all of whom are located in Israel. These agreements prohibit our employees, if they cease working for us, from directly competing with us or working for our competitors for a limited period of time. Israeli courts have required employers seeking to enforce non-compete undertakings of a former employee to demonstrate that the competitive activities of the former employee will harm one of a limited number of material interests of the employer which have been recognized by the courts, such as the secrecy of a company’s confidential commercial information or its intellectual property. If we cannot demonstrate that harm would be caused to us, we may be unable to prevent our competitors from benefiting from the expertise of our former employees.

ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

A.

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY

We were incorporated by RDC Rafael Development Corporation under the laws of the State of Israel in January 1998. We are registered with the Israeli registrar of companies in Jerusalem. Our registration number is 51-257802-2. Our address is 13 Ha’ Yetzira Street, Yoqneam 20692, Israel. Our telephone number is (011) 972-4-909-7777. Our agent


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in the United States is our subsidiary Given Imaging, Inc. Given Imaging, Inc.’s address is Oakbrook Technology Center, 5555 Oakbrook Parkway, No. 355, Norcross, GA 30093.

See Items 5 and 18 for a description of capital expenditures by us for the past three fiscal years. We have not made any divestitures during the same time period.

B.

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

Our goal is to become a global leader in providing innovative, world-class and patient-friendly products for the gastrointestinal community. Our principal product, which incorporates our core technology, is the Given 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 disposable capsule, which we refer to as the M2A capsule, that is easily ingested by the patient and delivers high quality color images in a painless and noninvasive manner. We believe that capsule endoscopy overcomes many limitations of other diagnostic procedures for the gastrointestinal tract and is attractive to physicians and patients, including potential patients who may otherwise not be willing to undergo current diagnostic procedures due to fear of the discomfort associated with those procedures. The Given System was cleared by the FDA in 2001 for marketing as an adjunctive tool for the detection of abnormalities of the small intestine. In 2003, the FDA removed the adjunctive labeling, with the result that the Given System can now be marketed in the United States as a standalone or “first line” tool for the detection of abnormalities of the small intestine. The Given System has been authorized for sale in the member countries of the European Union, as well as in Australia, and jurisdictions in Asia and Latin America. As of December 31, 2003, since inception, we had sold approximately 1,640 systems and more than 80,000 M2A capsules in more than 50 countries worldwide. Approximately 50% of the systems and 61% of the M2A capsules that we have sold to date were sold in the United States.

Since the commercial launch of the Given System in 2001, the results of clinical studies have been presented at major U.S. and European gastroenterology conferences or published in peer-reviewed medical journals. We believe that these clinical studies demonstrate that the Given System has a significantly higher diagnostic yield when compared to other diagnostic techniques, such as push enteroscopy and radiological imaging, in detecting abnormalities in the small intestine. We also believe these clinical studies demonstrate that the M2A capsule is easily ingested and safely passed through the gastrointestinal tract without causing complications or discomfort to patients. Our earlier clinical studies, including the clinical trial used for obtaining FDA clearance of the Given System, focused on patients suffering from suspected bleeding in the small intestine. However, subsequent clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of the Given System in detecting a broader range of disorders, including Crohn’s disease, malabsorption (such as celiac disease), mucosal injuries induced by long-term use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin) and the performance of the M2A capsule in children. These clinical studies have led to decisions by third party payors to initiate reimbursement coverage of the Given System. We intend to continue to expand our clinical studies program and use the results from these and future clinical studies to support our marketing activities, educate physicians and other healthcare providers, obtain additional third-party payor reimbursement coverage for use of the Given System and expand coverage under existing reimbursement policies.

We are continuing to work on enhancements to the Given System. For example, in October 2002 we launched in Europe, and in March 2003 we launched in the United States, a suspected bleeding indicator as part of our RAPID software, which automatically marks images that contain the color red and which may therefore correlate with the existence of suspected bleeding. We also added our RAPID Booster system, which speeds up the time required for downloading information from portable data recorders into the workstation and allows physicians to download information from multiple data records at a time. We intend to continue developing and bringing to market enhancements to the Given System that further improve system performance and assist users in the diagnostic process.

Our long-term objective, subject to further development and receipt of regulatory clearances and/or approvals, is to establish the Given System as the first tool administered to patients with suspected disorders of the small intestine or other parts of the gastrointestinal tract, such as the esophagus, the stomach and the colon. We believe that each such segment of the gastrointestinal tract presents meaningful opportunities for patient-friendly diagnostic procedures. In furtherance of this objective, in 2003 we completed clinical feasibility testing of a newly-designed esophageal capsule in patients suffering from acid reflux symptoms. In this testing, a prototype of the new esophageal capsule demonstrated comparable results with traditional endoscopy in diagnosing common acid related esophageal disorders, such as esophagitis and Barrett’s esophagus. We intend to commence marketing the esophageal capsule in Europe in 2004 and we are currently conducting clinical trials for FDA clearance for this capsule, which is required prior to commencing marketing in the United States. We also


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intend to continue our research and development activities to expand the applications for our capsule endoscopy platform to the stomach and the colon, and, if the results are positive, pursue regulatory clearance and/or approvals in the United States and elsewhere.

Beyond our efforts to commercialize our capsule endoscopy platform, in November 2003 we launched our Patency System in Europe. The Patency System is a simple and prep-less procedure designed to enable physicians to detect the presence of obstructions or strictures in the gastrointestinal tract. The system consists of the M2A patency capsule, a dissolvable capsule which is the same size as the M2A capsule and contains a radio frequency identification tag and which is ingested by the patient. If the M2A patency capsule is obstructed, its presence in the body can be verified with the external, hand-held patency scanner, and the capsule’s exact location can be determined using fluoroscopy. If obstructed, the M2A patency capsule is designed to dissolve after two to three days and pass naturally through the body. We plan to conduct clinical trials for the Patency System in the United States in 2004 and, if results are positive, pursue FDA clearance.

We intend to continue to develop, and potentially to acquire, products or technologies that are complementary to our core expertise in capsule endoscopy or that are otherwise consistent with our goal.

Disorders of the Gastrointestinal Tract

The gastrointestinal tract is a series of organs in the body responsible for digesting food. These organs principally include the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine and colon. The following is an illustration of the gastrointestinal tract:

Duodenum

Ileum

Anal canal

Jejunum

Stomach

Esophagus

Oral cavity

Large Intestine

Small
Intestine

The upper gastrointestinal tract consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach and duodenum, which is the first portion of the small intestine. The esophagus is an approximately ten inch long tube that connects the throat and the stomach. The


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stomach is a sac-like organ that produces enzymes to break down food. The small intestine is an approximately 21 foot long hollow organ that is primarily responsible for digesting food. The three parts of the small intestine are the duodenum, the jejunum and the ileum. The small intestine is located in the abdominal cavity between the stomach and the large intestine, or colon. The lower gastrointestinal tract consists of the lower two-thirds of the small intestine (the jejunum and the ileum) and the colon. The colon is the final portion of the gastrointestinal tract and is primarily responsible for absorbing water before waste is excreted.

The gastrointestinal tract is susceptible to various disorders, including:

 

 

lesions, or patches of altered tissue, which may be cancerous;

 

 

 

 

inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, both of which inflame the lining of the digestive tract;

 

 

 

 

celiac disease, which causes pain and malabsorption triggered by an allergic reaction to gluten in the diet;

 

 

 

 

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease, which is the flow-back of acidic stomach content into the esophagus, causing gastritis, which is inflammation of the esophageal lining, or Barrett’s esophagus, a pre-cancerous condition;

 

 

 

 

gastritis, which is inflammation of the lining of the stomach;

 

 

 

 

irritable bowel syndrome, which is characterized by abdominal pain or cramping and changes in bowel function without any organic manifestation;

 

 

 

 

peptic ulcer disease, which occurs when the lining of the esophagus, stomach or duodenum is worn away by stomach acid; and

 

 

 

 

growths, such as tumor or polyps, which may be cancerous.


Common symptoms of these disorders include heartburn, abdominal pain, bleeding, diarrhea, anemia, weight loss and nausea.

Current Detection Methods for Gastrointestinal Disorders

The most common methods for detection of gastrointestinal disorders, including disorders of the small intestine, are endoscopy and radiological imaging. Patients who undergo endoscopic and radiological imaging procedures may present a variety of symptoms, including abdominal pain, intestinal bleeding, constipation, diarrhea and weight loss. In each of these cases, it is possible that the symptoms result from disease or dysfunction within the small intestine. However, because a convenient method for visualizing the interior of the entire small intestine has only been available since we launched the Given System in 2001, we believe that most gastroenterologists first examine the colon or stomach before performing an examination of the small intestine.

Traditional Endoscopy

A traditional endoscope is a device consisting of a flexible tube and an optical system.

There are several types of endoscopic procedures used to identify disorders in the gastrointestinal tract. The basic endoscopic procedures available include:

 

 

Gastroscopy. In gastroscopy, the physician inserts a gastroscope, which is an approximately 3.5 foot long endoscope, through the patient’s mouth. In esophagogastroduodenoscopy, or EGD, the gastroscope passes down the esophagus and into the stomach for visual examination. In esophagoscopy, only the esophagus is viewed.

 

 

 

 

Colonoscopy. In colonoscopy, the physician inserts a colonoscope, which is an approximately 5.5 foot long endoscope, into the patient’s colon through the anus. Colonoscopy is the primary method for detecting


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disorders of the colon. Because of the increasing awareness of colon cancer, colonoscopy as a screening tool for early detection of colon cancer is becoming more common.

 

 

Enteroscopy. Enteroscopy involves the visualization of the small intestine using an endoscope. There are two principal methods of enteroscopy:

 

 

Push enteroscopy. Push enteroscopy involves the insertion of an approximately six foot long push enteroscope into the mouth. Due to the length and curvature of the small intestine, push enteroscopy enables the physician to view only the first one-third of the small intestine. The procedure is lengthy and difficult to perform for both the physician and the patient and is substantially more complicated than gastroscopy.

 

 

 

 

Sonde enteroscopy. Sonde enteroscopy involves the insertion of an approximately nine foot long enteroscope through the nose. A gastroscope is simultaneously inserted into the mouth to assist in placement of the enteroscope through the pylorus, the valve connecting the stomach to the small intestine. The gastroscope is then withdrawn and the balloon at the end of the sonde enteroscope is expanded. The patient is required to stay in bed in the hospital for seven to twelve hours while the sonde enteroscope is drawn through the small intestine by the natural contractions of the gastrointestinal tract. When the tip of the enteroscope reaches the end of the small intestine, the air is released from the balloon and, as the sonde enteroscope is withdrawn through the nose of the patient, the gastroenterologist views images of the small intestine in real time. As a result of the introduction of capsule endoscopy and due to the extreme discomfort resulting from the procedure, sonde enteroscopy is no longer performed in the United States.


A traditional endoscope can perform both diagnostic and limited treatment functions. In a traditional endoscopic procedure, the physician is able to control the movement of the endoscope through the gastrointestinal tract, to stop the endoscope and examine more closely a particular area in the gastrointestinal tract and to take a tissue sample or seal a bleeding site using the endoscope. However, traditional endoscopy has some risks and limitations, including the following:

 

 

Requires sedation. Due to the need to insert a tube through the mouth or anus, a traditional endoscopic examination typically requires sedation of the patient due to patient discomfort.

 

 

 

 

Involves potential complications. Potential complications of traditional endoscopic procedures include difficulty in breathing while the tube is inserted in the mouth, perforation or tearing of the intestinal wall, post-procedural infection and vomiting, abdominal swelling, sore throat, diarrhea and cross-contamination resulting from inadequate disinfection of endoscopes. Certain clinical studies have reported that perforation rates range between 0.01% and 1.9% for esophagoscopy, between 0.1% and 0.7% for esophagogastroduodenoscopy, or EGD, and between 0.01% and 0.3% for colonoscopy. These studies report that mortality rates range between zero and 0.98% for esophagoscopy, between zero and 0.07% for esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and between 0.01 and 0.02% for colonoscopy. To date, there have been no reports of perforation or mortality attributed to the M2A capsule procedure.

 

 

 

 

Causes patient anxiety, discomfort and pain. Many patients are unwilling to undergo traditional endoscopic procedures due to the pain and discomfort associated with having a tube inserted through the mouth or anus.

 

 

 

 

Requires substantial time commitment. Patients undergoing a traditional endoscopic procedure are required to remain in the physician’s office or hospital during the procedure. In addition, the effects of the sedation cause the patient to be inactive for several hours following the procedure.


Radiological Imaging

Radiological imaging is a commonly used method for initial detection of gastrointestinal disorders. During a radiological imaging examination, the patient swallows a contrast medium (such as barium), which is a dense liquid that coats the internal organs and makes them appear on x-ray film. The procedure produces a series of black and white x-ray images of the lumen, or cavity, of the small intestine.


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A more detailed examination, the double contrast small intestine enema, or enteroclysis, requires insertion of a tube through the mouth or nose, which is then pushed through the stomach and duodenum. High density barium and then methyl cellulose, a gel-like material used to expand the intestine, are injected through the tube into the patient’s small intestine prior to a series of x-ray exposures.

Radiological imaging also has risks and limitations as a diagnostic tool, including the following:

 

 

Cannot provide direct imaging of the mucosa. Radiological imaging does not provide a detailed view of soft tissue, including the mucosa, or internal layer of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, radiological imaging does not provide clear visualization of ulcerations or flat malignant lesions. A lesion must have a certain mass and a distinguishable shape in order to be detected by radiology.

 

 

 

 

Has difficulty detecting small pathologies. Radiological imaging has difficulty detecting smaller-sized disorders or pathologies (typically less than five millimeters in diameter). Larger pathologies of up to ten millimeters in diameter can also remain undetected.

 

 

 

 

Has difficulty detecting strictures. Radiological imaging has difficulty detecting strictures – which are a three dimensional phenomena, and with a two-dimensional image this is not easily detected and frequently misdiagnosed.

 

 

 

 

Causes patient discomfort. Radiological imaging is uncomfortable for patients, requiring them to drink barium, which has an unpleasant chalky taste. A double contrast procedure is even more uncomfortable due to the insertion of a tube into the body through the mouth or nose. These preparatory measures can induce vomiting, particularly in a double contrast procedure if the injected contrast liquids return to the stomach. In elderly patients, the passage of barium can be difficult and can result in blockage requiring the use of disimpaction techniques. There is some morbidity associated with barium induced blockage in elderly patients.

 

 

 

 

Exposes patient to radiation. Radiological imaging poses increased risks of exposure to ionizing radiation for the patient. A double contrast procedure requires three to five times the amount of radiation to the patient. Tracking the progress of a disorder through repeated radiological imaging increases this risk.


The Given Imaging Solution

The Given System currently consists of a miniaturized video camera contained in a disposable capsule, marketed by us as the “M2A capsule,” that is naturally ingested by the patient and delivers high quality color video images of the inside of the small intestine in a painless manner. Capsule endoscopy represents a fundamentally new approach to visual examination of the gastrointestinal tract and provides a solution to many of the shortcomings of existing procedures by offering the following benefits:

 

 

Allows high quality visualization of the entire small intestine. The M2A capsule is the only ingestible test that provides a high quality color video stream of the entire small intestine. By comparison, a push enteroscope accesses only approximately the first third of the small intestine.

 

 

 

 

Patient-friendly procedure. The M2A capsule provides a patient-friendly alternative tool for the diagnosis of patients that present symptoms of suspected disorders of the small intestine. Our M2A capsule requires no sedation or patient preparation (other than a typical overnight fast), is easily ingested by the patient and does not use x-rays to produce images. We believe that this patient-friendly solution will increase the number of people who undergo diagnosis for gastrointestinal disorders, particularly of the small intestine, since existing methods have been intimidating or uncomfortable for many potential candidates.

 

 

 

 

Improved diagnostic yield. The results of clinical trials demonstrate that the Given System has a significantly higher diagnostic yield in detecting disorders of the small intestine when compared to all other modalities, including push enteroscopy and radiological imaging. Furthermore, as demonstrated through clinical studies and on-going experience with the Given System, a negative finding from the Given System, unlike conventional diagnostic techniques, has significant diagnostic value as it may allow physicians to rule out the existence of certain suspected abnormalities in the small intestine based on this finding.


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Administered on an outpatient basis. The M2A capsule is generally administered in an outpatient setting, thus allowing the patient to go about his or her daily routine as the capsule transmits images and other data to the portable data recorder. In addition, we believe the Given System offers a significant opportunity for gastroenterologists and endoscopy departments to expand their business by increasing the number of procedures performed at their office or facility.

 

 

 

 

Detects small pathologies. Unlike radiological imaging procedures, the M2A capsule provides direct visualization of the intestinal mucosa which allows detailed (up to 0.1 millimeter resolution) visualization of small pathologies. This increases the possibility of detecting and diagnosing pathologies in the small intestine that might otherwise go undetected.

 

 

 

 

Natural passage requires no insufflation or sedation. Many traditional endoscopic procedures require insufflation, or the forcing of air into the gastrointestinal tract, and sedation. This process can cause considerable patient discomfort. The Given System does not require insufflation or sedation because the M2A capsule is ingested and moves through the digestive tract with the natural contractions of the intestine. Additionally, the absence of insufflation allows the M2A capsule to capture images of the gastrointestinal tract in its normal physiological state. This new approach has been called “physiological endoscopy”. The absence of insufflation allows the physician to clearly view the mucosal villi. Additionally, the absence of insufflation and sedation removes the effect of air pressure and slowed blood flow that may detract from viewing subtle bleeding sites in the mucosa.

 

 

 

 

Provides convenient digital reporting, storage and remote consulting capabilities. The physician can review the video stream produced by the Given System, either in one session or several separate sessions, without any need to have the patient remain in the office or clinic during the review. The RAPID software allows the physician to save and replay a short video stream in digital format that starts 50 frames prior to the user command and continues 50 frames thereafter. This feature enables a physician to review a particular video sequence at his or her convenience, save specific frames, or attach the thumbnail video file to an e-mail to send to the patient file, to the referring physician or a colleague for consultation.

 

 

 

 

Provides a cost-effective diagnostic tool. We believe that the Given System procedure, including the cost of the M2A capsule, is cost-effective for health care providers. An economic outcomes study performed at the Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia based on a patient population and results from our clinical trials concluded that the overall cost of diagnosing small intestinal bleeding using traditional methods, such as endoscopy, was approximately 20 times higher than with the Given System. The Given System may result in additional cost savings due to the reduction in physician resources and facility costs permitted by the outpatient nature of the Given System procedure.


The Given System

The Given System consists of three components:

M2A capsule.

The M2A capsule is a miniaturized disposable video camera encased in a plastic shell approximately 11 millimeters in diameter by 26 millimeters in length which incorporates a specially developed imaging device based on complementary metal oxide semiconductor, or CMOS, technology. Other components include a lens, white-light emitting diodes for illumination, an application-specific integrated circuit device for image transmission, low-power silver oxide batteries, a coiled antenna and other discrete electronic components. The current M2A capsule is specifically designed for visualization of the small intestine.

Until its use, the M2A capsule is stored in a hermetically sealed package. Before the patient ingests the capsule, the package is opened and the removal of the capsule from the package activates a magnetic switch that commences the video transmission. The M2A capsule transmits images at a rate of two images per second for approximately eight hours, resulting in approximately 50,000 images, at which time the battery power is depleted and recording ceases. After the patient ingests the M2A capsule with a small amount of water, the capsule passes naturally through the intestine by the normal contractions


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of the intestinal muscles. The M2A capsule is excreted naturally from the body, usually within a day or two, without pain or discomfort. There is no need to retrieve the capsule after passage.

In May 2002, we introduced the M2A Plus capsule to add localization capabilities to the Given System. The M2A Plus replaced our original M2A capsule. The RAPID software, when used with the M2A Plus, creates a graphic representation of the patient’s gastrointestinal tract, helping physicians to identify more accurately the location of the capsule within the body when an image is captured and assisting them in directing treatment to the affected area.

We have also completed clinical feasibility testing of a newly-designed esophageal capsule in seventeen patients suffering from gastro-esophageal reflux disease symptoms. In this testing, a prototype of the new esophageal capsule demonstrated comparable results with traditional endoscopy in diagnosing common acid related esophageal disorders, such as esophagitis and Barrett’s esophagus. We intend to commence marketing the esophageal capsule in Europe in 2004 and we are currently conducting clinical trials for FDA clearance for this capsule, which is required prior to commencing marketing in the United States.

Data recorder and sensor array.

After ingestion by the patient, the M2A capsule transmits images and other data to an array of antennae that are secured to the abdomen with adhesive pads, and connected to a proprietary wireless data recorder. The recorder is worn on a belt around the waist of the patient for approximately eight hours, allowing the patient to continue with regular activities.

Computer workstation with proprietary RAPID software.

After the recording ceases, the patient returns the recorder to the physician’s office at his or her convenience, where it is connected to the Given computer workstation for downloading of the images and data captured during the test. Our proprietary RAPID software then processes the images and other data received from the capsule. Our RAPID Booster system, introduced in 2003, speeds up the time required for downloading information from portable data recorders and allows physicians to download information from multiple data recorders at a time. The RAPID software also includes a number of proprietary algorithms relating to the speed of processing imaging data, as well as to the visual presentation of this data. After processing the images the Given workstation generates a video stream of the images for viewing by the physician. While reviewing the video images, the physician can save certain sections of the video stream into “thumbnails,” which are short video streams that start 50 frames prior to the user command and end 50 frames later. The physician can therefore review the video sequence carefully, save specific frames for the patient file, or attach the short video file to an e-mail in order to send to the referring physician or consult with a colleague. The “multiview”, a feature of our RAPID software provides users with two viewing windows, permitting them to view two sets of images simultaneously, thereby accelerating review speed and reducing overall review time. In addition, the RAPID software contains a suspected blood indicator which automatically marks images that correlate with the existence of suspected bleeding. In addition, we provide our users with the RAPID Reader, which is a light version of the RAPID Workstation software that can be installed on a standard laptop computer, allowing the physician to review RAPID videos at any time and place as convenient.

Clinical Studies

To demonstrate the cost benefits and diagnostic effectiveness of the Given System, the M2A capsule has been tested in clinical studies by us (in studies that are sponsored by Given Imaging) and by independent third parties (in studies that are initiated and sponsored by researchers and institutions). Our clinical studies program is conducted in a number of countries, primarily Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Japan and the United States. Our clinical studies program initially focused on patients suffering from suspected bleeding in the small intestine. However, our subsequent clinical trials have focused more on evaluating the performance of the M2A capsule in detecting other disorders of the small intestine such as Crohn’s disease, malabsorption (such as celiac disease), mucosal injuries induced by long-term use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin) and the performance of the M2A capsule in children. We intend to expand our clinical trials program to cover other potential indications for the Given System, such as chronic diarrhea, unexplained abdominal pain and chronic constipation.

The results of these clinical studies to date have demonstrated that the Given System has a significantly higher diagnostic yield in the detection of disorders of the small intestine than comparative methods, such as push-enteroscopy, gastroscopy and radiological examinations, such as barium follow-through, enteroclysis, computerized tomography (CT) and


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angiography. Many of the investigators conducting these studies have presented their results at major gastroenterology meetings or submitted them for publication in peer-reviewed medical journals. Accordingly, the number of presentations and publications of studies evaluating the Given System is constantly growing. As of December 31, 2003, 122 articles, editorials and case reports had been published in peer reviewed journals and 240 scientific presentations had been made at national and international gastroenterology meetings, including 155 papers during 2003. An additional 60 papers were presented at the first International Conference on Capsule Endoscopy which we held in Rome in March 2002, 90 papers were presented at the second conference in Berlin in March 2003, and 90 papers were presented at the third conference in Miami in March 2004. These papers provide the results of clinical studies as well as accumulated experience from on-going use of the Given System for a range of indications. We believe that these presentations and publications assist our marketing and educational efforts and support our efforts to obtain new reimbursement coverage policies and expand existing policies.

In 2003, the FDA agreed to remove the adjunctive labeling which originally accompanied its clearance of the Given System in 2001, with the result that the Given System can now be marketed in the United States as a standalone or “first line” tool for the detection of abnormalities of the small intestine. The FDA’s decision was based on materials we submitted showing an analysis of the results of 32 clinical studies involving 691 patients with various suspected disorders of the small intestine. A summary of the findings of these clinical studies is as follows:

 

 

All of the patients underwent numerous previous diagnostic techniques. The average number of previous procedures per patient was 7.9. These procedures included colonoscopy, gastroscopy, push-enteroscopy, small bowel barium series, computerized tomography (CT), abdominal X-ray, angiography, nuclear medicine and twelve patients underwent inter-operative enteroscopy.

 

 

 

 

In 48.9% of the cases, the M2A capsule detected new findings not detected by the comparative method of diagnosis, in 22.6% of the cases both the M2A capsule and the comparative method detected findings, in 9.7% of the cases both the M2A capsule and the comparative method did not detect any findings, and in 18.7% of the cases, the comparative method detected findings not detected by the M2A capsule. In total, the M2A capsule made a diagnosis in 71.5% of the patients compared to 41.3% in the comparative methods.


The M2A capsule is not recommended for use by patients who have known or suspected gastrointestinal obstructions, narrowing, and certain other abnormalities, such as swallowing disorders. In patients with unsuspected or unknown obstructions, narrowing or certain other abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract, the M2A capsule can potentially become blocked from natural excretion, requiring hospitalization and in some cases surgery may be required to remove it. In the course of our clinical studies to date, we received reports of seven cases from a total population of 937, or 0.75%, in which the individuals had obstructions or narrowing and, as a result, the capsule did not pass naturally. In all these cases, either the condition was known to the physician and the capsule was administered to collect information prior to a scheduled surgery or the condition had not previously been detected and eventually would have required surgery for treatment. In all cases, the capsule was removed without incident and the symptoms associated with the condition causing the blockage were resolved with the help of the data provided by the capsule. From the introduction of the M2A capsule in the United States in August 2001 to September 2003, we estimate that the total number of M2A capsule ingestions in the United States was approximately 37,530. We received reports of 35 cases, or 0.09%, of these ingestions where the capsule did not pass naturally. In 22 of these cases, the subject was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. In 13 of the 35 cases, the M2A capsule was removed during surgery to treat the disease and in two cases the capsule was removed using laparoscopy, totaling surgical intervention in 15 patients, or 43%, of retained capsules or 0.04% of total ingestions. In five patients the capsule was retrieved by conventional endoscopy. Of the remaining 15 patients, seven either excreted the capsule naturally without any treatment or did so following the administration of steroids or laxatives, six remained asymptomatic and are still subject to follow-up and two were contraindicated for intervention due to terminal disease. In total, 57% of the patients with retained capsules did not require surgical intervention or remained asymptomatic for more than 12 months and the capsule provided a definitive diagnosis for all patients for whom the capsule did not pass naturally. To date, there have been no reports of perforation or mortality attributed to the M2A capsule procedure.

The Patency System

In November 2003, we launched our Patency System in Europe, a simple and prep-less procedure designed to enable physicians to detect the presence of obstructions or strictures in the gastrointestinal tract. The Patency System consists of the M2A Patency capsule, a dissolvable capsule the same size as the M2A capsule (i.e., approximately 11 millimeters in diameter by 26 millimeters in length) with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag packed in a lactose and barium powder. The M2A Patency capsule is ingested by the patient and allows physicians to confirm free passage in a patient’s


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gastrointestinal tract by detecting obstructions or strictures. The reusable component of the Patency System is a hand-held Patency Scanner, which detects the signal from the RFID tag. If the scanner indicates that the tag is located in the patient’s body, an obstruction preventing the passage of the M2A Patency capsule may exist. If the M2A Patency capsule remains in the body, it starts dissolving after 40 hours into small fragments that are naturally excreted. Since the capsule contains barium, in those instances where the M2A Patency capsule is not excreted after ingestion, the physician may detect its exact location within the body using fluoroscopy.

We plan to conduct clinical trials for the Patency System in the United States in 2004 and, if results are positive, pursue FDA clearance. We have obtained authorization to affix the CE mark to the Patency System, which allows us to market the Patency System in the member countries of the European Union, and we have also obtained regulatory clearance to market the Patency System in Australia.

Marketing and Distribution

We market and sell our products through a combination of direct sales through our marketing subsidiaries, and through independent distributors. The following table indicates the jurisdictions in which we were marketing and selling the Given System as of December 31, 2003, and the method used:

 

Country or Region

 

Method

 

Asia

 

 

 

China, India, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand

 

Distributors

 

Australia and New Zealand

 

 

 

Australia

 

Direct sales (Given Imaging Pty. Ltd.) and distributors

 

New Zealand

 

Distributors

 

Europe

 

 

 

France

 

Direct sales (Given Imaging s.a.s.)

 

Germany

 

Direct sales (Given Imaging GmbH)

 

Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxemburg, Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom

 

Distributors

 

Middle East

 

 

 

Israel

 

Direct sales (Given Imaging Ltd.)

 

North America

 

 

 

United States

 

Direct sales (Given Imaging, Inc.)

 

Canada, Puerto Rico

 

Distributors

 

Latin America

 

 

 

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela

 

Distributors

 


In addition, pending regulatory approval or other appropriate clearances, we plan to market and sell our products in Japan, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine.

During 2003, we conducted a reorganization of our sales and marketing operations into three geographical regions: United States, Europe, and Japan and rest of the world. We have appointed a Corporate Vice-President to be responsible for sales and marketing activities in each region who reports directly to our Chief Executive Officer. We implemented this change in order to enable us to focus more effectively on each region and to make senior individuals within the company more directly responsible for activities within each region.

We market the Given System using either direct or indirect sales, depending on the size of the market and local market conditions. Currently, we market the Given System directly in Australia, France, Germany and the United States through approximately 100 sales and marketing personnel employed by our subsidiaries in each of those jurisdictions. In the United States, which accounted for 65% of our revenues in 2003, we market our products through our wholly-owned


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subsidiary, Given Imaging, Inc., located in Norcross, Georgia. As of December 31, 2003, we had a direct sales force in the United States of approximately 40 personnel, including a director of sales, five regional managers, 30 sales representatives, four capsule endoscopy clinical specialists and an educational director. In addition, we currently employ sales managers in Portugal and Spain, who work in conjunction with our local distributor in each of those countries.

In May 2002, we entered into an agreement with Marubeni Corporation and Suzuken Co., Ltd. for the purpose of investing in Given Imaging KK, a Japanese subsidiary established to commercialize the Given System in Japan. Marubeni is one of Japan’s largest trading companies and Suzuken is Japan’s largest pharmaceutical distributor. Marubeni and Suzuken together invested an aggregate of $4.3 million in Given Imaging K.K. in consideration for an aggregate 49% interest and we retained a 51% controlling interest. Given Imaging K.K. has conducted clinical trials and will be submitting the results to the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare for the purpose of obtaining clearance to market the Given System in Japan. Suzuken has been appointed by Given Imaging K.K. as its exclusive distributor in Japan.

Sales to our local distributors worldwide accounted for approximately 18% of our revenues in 2003. Under the terms of our distribution agreements, we generally grant to one distributor in each particular country or region the right to market the Given System for an initial period of approximately three years. During this period, the distributor is required to meet minimum sales targets set out in each distribution agreement. We may, in our sole discretion, upon 60 days prior written notice, terminate a distribution agreement with a distributor in the event that a distributor fails to meet its minimum sales targets. To date, we have changed a number of our distributors due to failure to meet minimum sales targets. Following the expiration of the initial period, the distribution agreement with each distributor is automatically renewed, unless we or the distributor give six months prior written notice. We and each distributor have agreed to negotiate in good faith minimum sales targets during any renewal period. During 2003, we extended the term of those distributors whose initial term had expired for an additional two years, subject to an adjustment to the minimum sales target. We have the right not to renew a distribution agreement if we are unable to reach an agreement with the distributor as to minimum sales targets during any renewal period. Each distributor is responsible for obtaining and maintaining any regulatory approvals or registrations required to sell the Given System in that distributor’s sales territory. Each distributor is also responsible for preparing and submitting to us for our approval a marketing plan for the Given System in that distributor’s sales territory. After receiving our approval of the marketing plan, each distributor is responsible for implementing the marketing plan and for conducting sponsored marketing clinical trials in its sales territory.

Our marketing strategy is to achieve market penetration by marketing to gastroenterologists and hospitals. We focus on educating physicians at trade shows and scientific meetings and offering workshops, courses, videos and seminars. In 2003, the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the American College of Gastroenterology held training seminars on capsule endoscopy, which helped to expand the knowledge of participating physicians and which we believe provided an independent endorsement of the clinical value of the Given System.

In addition, we initiated and sponsor the International Conference on Capsule Endoscopy, or ICCE, an annual, global scientific meeting dedicated to presentations and discussions of the most recent advances in the field of capsule endoscopy. The interest and activity surrounding this conference has grown rapidly since its launch. At the first ICCE, which took place in March 2002 in Rome, 60 papers were presented to approximately 90 physicians from 12 countries, which represented early adopters of the Given System. At the second ICCE, which took place in March 2003 in Berlin, 90 papers were presented before approximately 165 physicians from 23 countries. At the third ICCE which took place in March 2004 in Miami, more than 90 papers were presented before more than 300 physicians from 30 countries. These conferences serve as a basis for establishing a community of physicians who utilize the Given System and accelerates the dissemination of new clinical data.

Another component of our marketing strategy is to implement web-centered marketing through our web site that will provide physicians with a virtual image atlas, an updated listing of courses, clinical papers and material on clinical studies. In 2002, we launched the “OrderWIN” (Order When I Need), an on-line ordering module in our website through which our customers in the United States can order M2A capsules and accessories. In the fourth quarter of 2003, online orders received via OrderWIN totaled $522,000. We also significantly expanded our on-line image atlas, which now contains hundreds of images of different pathologies, which physicians may use as a reference. As of January 2003, our web-based community of “Given Members” consisted of more than 8,500 members to whom we provide updates about our products and activities, and gastroenterology in general.


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Manufacturing

We purchase both custom and off-the-shelf components from a number of suppliers. Except as described below, the components and services we purchase are available from more than one supplier.

M2A Capsule

The manufacture of the M2A capsule is a complex process involving a number of separate processes and components. Our manufacturing process consists primarily of assembling externally purchased components and sub-assemblies in an environmentally controlled area. After assembly, each M2A capsule is inspected and packaged.

We manufacture the M2A capsule at our facilities in Yoqneam, Israel using two semi-automated production lines, one of which we purchased from Pemstar, Inc., a U.S. electronics manufacturing service and equipment company, and which became operational in 2002. We installed a second semi-automated line at the start of 2003 which became operational in the second half of the year. The two semi-automatic production lines in our Yoqneam, Israel facility have a combined capacity to manufacture approximately 350,000 M2A capsules per year. During 2003, we manufactured approximately 55,000 M2A capsules, substantially all of which were produced on these semi-automated production lines. We have also installed at Pemstar’s facilities in Ireland a third semi-automated production line for backup purposes, which has a capacity to manufacture an additional 180,000 M2A capsules per year.

Pemstar has agreed to sell additional semi-automated production lines to us for $913,000 each which Pemstar will be required to deliver to us within 12 weeks of our purchase order. Each semi-automated production line is required to have the capacity to manufacture at least 15,000 M2A capsules per month in 3 shifts. We may also order one or more fully-automated production lines at any time prior to January 2005, which must be delivered to us within 36 weeks of our purchase order. Under our agreement with Pemstar, each fully-automated production line is required to have the capacity to manufacture at least 75,000 M2A capsules per month in 2 shifts. Pemstar is responsible for the design, manufacture, installation and testing of each production line, and for training our personnel to operate the production lines. We believe we have adequate capacity to manufacture capsules needed to satisfy estimated demand through 2004 and if needed, we believe we can install additional production lines in six months or less.

In June 2002, we also entered into a one year non-exclusive technical services agreement with Pemstar, pursuant to which Pemstar is providing us with technical services relating to the manufacture of the M2A capsule on the semi-automated production line we purchased from Pemstar. These services include supervising the operation and maintenance of the production lines for the M2A capsule and purchasing the components necessary to produce the M2A capsule, either through us or directly from the suppliers. Pemstar is required to deliver to us each month the number of M2A capsules that we specify in a purchase order to be provided to it three months in advance. In consideration for providing these services to us, we pay monthly to Pemstar a fixed amount for each functional M2A capsule that is delivered to us. This amount decreases as the volume of M2A capsules produced increases. Although the initial term of the agreement has expired, we have continued to receive technical services from Pemstar and we are currently negotiating the terms of an extension to the agreement. Should we decide not to extend the term of the technical services agreement, we believe that we possess the necessary expertise to operate and maintain the production line for which the services are provided. We perform all supervisory, operational and maintenance functions for the second semi-automated line in our manufacturing facility in Yoqneam, Israel, without Pemstar’s assistance.

There are single-source suppliers for two key components of the M2A capsule:

 

 

Micron Technology, Inc., by and through its Micron Imaging Group and other wholly-owned subsidiaries, supplies the imaging sensor that is integrated into the M2A capsule. Under our contract with Micron , Micron may not offer the imaging sensor as a standard catalog part. In the event that Micron ceases operations or enters into liquidation, we are entitled to receive all information necessary to manufacture the sensor upon the payment of reasonable royalties to be agreed upon with Micron Technology. We understand that Micron Technology currently subcontracts the manufacturing of the sensor to an Israeli company. In November 2002, we entered into a development and manufacturing agreement with Micron with respect to enhancements to our existing imaging sensor. The agreement is for an initial term of five years with an option to extend that term by mutual agreement. Pursuant to this agreement, Micron has agreed to develop enhancements to the sensor based on specifications that we provide. We have agreed to purchase the enhanced sensor only from Micron and Micron has agreed to sell the sensor exclusively to us. The agreement permits Micron to disregard the



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exclusive sales requirement if we fail to purchase agreed-upon minimum quantities of Micron’s sensors. Pursuant to the agreement, we have also agreed with Micron to cooperate in our mutual efforts to market the product.

 

 

Asicom Technologies, an Israeli company, supplies the transmitter that is integrated into the M2A capsule. We entered into an agreement with Asicom in December 1998 pursuant to which Asicom developed for a fee a transmitter based on specifications that we provided to it. Under the agreement, we order the transmitter from Asicom on a purchase order basis. Asicom also has granted to us the exclusive right to use the transmitter and Asicom has agreed not to market the transmitter to any third party for so long as we continue to order the transmitter from them.


We believe that we would be able to arrange substitute sources of supply for these two components in approximately a one-year period of lead time. We believe that if we need to find a substitute source of supply, our inventory of components and finished products is sufficient to continue sales of the Given System for all or most of the lead-time period.

Portable Data Recorder, Sensor Array and RAPID Booster system

We designed our portable data recorder, sensor array and RAPID booster system. They are manufactured externally and assembled and tested at our facilities. We are establishing a back-up facility at Pemstar’s facilities in Ireland for testing the data recorder and sensor array.

Computer Workstation

Our computer workstation is an off-the-shelf computer workstation pre-loaded with our proprietary RAPID software and integrated software that together allow us to service the workstation from remote locations through standard telephone connections.

Manufacturing facilities and disaster-preparedness

In order to maintain our special tax benefits under our approved enterprise status, we are required to conduct our manufacturing and a majority of our subcontracting in specific locations in Israel. We currently plan to continue these practices as we increase our manufacturing capacity. For more information, see “Taxation and Government Programs-Israeli Tax Considerations and Government Programs–Taxation of Companies–Tax Benefits Under the Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959.”

We have also taken the following measures for disaster-preparedness:

 

 

We have installed a back-up semi-automatic production line at the facilities of Pemstar, Inc. in Ireland, with a capacity to manufacture approximately 15,000 M2A capsules per month. We believe that the line can be operational upon 60 days notice.

 

 

 

 

Our policy is to hold approximately six weeks inventory of finished products at our offices in Israel, Sydney, Hamburg, Paris and Norcross, Georgia.

 

 

 

 

We maintain back-up copies of all production files, original certifications and all proprietary software masters outside of Israel.


The FDA requires us to adhere to the Quality System Regulation which requires manufacturers to follow elaborate design, testing, control, documentation and other quality assurance procedures during the manufacturing process. Our quality system has passed three audits pursuant to the Medical Devices Directive of the European Union, the International Standard Organization’s standard ISO 9001 and EN 46001, a European quality standard setting forth requirements for medical device manufacturers that are more specific than the general requirements specified in ISO 9001. These quality standards contain requirements that are generally similar to the Quality System Regulation required by the FDA. However, we have never been through a Quality System Regulation inspection by the FDA and cannot assure you we would pass such an inspection.


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Intellectual Property

An important part of our product development strategy is to seek, when appropriate, protection for our products and proprietary technology through the use of various United States and foreign patents and contractual arrangements. We intend to prosecute and defend our proprietary technology aggressively.

We acquired the rights to our basic issued U.S. and Israeli patents in January 1998 under a technology purchase and license agreement with Rafael Armament Development Authority. See Item 7 “Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions.” These patents expire in January 2014 and January 2015, respectively. We hold eight additional issued patents in Australia, France, Israel and the United States covering different elements of our technology. These patents expire between July 2014 and August 2022. As of December 31, 2003, we had 103 inventions relating to various elements and functions of our product and its enhancements.

We seek to protect our product names and logos through trademark use and registration in the United States and other countries. The GIVEN logo, GIVEN, M2A, the M2A logo, ORDERWIN, ORDER WHEN I NEED, RAPID, M2A CAPSULE and design, M2A IMAGING CAPSULE and design, FINGERS HOLDING A CAPSULE logo, FINGERS HOLDING M2A CAPSULE logo, GIVEN M2A CAPSULE, are our trademarks or registered trademarks.

In March 2004, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office notified us that it would conduct a reexamination of some of the claims in one of our U.S. patents in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office pursuant to a request submitted by Olympus Corporation. For more information, see Item 8 “Financial Information—Legal Proceedings” in Part I of this report.

Competition

We currently consider the competition for our product to be existing technologies for detecting gastrointestinal disorders and diseases, such as traditional endoscopy and radiology. Our success depends in large part on convincing physicians to adopt the Given System over current technologies.

Three companies control the major portion of the worldwide gastrointestinal endoscopy market. These companies, Olympus, Pentax and Fujinon, have marketed and sold flexible endoscopic equipment for many years and may be developing capsule technology that competes with ours. These companies have substantially greater financial resources than we do, and they have established reputations as well as worldwide distribution channels for medical instruments to gastroenterologists. We are aware of research and development efforts by some of these companies and other individuals and companies to develop imaging capsules or other minimally invasive imaging techniques. In addition, a government-funded consortium in South Korea announced in early 2003 that it has developed and animal-tested a wireless imaging capsule, although they have not announced further progress since then.

In addition, there are several companies focused on radiological diagnostics that provide x-ray machines and other imaging products used for barium series radiological examinations. These companies include but are not limited to Siemens Medical Solutions, Toshiba Corporation, General Electric Medical Systems, Shimadzu Corporation, Philips Medical Systems and Trex Medical Corporation.

In addition to competition from products performing similar clinical functions to the Given System, there is also competition among gastrointestinal products for the limited capital expenditure budgets of customers. For example, another capital equipment item for gastroenterology that is priced similarly to our system may compete with our system for the same hospital capital budget, which is typically limited, and therefore the potential purchaser may be required to choose between the two items of capital equipment.

U.S. Government Regulation

FDA Clearance and Regulation of the Given System

In August 2001, we received clearance from the FDA to market the Given System in the United States for adjunctive use in the detection of abnormalities of the small intestine. In 2003, based on review of a meta-analysis of data from 32 studies in a total of 691 patients, the FDA approved the removal of the adjunctive labeling, with the result that the


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Given System can now be marketed in the United States as a standalone tool for the detection of abnormalities of the small intestine. We received two further clearances from the FDA during 2003, first for a suspected blood indicator, a new feature of the Given System which automatically marks images that contain the color red and which therefore the correlate with the existence of suspected bleeding, and the second for use of the M2A capsule in children aged 10 through 18.

After the FDA clears a device, such as the Given System, for commercial distribution, numerous regulatory requirements apply. These include the Quality System Regulation; the FDA’s general prohibition against promoting products for unapproved or “off-label” uses, and the Medical Device Reporting regulation, which requires that manufacturers report to the FDA if their device may have caused or contributed to a death or serious injury or malfunctioned in a way that would likely cause or contribute to a death or serious injury if it were to recur. Accordingly, we are subject to inspection and market surveillance by the FDA to determine compliance with regulatory requirements. Compliance with these requirements can be costly and time-consuming. If the FDA finds that we have failed to comply, the agency can institute a wide variety of enforcement actions, ranging from a public warning letter to more severe sanctions including fines, injunctions and civil penalties, refusal of our requests for 510(k) clearance or premarket application approval of new products, and withdrawal of 510(k) clearance or premarket application approvals already granted.

FDA Clearance and Regulation of the Future Products

Any new medical device that we wish to commercially distribute in the United States will likely require either 510(k) clearance or premarket application approval from the FDA prior to commercial distribution. 510(k) clearance or amendment to premarket application is also required when a change is made to a legally marketed device or to expand the product label.

510(k) Clearance Process. To obtain 510(k) clearance, an applicant must submit a premarket notification demonstrating that the proposed device is substantially equivalent in intended use and in safety and effectiveness to a “predicate device” – either a previously 510(k) cleared device or a preamendment device for which the FDA has not called for premarket applications. The FDA’s 510(k) clearance process usually takes from four to 12 months, but it can last longer. After a device receives 510(k) clearance, any modification that could significantly affect its safety or effectiveness, or that would constitute a major change in its intended use, requires a new 510(k) clearance or could even require a premarket application approval. The FDA requires each manufacturer to make this determination in the first instance, but the FDA can review any such decision. If the FDA disagrees with the determination, the agency may retroactively require the manufacturer to seek 510(k) clearance or premarket application approval. The FDA also can require the manufacturer to cease marketing and/or recall the modified device until 510(k) clearance or premarket application approval is obtained.

De Novo Classification. If the FDA denies 510(k) clearance of a device because it is novel and an adequate predicate device does not exist, the “de novo classification” procedure can be invoked based upon reasonable assurance that the device is safe and effective for its intended use. This procedure approximates the level of scrutiny in the 510(k) process but may add several months to the clearance process. If the FDA grants the request, the device is permitted to enter commercial distribution in the same manner as if 510(k) clearance had been granted. We received our original FDA clearance for the Given System pursuant to the de novo classification procedure which is intended for novel but low risk devices. Our application for clearance under the de novo classification procedure included clinical data from a nonsignificant risk study. We cannot assure you that future studies of the Given System in the United States will be eligible for the same abbreviated regulatory treatment.

Premarket Application Approval Process. If the FDA denies 510(k) clearance for a product, and denies de novo classification, the product must follow the premarket application approval process, which requires proof of the safety and effectiveness of the device to the FDA’s satisfaction. A premarket application must provide extensive preclinical and clinical trial data and also information about the device and its components regarding, among other things, device design, manufacturing and labeling. After approval of a premarket application, a new premarket application or premarket application supplement is required in the event of a modification to the device, its labeling or its manufacturing process. The premarket application approval pathway is much more costly, lengthy and uncertain. It generally takes from one to three years or longer.

FCC Clearance and Regulation

Because the Given System includes a wireless radio frequency transmitter and receiver, it is subject to equipment authorization requirements in the United States. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, requires advance


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clearance of all radio frequency devices before they can be sold or marketed in the United States. These clearances ensure that the proposed products comply with FCC radio frequency emission and power level standards and will not cause interference. We received an equipment certificate from the FCC in March 2001 based on the current system design and specifications for the Given System. Any modifications to the Given System may require new or further FCC approval before we are permitted to market and sell a modified system, and it could take several months to obtain any necessary FCC approval.

Anti-Kickback and False Claims Laws

In the United States, there are federal and state antikickback laws that prohibit the payment or receipt of kickbacks, bribes or other remuneration intended to induce the purchase or recommendation of healthcare products and services. Violations of these laws can lead to civil and criminal penalties, including exclusion from participation in federal healthcare programs. These laws constrain the sales, marketing and other promotional activities of manufacturers of medical devices such as us, by limiting the kinds of financial arrangements (including sales programs) we may have with hospitals, physicians and other potential purchasers of the medical devices. Other provisions of state and federal law provide civil and criminal penalties for presenting, or causing to be presented, to third-party payors for reimbursement, claims that are false or fraudulent, or which are for items or services that were not provided as claimed. Since we are providing coding and billing advice to purchasers of our products, and since we cannot be sure that the government will regard any billing errors as inadvertent, we could be subject to an enforcement proceeding in a case where our advice was deemed to have caused the submission of improper claims.

Regulation in Europe

Commercialization of medical devices in member countries of the Europe Union is regulated by directives adopted by the European Union. The European Union presently requires that all medical products bear the CE mark, an international symbol of adherence to quality assurance standards and demonstrated clinical effectiveness. Compliance with the Medical Device Directive, as certified by a recognized European Competent Authority, permits the manufacturer to affix the CE mark on its products. We received authorization to affix the CE mark to the Given System in May 2001 and successfully passed the 2002 and 2003 annual surveillance audit for compliance with ISO 9001/EN 46001 / ISO 13485 and the CE mark, during which certain audit modifications to the Given System were reviewed and approved.

If we modify the Given System, we may need to apply for permission to affix the CE mark to it. Additionally, we will need to apply for a CE mark for any new products that we may develop in the future. We cannot be certain that we will be able to obtain permission to affix the CE mark for new or modified products or that we will continue to meet the quality and safety standards required to maintain the permissions that we receive. If we are unable to maintain permission to affix the CE mark to our products, we will no longer be able to sell our products in member countries of the European Union.

In Europe, the frequency range in which the Given System operates is subject to technical standards for radio frequency use developed by the Short Range Device Maintenance Group of the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations. In February 2002, the Short Range Device Maintenance Group modified the technical standards for the specific radio frequency that the Given System uses to redefine the period of time during which any device can operate continuously in that frequency, known as the “duty cycle.” This change permits the Given System to transmit for more than 10% of the time that it is in operation, which is necessary for the Given System to function. The Short Range Device Maintenance Group standards and European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations rules generally are not legally binding, and must be implemented into national laws by European governments to become binding. As of January 14, 2004, records of the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations indicate that only two European governments, Italy and Poland, have indicated that they will not implement the new technical standards for the duty cycle. Prior to the implementation of the new technical standards change described above or if the technical standards are not implemented in a timely manner, we will seek to obtain waivers or separate authorizations to operate our system in each individual European country, either in advance or if our compliance with spectrum requirements is questioned. If those countries do not implement the technical standards, or we are unable to receive such a waiver or a separate authorization or to redesign our transmitter to operate on a radio frequency that is not subject to a limit on the duty cycle, an enforcement action could be brought to prevent the sale or use of the Given System in these countries.

Regulation in Other Countries


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In order for us to market the Given System in countries other than the United States, we must obtain regulatory approvals and comply with extensive safety and quality regulations in these countries. These regulations, including the requirements for approvals or clearance and the time required for regulatory review, vary from country to country. Failure to obtain regulatory approval or clearance in any foreign country in which we plan to market our product may harm our ability to generate revenue and harm our business.

In all of the countries in which we are currently selling the Given System we have either received regulatory approval or been informed that approval is not required. In addition, we are seeking regulatory approval in Japan, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine. In Japan, we completed the first phase of the process which is the conduct of a clinical study with the Given System on a total of 65 patients in two hospitals. In Hungary, approval for each system is currently required, but beginning on May 1, 2004, the CE mark will be sufficient. Similarly, in Latvia we do not have approval yet, but beginning May 1, 2004, the CE mark will be sufficient.

Third-Party Reimbursement

Reimbursement in the United States

In the United States, healthcare providers that purchase medical devices generally rely on third-party payors, such as Medicare, Medicaid, private health insurance plans and health maintenance organizations, to reimburse all or a portion of the cost of the devices, as well as any related healthcare services utilizing the devices. FDA clearance does not necessarily result in coverage and reimbursement by third-party payors.

Coding. Generally, a current procedural terminology, or CPT, code is necessary to facilitate claims for reimbursement. If a procedure is not covered by an appropriate existing code, an application for a new code can be made to the American Medical Association. This process can be lengthy, however, typically taking two or more years before the new code is effective. In the meantime, claims may be submitted using a miscellaneous CPT code or using a G-code, if one is established by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS. In December 2002, CMS established a G-code specifically for capsule endoscopy. In October 2003, the American Medical Association assigned a permanent CPT code for capsule endoscopy, effective January 1, 2004. With the assignment of the permanent CPT code, the temporary G-code was abolished. The assignment of a permanent CPT code for capsule endoscopy will improve the potential for physicians to receive reimbursement for use of the Given System. However, the assignment of the CPT code does not require either Medicare carriers or private payors to cover capsule endoscopy.

For capsule endoscopy procedures performed in a physicians office, the CPT code covers a global fee for both the technical component and the professional component. In the outpatient hospital setting, the CPT code covers only the professional fees, and an Ambulatory Payment Classification, or APC, code covers the technical component, which includes the cost of the facility and supplies related to the procedure. In January 2003, CMS established an APC for capsule endoscopy in a hospital outpatient setting and in November 2003, CMS classified the new CPT code for capsule endoscopy to an APC for payment in an outpatient hospital setting, effective January 1, 2004.

Reimbursement Coverage. A payor’s decision to cover a device or medical procedure is independent of the coding process, although the existence of an appropriate CPT code and APC may assist in obtaining coverage. Generally, payors may deny coverage if they determine that a procedure was not reasonable or necessary as determined by the payor, was experimental or was used for an unapproved indication. During the past several years, the major third-party payors have substantially revised their reimbursement methodologies in an attempt to contain their healthcare reimbursement costs.

Third-party payors in the U.S. began issuing coverage policies for capsule endoscopy in early 2002. As of December 31, 2002, the total population with reimbursement covered in the United States was approximately 62 million individuals. As of December 31, 2003, the total population with reimbursement coverage for capsule endoscopy was approximately 151 million individuals, representing an increase of 144%, and consisting of approximately 37 million individuals covered by Medicare carriers in 41 local jurisdictions and approximately 114 million individuals covered by private payors, including three national and 31 local payors. In addition, to date more than 60 private payors have covered the use of capsule endoscopy on a case-by-case basis through a process of prior authorization. We have established a toll-free reimbursement help-line whereby reimbursement specialists assist our customers in obtaining prior authorizations, and in submitting claims and appeals in the event of a denial.


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Almost all of the reimbursement policies currently in effect require that a previous procedure, such as endoscopy or radiology, be performed prior to using the Given System. While all policies issued in 2002 covered capsule endoscopy only for diagnosing suspected small intestinal bleeding, during 2003 three Medicare carriers and five private payors, with a total insured population of more than 31 million individuals, began covering capsule endoscopy also for suspected Crohn’s disease, a significantly more prevalent disorder than small intestinal bleeding, and some also for suspected small bowel tumors and other small bowel pathologies. In November 2003, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association’s Medical Advisory Panel determined that the use of capsule endoscopy meets the Associations’ Technology Evaluation Center’s criteria for the initial diagnosis of patients with suspected Crohn’s disease, and as of January 2004, a number of Blue Cross Blue Shield local carriers had issued policies adopting this determination.

Reimbursement Rates. Even if a device or medical procedure is covered, reimbursement rates must be adequate for providers to use it routinely. Reimbursement rates vary depending on the third-party payor and individual insurance plan involved, the procedure performed and other factors. Medicare reimbursement for inpatient hospital services is based on a fixed amount per admission based on the patient’s specific diagnosis. As a result, any illness to be treated or procedure to be performed in an inpatient setting will be reimbursed only at a prescribed rate set by the government that is known in advance to the hospital. If the treatment cost is less, the hospital is still reimbursed for the entire fixed amount; if it costs more, the hospital cannot bill the patient for the difference. Thus, a separate Medicare payment typically would not be made for the Given System when it is used by hospital inpatients, including those patients who have undergone inpatient surgery. Many private third-party payors and some state Medicaid programs have adopted similar prospective payment systems. In addition, Medicare has implemented prospective payment systems for some services performed in hospital outpatient departments and skilled nursing facilities as well. The Medicare payment system for outpatient services allows for more separate reimbursement for individual services than the inpatient system.

Under the G-code issued by CMS in December 2002, which was effective until it was replaced by the CPT code in January 1, 2004, Medicare carriers paid a global fee of about $768 on a national average for capsule endoscopy performed in private physician offices and approximately $109 on a national average for the professional fee for procedures performed in hospital outpatient facilities. Under the applicable APC, Medicare paid an additional $625 on a national average for the technical component for procedures performed in a hospital outpatient setting, which covers the cost of the facility and the capsule. At the time the new CPT code was made effective, CMS abolished the G-code and increased the payment rates for the global fee and physician fee for capsule endoscopy, effective January 1, 2004. The global fee paid by Medicare for procedures in a physician’s office was increased 22% to $938 on a national average and the professional fee for hospital outpatient procedures was increased 69% to $184 on a national average. The payment rate to the hospital for the technical component also increased effective January 1, 2004, to $650 on a national average, reflecting a 4% increase.

Coverage Outside the United States

In countries outside the United States, coverage is obtained from various sources, including governmental authorities, private health insurance plans, and labor unions. In some foreign countries, private insurance systems may also offer payments for some therapies. Although not as prevalent as in the United States, health maintenance organizations are emerging in certain European countries. Coverage systems in international markets vary significantly by country and, within some countries, by region. Coverage approvals must be obtained on a country-by-country or region-by-region basis. In general, the process of obtaining coverage approvals has been slower outside of the United States. To date, the public healthcare systems in Austria, Denmark, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland have approved budgets for capsule endoscopy procedures performed in public hospitals, providing coverage for the entire populations of approximately 39.5 million people of those countries. In Australia, reimbursement has been approved for those procedures performed in public hospitals, providing coverage for the approximately 19 million citizens of Australia. While coverage in Switzerland and Australia is limited to the indication of suspected small intestinal bleeding, the public healthcare systems in Denmark, Portugal and Sweden cover capsule endoscopy for broader indications, including Crohn’s disease. We cannot provide any assurance that we will obtain any additional approvals in a timely manner or at all.

Patency System

As of the date of this annual report, we have not received any reimbursement approvals for the Patency System.


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C.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Given Imaging Ltd. is organized under the laws of the State of Israel and, as of December 31, 2003, held directly and indirectly the percentage indicated of the outstanding capital stock of the following subsidiaries:

 

Name of Subsidiary

 

Country of Incorporation

 

Percentage Ownership

 

Given Imaging Pty. Ltd.

 

Australia

 

100

 

Given Imaging, Inc.

 

United States

 

100

 

Given Imaging s.a.s.

 

France

 

100

 

Given Imaging GmbH

 

Germany

 

100

 

Given Imaging B.V.

 

Netherlands

 

100

 

Given Imaging KK

 

Japan

 

51

 


D.

PROPERTY, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT

Our principal administrative and research and development activities occupy a 3,250 square meter (34,983 square foot) facility in Yoqneam, Israel. We lease this facility pursuant to a lease that expires in April 2005. We have an option to extend the lease, first for an additional period of 24 months, and then for an additional period of 34 months at the end of the first period. In addition, we have entered into a lease for an additional 2,353 square meters (25,328 square feet) in Yoqneam which houses our production lines for the M2A capsule. We lease this facility pursuant to a lease that expires in February 2007. We have an option to extend the lease for an additional period of five years. For information regarding our agreement with Pemstar, Inc., in connection with the automated and semi-automated production lines, please see Item 4 “Information on the Company— Business Overview—Manufacturing.”

We believe that our existing facilities will be adequate to meet our needs in Israel for the next 12 months.

Our subsidiaries are party to the following leases:

 

 

Given Imaging, Inc. leases 600 square meters (6,460 square feet) of office space in Norcross, Georgia pursuant to a five-year lease that expires in May 2006;

 

 

 

 

Given Imaging GmbH leases 267 square meters (2,874 square feet) of office space in Hamburg, Germany, pursuant to a lease that may not be terminated prior to February 2004 or by our landlord prior to February 2006;

 

 

 

 

Given Imaging Pty. Ltd. leases 244 square meters (2,626 square feet) of office space in North Ryde, Australia, pursuant to a five-year lease that expires in February 2006 with an option to extend the term of the lease for an additional five years;

 

 

 

 

Given Imaging s.a.s. leases 168 square meters (1,808 square feet) of office space in Paris, France, pursuant to a nine-year lease that expires in September 2010 and that may be terminated by us at the end of each three year period upon six months notice; and

 

 

 

 

Given Imaging K.K. leases 103 squares meters (1,114 square feet) of office space in Tokyo, pursuant to a four-year lease that expires on December 31, 2007, subject to our right to terminate the lease on December 31, 2005 upon six months prior notice.


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ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

A.

OPERATING RESULTS

Overview

Our principal product, which incorporates our core technology, is the Given 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 disposable capsule, which we refer to as the M2A capsule, that is easily ingested by the patient and delivers high quality color images in a painless and noninvasive manner. In 2001, we received FDA clearance to market the Given System for use as an adjunctive tool in detecting abnormalities of the small intestine and, in 2003, the FDA removed the adjunctive labeling, with the result that the Given System can now be marketed in the United States as a standalone tool for the detection of abnormalities of the small intestine. In November 2003, we launched our Patency System in Europe which allows physicians to detect the location of obstructions or strictures in a patient’s gastrointestinal tract. We plan to conduct clinical trials for the Patency System in the United States in 2004 and pursue FDA clearance. The Patency System has received the CE-Mark which allows it to be marketed throughout the European Union. In 2003, we completed clinical feasibility testing of a newly-designed esophageal capsule in patients suffering from acid reflux symptoms. We are currently conducting clinical trials necessary to support a submission for FDA clearance for this capsule prior to commencing marketing in the United States. However, to date we have not derived any revenues from the sale of this new capsule.

We were incorporated in Israel in January 1998. Our initial public offering and listing on the Nasdaq National Market occurred in October 2001. Since our inception, we have devoted substantially all of our efforts to developing the Given System, raising capital, recruiting personnel and marketing the Given System. We recorded our initial sales of the Given System in the third quarter of 2001. As of December 31, 2003, we had an accumulated deficit of $58.6 million.

Revenues

We derive virtually all of our revenues from sales of the Given System, consisting of a Rapid workstation, a portable data recorder and disposable M2A capsules. Since 2002, we have derived a small portion of our revenues from service contracts entered into by customers at the end of the warranty period for the computer workstation and data recorders. As more of the systems that we sold initially approach the end of their warranty period, we expect the amount and proportion of our revenues derived from service contracts to increase, although we expect the proportion to remain small. In the fourth quarter of 2003, we started to derive limited revenues from our Patency System.

Revenue trends and drivers

Since we commenced sales of the Given System, we have focused on growing our revenues both through sales of more systems and through capsule sales. We analyze our revenues using a number of different indicators described below:

Revenue breakdown. We consider the proportion of our revenues derived from sales of the Rapid workstations and portable data recorders, which are one-time payments, compared to the proportion of revenues derived from sales of the M2A capsule, which have the potential to be recurring sales, to be an important tool for analyzing our results of operations. In 2001, we derived 28.7% of our revenues from capsule sales compared to 56.4% of our revenues in 2003. As we have increased the installed base of Rapid workstations, the proportion of our revenues derived from sales of M2A capsules has increased. An additional factor that drives the proportion of our revenues derived from sales of M2A capsules is the usage rate per workstation. The usage rate per system during the last three years has varied slightly but has generally been approximately 1 M2A capsule per system per week in the United States and between 0.6 to 0.7 M2A capsules per system per week globally (including the United States). We are seeking to increase the usage rate by a number of methods, including broadening the coverage indications, educating physicians regarding the clinical benefits of the M2A capsule and reducing the viewing time required for each examination. The increase in the usage rate is also key to attracting new customers to purchase and use the Given System and to maintaining our growth in revenues.

The following table sets forth information for the periods indicated regarding the breakdown of our revenues:


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$

 

% of annual revenues

 

 

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Workstation and data recorder

 

3,325

 

17,230

 

15,879

 

70.3

 

59.6

 

39.2

 

M2A capsule

 

1,362

 

10,889

 

22,865

 

28.7

 

37.7

 

56.4

 

Patency system and capsule

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

*

 

Service contracts

 

46

 

785

 

1,780

 

1.0

 

2.7

 

4.4

 

Total

 

4,733

 

28,904

 

40,539

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%


______________

*

Less than 1%.

M2A capsule reorders. We consider the proportion of our revenues from M2A capsule sales that are derived from reorders to be an important tool for analyzing our business. In 2001, 54.4% of M2A capsule unit sales resulted from reorders compared to 87.7% in 2003. We believe that reorders represent a potentially stable source of revenue provided that capsule usage per installed system remains the same or increases.

The following table sets forth information for the periods indicated regarding the total numbers of M2A capsules sold and the percentage of revenues derived from such sales which represent reorders:

 

 

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

Total number of capsules sold

 

3,640

 

26,340

 

51,400

 

Number of capsule sales representing reorders

 

1,980

 

18,350

 

45,100

 

% of revenues from capsule sales that represent reorders

 

54.4

%

69.7

%

87.7

%


Seasonality

We believe that demand for systems and capsules may be affected by seasonal factors during the summer months when physicians and administrators are more likely to postpone purchasing decisions relating to the Given System due to summer vacations, and patients are more likely to postpone less urgent diagnostic procedures until later in the year.

Geographical breakdown

We derived 65% of our revenues in 2003 from the United States compared to 48% in 2001. In 2003, we sold 384 systems in the United States, 199 systems in Europe and 48 in the rest of the world. The following table sets forth the geographic breakdown of our revenues for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

United States

 

48

%

54

%

65

%

Europe

 

42

%

29

%

29

%

Rest of World

 

10

%

17

%

6

%


We believe that availability of reimbursement is a key factor in the decision of physicians and healthcare providers to purchase the Given System. Once a payor has decided to provide reimbursement for use of the Given System, the level of reimbursement provided also becomes a key factor in a physician’s decision. We estimate that as of January 2004, reimbursement for the Given System was available worldwide to approximately 198 million people of which approximately 151 million are located in the United States. In general, the process of obtaining coverage approvals has been slower outside of the United States. Prior to the beginning of 2003, all of the policies in the United States covered capsule endoscopy for suspected small intestinal bleeding. During 2003, a number of policies, covering approximately 31 million people, have initiated expanded coverage to also cover suspected Crohn’s disease, and some also for suspected small bowel tumors and other small bowel pathologies. In Europe, reimbursement for Crohn’s disease and other small bowel disorders in addition to small intestinal bleeding is available for approximately 21 million people in Denmark, Sweden and Portugal. We believe that the existence of reimbursement coverage and the amount of reimbursement will continue to significantly affect the proportion of our revenues that are derived from sales in the United States.


-34-



Customers and customer concentration

We market and sell the Given System through a direct sales force in the United States and in certain other countries. We rely on third-party distributors in certain international markets. We sell the Given System primarily to hospitals, gastroenterology offices and gastroenterology outpatient facilities. In 2003, we derived $7.3 million, or 18%, of our revenues from sales to local distributors, compared to $8.7 million, or 30%, from sales to local distributors in 2002. Our direct sales revenues are derived from a large number of individual customers and have a higher gross margin. In 2003, no single direct sales customer accounted for more than 3.0% of our revenues and no single distributor accounted for more than 3.0% of our revenues. It is our policy to require collateral or security in connection with sales to distributors. Due to these factors and the geographical dispersion of our customers, we believe that we adequately control our exposure to credit risks associated with accounts receivables. To date, we have not experienced any material bad debts and we have collected substantially all of our receivables.

Cost of revenues and gross margin

Cost of revenues consists primarily of materials, as well as manufacturing costs and related depreciation of our production facilities, the salary and related costs of our technical staff who assemble our products, royalties payable to the Office of the Chief Scientist and warranty costs.

The principal factors affecting our gross margin are the proportion of our revenues derived from sales of workstations and portable data recorders, compared to sales of the M2A capsule, as well as the percentage of our sales made by direct sales. Currently, our gross margins from sales of workstations and portable data recorders are higher than our gross margins from sales of the M2A capsule, although we expect that our gross margins from sales of the M2A capsule will increase due to cost reductions from production efficiencies and reduced costs per capsule as we manufacture larger volumes of the M2A capsule.

Operating expenses

Research and development. Our research and development expenses consist primarily of costs associated with the design, development, pre-manufacture and testing of, and enhancements to, the Given System, salaries and related personnel costs, clinical studies and obtaining regulatory approvals, patent costs, sponsored research costs and other expenses related to our product development and research program. We expense the majority of our research and development costs as they are incurred. “Research and development expenses, net” are net of grants received from the Israeli Government through the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. We plan to continue investing in research and development, as we enhance the Given System, pursue the development of new products and consider acquiring complementary products, technologies and companies.

Sales and marketing. Our sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries, travel and related costs for our internal sales staff and costs related to marketing activities such as medical meetings, medical training and education, trade shows, and promotional and public relations activities, as well as costs associated with development of our website. We expect that our selling and marketing expenses will increase in the future as we further expand our sales and marketing team, expand our educational activities and expand our promotional efforts.

General and administrative. Our general and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and related costs for our executive and administrative staff, insurance premiums, and legal, accounting and consulting expenses. We expect general and administrative expenses to increase for the foreseeable future as our operations continue to expand.

Our operating expenses also include amortization of stock-based compensation, which is allocated among research and development expenses, marketing expenses and general and administrative expenses based on the division in which the recipient of the option grant is employed. Amortization of stock-based compensation results from the granting of options to employees at below market value (calculated as the difference between the exercise price and the trading price of our ordinary shares) and to consultants at below fair market value (calculated using the Black-Scholes model) per share of our ordinary shares on the dates of grant. The stock-based compensation is being amortized to operating expenses over the vesting periods of the individual options. We incurred stock-based compensation expense in the amount of $105,000 in 2003, $227,000 in 2002, and $728,000 in 2001.


-35-



Financing income, net. Financing income, net consists primarily of interest earned on our cash balances and other financial investments and foreign exchange gains or losses, net of financing expenses. Financing expenses consist primarily of interest payable on car leases and bank fees.

Taxes. Israeli companies are generally subject to income tax at the corporate tax rate of 36%. However, our investment program in leasehold improvements and equipment at our manufacturing facility in Yoqneam, Israel has been granted approved enterprise status and, therefore, we are eligible for the reduced tax benefits described later in this section in “—Corporate Tax.” These benefits should result in income recognized by us from our investment program being tax exempt for a specified period after we begin to report taxable income and exhaust any net operating loss carry-forwards. However, these benefits may not be applied to reduce the tax rate for any income that is not derived from sales of our product manufactured at our facility in Yoqneam, Israel.

Minority share in loss (profit) of subsidiary. Minority share in loss (profit) of subsidiary consists of the profits or losses attributed to the 49% interest of minority shareholders in our 51% controlled Japanese subsidiary, Given Imaging KK.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements. However, certain of our accounting policies are particularly important to the portrayal of our financial position and results of operations. In applying these critical accounting policies, our management uses its judgment to determine the appropriate assumptions to be used in making certain estimates. Those estimates are based on our historical experience, the terms of existing contracts, our observance of trends in the industry, information provided by our customers and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate. These estimates are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. With respect to our policies on revenue recognition, warranty costs and inventories, our historical experience is based principally on our operations since we commenced selling the Given System in the second quarter of 2001. Our critical accounting policies include:

 

 

Revenue recognition. We recognize revenues from sales of the Given System upon delivery, provided that collection of payment is probable, there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, no significant obligations in respect of installation remain and the price is fixed or determinable. Our arrangements with customers and distributors do not contain product return rights. Certain of our sales contracts include a post-contract customer support, or PCS, component. We defer recognition of the revenue attributed to the PCS component of the sale and recognize based on the term of the support period, which is generally one-year period following the sale. We determine the fair value of the PCS component based on the fair value of that component relative to the fair value of the sale contract as a whole. Currently, the fair value of the PCS component is based on the price at which we sell customer support contracts separately following the expiration of the PCS component included in the initial sale of the Given System.

 

 

 

 

Warranty costs. Our products are usually covered by a one-year warranty following sale. We accrue estimated warranty costs at the time of shipment. Our warranty reserve is based on our best estimate of the amounts necessary to settle future claims on products sold as of the balance sheet date based on contractual warranty rights and our historical experience of the frequency of failures of our products which are not covered by warranties that our suppliers give to us. The amount of our estimated warranty liability is currently approximately 3% of the sales of such products and may change if the costs incurred due to product failures increase in the future. In 2003, our warranty costs did not exceed our reserve of $68,000. In the event of any future problems with our products, we will need to increase the amount of our reserves.

 

 

 

 

Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined on the basis of the average cost method for raw materials and finished goods and on the basis of actual manufacturing costs for work-in-progress and sub-contractors. We write down fully the cost of components in our inventory which we discover do not perform during the production process. As we expand and enhance our manufacturing operations, the write down of amounts of non-performing components in our inventory may change. Spare parts and raw materials that are no longer used in producing our product are written down to their fair market value. In addition, we add to the cost of finished products held in inventory the overhead from our manufacturing process. If these estimates change in the future, the amount of overhead allocated to cost of revenues would change.


-36-



 

Foreign currency translation. In preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to translate non-U.S. dollar amounts in our financial statements and the financial statements of our subsidiaries into U.S. dollars. Under the relevant accounting guidance the treatment of any gains or losses resulting from this translation is dependent upon our management’s determination of the functional currency of each subsidiary. The functional currency is determined based on management’s judgment and involves consideration of all relevant economic facts and circumstances affecting the subsidiary. Generally, the currency in which the subsidiary transacts a majority of its transactions, including billings, financing, payroll and other expenditures would be considered the functional currency. However, any dependency upon the parent and the nature of the subsidiary’s operations must also be considered. If any subsidiary’s functional currency is deemed to be the local currency, then any gain or loss associated with the translation of that subsidiary’s financial statements into U.S. dollars would be included as a separate part of our net equity under the caption “cumulative translation adjustment.” However, if the functional currency of a subsidiary is deemed to be the U.S. dollar then any gain or loss associated with the translation of these financial statements would be included within our statement of operations. Based on our assessment of the factors discussed above, we consider the U.S. dollar to be the functional currency for each of our subsidiaries. Therefore, all gains and losses from translations are recorded in our statement of operations and are included in determining our net income. In the event that we determine that the functional currency of these or any future subsidiaries is not the U.S. dollar, any foreign currency gains or losses would not affect our net income for the year presented.

 

 

 

 

Accounting for income taxes. As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements we are required to estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. This process requires us to estimate our actual current tax exposure and make an assessment of temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items, for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within our consolidated balance sheet. We must then assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and, to the extent we believe that recovery is not likely, we must establish a valuation allowance. To the extent we establish a valuation allowance or increase this allowance in a period, we must include an expense within the tax provision in the statement of operations. Significant management judgment is required in determining our deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance recorded against our net deferred tax assets. We have recorded a valuation allowance of $9.3 million as of December 31, 2003, which is equal to the value of the deferred tax asset consisting of our net operating loss carry-forwards. This indicates our management’s current determination that because we have yet to generate taxable income, we cannot determine that it is more likely than not that we will be able to use this asset in the future. In the event that we generate taxable income in a particular jurisdiction in which we operate and in which we have net operating loss carry-forwards, we may be required to adjust our valuation allowance.


-37-



Results of Operations

Our consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 are set forth below:

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Statements of Operations Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

4,733

 

$

28,904

 

$

40,539

 

Cost of revenues

 

 

2,476

 

 

11,907

 

 

13,551

 

Gross profit

 

 

2,257

 

 

16,997

 

 

26,988

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development, gross

 

 

(6,156

)

 

(8,609

)

 

(7,037

)

Royalty-bearing participation

 

 

44

 

 

 

 

1,303

 

Research and development, net

 

 

(6,112

)

 

(8,609

)

 

(5,734

)

Sales and marketing

 

 

(12,902

)

 

(22,681

)

 

(26,804

)

General and administrative

 

 

(2,664

)

 

(4,749

)

 

(5,312

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

(21,678

)

 

(36,039

)

 

(37,850

)

Operating loss

 

 

(19,421

)

 

(19,042

)

 

(10,862

)

Financing income, net

 

 

764

 

 

1,469

 

 

995

 

Other expenses, net

 

 

 

 

(711

)

 

 

Loss before minority share

 

 

(18,657

)

 

(18,284

)

 

(9,867

)

Minority share in (profits) losses of subsidiary

 

 

 

 

(26

)

 

258

 

Net loss

 

$

(18,657

)

$

(18,310

)

$

(9,609

)


Our historical operating results as a percentage of net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 are set forth below:

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

Statements of Operations Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

Cost of revenues

 

52.3

 

41.2

 

33.4

 

Gross profit

 

47.7

 

58.8

 

66.6

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development, gross

 

130.0

 

29.8

 

17.4

 

Royalty-bearing participation

 

0.9

 

 

3.2

 

Research and development, net

 

129.1

 

29.8

 

14.2

 

Sales and marketing

 

272.6

 

78.5

 

66.1

 

General and administrative

 

56.3

 

16.4

 

13.1

 

Total operating expenses

 

458.0

 

124.7

 

93.4

 

Operating loss

 

(410.3

)

(65.9

)

(26.8

)

Financing income, net

 

16.1

 

5.1

 

2.5

 

Other expenses, net

 

 

2.5

 

 

Loss before minority share

 

(394.2

)

(63.3

)

(24.3

)

Minority share in (profits) losses of subsidiary

 

 

(0.0

)

0.6

 

Net loss

 

(394.2

)

(63.3

)

(23.7

)


-38-



Year Ended December 31, 2003 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2002.

Revenues. Revenues increased by $11.6 million, or 40.3%, to $40.5 million in 2003 from $28.9 million in 2002. This increase was primarily due to an increase of $12.0 million, or 110%, in capsule sales and an increase of $1.0 million, or 126.7%, in service contract revenues, offset by a decrease of $1.4 million, or 7.8%, in workstation and data recorder sales. We estimate that approximately 70% of the increase of $11.6 million in revenues was attributable to the increase in product sales, approximately 17% of the increase was attributable to currency gains due to the strengthening of the Euro and the Australian dollar against the U.S. dollar, and approximately 13% of the increase was attributable to higher average selling prices resulting from a higher percentage of direct sales compared to sales through distributors and an increase in selling prices during the year. We believe that the decrease in workstation and data recorder sales resulted primarily from our decision to permit our distributors, principally in the Far East, not to comply with minimum purchase requirements in order to reduce their inventory levels.

Cost of revenues and gross margin. Cost of revenues increased by $1.6 million, or 13.8%, to $13.6 million in 2003 from $11.9 million in 2002, compared to an increase of 40.3% in revenues during the same period. This increase occurred due to the increase in sales of the M2A capsule in 2003 and primarily resulted from an increase of $2.1 million related to the cost of materials and components, an increase of $130,000 related to manufacturing expenses, including depreciation, offset by a decrease of $490,000 in royalties payable to the Office of the Chief Scientist. The smaller increase in cost of revenues compared to revenues resulted primarily from a decrease in the cost of components for the Given System as we increased manufacturing volumes from the smaller quantities we had manufactured in 2002 and an increase in manufacturing efficiencies achieved by moving to a semi-automated production line. Gross margin was 66.6% in 2003 compared to 58.8% in 2002.

During 2003, we implemented a plan to reduce our operating costs in order to achieve our profitability targets. This plan included a reduction in force of approximately 40 employees, or 15% percent of our workforce at the time, principally from our manufacturing facilities, as well as from other departments. It also included deferring non-essential expenditures. The implementation of this plan contributed to the smaller increase in our cost of revenues and operating expenses compared to the increase in our revenues.

Research and development. Research and development expenses decreased by $1.6 million, or 18.3%, to $7.0 million in 2003 from $8.6 million in 2002. This decrease was primarily due to a write down of obsolete components in connection with production modifications and redesign in 2002, which did not recur in 2003.

Research and development expenses, net of grants received from the Office of the Chief Scientist, decreased by $2.9 million, or 33.4%, to $5.7 million in 2003 from $8.6 million in 2002. Grants totaling $1.3 million were received in 2003 compared to no grants in 2002. In 2003, we received grants for new products under development. In 2002, we did not receive any grants due to completion of our program to develop the Given System for which we had previously received grants from the Office of the Chief Scientist.

Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses increased by $4.1 million, or 18.2%, to $26.8 million in 2003 from $22.7 million in 2002. This increase was primarily due to an increase of $3.5 million due to the hiring of additional sales and marketing personnel, principally in the United States and Europe, and an increase of $810,000 due to sales and marketing activities in Japan of our Japanese subsidiary, Given Imaging K.K.

General and administrative. General and administrative expenses increased by $563,000, or 11.9%, to $5.3 million in 2003 from $4.7 million in 2002. This increase was primarily due to an increase of $180,000 related to insurance expenses, $240,000 related to additional general and administrative expenses, and $120,000 related to depreciation expenses.

Financing income, net. Financing income, net, decreased by $474,000, or 32.3%, to $1.0 million in 2003 from $1.5 million in 2002. Financing income in 2003 was derived primarily from currency translation gains of $840,000, interest income of $280,000 offset by bank expenses of $120,000. Financing income in 2002 was derived primarily from interest income of $760,000 and currency translation gains of $750,000. The decrease was primarily due to reduction of $490,000 in interest income.

Minority share in losses (profits) of subsidiary. Minority share in losses of subsidiary was $258,000 in 2003 compared to minority share in profits of subsidiary of $26,000 in 2002. Given Imaging K.K. did not derive any revenues in 2003.


-39-



Year Ended December 31, 2002 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2001.            

Revenues. Revenues increased by $24.2 million, or approximately 510%, to $28.9 million in 2002 from $4.7 million in 2001. This increase was primarily due to an increase of $13.9 million, or approximately 420%, in workstation and data recorder sales and an increase of $9.5 million, or approximately 700%, in capsule sales, from 2001. Approximately 90% of the increase of $24.2 million in revenues from sales was attributable to the increase in product sales and approximately 10% of the increase was attributable to higher average selling prices resulting from a higher percentage of direct sales compared to sales through distributors, an increase in selling prices during the year and currency gains due to the strengthening of the Euro against the U.S. dollar.

Cost of revenues and gross margin. Cost of revenues increased by $9.4 million, or 380.9%, to $11.9 million in 2002 from $2.5 million in 2001 compared to an increase of 510% in revenues during the same period. This increase occurred due to the increase in sales of the Given System in 2002 and primarily resulted from $6.8 million related to the cost of materials and components, $2.4 million related to manufacturing expenses including depreciation, $1.8 million related to salaries and related expenses and $900,000 of royalties payable to the Office of the Chief Scientist. The smaller increase in cost of revenues compared to revenues resulted from a decrease in the cost of components for the Given System and an increase in manufacturing efficiencies by moving to a semi-automated production line, and the manufacture of a greater volume of M2A capsules. Gross margin was 58.8% in 2002 compared to 47.7% in 2001.

Research and development. Research and development expenses increased by $2.5 million, or 39.8%, to $8.6 million in 2002 from $6.1 million in 2001. This increase was primarily due to an increase of $800,000 related to materials and subcontractors, an increase of $900,000 related to the hiring of additional research and development staff, and $200,000 for fees to consultants and clinical trials.

Research and development expenses, net of grants received from the Office of the Chief Scientist, increased by $2.5 million, or 40.8%, to $8.6 million in 2002 from $6.2 million in 2001. No grants were received in 2002. Grants totaled $44,000 in 2001. The decrease of $44,000 in grants was due to completion of our program to develop the Given System for which we received grants from the Office of the Chief Scientist.

Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses increased by $9.8 million, or 75.8%, to $22.7 million in 2002 from $12.9 million in 2001. This increase was primarily due to an increase of $5.3 million related to the hiring of additional marketing staff, principally in the United States and Europe, an increase of $1.7 million due to participation in trade shows and associated travel, an increase of $700,000 due to education and workshops for our customers, and $600,000 related to office expenses of our marketing and sales facilities.

General and administrative. General and administrative expenses increased by $2.1 million, or 78.3%, to $4.7 million in 2002 from $2.7 million in 2001. This increase was primarily due to an increase of $670,000 related to the hiring of additional administrative staff at our global headquarters in Israel, an increase of $550,000 related to fees paid for legal, accounting, consulting services and insurance, and $500,000 related to additional office expenses.

Financing income, net. Financing income, net, increased by $705,000, or 92.3%, to $1.5 million in 2002 from $764,000 in 2001. This increase was primarily due to $746,000 of income earned from currency conversion gains related to the Euro and the Yen.

Other expenses, net. Other expenses, net, increased to $711,000 in 2002 from zero in 2001. This increase was primarily due to expenses incurred in connection with a proposed equity offering in 2002, which we did not complete, net of other income we recorded during the year.

Minority share in profits of subsidiary. Minority share in profits of subsidiary increased to $26,000 from zero in 2001. This increase resulted from the issuance in May 2002 of 49% of the equity of our Japanese subsidiary, Given Imaging K.K., to third parties. Given Imaging K.K. did not derive any revenues in 2002 and the profits were attributable to currency translation gains.


-40-



Quarterly Results of Operations

We believe that many of our customers delay purchasing systems until the end of the fiscal quarter because they believe this will enable them to negotiate more favorable terms. Therefore, revenues from system sales are frequently concentrated at the end of each fiscal quarter making it difficult for us to determine the success of each quarter until its end and resulting in lower than expected quarterly revenues if external or other events cause a large number of potential customers to defer their purchasing decisions even for a short period of time. To date, revenues from sales of the M2A capsule have been spread more evenly throughout the quarter.

The tables below set forth unaudited consolidated statement of operations data in dollars for each of the eight consecutive quarters ended December 31, 2003. In management’s opinion, the unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements contained elsewhere in this Form 20-F and include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of such financial information.

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,
2002

 

June 30,
2002

 

Sept. 30,
2002

 

Dec. 31,
2002

 

March 31,
2003

 

June 30,
2003

 

Sept. 30,
2003

 

Dec. 31,
2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)
(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

5,216

 

$

7,179

 

$

7,459

 

$

9,050

 

$

8,629

 

$

9,694

 

$

9,682

 

$

12,534

 

Cost of revenues

 

 

(2,503

)

 

(3,271

)

 

(3,081

)

 

(3,052

)

 

(2,827

)

 

(3,363

)

 

(3,581

)

 

(3,780

)

Gross profit

 

 

2,713

 

 

3,908

 

 

4,378

 

 

5,998

 

 

5,802

 

 

6,331

 

 

6,101

 

 

8,754

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development, net

 

 

(1,993

)

 

(2,316

)

 

(2,261

)

 

(2,039

)

 

(1,834

)

 

(1,213

)

 

(1,212

)

 

(1,475

)

Sales and marketing

 

 

(4,831

)

 

(5,993

)

 

(5,287

)

 

(6,570

)

 

(6,521

)

 

(6,998

)

 

(6,219

)

 

(7,066

)

General and administrative

 

 

(1,084

)

 

(1,230

)

 

(970

)

 

(1,465

)

 

(1,366

)

 

(1,425

)

 

(1,233

)

 

(1,288

)

Total operating expenses

 

 

(7,908

)

 

(9,539

)

 

(8,518

)

 

(10,074

)

 

(9,721

)

 

(9,636

)

 

(8,664

)

 

(9,829

)

Operating loss

 

 

(5,195

)

 

(5,631

)

 

(4,140

)

 

(4,076

)

 

(3,919

)

 

(3,305

)

 

(2,563

)

 

(1,075

)

Financing income (expenses), net

 

 

281

 

 

725

 

 

105

 

 

358

 

 

228

 

 

(174

)

 

573

 

 

368

 

Other income (expenses)

 

 

(836

)

 

109

 

 

20

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority share in (profits) losses of subsidiary

 

 

 

 

(118

)

 

65

 

 

27

 

 

68

 

 

129

 

 

(67

)

 

128

 

Net loss

 

$

(5,750

)

$

(4,915

)

$

(3,950

)

$

(3,695

)

$

(3,623

)

$

(3,350

)

$

(2,057

)

$

(579

)


Impact of Currency Fluctuations

Currency Risk. Our sales to our customers in 2003 were denominated 70% in U.S. dollars, 28% in Euros and 2% in other currencies, depending on the location of the customer or the distributor used to fulfill our customers’ orders. In 2003, 23% of our expenses, principally salaries and related personnel expenses were denominated in shekels, and we expect this level of shekel expenses to continue for the foreseeable future. If the value of a currency in which our revenues are denominated weakens against the value of a currency in which our expenses are denominated, there will be a negative impact on the profit margin for sales of the Given System. In addition, as of December 31, 2003, 15% of our cash and cash equivalents were denominated in Yen and we are therefore subject to the risk of exchange rate fluctuations between the Yen, the Dollar and the Euro. We have covered an expected surplus of Euros during 2004 against the devaluation of the Euro compared to the U.S. dollar by purchasing options to sell Euros and buy U.S. dollars at a pre-determined price. In addition, if we wish to maintain the dollar-denominated value of our product in non-U.S. markets, devaluation in the local currencies of our customers relative to the U.S. dollar could cause our customers to cancel or decrease orders or default on payment.

Translation Effect. The U.S. dollar is our functional currency, and our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report are prepared in U.S. dollars.


-41-



B.          LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Since our inception and until we commenced sales in 2001, we financed our operations primarily with the proceeds of sales of our equity securities. From our inception through December 31, 2003, we raised a total of $97.7 million through public and private sales of our equity securities. Since we commenced sales in 2001, we have collected more than $70.0 million in receivables. As of December 31, 2003, we had $25.4 million in cash and cash equivalents, and our working capital, which we calculate by subtracting our current liabilities from our current assets, was $35.0 million. We achieved positive cashflow from operations in the fourth quarter of 2003.

We believe that our cash reserves and expected cash from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures in 2004, including in connection with the launch of our esophageal capsule and the Patency System. If our estimates of revenues, expenses or capital or liquidity requirements change or are inaccurate or if cash generated from operations is insufficient to satisfy our liquidity requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity or arrange debt financing, which could include establishing a line of credit. In addition, we may seek to sell additional equity or arrange debt financing to give us financial flexibility to pursue opportunities that may arise in the future if an opportunity that we consider attractive arises to raise additional funding. We have also applied to the Office of Chief Scientist for a grant to support our research and development activities in 2004. If our expectations as to revenues and expenses are not met and if we are unable to obtain additional financing when we need it or if we cannot obtain it on commercially reasonable terms, we may be required to reduce the scope of our planned product development and marketing efforts, which could potentially harm our business, financial condition and operating results.

The following table sets forth the components of our cash flows for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

$

(19,198

)

 

$

(22,233

)

 

$

(8,548

)

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(5,005

)

 

 

(7,560

)

 

 

(2,647

)

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

64,131

 

 

 

4,419

 

 

 

653

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

(58

)

 

 

(64

)

 

 

117

 

 

Increase (decease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

$

39,870

 

 

$

(25,438

)

 

$

(10,425

)

 


Net cash used in operating activities was $8.5 million in 2003, $22.2 million in 2002 and $19.2 million in 2001. The decrease from 2002 to 2003 resulted primarily from a $8.7 million decrease in our net loss, a decrease of $1.8 million in inventories (compared to an increase of $7.4 million in 2002) and a decrease of $940,000 in our accounts receivable (compared to an increase of $5.0 million in 2002). This was offset by a decrease of $4.7 million in accounts payable (compared to an increase of $5.5 million in 2002). The decrease in accounts payable resulted principally from our decision in 2003 to decrease our inventories. During 2002, as we increased sales of the Given System, we increased the amount of our inventories to $10.7 million as of December 31, 2002 and we further increased our inventories during the first quarter of 2003 in anticipation of the war in Iraq. In the second half of 2003, we reduced our inventories and as of December 31, 2003, our inventories were $8.5 million. The increase in net cash used in operating activities from 2001 to 2002 resulted primarily from a increase of $7.4 million in inventories (compared to an increase of $2.6 million in 2001) and an increase of $5.0 million in accounts receivable (compared to an increase of $3.0 million in 2001), partially offset by an increase of $5.5 million in accounts payable (compared to an increase of $3.8 million in 2001). The increase in accounts payable resulted principally from our decision in 2002 to increase our inventories as we increased sales of the Given System. We expect that net cash used in operating activities will decrease during 2004.

Net cash used in investing activities was $2.6 million in 2003, $7.6 million in 2002 and $5.0 million in 2001. Investing activities consist primarily of capital expenditures and the capitalization of costs associated with our patents and trademarks, and the development of our web site. Our principal capital expenditures in 2003 were $1.5 million for machinery and equipment and $472,000 for patents. Our principal capital expenditures in 2002 were $4.8 million for machinery and equipment for our semi-automated production line and the back-up line. We expect that net cash used in investing activities will remain at approximately the same level in 2004 due to our planned investment in patents and in production lines for the esophageal capsule and our Patency System.


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Net cash provided by financing activities was $653,000 in 2003, $4.4 million in 2002 and $64.1 million in 2001. The decrease from 2001 to 2002 was primarily attributable to the completion of our initial public offering in October 2001. In 2003, net cash provided by financing activities resulted primarily from the payment of the exercise price for employee stock options.

Our net cash expenditures for operating and investing activities in 2003 were approximately $11.2 million. We expect to decrease net cash expenditures as our sales develop and we achieve profitability.

The following table of our material contractual obligations as of December 31, 2003, summarizes the aggregate effect that these obligations are expected to have on our cash flows in the periods indicated:

 

 

 

Payments due by period

 

Contractual obligations

 

Total

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

 

2007

 

Later Years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)
(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Capital leases(1)

 

$

31

 

$

27

 

$

4

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Operating leases(2)

 

 

4,100

 

 

1,731

 

 

1,449

 

 

655

 

 

142

 

 

123

 

Total

 

$

4,131

 

$

1,758

 

$

1,453

 

$

655

 

$

142

 

$

123

 


______________

(1)

Consists of capital leases for motor vehicles.

(2)

Consists of operating leases for office, manufacturing space and motor vehicles.

Market Risk

We invest our excess cash in bank accounts and deposits located with a number of banks inside and outside of Israel, principally in Europe. These instruments have maturities of three months or less when acquired. Due to the short-term nature of these investments, we believe that there is no material exposure to interest rate risk arising from our investments.

Corporate Tax

Israeli companies are generally subject to income tax at the corporate rate of 36%. As of December 31, 2003, our net operating loss carry-forwards for Israeli tax purposes amounted to $29.5 million. Under Israeli law, net operating losses can be carried forward indefinitely and offset against certain future taxable income.

In addition, our investment program in leasehold improvements and equipment at our manufacturing facility in Yoqneam, Israel has been granted approved enterprise status and we are, therefore, eligible for tax benefits under the Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959. Subject to compliance with applicable requirements, the portion of our undistributed income derived from our approved enterprise program will be exempt from corporate tax for a period of ten years commencing in the first year in which we generate taxable income. To date, we have not generated taxable income. The ten-year period may not extend beyond the later of 14 years from the year in which approval was granted or 12 years from the year in which operations or production by the enterprise began. We received our approved enterprise status in 1999. As we continue to expand our production facilities, we have applied, and received, in 2002, an approval for the expansion of our production facilities during the subsequent two years under the alternative benefits track. The investments are expected to amount to $4.9 million and will be invested in Yoqneam, Israel. The plan is subject to certain terms set forth in the approval letter. We cannot assure you that we will receive approvals in the future for approved enterprise status or that tax benefits for approved enterprises will continue at current levels.

The period of tax benefits for our approved enterprise programs has not yet commenced, because we have yet to realize taxable income. However, we expect that a substantial portion of the income we derive in the future will be from this approved enterprise program. These benefits should result in income recognized by us being tax exempt for a specified period after we begin to report taxable income and exhaust any net operating loss carry-forwards. These benefits may not be applied to reduce the tax rate for any income that is not derived from sales of our product manufactured at our facility in Yoqneam, Israel.

Our approved enterprise status imposes certain requirements on us, such as the location of our manufacturing facility, location of certain subcontractors and the extent to which we may outsource portions of our production process.


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These requirements limit our freedom to pursue production arrangements that may otherwise be more favorable to us if we want to maintain these tax benefits. Therefore, we may be required to weigh the possible loss of these benefits against other benefits from pursuing arrangements which are not, or which may not be considered by the relevant Israeli authorities to be, in compliance with these requirements. If we do not meet these requirements, the law permits the authorities to cancel the tax benefits retroactively.

As of December 31, 2003, the net operating loss carry-forwards of our subsidiaries for tax purposes amounted to $23.9 million. A subsidiary’s net operating loss carry-forwards for tax purposes relating to a jurisdiction are generally available to offset future taxable income of such subsidiary in that jurisdiction, subject to applicable expiration dates.

Government Grants

Our research and development efforts have been financed, in part, through grants from the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Israeli Ministry of Industry and Commerce. We have applied and received approval for grants totaling $2.5 million from the Office of the Chief Scientist, including $1.3 million, which was provided by the Office of Chief Scientist to support our 2003 research and development.

Under Israeli law, royalties on the revenues derived from sales of the Given System or any part of the Given System are payable to the Israeli government, generally at the rate of 3.0% during the first three years, 4.0% over the following three years and 5.0% in or after the seventh year and the maximum aggregate royalties paid generally cannot exceed 100%.

The government of Israel does not own proprietary rights in technology developed using its funding and there is no restriction on the export of products manufactured using the technology. The technology is, however, subject to other legal restrictions, including the obligation to manufacture the product based on this technology in Israel and to obtain the Office of the Chief Scientist’s consent to transfer the technology or product rights to a third party. These restrictions may impair our ability to outsource manufacturing or enter into similar arrangements for those products or technologies and they continue to apply even after we have paid the full amount of royalties payable for the grants. If the Office of the Chief Scientist consents to the manufacture of the products outside Israel, the regulations allow the Office of the Chief Scientist to require the payment of increased royalties, ranging from 120% to 300% of the amount of the grant plus interest, depending on the percentage of foreign manufacture. If the manufacturing is performed outside of Israel by us, the rate of royalties payable by us on revenues from the sale of products manufactured outside of Israel will increase by 1% over the regular rates. If the manufacturing is performed outside of Israel by a third party, the rate of royalties payable by us on those revenues will be a percentage equal to the percentage of our total investment in the Given System that was funded by grants. Following our request, the Office of the Chief Scientist has approved the manufacture of limited quantities of the M2A capsule in Pemstar’s facilities in Ireland without increasing royalty rates.

C.          RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Our research and development expenditures, excluding grants received from the Office of the Chief Scientist, were $7.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, $8.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, and $6.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. Our research and development activities are conducted internally by our research and development and regulatory affairs staff primarily at our headquarters in Israel. As of December 31, 2003, our research and development staff consisted of 34 employees, as well as consultants and subcontractors. Our research and development efforts are focused primarily on developing new capsules to be used in the detection of abnormalities in other parts of the gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, the stomach and the colon.

D.         TREND INFORMATION

See discussion in Parts A and B of Item 5 “Operating Results and Financial Review and Prospects.”


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ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

A.         DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT

Our executive officers and directors and their ages and positions as of the date of this annual report are as follows:

 

Name

 

Age

 

Position

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Officers:

 

 

 

 

Gavriel D. Meron

 

51

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Kevin Rubey

 

46

 

Chief Operations Officer

Zvi Ben David

 

43

 

Corporate Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Yoram Ashery

 

37

 

Corporate Vice President—Business Development

Shoshana Friedman

 

50

 

Corporate Vice President—Regulatory and Medical Affairs

Mark Gilreath

 

37

 

Corporate Vice President—Marketing Strategy

Nancy L. S. Sousa

 

47

 

Corporate Vice President and President of Given Imaging, Inc.

Manfred Gehrtz

 

53

 

Corporate Vice President, General Manager for Europe

Pablo Halpern(1)

 

53

 

Corporate Vice President, General Manager for Japan and Rest of World

Sharon Koninksy

 

32

 

Director of Corporate Human Resources

 

 

 

 

 

Directors:

 

 

 

 

Doron Birger(2)

 

52

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

James M. Cornelius(2)(3)(4)

 

60

 

Director

Michael Grobstein(2)(3)(4)

 

61

 

Director

Jonathan Silverstein(2)

 

37

 

Director

Reuven Baron

 

60

 

Director

Dr. Dalia Megiddo(3)

 

52

 

Director

Chen Barir

 

45

 

Director

Eyal Lifschitz

 

36

 

Director


______________

(1)

Mr. Halpern has resigned his position effective April 30, 2004.

(2) Member of our compensation and nominating committee.
(3) Member of our audit committee and independent director under Nasdaq National Market listing requirements.
(4) Outside director under the Israeli Companies Law.

Gavriel D. Meron founded Given Imaging in 1998 and has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since that time. Mr. Meron became a director in August 2002. Prior to founding us, from 1995 to 1997, Mr. Meron served as Chief Executive Officer of APPLItec Ltd., an Israeli designer and manufacturer of video cameras and systems primarily for the medical endoscopy market. From 1993 to 1995, Mr. Meron was General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of Optibase Ltd., an Israeli manufacturer of hardware and software products that compress and playback digital video and sound for multimedia applications. From 1988 to 1993, Mr. Meron was Chief Financial Officer of InterPharm Laboratories Ltd., an Israeli company listed on the Nasdaq National Market and a subsidiary of the Ares-Serono Group, a Swiss ethical pharmaceutical company. From 1983 to 1987, Mr. Meron held various management positions at the Tadiran Group, an Israeli telecommunications and semiconductor manufacturer. From 1973 to 1983, Mr. Meron served as an officer in the Israeli army overseeing the budgets of a range of military industries. Mr. Meron holds an M.B.A. from Tel Aviv University and a B.A. in economics and statistics from the Hebrew University, Jerusalem.

Kevin Rubey has served as our Chief Operations Officer since June 2001. Prior to joining us, from 1998 to May 2001, Mr. Rubey worked at Eastman Kodak Company, a consumer and professional photographic and information imaging company where he led manufacturing and operations for the Health Imaging Business Unit. From 1996 to 1998, Mr. Rubey was Manufacturing Director of the Medical Imaging Business Unit of Imation Corporation, a U.S. information technology company specializing in data storage and color image management. Prior to that, from 1977 to 1996, Mr. Rubey worked at the 3M Corporation in a variety of positions in the health, consumer and information technology businesses. Mr. Rubey holds a B.Sc. in mechanical engineering and an M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota.


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Zvi Ben David has served as our Corporate Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since July 2000 and served as a director since our establishment in 1998 to June 2000. From 1995 to June 2000, Mr. Ben David was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of RDC Rafael Development Corporation, one of our principal shareholders. From 1994 to 1995, Mr. Ben David was manager of the finance division of Electrochemical Industries (Frutarom) Ltd., an Israeli company traded on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange and American Stock Exchange that produces petrochemical products. Prior to that, from 1989 to 1993, Mr. Ben David was manager of the economy and control department of Electrochemical Industries (Frutarom) Ltd. From 1984 to 1988, Mr. Ben David worked at Avigosh & Kerbs, an accounting firm in Haifa, Israel. Mr. Ben David is a certified public accountant in Israel and holds a B.A. in economics and accounting from the University of Haifa.

Yoram Ashery has served as our Corporate Vice President – Business Development since April 2001. Prior to joining us, from 1995 to April 2001, Mr. Ashery was a corporate attorney, practicing in the fields of technology and medical devices and privatizations as an associate and, from January 2000, as a partner, with the law firm of Zellermayer, Pelossof & Co., who are also our legal counsel. Prior to that, Mr. Ashery served at the Office of the Attorney General of the Government of Israel, from 1993 to 1994, during which period he also completed his internship under the direct supervision of the Israeli Attorney General. From 1992 to 1996, Mr. Ashery also served as a junior lecturer in Tax Law at the Buchman Faculty of Law of the Tel-Aviv University. Mr. Ashery holds an LL.B. from the Buchman Faculty of Law of the Tel-Aviv University and a B.A. in Economics from the School of Social Sciences of the Tel-Aviv University.

Shoshana Friedman has served as our Corporate Vice President-Regulatory and Medical Affairs since January 2002. Ms. Friedman served as a consultant to us and as a member of our advisory board to our Chief Executive Officer from 1998 to January 2002. Prior to joining us, from 1996 to 2002, Ms. Friedman served as the Managing Director of PuSH-med Ltd., a regulatory consulting firm that she founded, which provided consulting services to medical device and biotechnology companies. From 1993 to 1996, Ms. Friedman was Regulatory, Clinical and Quality Assurance Director at InStent Ltd., an Israeli medical device company that was acquired by Medtronic, Inc. in 1996. Ms. Friedman holds a Quality Assurance Lead Assessor certificate from Bywater, Inc. and a Regulatory Affairs Certificate from the Regulatory Affairs Professional Society. Ms. Friedman holds a B.Sc. in mathematics and physics from Haifa University and an M.B.A. from the Hebrew University, Jerusalem.

Mark Gilreath has served as Corporate Vice President – Marketing Strategy since January 2003. He previously served as President of Given Imaging, Inc. since April 2001. Prior to that, he served as our Vice President – Global Business Development since September 2000 and as a consultant to us from October 1999 to September 2000. In 1999, Mr. Gilreath founded VortexMed, Inc., a developer of internet sites for healthcare professionals, where he served as Chief Executive Officer until September 2000. From 1992 to 1999, Mr. Gilreath held various management positions with PENTAX Precision Instrument Corporation including Product Manager, Director of Marketing, Area Sales Manager and Director of Business Development. Prior to joining PENTAX, from 1989 to 1992, Mr. Gilreath served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. He holds a B.Sc. in business finance from Winthrop University and a M.B.A. from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.

Nancy L. S. Sousa has served as Corporate Vice President since May 2003 and President, Given Imaging, Inc. since January 2003. Prior to joining us, she held several positions at Eastman Kodak Company from 1980 through 2002, including Director, System Concepts Center, and prior to that, as Vice President, New Business Development, Health Imaging. In addition, to those positions, she previously served as Vice President, OEM Products, Consumer Imaging, Director, Strategic Business Planning, Consumer Imaging, and Product Manager, Projectors and Cameras. Ms. Sousa holds an M.Sc. in mathematics from University of Notre Dame and an M.A. in mathematics from The State University of New York.

Manfred Gehrtz has served as our Corporate Vice President, General Manager for Europe since January 2004. From 1995 to January 2004, Dr. Gehrtz was Managing Director, the head of the Endoscope Division and Vice President of Medical Systems Europe at Olympus Optical Co. (Europa) GmbH, a developer of products in the fields of photography, endoscopy, microscopy, communication and diagnostics. From 1990 to 1995, Dr. Gehrtz was Managing Director and CEO of Aesculap Meditec GmbH, a German company that develops and manufactures medical laser systems. Prior to that, from 1986 to 1990, Dr. Gehrtz was a Specialist, Lab Manager and Production Facility Manager at IBM Deutschland GmbH. Dr. Manfred holds a Ph. D. in Physical Chemistry and a M.Sc. in Physics from the University of Munich, Germany. From 1983 to 1985 Dr. Gehrtz was a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the IBM Research Laboratory in San Jose, California.

Sharon Koninsky has served as Director of Corporate Human Resources since 2002 and, prior to that, as Human Resources Manager. She has served as Executive Assistant to the President and Chief Executive Officer since 1998. Prior to joining us, from 1997 until 1998, Ms. Koninsky worked in the marketing department of Geotek Technologies Ltd., an


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Israeli telecommunications company. In 1996 Ms. Koninsky was responsible for placing personnel in administrative positions while employed at a manpower organization in Haifa. Ms. Koninsky holds a B.A. in social work and an M.A. in public administration, both from Haifa University.

Pablo Halpern has served as our Corporate Vice President, General Manager for Japan and Rest of Word since 2003 and, prior to that, as our Corporate Vice President – Global Sales and Marketing since 1999. Prior to joining us, from 1994 to 1999, he served as General Manager of Ultramind International Ltd. (now Ultrasys plc), a British company that manufactures personal computer-based products for the medical professional market. From 1991 to 1994, Mr. Halpern was an international marketing consultant with the Israeli Export Institute. From 1989 to 1991, Mr. Halpern served as General Manager of Barspec Ltd., an Israeli company that manufactured products for the analytical instrumentation market. Mr. Halpern holds a B.Sc. in electro-mechanical engineering and an M.Sc. in electrical engineering from the faculty of engineering, Buenos Aires National University.

Doron Birger has served as Chairman of the board of directors since August 2002 and as a director since June 2000. Mr. Birger has served as Chief Executive Officer of Elron Electronic Industries since August 2002, President since 2001, Chief Financial Officer from 1994 to August 2002, and Corporate Secretary from 1994 to 2001. Mr. Birger is a director of RDC Rafael Development Corporation and Elbit Systems Ltd. From 1991 to 1994, Mr. Birger was Vice President-Finance at North Hills Electronics Ltd., an advanced electronics company. From 1990 to 1991, Mr. Birger served as Chief Financial Officer of Middle-East Pipes Ltd., a manufacturer in the metal industry. From 1988 to 1990, Mr. Birger served as Chief Financial Officer of Maquette Ltd., a manufacturer and exporter of fashion items. From 1981 to 1988, Mr. Birger was Chief Financial Officer and director at Bateman Engineering Ltd. and I.D.C. Industrial Development Company Ltd. Mr. Birger holds a B.A. and an M.A. in economics from the Hebrew University, Jerusalem.

James M. Cornelius has served as a director since October 2001 and was elected as an outside director in December 2001. Mr. Cornelius currently serves as the non-executive Chairman of the board of directors of Guidant Corporation, a U.S. cardiac and vascular medical device company. From 1994 until 2000, Mr. Cornelius served as the Senior Executive and Chairman of Guidant Corporation. From 1983 to 1994, Mr. Cornelius was a director, a member of the Executive Committee and Chief Financial Officer of Eli Lilly and Company. From 1980 to 1982, Mr. Cornelius served as President and Chief Executive Officer of IVAC Corporation, formerly part of Eli Lilly’s Medical Device and Diagnostics Division, and from 1978 to 1980, Mr. Cornelius was Director of Acquisitions for Eli Lilly’s Medical Device and Diagnostics Division. Mr. Cornelius currently also serves as a director of The Chubb Corporation, Hughes Electronics and The National Bank of Indianapolis. Mr. Cornelius holds an M.B.A. and a B.A. in accounting from Michigan State University.

Michael Grobstein has served as a director since October 2001 and was elected as an outside director in December 2001. Mr. Grobstein has served as a director of Guidant Corporation since 1999, and is currently chairman of Guidant’s audit committee and a member of its corporate governance committee. Mr. Grobstein worked with Ernst & Young LLP from 1964 to 1998, and was admitted as a partner in 1975. At Ernst & Young, Mr. Grobstein served as a Vice Chairman-International Operations from 1993 to 1998, as Vice Chairman-Planning, Marketing and Industry Services from 1987 to 1993, and Vice Chairman-Accounting and Auditing Services from 1984 to 1987. In these positions, Mr. Grobstein, among other things, oversaw the global strategic planning of the firm, was responsible for developing and implementing the firm’s worldwide audit service delivery process and consulted with multinational corporations on a wide variety of financial reporting matters. Mr. Grobstein is a certified public accountant in the United States and holds a B.Sc. in accounting from the University of Illinois.

Jonathan Silverstein has served as a director since September 2000. Mr. Silverstein joined OrbiMed Advisors LLC in 1999 and is currently a managing director. From 1996 to 1999, Mr. Silverstein was the Director of Life Sciences in the Investment Banking Department at the Sumitomo Bank Limited. From 1994 to 1996, Mr. Silverstein was an associate at Hambro Resource Development. Mr. Silverstein serves as a director of DOV Pharmaceuticals, Auxilium Pharmaceuticals and Predix Pharmaceuticals, and is a former director for Orthovita, Inc. and LifeCell Corporation. Mr. Silverstein has a B.A. in economics from Denison University and a J.D. and an M.B.A. from the University of San Diego.

Reuven Baron has served as a director since July 2000. Mr. Baron has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of RDC Rafael Development Corporation since June 2000. Prior to that, from 1993 to 2000, he was President of Galram Technology Industries, the business division of Rafael Armament Development Authority, and from 1994 to 2000, he was Chairman of Opgal Industries Ltd., an Israeli manufacturer of thermal imaging products. From 1990 to 1993, Mr. Baron was Director of Business Development for the Electronics Systems Division of Rafael. Mr. Baron holds a B.Sc. and an M.Sc. in electrical engineering from the Israel Institute of Technology.


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Dr. Dalia Megiddo has served as a director since October 2001. Dr. Megiddo is Managing Partner of InnoMed Medical Device Innovations, a Israeli venture capital fund in the field of medical devices and the life sciences, and was recently appointed a director of Elron Electronic Industries, one of our shareholders. Since 1994, Dr. Megiddo has also served a Chief Editor of Academia Medica, a multimedia medical teaching program in Israel and since 1996 as Editor of the Israeli medical audio magazine, The Journal Club. Dr. Megiddo also currently serves as a director of Elron Electronic Industries. From 1981 to 1986, Dr. Megiddo practiced family medicine at the Hebrew University Hadassah Medical Health Center. Dr. Megiddo holds an M.D. in medicine from Hebrew University, Jerusalem and an M.B.A. from Kellogg Recanati International Executive M.B.A. program of Tel Aviv University and North Western University.

Chen Barir has served as director since August 2002. Mr. Barir is Chairman of Berman & Co. Trading and Investments Ltd. and subsidiaries, a private investment company specializing in seed and early stage venture investments and management focusing primarily on medical devices, investments in emerging markets and real estate. Mr. Barir is Chairman of Galil Medical Ltd. and Sunlight Medical Ltd., and a director of Optonol, Inc. and Elron Electronic Industries Ltd. Mr. Barir holds an M.B.A. from the European Institute of Business Administration (INSEAD) in Fontainebleau, France, and a Doctorate in Law and Economics from Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Eyal Lifschitz has served as a director since December 2003. Since 2001, Mr. Lifschitz has served as Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Peregrine Ventures, a venture capital fund focused on the technology industry in Israel. Prior to that, Mr. Lifschitz was co-founder of a number of medical technology and biotech companies, including Becontree Systems, Inc., where he served as Director of Business Development from 1999 to 2001, Vision Care Ophthalmic Technologies, Inc., where he served as Director of Business Development from 1997 to 2001, ECR Ltd., where he served as General Manager from 1994 to 2001, and Pharmacies, Inc., where he served as Director of Business Development from 1990 to 1994. Mr. Lifschitz holds an LL.B. from Shearei Mishpat, Israel.

B.          COMPENSATION

The aggregate compensation paid by us and our subsidiaries to our directors and executive officers, including stock-based compensation, for the year ended December 31, 2003 was $1.8 million (excluding director fees detailed below). This amount includes approximately $230,000 set aside or accrued to provide pension, severance, retirement or similar benefits or expenses, but does not include business travel, relocation, professional and business association dues and expenses reimbursed to office holders, and other benefits commonly reimbursed or paid by companies in Israel.

During the first half of 2003, we paid each director (excluding Gavriel Meron) a quarterly fee of $3,750 for their service on our board of directors, and a $1,500 fee for attending and participating in each meeting of the board of directors or any committee of the Board of Directors. We paid an additional quarterly fee of $1,250 to the chairman of the audit committee. During the second half of 2003, as part of our plan to reduce operating costs, director compensation was reduced to 50% of these amounts. The total amount of these payments in 2003 was $170,000. The directors fees in respect of service by our director, Doron Birger, are paid to Elron Electronics Industries, where he serves as President and Chief Executive Officer, and in respect of service by our director, Reuben Baron, are paid to RDC Rafael Development Corporation, where he serves as President and Chief Executive Officer. In addition, all of our directors were reimbursed for their expenses for each board of directors meeting attended. In addition, in 2003, we granted options to purchase 25,000 ordinary shares to each of our directors, Michael Grobstein, James Cornelius and Eyal Lifschitz, options to purchase 11,000 ordinary shares to each of our directors, Jonathan Silverstein and Dalia Megiddo and options to purchase 8,000 ordinary shares to Chen Barir. The exercise price of these options was equal to the fair market value of our ordinary shares on the date of grant.

In 2003, the base salary of Gavriel Meron, our President and Chief Executive Officer, who is also a director, was $220,000. This base salary was subject to a 17.4% reduction as part of measures that we took in July 2003 to reduce our operating costs which will remain in effect until March 31, 2004. In 2003, our shareholders approved (1) a lump sum bonus of $100,000 in respect of Mr. Meron’s performance during 2002, and (2) a grant of options to purchase 50,000 ordinary shares at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our ordinary shares on the date of grant, vesting in four equal annual installments commencing on the date of the grant. Mr. Meron also has the use of an automobile and 22 days of paid vacation per year, as well as other benefits commonly paid by companies in Israel. Please see Item 7 “Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with Directors and Officers—Employment Agreements” for information regarding Mr. Meron’s employment agreement and compensation subject to shareholder approval.


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C.          BOARD PRACTICE

Board of Directors and Officers

Our articles of association provide that we may have up to 12 directors, each of whom is elected at an annual general meeting of our shareholders by a vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power present and voting at that meeting. Our board of directors currently consists of nine directors. Each director listed above will hold office until the next annual general meeting of our shareholders which is currently scheduled to occur on April 27, 2004, except for our outside directors who were elected in December 2001 for an initial three-year term which will expire in December 2004 pursuant to the Companies Law and may be extended to one additional three-year term. Other than Gavriel Meron, our President and Chief Executive Officer, none of our directors are our employees or are party to a service contract with us.

A simple majority of our shareholders at a general meeting may remove any of our directors from office, elect directors in their stead or fill any vacancy, however created, in our board of directors. In addition, vacancies on the board of directors, other than vacancies created by an outside director, may be filled by a vote of a majority of the directors then in office. Our board of directors may also appoint additional directors up to the maximum number permitted under our articles of association. A director so chosen or appointed will hold office until the next general meeting of our shareholders.

Each of our executive officers serves at the discretion of the board of directors and holds office until his or her successor is elected or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers. All of our executive officers have signed employment agreements.

Outside and Independent Directors

Under Israel’s Companies Law, companies incorporated under the laws of the State of Israel whose shares are listed on an exchange including the Nasdaq National Market are required to appoint two outside directors. Outside directors are required to meet standards of independence set forth in the Israeli companies law. Outside directors are elected by a majority vote at a shareholders’ meeting, provided that either (1) the majority of shares voted at the meeting, including at least one-third of the shares of non-controlling shareholders voted at the meeting, vote in favor of the election of the outside director, or (2) the total number of shares voted against the election of the outside director does not exceed one percent of the aggregate voting rights in the company. The initial term of an outside director is three years and he or she may be reelected to one additional term of three years by a majority vote at a shareholders’ meeting, subject to the conditions described above for election of outside directors. Outside directors may only be removed by the same percentage of shareholders as is required for their election, or by a court, and then only if the outside directors cease to meet the statutory requirements for their appointment or if they violate their duty of loyalty to the company. If an outside directorship becomes vacant, a company’s board of directors is required under the Companies Law to call a shareholders’ meeting immediately to appoint a new outside director. Our two outside directors are James Cornelius and Michael Grobstein.

Each committee of a company’s board of directors is required to include at least one outside director and our audit committee is required to include both outside directors. An outside director is entitled to compensation as provided in regulations adopted under the Companies Law and is otherwise prohibited from receiving any other compensation, directly or indirectly, in connection with services provided as an outside director.

In addition to the requirements of the Companies Law, we must comply with the Nasdaq National Market listing requirements, under which our board of directors must have at least three independent directors as defined in those rules. Commencing on July 31, 2005, a majority of the members of our board of directors (including all members of our audit committee) will be required to be independent under the rules of the Nasdaq National Market.

Audit Committee

Under the Companies Law, the board of directors of any company whose shares are listed on any exchange must also appoint an audit committee comprised of at least three directors including all of the outside directors. The audit committee may not include the chairman of the board of directors, the general manager, the chief executive officer, a director employed by the company or who provides services to the company on a regular basis, or a controlling shareholder or a relative of a controlling shareholder. Under the rules of the Nasdaq National Market listing requirements, we are required to have an audit committee consisting of at least three independent directors, all of whom are financially literate and one of


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whom has accounting or related financial management expertise. We believe that our directors, Michael Grobstein, James Cornelius and Dalia Megiddo, meet these independence requirements. Commencing on July 31, 2005, the members of our audit committee will be required to meet more stringent independence requirements under Nasdaq National Market rules, including minimum standards set forth in rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and adopted by the Nasdaq National Market.

Under the Companies Law, the role of the audit committee is to identify irregularities in the business management of the company, in consultation with the internal auditor and the company’s independent accountants, and suggest an appropriate course of action. Under the Nasdaq National Market listing requirements, our audit committee has adopted an audit committee charter setting forth its responsibilities. In December 2003, we amended our audit committee charter to reflect new rules of the Nasdaq National Market, which will become effective with respect to us on July 31, 2005. The audit committee charter governing the actions of our audit committee states that in fulfilling this role the committee is entitled to rely on interviews and consultations with our management, our internal auditor and our independent public accountant, and is not obligated to conduct any independent investigation or verification. The charter also states that the audit committee is required to nominate the company’s independent accountants, which the shareholders subsequently are required to approve.

Internal Auditor

Under the Companies Law, the board of directors must appoint an internal auditor nominated by the audit committee. The role of the internal auditor is to examine whether a company’s actions comply with the law and orderly business procedure. Under the Companies Law, the internal auditor may be an employee of the company but not an interested party or an office holder, or affiliate, or a relative of an interested party or an office holder, nor may the internal auditor be the company’s independent accountant or its representative. An interested party is defined in the Companies Law as a 5% or greater shareholder, any person or entity who has the right to designate one director or more or the chief executive officer of the company or any person who serves as a director or as a chief executive officer. We have appointed Dr. Naftaly Fried of Kost Forer & Gabai, a member firm of Ernst & Young International, as our internal auditor.

Compensation and Nominating Committee

Our compensation and nominating committee consists of our directors James Cornelius, Doron Birger, Michael Grobstein and Jonathan Silverstein. In December 2003, in accordance with new Nasdaq National Market rules which will become effective with respect to us on July 31, 2005, our compensation and nominating committee adopted a charter, which sets forth its responsibilities. Pursuant to the charter, the compensation and nominating committee is authorized to make decisions regarding executive compensation and terms and conditions of employment, as well as to recommend that the board of directors issue options under our stock option plans. The compensation and nominating committee is also responsible for recommending to the board of directors nominees for board membership. The charter requires that the composition of the committee must satisfy the Nasdaq National Market’s independent director requirements.

D.         EMPLOYEES

As of December 31, 2003, we and our subsidiaries had 232 employees of whom 133 were based in Israel, 63 in the United States, 34 in Europe and two in Australia. This reflects a 9% decrease in the number of employees since December 31, 2002, and reflected a 15% reduction in our workforce at the time, principally from our manufacturing facilities. This reduction in our workforce was the result of efficiency measures initiated to reduce our operating costs in order to achieve our profitability targets. The breakdown of our employees by department is as follows:

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

Department

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

33

 

45

 

34

 

Sales and marketing

 

84

 

115

 

131

 

Manufacturing

 

36

 

71

 

49

 

Management and administration

 

16

 

21

 

18

 


Under law, we and our employees are subject to protective labor provisions, including restrictions on working hours, minimum wages, minimum vacation, minimal termination notice, sick pay, severance pay and social security as well as equal


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opportunity and anti-discrimination laws. Orders issued by the Israeli Ministry of Labor and Welfare make certain industry-wide collective bargaining agreements and collective bargaining agreements in the electricity, steel and electronics industries applicable to us. These agreements affect matters such as cost of living adjustments to salaries, length of working hours and week, recuperation, travel expenses, and pension rights. Our employees are not represented by a labor union . We provide our employees with benefits and working conditions above the required minimum and which we believe are competitive with benefits and working conditions provided by similar companies in Israel. We have written employment agreements with all of our Israeli employees and with our senior non-Israeli employees. Competition for qualified personnel in our industry is intense and we dedicate significant resources to employee retention. We have never experienced labor-related work stoppages and believe that our relations with our employees are good.

E.          SHARE OWNERSHIP

Share Ownership by Directors and Executive Officers

For information regarding ownership of our ordinary shares by our directors and executive officers, and regarding options to purchase our ordinary shares granted to Gavriel Meron, our President and Chief Executive Officer, see Item 7 “Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions.”

Stock Option Plans

2003 Stock Option Plan

Our 2003 stock option plan provides for a grant of options to our directors, employees and consultants, including members of our medical advisory committee, and to the directors, employees or consultants of our subsidiaries. We initially reserved a total of 1,500,000 ordinary shares for issuance under the plan. In addition, we have reserved for issuance under the plan any ordinary shares underlying unvested options granted under our 1998 and 2000 Stock Option Plans that expire without exercise. As of December 31, 2003, we had outstanding options to purchase 1,913,680 shares under the 2003 stock option plan. On February 10, 2004, our board of directors approved an increase of 1,000,000 ordinary shares available under the 2003 stock option plan, subject to shareholder approval.

The plan is substantially similar to our 2000 Stock Option Plan. Generally, where a grant of options under the plan is our first grant of options to that person, the options are not exercisable before the second anniversary of the date of grant, at which time 50% of the options become exercisable with 25% to become exercisable on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the date of the grant. However, under the 2003 Stock Option Plan, in cases where we have granted options to a grantee under previous plans, 25% of the options will be exercisable at the time of the grant and 25% will be exercisable on the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of the grant. Our compensation and nominating committee has the authority to accelerate the time periods for exercising options. Unexercised options expire ten years after the date of grant. To the extent the options have been vested, they may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time until their expiry. Upon the termination of the employment of an employee other than for cause the employee may exercise all vested options. If the employment of an employee is terminated for cause, all of his or her vested and unvested options will expire.

In the event of an acquisition or merger, we will endeavor to ensure that the rights of the holders of outstanding options are maintained. If we are unable to do so or if our board of directors resolves otherwise, all outstanding, but unvested, stock options will be accelerated and exercisable, ten days prior to the acquisition or merger. In addition, if the employment of a holder of outstanding options is terminated in anticipation of or during the 12 month period following an acquisition or merger, all outstanding but unvested stock options will be accelerated and exercisable, subject to certain adjustments and exceptions.

Options granted under the plan to Israeli residents may be granted under Section 102 of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance pursuant to which the options or the ordinary shares issued upon their exercise must be deposited with a trustee for at least two years following the end of the calendar year in which the options are granted. Under Section 102 (1) any tax payable by an employee from the grant or exercise of the options is deferred until the transfer of the options or ordinary shares by the trustee to the employee or upon the sale of the options or ordinary shares, (2) gains are subject to capital gains tax of 25%.


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2000 Stock Option Plan

Our 2000 stock option plan provides for the grant of options to our directors, employees or consultants, including members of our medical advisory committee, and to the directors, employees or consultants of our subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2003, we had granted options to purchase 1,703,713 shares under the 2002 stock option plan. Ordinary shares underlying options which expire without exercise under the 2000 stock option plan become available for issuance under the 2003 stock option plan.

The plan is administered by our compensation and nominating committee which makes recommendations to our board of directors regarding grantees of options and the terms of the grant, including exercise prices, vesting schedules, acceleration of vesting and other matters necessary in the administration of the plan. Upon the recommendation of our compensation and nominating committee, options granted under the plan to Israeli residents may be granted under Section 102 of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance pursuant to which the options or the ordinary shares issued upon their exercise must be deposited with a trustee for at least two years. Any tax payable by an employee from the grant or exercise of the options is deferred until the transfer of the options or ordinary shares by the trustee to the employee or upon the sale of the options or ordinary shares. Options granted under the plan to U.S. residents may also qualify as incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The exercise price for incentive stock options must not be not less than the fair market value on the date the option is granted, or 110% of the fair market value if the option holder holds more than 10% of our share capital.

Generally, options issued under the plan are not exercisable before the second anniversary of the date of grant at which time 50% of the options become exercisable and 25% on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the date of grant. Unexercised options expire ten years after the date of grant. If the employment of an employee is terminated for cause, all of his or her vested and unvested options will expire.

In the event of an acquisition or merger, we will endeavor to ensure that the rights of the holders of outstanding options are maintained. If we are unable to do so or if our board of directors resolves otherwise, all outstanding, but unvested, stock options will be accelerated and exercisable, ten days prior to the acquisition or merger.

1998 Stock Option Plan

Our 1998 stock option provides for the grant of options to our directors, employees, or consultants, including members of our medical advisory committee. Our 1998 stock option plan has been superseded by our 2000 stock option plan and we have ceased issuing options under our 1998 stock option plan. As of December 31, 2003, we had granted options to purchase 808,273 shares under the 1998 stock option plan. Ordinary shares underlying options which expire without exercise under the 1998 stock option plan become available for issuance under the 2003 stock option plan.

Generally, options issued under the plan are not exercisable before the second anniversary of the date of grant at which time 50% of the options become exercisable and 25% on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the date of grant. Unexercised options expire ten years after the date of grant. If the employment of an employee is terminated for cause, all of his or her vested and unvested options will expire.


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ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

A.         MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our outstanding ordinary shares as of the date of this Form 20-F for: (1) each person who we believe beneficially owns 5% or more of the outstanding ordinary shares, (2) each of our directors individually, (3) each of our executive officers individually, and (4) all of our directors and executive officers as a group. Beneficial ownership of shares is determined under rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and generally includes any shares over which a person exercises sole or shared voting or investment power. The table also includes the number of shares underlying options that are exercisable within 60 days of the date of this annual report. Ordinary shares subject to these options are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the ownership percentage of the person holding these options, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the ownership percentage of any other person.

The shareholders listed below do not have any different voting rights from our other shareholders. Unless otherwise noted below, each shareholder’s address is c/o Given Imaging Ltd., P.O. Box 258, Yoqneam 20692, Israel.

 

Name and Address

 

Number of Shares Beneficially
Owned

 

Percentage of
Shares
Beneficially Owned

 

Principal shareholders:

 

 

 

 

 

IDB Holding Corporation Ltd. (1)

 

9,425,972

 

36.6

%

OrbiMed Advisors LLC, OrbiMed Capital LLC and OrbiMed Advisors Inc., Samuel D. Isaly (2)

 

4,052,649

 

15.8

 

Directors and executive officers:

 

 

 

 

 

Gavriel D. Meron (3)

 

688,231

 

2.6

 

Zvi Ben David (4)

 

202,976

 

*

 

Kevin Rubey (5)

 

75,915

 

*

 

Yoram Ashery (6)

 

109,299

 

*

 

Shoshana Friedman (7)

 

64,382

 

*

 

Mark Gilreath (8)

 

78,263

 

*

 

Nancy L. S. Sousa (9)

 

10,000

 

*

 

Manfred Gehrtz

 

 

 

Pablo Halpern (10)

 

144,026

 

*

 

Sharon Koninsky (11)

 

31,719

 

*

 

Doron Birger (12)

 

5,963,531

 

23.2

 

James M. Cornelius (13)

 

204,125

 

*

 

Michael Grobstein (14)

 

71,500

 

*

 

Jonathan Silverstein (15)

 

4,098,149

 

15.9

 

Reuven Baron (16)

 

3,233,310

 

12.6

 

Dr. Dalia Megiddo (17)

 

10,300

 

*

 

Chen Barir (18)

 

12,500

 

*

 

Eyal Lifshitz

 

 

 

All directors and executive officers as a group (19)

 

15,228,357

 

56.1

%


______________

*

Less than 1%

(1)

Based on a Schedule 13D filed on May 19, 2003 and amended on September 4, 2003 and on information provided to us supplementally, consists of 3,462,441 ordinary shares owned by Discount Investment Corporation Ltd. (“DIC”), 3,232,310 ordinary shares owned by RDC Rafael Development Corporation Ltd. (“RDC”) and 2,731,221 ordinary shares owned by Elron Electronics Industries Ltd. (“Elron”). As of the date of this Form 20-F, Elron owned all of the outstanding shares of DEP Technology Holdings Ltd. which, in turn, hold 50.1% of the voting power of RDC. As a result, Elron may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the ordinary shares owned by RDC. As of the date of this Form 20-F, DIC owned approximately 38.5% of the outstanding shares of Elron and, as a result, DIC may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the ordinary shares owned by RDC and by Elron. The address of Discount Investment Corporation is The Triangular Tower, 43rd Floor, 3 Azrieli Center,


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Tel Aviv 67023, Israel. The address of RDC Rafael Development Corporation is P.O. Box 14, Haifa 31000. The address of Elron Electronic Industries is The Triangular Tower, 42nd Floor, 3 Azrieli Center, Tel Aviv 67023, Israel. As of the date of this Form 20-F, IDB Holding Corporation (“IDBH”) owned approximately 58% of the outstanding shares of IDB Development Corporation (“IDBD”) which, in turn, owned approximately 69% of the outstanding shares of DIC. As a result, IDBH may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the ordinary shares owned by DIC, RDC and Elron. IDBH is a public company traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Approximately 51.7% of the outstanding share capital of IDBH is owned by a group comprised of (i) Ganden Investments I.D.B. Ltd. (“Ganden”), a private Israeli company controlled by Nochi Dankner and his sister, Shelly Dankner-Bergman, which holds 31.02% of the equity of and voting power in IDBH; (ii) Manor Investments-IDB Ltd. (“Manor”), a private Israeli company controlled by Ruth Manor, which holds 10.34% of the equity of and voting power in IDBH; and (iii) Avraham Livnat Investments (2002) Ltd. (“Livnat”), a private Israeli company controlled by Avraham Livnat, which holds 10.34% of the equity of and voting power in IDBH. Ganden, Manor and Livnat, owning in the aggregate approximately 51.7% of the equity of and voting power in IDBH, entered into a Shareholders Agreement relating, among other things, to their joint control of IDBH, the term of which is until May 19, 2023. In addition, Shelly Dankner-Bergman holds approximately 4.75% of the equity of and voting power in IDBH. The address of Nochi Dankner is The Triangle Tower, 44th floor, 3 Azrieli Center, Tel Aviv 67023, Israel. The address of Shelly Dankner-Bergman is 12 Recanati Street, Ramat Aviv Gimmel, Tel Aviv, Israel. The address of Ruth Manor is 26 Hagderot Street, Savyon, Israel. The address of Mr. Avraham Livnat is Taavura Junction, Ramle, Israel. These individuals disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares owned by the foregoing entities except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein. On September 29, 2003, Elron and DIC entered into a voting agreement pursuant to which, among other things, DIC agreed to vote all of its ordinary shares in favor of nominees to our Board of Directors proposed by Elron. The voting agreement is for a term of one year and renews automatically each year thereafter unless terminated by notice of either party to the other party no later than August 30 in each year, unless terminated by agreement of both parties thereto.

(2)

Based on a Schedule 13D filed on May 15, 2002 and on information provided to us supplementally, consists of 2,475,736 ordinary shares and options to purchase 2,157 ordinary shares owned by Caduceus Private Investments L.P. (“Caduceus”); 485,000 ordinary shares and options to purchase 771 ordinary shares owned by Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences Portfolio (“Eaton Vance”); 485,000 ordinary shares and options to purchase 771 ordinary shares owned by Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust (“Finsbury”); 500,000 ordinary shares owned by PW Juniper Crossover Fund LLC (“Juniper”); 92,173 ordinary shares and options to purchase 144 ordinary shares owned by OrbiMed Associates LLC (“OrbiMed Associates”); 2,820 ordinary shares owned by OrbiMed Capital LLC (“OrbiMed Capital”); options to purchase 2,157 ordinary shares owned by OrbiMed Advisors LLC; 1480 ordinary shares owned by Samuel D. Isaly; 1,480 ordinary shares owned by Sven Borho; 1,480 ordinary shares owned by Michael Sheffery; 1,480 ordinary shares owned by Carl L. Gordon. OrbiMed Capital is the general partner of Caduceus, OrbiMed Advisors LLC acts as managing member of OrbiMed Associates, OrbiMed Advisors Inc. acts as investment manager of Juniper, OrbiMed Advisors LLC acts as investment advisor to Finsbury and OrbiMed Advisors LLC acts as investment adviser to Eaton Vance. As a result, OrbiMed Advisors LLC, OrbiMed Capital and OrbiMed Advisors, Inc. have discretionary investment management authority with respect to the assets of Caduceus, OrbiMed Associates and Juniper. Samual D. Isaly owns all of the outstanding stock of, and controls the management and operation of OrbiMed Advisors Inc. Samual D. Isaly also owns a controlling interest in OrbiMed Advisors LLC and OrbiMed Capital. Samuel D. Isaly, Sven Borho, Michael Sheffery and Carl L. Gordon, share ownership and control of OrbiMed Associates, OrbiMed Capital and OrbiMed Advisors LLC. The address of OrbiMed Advisors LLC, OrbiMed Capital, OrbiMed Advisors, Inc., Samuel D. Isaly, Sven Borho, Michael Sheffery and Carl L. Gordon is 767 Third Avenue, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10017. These individuals each disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares owned by the foregoing entities except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

(3)

Consists of 11,416 ordinary shares and options to purchase 676,815 ordinary shares.

(4)

Consists of 19,026 ordinary shares, options to purchase 113,750 ordinary shares from Given Imaging and options to purchase 70,200 ordinary shares from RDC Rafael Development Corporation.

(5)

Consists of 415 ordinary shares owned by a family member of Mr. Rubey and options to purchase 75,500 ordinary shares.


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(6)

Consists of 38,049 ordinary shares owned by Yoram Ashery Ltd., a company owned and controlled by Mr. Ashery, and options to purchase 71,250 ordinary shares.

(7)

Consists of 19,026 ordinary shares owned by Ms. Friedman, 19,800 ordinary shares owned by PuSH J. Sh. Holding Ltd., a company owned and controlled by Ms. Friedman, options to purchase 22,500 ordinary shares owned by Ms. Friedman and options to purchase 3,056 ordinary shares owned by PuSH. J. Sh. Holding Ltd.

(8)

Consists of 9,513 ordinary shares and options to purchase 68,750 ordinary shares.

(9)

Consists of options to purchase 10,000 ordinary shares.

(10)

Consists of 19,026 ordinary shares and options to purchase 125,000 ordinary shares.

(11)

Consists of 15,219 ordinary shares and options to purchase 16,500 ordinary shares.

(12)

Consists of 3,232,310 ordinary shares owned by RDC Rafael Development Corporation and 2,731,221 ordinary shares owned by Elron Electronic Industries. Mr. Birger is a director of RDC Rafael Development Corporation and President and Chief Executive Officer of Elron Electronic Industries and by virtue of his position may be deemed to have voting and investment power, and thus beneficial ownership with respect to the shares that Elron Electronic Industries and RDC Rafael Development Corporation own. Mr. Birger disclaims such beneficial ownership except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

(13)

Consists of 120,000 ordinary shares owned by Mr. Cornelius, 20,125 ordinary shares held by Twilight Venture Partners, 11,500 ordinary shares held by the Cornelius Family Foundation, and options to purchase 52,500 ordinary shares.

(14)

Consists of 19,000 ordinary shares and options to purchase 52,500 ordinary shares.

(15)

Consists of options to purchase 45,500 ordinary shares and 4,056,649 ordinary shares beneficially owned by the OrbiMed investors. Mr. Silverstein is a principal of OrbiMed Advisors LLC and by virtue of his position may be deemed to have voting and investment power, and thus beneficial ownership with respect to the shares which the OrbiMed investors owns or over which they exercise voting and investment power. Mr. Silverstein disclaims such beneficial ownership except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

(16)

Consists of 1,000 ordinary shares owned by Mr. Baron and 3,232,310 ordinary shares beneficially owned by RDC Rafael Development Corporation. Mr. Baron is the President and Chief Executive Officer of RDC Rafael Development Corporation and by virtue of his position may be deemed to have voting and investment power, and thus beneficial ownership with respect to the shares beneficially owned by RDC Rafael Development Corporation. Mr. Baron disclaims such beneficial ownership except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

(17)

Consists of options to purchase 10,300 ordinary shares.

(18)

Consists of options to purchase 12,500 ordinary shares.

(19)

Includes 3,462,441 ordinary shares owned by DIC, 3,232,310 ordinary shares owned by RDC, 2,731,221 ordinary shares owned by Elron and 4,052,649 ordinary shares beneficially owned by the OrbiMed entities, as well as ordinary shares and options to purchase ordinary shares held by directors and officers in their personal capacities or by their nominees. The Company’s directors and officers disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares owned by the foregoing entities except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein.

Since the filing of our last annual report on Form 20-F, certain of our principal shareholders have sold our shares. The aggregate ordinary shares beneficially owned by IDB Holding Corporation has decreased by approximately 1.5 million shares and its beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as a percentage of shares outstanding has decreased from 43.2% to 36.6%. The aggregate ordinary shares beneficially owned by the OrbiMed investors has decreased by


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approximately 1.6 million shares and its beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as a percentage of shares outstanding has decreased from 22.7% to 15.8%.

B.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Agreement with Rafael

In January 1998, we entered into a technology purchase and license agreement with Rafael Armament Development Authority, or Rafael, which is a division of the Israeli Ministry of Defense. Rafael beneficially owns 47.8% of the outstanding shares of our shareholder, RDC Rafael Development Corporation. Pursuant to this agreement, we purchased from Rafael, for $30,000 in cash, all of Rafael’s rights to the technology associated with an in vivo video camera and an autonomous video endoscope, including a swallowable capsule with a camera and an optical system, a transmitter and a reception system, which was then being developed by Rafael, which we refer to as the M2A capsule and system. Rafael transferred to us the patents that it had been issued in connection with the M2A capsule and system technology. Rafael also granted us an exclusive, perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free license to use other technology and know-how of Rafael which was used at Rafael for the development of the M2A capsule and system, provided that we use this technology and know-how solely for commercial exploitation of the M2A capsule and system. We are permitted to transfer or sublicense this other technology to third parties in connection with the commercial exploitation of the M2A capsule and system provided that we receive Rafael’s consent which is not to be unreasonably withheld. We have not received any technology from Rafael pursuant to this license. In connection with our commercial exploitation of the M2A capsule and system, Rafael agreed to provide us with technical support in the form of equipment and use of its laboratories, subject to their availability, and access to its existing documentation. We agreed to pay to Rafael its costs plus 10% for any of Rafael’s manpower that we use. Rafael also agreed to provide us with research and development and prototype manufacturing services in connection with the M2A capsule and system at customary commercial rates. Rafael has the right to provide such services to us if it is competitive in terms of quality, quantity, timing and price. In connection with this technical support, we paid an aggregate amount to Rafael of $12,000 in 1998 only.

In connection with our acquisition of this technology, we granted to Rafael an exclusive, perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free license to use all technology that we acquired from Rafael solely in the military and security fields. Rafael has the exclusive right to file patent applications for inventions developed by Rafael in connection with the M2A capsule and system for use in these fields. We are required to assist Rafael in connection with these patent applications. Rafael has granted to us an exclusive, perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free license to use outside of the military and security fields any technology covered by these patents. We and Rafael have also agreed to notify each other if either of us develops any improvements to the M2A capsule and system technology provided that doing so does not breach any confidentiality undertaking to a third party, or in the case of Rafael, security requirements. We have each agreed to grant to the other exclusive rights to use any improvement in our case in the commercial field and in Rafael’s case in the military and security fields, in consideration for payment of royalties in an amount to be agreed upon.

Private Placement to PW Juniper Crossover Fund

In October 2001, concurrent with the closing our initial public offering, we sold 500,000 of our ordinary shares to PW Juniper Crossover Fund LLC for an aggregate purchase price of $6.0 million, or $12.00 per share. OrbiMed Advisors, Inc. is a member of the investment advisor and responsible for the investment decisions of PW Juniper Crossover Fund.

Registration Rights

Demand Registration Rights

Pursuant to an investor rights agreement, at the request of one or more of our former Series A preferred shareholders that hold at least 20% of our then outstanding ordinary shares held by our former Series A preferred shareholders, we must use our best efforts to register any or all of these shareholders’ ordinary shares. We must also give notice of the registration to our other former Series A preferred shareholders and to some of our ordinary shareholders, including Discount Investment Corporation and its affiliates, and Elron Electronic Industries, and include in the registration any ordinary shares that they request to include. We are also permitted to include our shares in the registration. The minimum aggregate offering price of the shares to be registered is $5.0 million. We may only be requested to carry out two of these demand registrations.


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In addition to the registrations described above that may be requested by our former Series A preferred shareholders, at the request of some of our ordinary shareholders, including Discount Investment Corporation and its affiliates, Elron Electronic Industries and PW Juniper Crossover Fund, holding at least 20% of our ordinary shares then outstanding, we must use our best efforts to register any or all of these shareholders’ ordinary shares. We must also give notice of the registration to all other shareholders to whom we have granted registration rights and include in the registration any ordinary shares that they request to include. We are also permitted to include our shares in the registration. The minimum aggregate offering price of the shares to be registered is $5.0 million. We may only be requested to carry out three of these demand registrations.

In connection with each of the above registrations, the managing underwriter may limit the number of shares offered for marketing reasons. In such case, the managing underwriter must exclude first any shares to be registered by us and second, any shares to be registered by our directors and officers. Thereafter, the shares to be registered by our former Series A preferred shareholders or ordinary shareholders would be reduced pro rata among the shareholders requesting inclusion of their shares according to the number of shares held by each shareholder.

Piggyback Registration Rights

Our former Series A preferred shareholders also have the right to request that we include their ordinary shares which were issued upon conversion of our Series A preferred shares in any registration statements filed by us in the future for the purposes of a public offering, subject to specified limitations. Some of our ordinary shareholders, including Discount Investment Corporation and its affiliates, Elron Electronic Industries and PW Juniper Crossover Fund, have similar rights with respect to the ordinary shares they currently hold. The managing underwriter may limit the number of shares offered for marketing reasons. In this case, the managing underwriter must exclude first any shares to be registered by us, unless we initiated the registration, second the shares that our shareholders have requested to include in the registration, and third the shares of the party initiating the registration.

Form F-3 Registration Rights

At the request of some of our shareholders including Discount Investment Corporation and its affiliates, Elron Electronic Industries and PW Juniper Crossover Fund, or any of our former Series A preferred shareholders, we must register such shareholder’s ordinary shares on Form F-3. We must also give notice of the registration to our other shareholders to whom we have granted registration rights, and include in the registration any ordinary shares they request to include. These demand rights may only be exercised if nine months have passed since the last registration that we filed in which the shareholder requesting registration was entitled to include its shares. The minimum aggregate offering price of the shares to be registered is $5.0 million. The managing underwriter may limit the number of shares offered for marketing reasons. In such case, the rights of each shareholder to include its ordinary shares in the registration are allocated in the same manner as in a demand registration described above.

Termination

All registration rights will expire on October 10, 2006. With respect to any shareholder, registration rights will expire if that shareholder can sell all of its ordinary shares within a 90 day period under Rule 144 of the Securities Act.

Expenses

Generally, we will pay all expenses incurred in carrying out the above registrations, as well as the fees and expenses of one legal counsel for the selling shareholders in each registration.

Directors Fees

We pay directors fees in respect of service by our directors (other than our President and Chief Executive Officer, Gaviel Meron). See Item 6 "Directors, Senior Management and Employees, Part B. Compensation."


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Agreements with Directors and Officers

Employment Agreements

We maintain written employment agreements with all of our officers. These agreements all contain provisions standard for a company in our industry regarding noncompetition, confidentiality of information and assignment of inventions. The enforceability of covenants not to compete in Israel is limited.

In August 2003, we extended our employment agreement with Gavriel Meron, our President and Chief Executive Officer, until August 1, 2006, unless earlier terminated by either Mr. Meron or us upon one year notice. We may also terminate this agreement immediately for cause. Upon extension of Mr. Meron’s employment agreement, we granted Mr. Meron options to purchase 100,000 ordinary shares at an exercise price equal to the closing price of our ordinary shares on the Nasdaq National Market on the date of the grant, vesting in four annual installments commencing on the date of the grant.

Mr. Meron’s employment agreement provides, among other things, that upon the termination of Mr. Meron’s employment (except when such termination is due to the breach by Mr. Meron of his duty of loyalty, willful misrepresentation of a material fact, conviction of any crime or offense involving the us or moral turpitude, or for similar causes), Mr. Meron will be entitled to prior notice of (1) one year; or (2) two years, if we terminate his employment immediately preceding or following (A) the merger or acquisition of us by another entity, if, following such transaction, the holders of the outstanding voting power of us prior to the transaction cease to hold a majority of the outstanding voting power of the surviving entity; or (B) a sale of all or substantially all of our assets (each an “M&A Event”). Should we terminate Mr. Meron’s employment with immediate effect, or with a shorter notice, we are required to continue to pay to Mr. Meron his salary and the associated benefits during the remainder of the applicable notice period. Upon the occurrence of any M&A Event, and provided the M&A Event takes place during Mr. Meron’s employment, all options previously granted to Mr. Meron will be accelerated and become immediately vested.

In December 2003, we (1) agreed to increase Mr. Meron's base salary of $220,000 to $250,000, which increase will be effective only upon the completion of our first profitable quarter during 2004 (at which time it will be implemented retroactively as if the increase became effective on April 1, 2004), (2) agreed to a bonus of between zero and $500,000 subject to us meeting certain performance targets defined by the Board of Directors, and (3) granted options to purchase 120,000 ordinary shares at an exercise price equal to the closing price of our ordinary shares on the Nasdaq National Market on the date of the grant, vesting in five annual installments commencing on the date of the grant.

In August 2001, we provided Mr. Meron with a loan of $200,000 upon issuance of FDA clearance for the Given System at an interest rate equal to the Israeli consumer price index plus 4.0%. In accordance with its terms, Mr. Meron repaid this loan and accrued interest during 2003 following the exercise of stock options.

Exculpation, Insurance and Indemnification

Under the Companies Law, an Israeli company may not exculpate an office holder from liability for a breach of the duty of loyalty of the office holder. However, a company may approve an act performed in breach of the duty of loyalty of an office holder provided that the office holder acted in good faith, the act or its approval does not harm the company, and the office holder discloses the nature of his or her personal interest in the act and all material facts and documents a reasonable time before discussion of the approval. An Israeli company may exculpate an office holder in advance from liability to the company, in whole or in part, for a breach of duty of care but only if a provision authorizing such exculpation is inserted in its articles of association. Our articles of association include such a provision.

An Israeli company may indemnify an office holder in respect of certain liabilities either in advance of an event or following an event provided a provision authorizing such indemnification is inserted in its articles of association. Our articles of association contain such an authorization. An undertaking by an Israeli company to indemnify an office holder must be limited to foreseeable liabilities and reasonable amounts determined by the board of directors. A company may indemnify an office holder against the following liabilities incurred for acts performed as an office holder:

 

a financial liability imposed on him or her in favor of another person pursuant to a judgment, settlement or arbitrator’s award approved by court; and

 

 

 

 

reasonable litigation expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by the office holder or imposed by a court in proceedings instituted against him or her by the company, on its behalf or by a third party, in connection with


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criminal proceedings in which the office holder was acquitted or as a result of a conviction for a crime that does not require proof of criminal intent.

An Israeli company may insure an office holder against the following liabilities incurred for acts performed as an office holder:

 

 

 

 

a breach of duty of loyalty to the company, to the extent that the office holder acted in good faith and had a reasonable basis to believe that the act would not prejudice the company;

 

 

 

 

a breach of duty of care to the company or to a third party; and

 

 

 

 

a financial liability imposed on the office holder in favor of a third party.

An Israeli company may not indemnify, insure or exculpate an office holder against any of the following:

 

 

a breach of duty of loyalty, except to the extent that the office holder acted in good faith and had a reasonable basis to believe that the act would not prejudice the company;

 

 

 

 

a breach of duty of care committed intentionally or recklessly;

 

 

 

 

an act or omission committed with intent to derive illegal personal benefit; or

 

 

 

 

a fine levied against the office holder.

Under the Companies Law, exculpation, indemnification and insurance of office holders must be approved by our audit committee and our board of directors and, in respect of our directors, by our shareholders.

Our articles of association allow us to exculpate, indemnify and insure our office holders to the fullest extent permitted by the Companies Law. Our office holders are currently covered by a directors and officers’ liability insurance policy, which covers the period from April 1998 to October 2, 2004. The policy has two layers, the first one was issued for a three-year period following our initial public offering on October 4, 2001 until October 2, 2004. The policy also provides additional coverage for a 12-month period which began following our initial public offering and has been renewed every year for an additional 12 month period, which is ending on October 2, 2004. To date, no claims for directors and officers’ liability insurance have been filed under this policy.

We have entered into agreements with each of our office holders undertaking to exculpate, indemnify and insure them to the fullest extent permitted by law. This indemnification is limited to events and amounts determined as foreseeable by the board of directors, and the insurance is subject to our discretion depending on its availability, effectiveness and cost. In the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, however, indemnification of directors and office holders for liabilities arising under the Securities Act is against public policy and therefore unenforceable.

C.

INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL

Not applicable.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

A.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION

Financial Statements

See Item 18 for audited consolidated financial statements.


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Export Sales

Our manufacturing facilities for the data recorder and the M2A capsule forming part of the Given System are located in Israel. The majority of our products are exported out of Israel. For information regarding our revenues by geographic market, see Item 5: “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.”

Legal Proceedings

On November 25, 2002, we filed a lawsuit in the District Court in Haifa, Israel against a former employee and two companies which the former employee founded. Our claim was filed to protect our intellectual property rights following the defendants’ improper use of patent applications covering technology developed at Given Imaging. The defendants filed a counterclaim on January 13, 2003, alleging that we abused legal proceedings, filed a frivolous lawsuit, acted in bad faith, and damaged the defendants’ reputation and business. On January 25, 2003, our directors received correspondence from investors in the defendant companies demanding that we withdraw the lawsuit and compensate the investors. We believe that the defendants’ counterclaim and the investors’ correspondence is without merit and we intend to vigorously defend against such claim. We also believe that our complaint has merit and that we will prevail. All hearings in the lawsuit have been held and the case is now pending the court’s decision, which is expected any time. We do not believe that our claim or the counter-claim are material to our business or results of operation.

On November 14, 2002, we received correspondence from a U.S. corporation offering to grant us a license under reasonable terms for a U.S. patent for a technology allegedly utilized in the M2A capsule. We believe that we are not utilizing any invention claimed under any valid independent claims in the patent and have responded accordingly. We are currently communicating with the U.S. corporation to resolve this matter.

In March 2004, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office notified us that it would conduct a reexamination of some of the claims in one of our U.S. patents in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office pursuant to a request submitted by Olympus Corporation. We expect that the reexamination process will be protracted and do not expect a final decision during 2004. We are not accused of infringing a third party’s patent and our ability to sell our products is not contested.

We are not party to any other legal proceedings.

Dividend Policy

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our ordinary shares in the future. We currently intend to retain all future earnings to finance our operations and to expand our business. Any future determination relating to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on a number of factors, including future earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and future prospects and other factors the board of directors may deem relevant.

Significant Changes

Except as otherwise disclosed in this Form 20-F, there has been no significant change in our financial position since December 31, 2002.

ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING

A.

OFFER AND LISTING DETAILS

The following table lists the high and low closing sale prices of our ordinary shares for the periods indicated as reported by the Nasdaq National Market:

 

Annual Highs and Lows

 

High

 

Low

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003

 

$18.80

 

$6.65

 

2002

 

$18.05

 

$6.91

 


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Quarterly Highs and Lows

 

High

 

Low

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1st quarter 2003

 

$10.00

 

$  8.21

 

2nd quarter 2003

 

$  9.20

 

$  6.65

 

3rd quarter 2003

 

$13.23

 

$  8.41

 

4th quarter 2003

 

$18.80

 

$10.58

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1st quarter 2002

 

$18.05

 

$10.38

 

2nd quarter 2002

 

$16.31

 

$  9.00

 

3rd quarter 2002

 

$12.41

 

$  8.99

 

4th quarter 2002

 

$10.59

 

$  6.91

 

 

MOST RECENT SIX MONTHS

 

High

 

Low

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 2004

 

$33.06

 

$23.10

 

January 2004

 

$25.90

 

$17.21

 

December 2003

 

$19.25

 

$15.25

 

November 2003

 

$18.20

 

$13.43

 

October 2003

 

$14.09

 

$10.55

 

September 2003

 

$12.96

 

$10.63

 


On March 16, 2004, the last reported sale price of our ordinary shares on the Nasdaq National Market was $29.99 per share. According to the our transfer agent, as of March 16, 2004, there were approximately 150 holders of record of our ordinary shares.

B.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Not applicable.
 

C.

MARKETS

Our ordinary shares have traded publicly on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “GIVN” since October 4, 2001. Our ordinary shares trade publicly only on the Nasdaq National Market.

D.

SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

Not applicable.

E.

DILLUTION

Not applicable.

F.

EXPENSES OF THE ISSUE

Not applicable.

ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A.

SHARE CAPITAL

Not applicable.


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B.

MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

Objects

Our objects under our memorandum of association are to engage in any type of manufacturing, trade, production, labor, agriculture, and professional and business services in all branches and areas of economic activity, to advance trade, importing and exporting, and any other object determined by our board of directors from time to time. Our objects under our articles of association are to engage in any lawful business.

Transfer of Shares and Notices

Fully paid ordinary shares are issued in registered form and may be freely transferred under our articles of association unless the transfer is restricted or prohibited by another instrument, Israeli law or the rules of a stock exchange on which the shares are traded. Our articles of association provide that each shareholder of record is entitled to receive at least 21 days’ prior notice of any shareholders’ meeting.

Election of Directors

Our ordinary shares do not have cumulative voting rights for the election of directors. Rather, under our articles of association our directors are appointed by the holders of a simple majority of our ordinary shares at a general shareholder meeting. As a result, the holders of our ordinary shares that represent more than 50% of the voting power represented at a shareholder meeting have the power to elect or remove any or all of our directors, subject to the special approval requirements for outside directors described under “Management-Outside Directors.” Under the Companies Law, the procedures for the appointment and removal and the term of office of directors, other than outside directors, may be contained in the articles of association of a company. Our articles of association currently do not contain provisions for staggered terms for directors. However, our articles of association may be amended in the future by a majority of our shareholders at a general shareholder meeting to provide for a staggered board or other method of electing our directors, other than with respect to our outside directors.

Dividend and Liquidation Rights

Our board of directors may declare a dividend to be paid to the holders of ordinary shares in proportion to the paid up capital attributable to the shares that they hold. Dividends may only be paid out of our profits and other surplus funds, as defined in the Companies Law, as of the end of the most recent fiscal year or as accrued over a period of two years, whichever is higher, provided that there is no reasonable concern that a payment of a dividend will prevent us from satisfying out existing and foreseeable obligations as they become due. In the event of our liquidation, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors, our assets will be distributed to the holders of ordinary shares in proportion to the paid up capital attributable to the shares that they hold. This right may be affected by the grant of preferential dividend or distribution rights to the holders of a class of shares with preferential rights that may be authorized in the future.

Shareholder Meetings

We are required to convene an annual general meeting of our shareholders once every calendar year within a period of not more than 15 months following the preceding annual general meeting. Our board of directors is required to convene a special general meeting of our shareholders at the request of two directors or one quarter of the members of our board of directors or at the request of one or more holders of 5% or more of our share capital and 1% of our voting power or the holder or holders of 5% or more of our voting power. All shareholder meetings require prior notice of at least 21 days. The chairperson of our board of directors presides over our general meetings. Shareholders entitled to participate and vote at general meetings are the shareholders of record on a date to be decided by the board of directors, which may be between four and 40 days prior to the date of the meeting.

Quorum

The quorum required for an ordinary meeting of shareholders consists of at least two shareholders present, in person or by proxy, who hold or represent between them at least 33 1/3% of our issued share capital. A meeting adjourned for lack of a quorum generally is adjourned to the same day in the following week at the same time and place or any time and place as


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the directors designate in a notice to the shareholders. At the reconvened meeting, the required quorum consists of one or more shareholders present in person or by proxy, unless the meeting was called pursuant to a request by our shareholders in which case the quorum required is the number of shareholders required to call the meeting as described under “—Shareholder Meetings.”

Voting

Holders of our ordinary shares have one vote for each ordinary share held on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders at a shareholder meeting. Shareholders may vote at shareholder meetings either in person or by proxy. Israeli law does not provide for public companies such as us to have shareholder resolutions adopted by means of a written consent in lieu of a shareholder meeting. Shareholder voting rights may be affected by the grant of any special voting rights to the holders of a class of shares with preferential rights that may be authorized in the future. The Companies Law provides that a shareholder, in exercising his or her rights and performing his or her obligations toward the company and its other shareholders, must act in good faith and in an acceptable manner, and avoid abusing his or her powers. This is required when voting at general meetings on matters such as changes to the articles of association, increasing the company’s registered capital, mergers and approval of related party transactions. A shareholder must also avoid oppression of other shareholders. In addition, any controlling shareholder, any shareholder who knows that its vote can determine the outcome of a shareholder vote and any shareholder who, under the company’s articles of association, can appoint or prevent the appointment of an office holder, is required to act with fairness towards the company. The Companies Law does not describe the substance of this duty and there is no binding case law that addresses this subject directly. Any voting agreement is also subject to observance of these duties.

Resolutions

An ordinary resolution requires approval by the holders of a simple majority of the voting rights represented at the meeting, in person, by proxy or by written ballot, and voting on the resolution.

Under the Companies Law, unless otherwise provided in the articles of association or applicable law, all resolutions of the shareholders require a simple majority. A resolution for the voluntary winding up of the company requires the approval by holders of 75% of the voting rights represented at the meeting, in person, by proxy or by written ballot and voting on the resolution.

Access to Corporate Records

Under the Companies Law, all shareholders generally have the right to review minutes of our general meetings, our shareholder register, our articles of association and any document we are required by law to file publicly with the Israeli Companies Registrar. Any shareholder who specifies the purpose of its request may request to review any document in our possession that relates to any action or transaction with a related party which requires shareholder approval under the Companies Law. We may deny a request to review a document if we determine that the request was not made in good faith, that the document contains a commercial secret or a patent or that the document’s disclosure may otherwise harm our interests.

Acquisitions under Israeli Law

Tender Offer. A person wishing to acquire shares or any class of shares of a publicly traded Israeli company and who would as a result hold over 90% of the company’s issued and outstanding share capital or of a class of shares which are listed is required by the Companies Law to make a tender offer to all of the company’s shareholders or all shareholders of such class of shares, as applicable, for the purchase of all of the issued and outstanding shares of the company or of that class of shares, as applicable. If the shareholders who do not respond to the offer hold less than 5% of the issued share capital of the company or of that class of shares, as applicable, all of the shares that the acquirer offered to purchase will be transferred to the acquirer by operation of law. However, the shareholders may petition the court to alter the consideration for the acquisition. If the dissenting shareholders hold more than 5% of the issued and outstanding share capital of the company or of such class of shares, as applicable, the acquirer may not acquire additional shares of the company or of such class of shares, as applicable, from shareholders who accepted the tender offer if following such acquisition the acquirer would then own over 90% of the company’s issued and outstanding share capital or of the shares comprising such class, as applicable.


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The Companies Law provides that an acquisition of shares of a public company must be made by means of a tender offer if as a result of the acquisition the purchaser would become a 25% or greater shareholder of the company. This rule does not apply if there is already another 25% shareholder of the company. We believe that IDB Holding Corporation Ltd., which is controlled by four individuals in Israel, currently holds more than 25% of our outstanding ordinary shares as determined in accordance with the Companies Law. Similarly, the Companies Law provides that an acquisition of shares in a public company must be made by means of a tender offer if as a result of the acquisition the purchaser would become a 45% or greater shareholder of the company, if there is no 50% or greater shareholder of the company.

Merger. The Companies Law permits merger transactions if approved by each party’s board of directors and the majority of each party’s shares voted on the proposed merger at a shareholders’ meeting called on at least 21 days’ prior notice. Under the Companies Law, merger transactions may be approved by holders of a simple majority of our shares present, in person or by proxy, at a general meeting and voting on the transaction. In determining whether the required majority has approved the merger, if our shares are held by the other party to the merger, or by any person holding at least 25% of the outstanding voting shares or 25% of the means of appointing directors of the other party to the merger, then a vote against the merger by holders of the majority of the shares present and voting, excluding shares held by the other party or by such person, or anyone acting on behalf of either of them, is sufficient to reject the merger transaction. If the transaction would have been approved but for the exclusion of the votes of certain shareholders as provided above, a court may still approve the merger upon the request of holders of at least 25% of the voting rights of a company, if the court holds that the merger is fair and reasonable, taking into account the value of the parties to the merger and the consideration offered to the shareholders. Upon the request of a creditor of either party to the proposed merger, the court may delay or prevent the merger if it concludes that there exists a reasonable concern that, as a result of the merger, the surviving company will be unable to satisfy the obligations of any of the parties to the merger. In addition, a merger may not be executed unless at least 70 days have passed from the time that a proposal for approval of the merger has been filed with the Israeli Registrar of Companies.

Anti-Takeover Measures

The Companies Law allows us to create and issue shares having rights different to those attached to our ordinary shares, including shares providing certain preferred or additional rights to voting, distributions or other matters and shares having preemptive rights. In the future, if we do create and issue a class of shares other than ordinary shares, such class of shares, depending on the specific rights that may be attached to them, may delay or prevent a takeover or otherwise prevent our shareholders from realizing a potential premium over the market value of their ordinary shares. The authorization of a new class of shares will require an amendment to our articles of association which requires the prior approval of a majority of our shareholders at a general meeting. Shareholders voting at such a meeting will be subject to the restrictions under the Companies Law decribed in “Voting.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our ordinary shares is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company. Its address is 59 Maiden Lane, New York, New York 10038 and its telephone number at this location is (212) 936-5100.

C.

MATERIAL CONTRACTS

Summaries of the following material contracts are included in this Form 20-F in the places indicated:
 

Material Contract

 

Location

 

Standard Distribution Agreement

 

Item 4.B: “Information on the Company – Part B: Business Overview – Marketing and Distribution.”

 

Agreements with Micron Technology, Inc.

 

Item 4.B: “Information on the Company – Part B: Business Overview – Manufacturing.”

 

Agreements with Pemstar, Inc.

 

Item 4.B: “Information on the Company – Part B: Business Overview – Manufacturing.”

 

Agreement with RDC Rafael Development Corporation Ltd

 

Item 7: “Major Shareholder and Related Party Transactions.”

 

Investor Rights Agreement

 

Item 7: “Major Shareholder and Related Party Transactions.”

 


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D.

EXCHANGE CONTROLS

In 1998, Israeli currency control regulations were liberalized significantly, so that Israeli residents generally may freely deal in foreign currency and foreign assets, and non-residents may freely deal in Israeli currency and Israeli assets. There are currently no Israeli currency control restrictions on remittances of dividends on the ordinary shares or the proceeds from the sale of the shares provided that all taxes were paid or withheld; however, legislation remains in effect pursuant to which currency controls can be imposed by administrative action at any time.

Non-residents of Israel may freely hold and trade our securities. Neither our memorandum of association nor our articles of association nor the laws of the State of Israel restrict in any way the ownership or voting of ordinary shares by non-residents, except that such restrictions may exist with respect to citizens of countries which are in a state of war with Israel. Israeli residents are allowed to purchase our ordinary shares.

E.

TAXATION

Israeli Tax Considerations and Government Programs

The following is a description of the material Israeli income tax consequences of the ownership of our ordinary shares. The following also contains a description of material relevant provisions of the current Israeli income tax structure applicable to companies in Israel, with special reference to its effect on us. To the extent that the discussion is based on new tax legislation which has not been subject to judicial or administrative interpretation, we cannot assure shareholders that the tax authorities will accept the views expressed in the discussion in question. The discussion is not intended, and should not be taken, as legal or professional tax advice and is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations.

The following description is not intended to constitute a complete analysis of all tax consequences relating to the ownership or disposition of our ordinary shares. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the tax consequences of their particular situation, as well as any tax consequences that may arise under the laws of any state, local, foreign or other taxing jurisdiction.

Taxation of Companies

General Corporate Tax Structure. Israeli companies are subject to corporate tax at the rate of 36% of taxable income. However, the effective tax rate payable by a company that derives income from an approved enterprise, as discussed further below, may be considerably less.

Tax Benefits Under the Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959. The Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959, commonly referred to as the Investment Law, provides that a proposed capital investment in eligible facilities may, upon application to the Investment Center of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the State of Israel, be designated as an approved enterprise. Each certificate of approval for an approved enterprise relates to a specific investment program delineated both by its financial scope, including its capital sources, and by its physical characteristics, for example, the equipment to be purchased and utilized under the program. The tax benefits derived from any certificate of approval relate only to taxable income attributable to the specific approved enterprise. If a company has more than one approval or only a portion of its capital investments is approved, its effective tax rate is the result of a weighted average of the applicable rates.

Taxable income of a company derived from an approved enterprise is subject to company tax at the maximum rate of 25%, rather than 36%, for the benefit period, unless the company has elected to receive an alternative package of benefits as described below. This period is ordinarily seven years, or ten years if the company qualifies as a foreign investors’ company as described below, commencing with the year in which the approved enterprise first generates taxable income. However, the ten-year period may not extend beyond the later of 14 years from the year in which approval was granted or 12 years from the year in which operations or production by the enterprise began. A company’s undistributed income derived from an approved enterprise in top priority locations (commonly known as “Zone A”) will be exempt from corporate tax for a period of two years and will be eligible for a reduced tax rate as above mentioned for the remainder of the benefit period.

A company that has an approved enterprise program is eligible for further tax benefits if it qualifies as a foreign investors’ company. A foreign investors’ company is a company more than 25% of whose rights and share capital, including


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shareholders’ loans, is owned by non-Israeli residents, provided that the foreign ownership of the share capital alone also exceeds 25%. A company which qualifies as a foreign investors’ company and has an approved enterprise program is eligible for tax benefits for a ten-year period. Income derived from the approved enterprise program will be subject to a reduced tax rate for ten years or, if the company owns an approved enterprise in a Zone A, exempt from tax for a period of two years and will be subject to a reduced tax for an additional eight years. The reduced tax rate is 25% unless the level of foreign investment is 49% or more and less than 74%, in which case the tax rate is 20%; if the foreign investment is 74% or more and less than 90%, the tax rate is 15%; and if the foreign investment is 90% or more, the tax rate is 10%. The recipient of dividends distributed from such income is taxed at the rate applicable to dividends from an approved enterprise which is 15%, or less under certain prevention of double-taxation treaties, if the dividend is distributed during the tax benefit period or within 12 years after the period and there is no time limit with respect to dividend distributed from an exempt income of foreign investors’ company. The company must withhold this tax at source.

A company owning an approved enterprise may elect to receive an alternative package of benefits. Under the alternative package of benefits, a company’s undistributed income derived from an approved enterprise will be exempt from company tax for a period of between two and ten years from the first year of taxable income, depending on the geographic location of the approved enterprise within Israel, and the company will be eligible for a reduced tax rate for the remainder of the benefits period.

A company that has an approved enterprise in Zone A or that has elected the alternative package of benefits and that subsequently pays a dividend out of income derived from the approved enterprise during the tax exemption period will be subject to tax on of the amount distributed. The rate of the tax will be the rate which would have been applicable had the company not been tax exempt. This rate is 10% to 25%, depending on the percentage of the company’s shares held by foreign shareholders, as described above. The recipient of dividend distributed from such income is taxed at the rate applicable to dividends from approved enterprises which is 15%, or less under certain anti double-taxation treaties, if the dividend is distributed during the tax benefit period or within 12 years after the period and there is no time limit with respect to dividend distributed from an exempt income of foreign investors’ company. The company must withhold this tax at source.

Subject to applicable provisions concerning income under the alternative package of benefits, all dividends are considered to be attributable to the entire enterprise and their effective tax rate is the result of a weighted average of the various applicable tax rates. Under the Investment Law, a company that has elected the alternative package of benefits is not obliged to distribute exempt retained profits, and may generally decide from which year’s profits to declare dividends. We currently intend to reinvest any income derived from our approved enterprise programs and not to distribute the income as a dividend.

The Investment Center bases its decision whether or not to approve an application on the criteria in the Investment Law and regulations, the then prevailing policy of the Investment Center and the specific objectives and financial criteria of the applicant. In addition, the benefits available to an approved enterprise are conditional upon the fulfillment of conditions stipulated in the Investment Law and its regulations and the criteria in the specific certificate of approval, as described above. If a company does not meet these conditions, it would be required to refund the amount of tax benefits, with the addition of the consumer price index linkage adjustment and interest. There can be no assurance that any future approved enterprises that we may be awarded will be entitled to the same package of benefits as we currently have.

The Investment Center of the Ministry of Industry and Trade granted our manufacturing facility approved enterprise status under the Investment Law in 1999. We have elected the alternative package of benefits under these approved enterprise programs. Since our manufacturing facility is located in a “Zone A”, the portion of our income derived from this approved enterprise program will be exempt from tax for a period of ten years, commencing when we begin to realize net income from these programs, but such period may not extend beyond the later of 14 years from the year in which approval was granted or 12 years from the year in which operations or production by the enterprise began. The period of tax benefits for our approved enterprise programs has not yet commenced, because we have yet to realize taxable income. We expect to derive a substantial portion of our income from our approved enterprise program. The benefits available to an approved enterprise program are dependent upon the fulfillment of conditions stipulated in applicable law and in the certificate of approval.

Grants Under the Law for the Encouragement of Industrial Research and Development, 1984. Under the Law for the Encouragement of Industrial Research and Development, 1984, commonly referred to as the Research Law, research and development programs which meet specified criteria and are approved by a governmental committee of the Office of the


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Chief Scientist are eligible for grants of up to 50% of the project’s expenditure, as determined by the research committee, in exchange for the payment of royalties from the sale of products developed under the program. Regulations under the Research Law generally provide for the payment of royalties to the Chief Scientist of 3 to 5% on sales of products and services derived from our technology developed using these grants until 100% of the dollar-linked grant is repaid, together with interest equal to the 12 month London Interbank Offered Rate applicable to dollar deposits that is published on the first business day of each calendar year. Following the full repayment of the grant, there is no further liability for repayment.

The terms of the Israeli government participation also require that the manufacture of products developed with government grants be performed in Israel. However, under the regulations of the Research Law, if any of the manufacturing is performed outside Israel by any entity other than us, assuming we receive approval from the Chief Scientist for the foreign manufacturing, we may be required to pay increased royalties. The increase in royalties depends upon the manufacturing volume that is performed outside of Israel follows:

 

Manufacturing Volume Outside of Israel

 

Royalties to the Chief Scientist
as a Percentage of Grant

 

 

 

 

 

less than 50%

 

120%

 

between 50% and less than 90%

 

150%

 

90% and more

 

300%

 


If the manufacturing is performed outside of Israel by us, the rate of royalties payable by us on revenues from the sale of products manufactured outside of Israel will increase by 1% over the regular rates. If the manufacturing is performed outside of Israel by a third party, the rate of royalties payable by us on those revenues will be a percentage equal to the percentage of our total investment in the Given System that was funded by grants. In addition, in recent years the government of Israel has accelerated the rate of royalty rates for repayment of Chief Scientist grants, and may further accelerate them in the future.

The technology developed with Chief Scientist grants may not be transferred to third parties without the prior approval of a governmental committee under the Research Law, and may not be transferred to non-residents of Israel. The approval, however, is not required for the export of any products developed using the grants. Approval of the transfer of technology to residents of Israel may be granted in specific circumstances, only if the recipient abides by the provisions of the Research Law and related regulations, including the restrictions on the transfer of know-how and the obligation to pay royalties in an amount that may be increased. We cannot provide any assurance that any consent, if requested, will be granted.

The funds available for grants from the Chief Scientist depend on several criteria and prevailing government policy and budget, and may be reduced or eliminated in the future. Even if these grants are maintained, there is no assurance that we will receive Chief Scientist grants in the future. In addition, each application to the Chief Scientist is reviewed separately, and grants are based on the program approved by the research committee. Expenditures supported under other incentive programs of the State of Israel are not eligible for grants from the Chief Scientist. We cannot provide any assurance that applications to the Chief Scientist will be approved and, until approved, the amounts of any grants are not determinable.

Tax Benefits and Grants for Research and Development. Israeli tax law allows, under specific conditions, a tax deduction in the year incurred for expenditures that were paid in cash, including capital expenditures, relating to scientific research and development projects, if:

 

the expenditures are approved by the relevant Israeli government ministry, determined by the field of research;

 

 

 

 

the research and development is for the promotion of the company; and

 

 

 

 

the research and development is carried out by or on behalf of the company seeking the deduction.

Expenditures not so approved are deductible over a three-year period. However, the amounts of any government grant made available to us are subtracted from the amount of the deductible expenses according to Israeli law.


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Tax Benefits Under the Law for the Encouragement of Industry (Taxes), 1969. According to the Law for the Encouragement of Industry (Taxes), 1969, generally referred to as the Industry Encouragement Law, an industrial company is a company resident in Israel, at least 90% of the income of which, in a given tax year, determined in Israeli currency exclusive of income from specified government loans, capital gains, interest and dividends which are not classified for such company as business income, is derived from an industrial enterprise owned by it. An industrial enterprise is defined as an enterprise whose major activity in a given tax year is industrial production activity.

Under the Industry Encouragement Law, industrial companies are entitled to certain preferred corporate tax benefits, including the following:

 

   

deduction of purchases of know-how and patents over an eight-year period for tax purposes;

 

      

right to elect, under specified conditions, to file a consolidated tax return with additional related Israeli industrial companies; and

 

      

claiming of stock exchange issuance expenses over three years.

Eligibility for benefits under the Industry Encouragement Law is not subject to receipt of prior approval from any governmental authority.

If we qualify as an industrial company within the definition of the Industry Encouragement Law, we are entitled to the benefits described above. We believe that in 2003 we qualified as an Industrial Company under the law for Encouragement of Industry (Taxes) 1969. We cannot provide any assurance that the Israeli tax authorities will agree with the determination that we qualified as an industrial company in the past or that we will maintain this qualification or our status as an industrial company.

Special Provisions Relating to Taxation Under Inflationary Conditions. The Income Tax Law (Inflationary Adjustments), 1985, generally referred to as the Inflationary Adjustments Law, represents an attempt to overcome the problems presented to a traditional tax system by an economy undergoing rapid inflation. The Inflationary Adjustments Law is highly complex. Its features which are material to us can generally be described as follows:

 

       

Where a company’s equity, as calculated under the Inflationary Adjustments Law, exceeds the depreciated cost of fixed assets, a deduction from taxable income is permitted equal to the excess multiplied by the applicable annual rate of inflation. The maximum deduction permitted in any single tax year is 70% of taxable income, with the unused portion permitted to be carried forward.

 

      

Where a company’s depreciated cost of fixed assets exceeds its equity, then the excess multiplied by the applicable annual rate of inflation is added to taxable income.

 

      

Gains on traded securities, including securities which are normally exempt from tax, are taxable in specified circumstances.

Taxation of Our Shareholders

Capital Gains on Sales of Our Ordinary Shares. Israeli law imposes a capital gains tax on the sale of capital assets. The law distinguishes between real gain and inflationary surplus. The inflationary surplus is the portion of the total capital gain that is equivalent to the increase of the relevant asset’s purchase price which is attributable to the increase in the Israeli consumer price index between the date of purchase and the date of sale. Foreign residents who purchased an asset in foreign currency may request that the inflationary surplus be computed on the basis of the devaluation of the shekel against such foreign currency. The real gain is the excess of the total capital gain over the inflationary surplus. The inflationary surplus accumulated from and after December 31, 1993, is exempt from any capital gains tax in Israel while the real gain is taxed at the applicable rate discussed below.


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Dealers in securities in Israel are taxed at regular tax rates applicable to business income.

Under the convention between the United States and Israel concerning taxes on income, Israeli capital gains tax will not apply to the sale, exchange or disposition of ordinary shares by a person:

 

      

who qualifies as a resident of the United States within the meaning of the U.S.-Israel tax treaty; and

 

      

who is entitled to claim the benefits available to the person by the U.S.-Israel tax treaty.

However, this exemption does not apply, among other cases, if the gain is attributable to a permanent establishment of such person in Israel, or if the holder is a resident of the United States within the meaning of the U.S.-Israeli tax treaty who holds, directly or indirectly, shares representing 10% or more of our voting power during any part of the 12-month period preceding the sale, exchange or disposition, subject to specified conditions. Under these circumstances, the sale, exchange or disposition would be subject to Israeli tax, to the extent applicable. However, under the U.S.-Israel tax treaty, a U.S. resident generally would be permitted to claim a credit for the Israeli taxes paid against the U.S. federal income tax imposed on the sale, exchange or disposition, subject to the limitations under U.S. law applicable to foreign tax credits. The U.S.-Israel tax treaty does not relate to U.S. state or local taxes.

For residents of other countries, the purchaser of shares may be required to withhold 25% capital gains tax on all amounts received for the sale of our ordinary shares, for so long as the capital gain from such a sale is not exempt from Israeli capital gains tax, and unless a different rate is provided in a treaty between Israel and the seller’s country of residence.

Under new legislation, which became effective on January 1, 2003, the capital gain from the sale of shares by non Israeli residents would be tax exempt as long as our shares are listed on the Nasdaq National Market or any other stock exchange recognized by the Israeli Ministry of Finance, and provided certain other conditions are met, the most relevant of which are: (A) the capital gain is not attributed to the foreign resident’s permanent establishment in Israel, and (B) the shares were acquired by the foreign resident after the company’s shares had been listed for trading on the foreign Exchange. If the shares were sold by Israeli residents, then (A) for the period ending December 31, 2002 their sale would be tax exempt so long as (1) the shares are listed on a stock exchange, such as the Nasdaq National Market, which is recognized by the Israeli Ministry of Finance, and (2) we qualified as an industrial company or industrial holding company under the law for Encouragement of Industry (Taxes) 1969, and (B) for the period commencing January 1, 2003, the sale of the shares would be subject to a 15% tax if the shares are listed on a stock exchange recognized by the Israeli Ministry of Finance. We believe that in 2003 we qualified as an Industrial Company under the law for Encouragement of Industry (Taxes) 1969. We cannot provide any assurance that the Israeli tax authorities will agree with the determination that we qualified as an industrial company in the past or that we will maintain this qualification or our status as an industrial company. If we are delisted, gains from the sale of our ordinary shares will be subject to capital gains tax at a rate of 25% unless an exemption or other tax rate applies in accordance with a tax treaty between Israel and the shareholder’s country of residence.

Non-residents of Israel are subject to tax on income accrued or derived from sources in Israel. These sources of income include passive income such as dividends, royalties and interest, as well as non-passive income, such as income received for services rendered in Israel. We are required to withhold income tax at the rate of 25% with respect to passive income (or 15% for dividends distributed from income generated by an approved enterprise) unless a different rate or an exemption is provided in a tax treaty between Israel and the shareholder’s country of residence.

Under an amendment to the Inflationary Adjustments Law, non-Israeli corporations might be subject to Israeli taxes on the sale of shares in an Israeli company which are traded on certain stock markets, including The Nasdaq National Market, subject to the provisions of any applicable double taxation treaty.

United States Federal Income Taxation

The following is a description of the material United States federal income tax consequences of the ownership of our ordinary shares. This summary does not purport to address all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase, own or dispose of our ordinary shares. This description assumes that holders of our ordinary shares will hold the ordinary shares as capital assets. This summary does not address tax considerations applicable to holders who may be subject to special tax rules, including:


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dealers or traders in securities or currencies;

 

      

tax-exempt entities;

 

      

banks, financial institutions or insurance companies;

 

      

real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies or grantor trusts;

 

      

persons who received ordinary shares as compensation for the performance of services;

 

      

holders who own, or are deemed to own, at least 10% or more, by voting power or value, of our shares;

 

      

investors whose functional currency is not the United States dollar; or

 

      

holders who hold our ordinary shares as part of a position in a straddle or as part of a hedging or conversion transaction for United States federal income tax purposes.

Further, this description does not address any United States federal estate and gift or alternative minimum tax consequences, nor any state, local, or foreign tax consequences relating to the ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares.

This description is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, United States Treasury Regulations and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, in each case as in effect and available on the date of this annual report. The United States tax laws and the interpretation thereof are subject to change, which change could apply retroactively and could affect the tax consequences described below.

Unless specifically noted below, the following description applies only to owners of our ordinary shares that are United States holders for United States federal income tax purposes.

For purposes of this description, a United States holder is a beneficial owner of ordinary shares that, for United States federal income tax purposes, is:

 

      

citizen or resident of the United States;

 

      

a corporation or partnership created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state, including the District of Columbia;

 

      

an estate if its income is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

      

a trust if such trust validly has elected to be treated as a United States person for United States federal income tax purposes or if a United States court can exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions.

A non-United States holder is a beneficial owner of ordinary shares that is not a United States holder.

Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the United States federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of acquiring, owning or disposing of our ordinary shares.

Distributions

Subject to the discussion below under “Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations”, the entire amount of any distribution made to you with respect to ordinary shares, other than any distributions of our ordinary shares made to all our shareholders, will constitute dividends to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined under United States federal income tax principles. For these purposes, the amount of the distribution will not be reduced by the amount of any Israeli tax withheld from the distribution. Non-corporate U.S. Holders will be taxed on the dividend distributions made in taxable years beginning before December 31, 2008 at the lower rates applicable to long-term capital


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gains (i.e., gains with respect to capital assets held for more than one year). However, the dividends will be included in your gross income as ordinary income and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction generally allowed to corporate United States holders. We do not maintain calculations of our earnings and profits under United States federal income tax principles.

If distributions with respect to our ordinary shares exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess distributed with respect to any ordinary share would be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of your adjusted basis in that ordinary share. Subject to the discussion below under “Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations”, any amount in excess of the amount of the dividend and the return of capital would be treated as capital gain, subject to the rules described under “Sale or Exchange of our Ordinary Shares.”

If we pay a dividend or distribution in NIS, you will be required to take the dividend or distribution into account at its dollar amount based on the spot rate of exchange in effect on the distribution date. You will have a tax basis for United States federal income tax purposes in the NIS received equal to that dollar value, and any subsequent gain or loss in respect of the NIS arising from exchange rate fluctuations will generally be taxable as U.S. source ordinary income or loss.

You may generally elect to claim the Israeli income tax withheld from dividends and distributions you receive with respect to ordinary shares as a foreign tax credit against your United States federal income tax liability, subject to a number of limitations. Among the limitations, the foreign tax credits allowable with respect to specific classes of income cannot exceed the U.S. federal income tax payable with respect to each such class. Dividends we pay generally will be included in the “passive income” class for these purposes, or, in the case of certain financial services entity holders, “financial services income.” In lieu of claiming a foreign tax credit, you may claim a deduction for the withholding taxes if you itemize your deductions. Dividends received by you with respect to ordinary shares generally will be treated as foreign source income, which may be relevant in calculating your foreign tax credit limitation.

Subject to the discussion below under “Backup Withholding and Information Reporting,” if you are a non-United States holder of our ordinary shares, you will not be subject to United States federal income or withholding tax on dividends you receive on ordinary shares, unless the dividends are effectively connected with the conduct by such non-United States holder of a trade or business in the United States.

Sale or Exchange of Our Ordinary Shares

Subject to the discussion below under “Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations”, you will recognize capital gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes when you sell or exchange our ordinary shares. The amount of gain or loss will be equal to the difference between your adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares and the amount realized on their disposition. If you are a noncorporate United States holder, the maximum marginal United States federal income tax rate applicable to such gain will be lower than the maximum marginal United States federal income tax rate applicable to ordinary income (other than certain dividends) if your holding period for our ordinary shares exceeds one year. Any gain or loss recognized by you generally will be treated as United States source income or loss for United States foreign tax credit purposes. Capital losses may only be used to offset capital gains, except that non-corporate U.S. holders are entitled to deduct capital losses in excess of capital gains not to exceed $3,000 per taxable year.

Subject to the discussion below under “Backup Withholding and Information Reporting,” if you are a non-United States holder of our ordinary shares, we expect that you will not be subject to United States federal income or withholding tax on gain realized on the sale or exchange of such ordinary shares unless (1) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by you of a trade or business in the United States, (2) in the case of gain realized by an individual non-United States holder, you are present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the sale or exchange and certain other conditions are met, or (3) you are subject to the rules applicable to certain United States expatriates.

Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations

A non-United States corporation will be classified as a “passive foreign investment company” (a “PFIC”) for United States federal income tax purposes in any taxable year in which, after applying applicable look-through rules with respect to a 25% or more owned subsidiary, either (1) at least 75% of its gross income is “passive income,” or (2) at least 50% of the gross value of its assets is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income. Passive income for this purpose includes items such as dividends, interest, royalties, rents and gains from commodities and securities transactions.


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Based on our estimated gross income, the average value of our gross assets (determined by reference to the market value of our shares and valuing our intangible assets using the methods prescribed for publicly traded corporations) and the nature of our business, we believe that we will not be classified as a PFIC for the taxable year ended December 31, 2003. Our status in future years will depend on our assets and activities in those years, although you will be treated as continuing to own an interest in a PFIC if we are a PFIC in any year while you own your shares unless you make certain elections. We have no reason to believe that our assets or activities will change in a manner that would cause us to be classified as a PFIC, but because the market price of our ordinary shares is likely to fluctuate, we cannot assure you that we will not be considered a PFIC for any taxable year. If we were a PFIC, you generally would be subject to imputed interest charges and other disadvantageous tax treatment with respect to any gain from the sale or exchange of, and excess distributions with respect to, the ordinary shares.

If we were a PFIC, you could make a variety of elections that may alleviate the tax consequences referred to above, and one of these elections may be made retroactively. However, it is expected that the conditions necessary for making certain of such elections will not apply in the case of our ordinary shares. You should consult your own tax advisor regarding our potential status as a PFIC and the tax consequences that would arise if we were treated as a PFIC.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

United States backup withholding taxes and information reporting requirements apply to certain payments to noncorporate holders of stock. Information reporting requirements will, and a backup withholding tax may, apply to payments of dividends on, and to proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of, our ordinary shares made within the United States to a holder of our ordinary shares, other than an exempt recipient, including a corporation, a payee that is a non-United States person that provides an appropriate certification and certain other persons. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and may be claimed as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability, and you may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS and furnishing any required information. The backup withholding tax rate is 28% for years 2003 through 2010.

In the case of such payments by a payor within the United States to a foreign simple trust, foreign grantor trust or foreign partnership, other than payments to a foreign simple trust, foreign grantor trust or foreign partnership that qualifies as a withholding foreign trust or a withholding foreign partnership within the meaning of such income tax regulations and payments to a foreign simple trust, foreign grantor trust or foreign partnership that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, the beneficiaries of the foreign simple trust, the person treated as the owner of the foreign grantor trust or the partners of the foreign partnership, as the case may be, will be required to provide the certification discussed above in order to establish an exemption from backup withholding tax and information reporting requirements.

The above description is not intended to constitute a complete analysis of all tax consequences relating to the ownership or disposition of our ordinary shares. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the tax consequences of your particular situation, as well as any tax consequences that may arise under the laws of any state, local, foreign or other taxing jurisdiction.

F.          DIVIDENDS AND PAYING AGENTS

Not applicable.

G.         STATEMENTS BY EXPERTS

Not applicable.

H.         DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY

We are currently subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and file periodic reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission through its electronic data gathering, analysis and retrieval (EDGAR) system. Our securities filings, including this Annual Report and the exhibits thereto, are available for inspection and copying at the public reference facilities of the Securities and Exchange Commission located at Room 1024,450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s regional office at Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison


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Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. You may also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the Securities and Exchange Commission at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549. Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. The Commission also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov from which certain filings may be accessed.

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act relating to the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders will be exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission as frequently or as promptly as United States companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act.

I.           SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION

Not applicable.

ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes and, as of year end, we had no derivative financial instruments of any kind outstanding. Accordingly, we have concluded that there is no material market risk exposure of the type contemplated by Item 11, and that no quantitative tabular disclosures are required. We are exposed to certain other types of market risks. See Item 5.

ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

Not applicable.


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PART II

ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

None.

ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

There are no material modifications to the rights of security holders that are required to be disclosed.

Our initial public offering of our ordinary shares commenced on October 4, 2001, and terminated after the sale of all the securities registered. The co-lead managing underwriters for the offering were Lehman Brothers Inc. and Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation. We registered 5,750,000 ordinary shares in the offering, including shares issued pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. We sold 5,000,000 ordinary shares at an aggregate offering price of $60 million representing a price per share of $12.00. Under the terms of the offering, we incurred aggregate underwriting discounts of $4.2 million. We also incurred expenses of $2.6 million in connection with the offering. None of the amounts was paid directly or indirectly to any director, officer, general partner of ours or to their associates, persons owing ten percent or more of any class of our equity securities, or to any of our affiliates.

The net proceeds that we received as a result of the offering were $53.2 million. As of December 31, 2003, the net proceeds have been used as follows.

 

Use of Proceeds

 

Description

 

Amount (in
thousands)
 

Construction of plant, buildings and facilities                                                                             

 

 

 

$

       —

 

Purchase and installation of machinery and equipment                                                                  

 

Computers, office equipment, installment for semi-automated production lines

 

 

 

11,980

 

Purchase of real estate                                                        

 

 

 

 

 

Repayment of indebtedness                                               

 

Capital lease obligation for motor vehicles

 

 

 

149

 

Working capital                                                                   

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

36,873

 

Temporary investments                                                      

 

 

 

 

 

Any other use involving $100,000 of the proceeds                                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

Total:                                                                                 

 

 

 

 

$

49,002

 

None of the net proceeds of the offering was paid directly or indirectly to any director, officer, general partner of ours or to their associates, persons owning ten percent or more of any class of our equity securities, or to any of our affiliates.

ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our periodic filings with the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Furthermore, management necessarily was required to use its judgment in evaluating the cost to benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. The evaluation was performed with the participation of senior management of each business segment and key corporate functions, and under the supervision of the CEO and CFO. Based on the evaluation, our management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that our disclosure controls and


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procedures were effective. There have been no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls after the date we completed the evaluation.

ITEM 16. [RESERVED]

ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

The board of directors has determined that Michael Grobstein is the financial expert serving on its audit committee.

ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS.

We have adopted a code of ethics applicable to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, controller and persons performing similar functions. A copy of the code of ethics is attached to this report as Exhibit 11.1.

ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The following table sets forth the total remuneration that was paid by us and our subsidiaries to our independent accountants, KPMG, in each of our previous two fiscal years:

 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Audit fees

 

$

178

 

$

175

 

Audit-related fees

 

 

121

 

 

21

 

Tax fees

 

 

36

 

 

36

 

All other fees

 

 

41

 

 

27

 

Total

 

$

376

 

$

259

 

Our audit committee pre-approved all audit and non-audit services provided to us and to our subsidiaries during the periods listed above.


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PART III

ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Not applicable.

ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

See pages F-1 to F-33 incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 19. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

Description

 

 

   1.1

Articles of Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-68142) filed with the Commission on August 22, 2001.

 

 

   4.1

Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of September 15, 2000, by and among the Registrant and the parties thereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-68142) filed with the Commission on August 22, 2001.

 

 

   4.2

Amendment No. 1 to Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of July 16, 2001, by and among the Registrant and the parties thereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 of the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-68142) filed with the Commission on August 22, 2001.

 

 

   4.3

Production Development, Manufacturing and Sales Agreement, dated as of November 26, 2002, by and between Micron Technology, Inc. and the Registrant.

 

 

   4.4

Technology Purchase and License Agreement, dated as of January 29, 1998, by and between Rafael Armament Development Authority of the Israeli Ministry of Defense and the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-68142) filed with the Commission on August 22, 2001.

 

 

   4.5

Agreement for the Development, Planning and Production of an ASIC Transmitter, dated as of December 13, 1998, by and between ASICOM Technologies Ltd. and the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-68142) filed with the Commission on August 22, 2001.†

 

 

   4.6

Form of Indemnification Agreement between directors and officers of the Registrant and the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-68142) filed with the Commission on August 22, 2001.

 

 

   4.7

Lease Agreement, dated as of December 15, 1999, by and between B. A. T. M. Lands Ltd. and the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-68142) filed with the Commission on August 22, 2001.

 

 

   4.8

Purchase and Sale Contract, dated as of August 25, 2001, by and between Pemstar, Inc. and the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-68142) filed with the Commission on August 22, 2001.

 

 

    4.9

Form of Standard Distribution Agreement of the Registration, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-81514) filed with the Commission on February 1, 2002.

 

 

 4.10

Lease Agreement, dated as of November 26, 2001, by and between Ska’ar Yoqneam L.P. and the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 of the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-81514) filed with the Commission on February 1, 2002.


-76-



 4.11

Summary of Material Terms of Addendum, dated December 2002, to Lease Agreement, dated as of November 26, 2001, by and between Ska’ar Yoqneam and the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 of the Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-33133) filed with the Commission on April 10, 2003.

 

 

   8.1

List of subsidiaries of the Registrant.

 

 

   9.1

Consent of KPMG Somekh Chaikin, independent accountants.

 

 

 11.1

Code of Ethics adopted on December 9, 2003.

 

 

 12.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 12.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 13.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

 

 

 13.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

______________


Portions of this exhibit were omitted and have been filed separately with the Secretary of the Commission on March 17, 2004, pursuant to the Registrant’s application requesting confidential treatment under Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Portions of this exhibit were omitted and have been filed separately with the Secretary of the Commission on April 10, 2003, pursuant to the Registrant’s application requesting confidential treatment under Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

*

This document is being furnished in accordance with SEC Release Nos. 33-8212 and 34-47551.


-77-



SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

 

 

 

GIVEN IMAGING LTD.



 

By: 


/s/ Gavriel Meron

 

 

 

Name: Gavriel Meron
Title: President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

 



 

By: 

/s/ Zvi Ben David

 

 

 

Name: Zvi Ben David
Title: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: March 17, 2004




Given Imaging Ltd.

Consolidated Audited Financial Statements
As of December 31, 2003



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

 

Report of Independent Auditors

F - 2 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

F - 3 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

F - 5 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

F - 6 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

F - 7 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

F - 8 


F - 1



Report of Independent Auditors to the Board of Directors and
Shareholders of Given Imaging Ltd.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Given Imaging Ltd. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2003. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s Board of Directors and of its management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurances about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by the Board of Directors and by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statements presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the consolidated results of its operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2003, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

  

/s/ Somekh Chaikin

 

 

 


 

 

 

Somekh Chaikin
Certified Public Accountants (Israel)

 

 

 

A member of KPMG International

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 10, 2004


F - 2



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands except per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31

 

 

 

Note

 

 

2002

 

 

2003

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

1D; 2

 

$

35,792

 

$

25,367

 

Accounts receivable:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade

 

 

 

 

6,865

 

 

6,945

 

Other

 

3

 

 

1,485

 

 

467

 

Inventories

 

1F; 4

 

 

10,659

 

 

8,485

 

Prepaid expenses

 

1G

 

 

1,258

 

 

1,361

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

 

 

 

 

56,059

 

 

42,625

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits

 

 

 

 

192

 

 

361

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets held for severance benefits

 

1H; 9

 

 

674

 

 

1,008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed assets, at cost, less accumulated depreciation

 

1I; 5

 

 

9,967

 

 

9,595

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets, at cost, less accumulated amortization

 

1J; 6

 

 

1,836

 

 

1,980

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

 

 

$

68,728

 

$

55,569

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


F - 3



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands except per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

December 31

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Note

 

2002

 

2003

 

 

 


 


 


 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current installments of obligation under capital lease

 

7B

 

$

56

 

$

27

 

Accounts payable:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade

 

 

 

 

4,990

 

 

2,216

 

Other

 

8

 

 

6,279

 

 

4,462

 

Related parties

 

 

 

 

35

 

 

 

Deferred revenue

 

1O

 

 

727

 

 

950

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

Total current liabilities

 

 

 

 

12,087

 

 

7,655

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obligation under capital lease, net

 

7B

 

 

47

 

 

4

 

Liability for employee severance benefits

 

9

 

 

835

 

 

1,188

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

Total long-term liabilities

 

 

 

 

882

 

 

1,192

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

 

 

 

12,969

 

 

8,847

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest

 

 

 

 

2,182

 

 

1,924

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share capital:

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary Shares, NIS 0.05 par value each (60,000,000 shares authorized; 25,373,513 and 25,649,188 shares issued and fully paid at December 31, 2002 and 2003, respectively)

 

 

 

 

298

 

 

301

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

 

 

100,262

 

 

100,996

 

Capital reserve

 

 

 

 

2,166

 

 

2,166

 

Unearned compensation

 

 

 

 

(123

)

 

(30

)

Accumulated deficit

 

 

 

 

(49,026

)

 

(58,635

)

 

 

 

 



 



 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

53,577

 

 

44,798

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

$

68,728

 

$

55,569

 

 

 

 

 



 



 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


F - 4




Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements Of Operations
(In thousands except per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Note

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

1O; 12

 

$

4,733

 

$

28,904

 

$

40,539

 

Cost of revenues

 

 

 

 

2,476

 

 

11,907

 

 

13,551 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

 

 

 

2,257

 

 

16,997

 

 

26,988

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development, gross

 

1R

 

 

(6,156

)

 

(8,609

)

 

(7,037

)

Royalty bearing participation

 

1P

 

 

44

 

 

 

 

1,303

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development, net

 

 

 

 

(6,112

)

 

(8,609

)

 

(5,734

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

 

 

(12,902

)

 

(22,681

)

 

(26,804

)

General and administrative

 

 

 

 

(2,664

)

 

(4,749

)

 

(5,312

)

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

 

 

(21,678

)

 

(36,039

)

 

(37,850

)

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating loss

 

 

 

 

(19,421

)

 

(19,042

)

 

(10,862

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing income, net

 

 

 

 

764

 

 

1,469

 

 

995

 

Other expenses, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

(711

)

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before taxes on income

 

 

 

 

(18,657

)

 

(18,284

)

 

(9,867

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taxes on income

 

1Q; 13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before minority share

 

 

 

 

(18,657

)

 

(18,284

)

 

(9,867

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority share in losses (profits) of subsidiary

 

 

 

 

 

 

(26

)

 

258

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

 

 

$

(18,657

)

$

(18,310

)

$

(9,609

)

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted loss per ordinary share

 

1L; 10

 

$

(1.60

)

$

(0.73

)

$

(0.38

)

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of Ordinary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding used in basic and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

diluted loss per Ordinary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share calculation

 

1L 10

 

 

12,879,369

 

 

25,182,563

 

 

25,493,073

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


F - 5



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements Of Changes In Shareholders’ Equity
(In thousands except per share data)

 

 

 

Series A
Preferred Shares

 

Ordinary Shares

 

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

 

Capital
Reserve

 

Unearned
Compensation

 

Accumulated
Deficit

 

Total

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as at January 1, 2001

 

9,115,925

 

$

107

 

8,804,188

 

$

103

 

$

35,384

 

$

 

$

(460

)

$

(12,059

)

$

23,075

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes during the year 2001:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conversion of preferred shares into Ordinary Shares

 

(9,115,925

)

 

(107

)

9,115,925

 

 

107

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary shares issued

 

 

 

 

7,184,800

 

 

86

 

 

64,101

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

64,187 

 

Allocation of employees’ stock options

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

251

 

 

 

 

(251

)

 

 

 

 

Allocation of non-employees’ stock options

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

367

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

367

 

Amortization of unearned compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

361

 

 

 

 

361

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(18,657

)

 

(18,657

)

 

 


 



 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2001

 

 

$

 

25,104,913

 

$

296

 

$

100,103

 

$

 

$

(350

)

$

(30,716

)

$

69,333

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes during the year 2002:   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise of stock options

 

 

 

 

268,600

 

 

2

 

 

159

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

161

 

Amortization of unearned compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

227

 

 

 

 

227

 

Capital reserve from issuance of shares in a newly formed subsidiary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,166

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,166

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(18,310

)

 

(18,310

)

 

 


 



 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2002

 

 

$

 

25,373,513

 

$

298

 

$

100,262

 

$

2,166

 

$

(123

)

$

(49,026

)

$

53,577

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes during the year 2003:   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise of stock options

 

 

 

 

275,675

 

 

3

 

 

722

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

725

 

Forfeiture of stock options

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(78

)

 

 

 

78

 

 

 

 

 

Acceleration of vesting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31

 

Allocation of non-employees’ stock options

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

59

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

59

 

Amortization of unearned compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

 

15

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9,609

)

 

(9,609

)

 

 


 



 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2003

 

 

$

 

25,649,188

 

$

301

 

$

100,996

 

$

2,166

 

$

(30

)

$

(58,635

)

$

44,798 

 

 

 


 



 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


F - 6



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows
(In thousands)

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss        

 

$

(18,657

)

$

(18,310

)

$

(9,609

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments required to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority share in profits (losses) of subsidiary

 

 

 

 

26

 

 

(258

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

1,074

 

 

2,176

 

 

3,030

 

Employees’ stock option compensation

 

 

361

 

 

227

 

 

46

 

Non-employees’ stock option compensation

 

 

367

 

 

 

 

59

 

Other

 

 

41

 

 

97

 

 

9

 

Increase in accounts receivable - trade

 

 

(2,470

)

 

(4,395

)

 

(80

)

Decrease (increase) in other accounts receivable

 

 

(534

)

 

(633

)

 

1,018

 

Increase in prepaid expenses

 

 

(984

)

 

(109

)

 

(103

)

Decrease in advances to suppliers

 

 

259

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease (increase) in inventories

 

 

(2,638

)

 

(7,402

)

 

1,860

 

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable

 

 

3,775

 

 

5,537

 

 

(4,708

)

Increase in deferred revenue

 

 

193

 

 

534

 

 

223

 

Increase (decrease) in payable to related parties

 

 

15

 

 

19

 

 

(35

)

 

 



 



 



 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

$

(19,198

)

$

(22,233

)

$

(8,548

)

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of fixed assets and other assets

 

$

(4,955

)

$

(7,472

)

$

(2,550

)

Proceeds from sales of fixed assets

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

60

 

Deposits, net

 

 

(57

)

 

(88

)

 

(157

)

 

 



 



 



 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

$

(5,005

)

$

(7,560

)

$

(2,647

)

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal payments on capital lease obligation

 

$

(56

)

$

(64

)

$

(72

)

Proceeds from the issuance of Ordinary Shares

 

 

64,187

 

 

161

 

 

725

 

Proceeds from issuance of shares by consolidated company

 

 

 

 

4,322

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

$

64,131

 

$

4,419

 

$

653

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

$

(58

)

$

(64

)

$

117

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

$

39,870

 

$

(25,438

)

$

(10,425

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

 

21,360

 

 

61,230

 

 

35,792

 

 

 



 



 



 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

 

$

61,230

 

$

35,792

 

$

25,367

 

 

 



 



 



 


 

Supplementary cash flow information

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

$

12

 

$

7

 

$

3

 

Income taxes paid

 

$

75

 

$

79

 

$

68

 

 

 



 



 



 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


F - 7



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Notes to The Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands except per share data)

Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

A.         General

Given Imaging Ltd. (the “Company”) was incorporated in Israel in January 1998. The Company has generated revenues from sales of its products commencing the third quarter of 2001. Due in large part to the significant expenditures required to develop and market its product, the Company has generated losses each year since its inception.

The Company has developed the Given System, a proprietary wireless imaging system that represents a new approach to visual examination of the gastrointestinal tract. The 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.

The Given System consists of three principal components:

a single-use, disposable M2A color-imaging capsule that is ingested by the patient;

a portable data recorder and array of sensors that are worn by the patient; and

a computer workstation with a proprietary RAPID software for downloading, processing and analyzing recorded data.

The Company has designed the Given System to be administered on an outpatient basis. After the patient swallows the M2A capsule, the capsule moves naturally through the digestive system without causing discomfort. During a typical seven-hour test the M2A capsule transmits 50,000 images to the portable data recorder while the patient continues normal daily activities. After the patient returns the data recorder to the physician at his or her convenience, the Company’s proprietary RAPID software processes the images into a high quality video stream that a physician can review in about one hour.

On August 1, 2001, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) cleared the marketing in the United States of the Company’s swallowable video capsule.

The novel medical device industry in which the Company is involved is characterized by the risks of regulatory barriers and reimbursement issues. Penetration into the world market requires the investment of considerable resources and continuous development efforts. The Company’s future success is dependent upon several factors including the technological quality, regulatory approvals and sufficient reimbursement for its products.

B.         Basis of presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries in the USA, Germany, France, the Netherlands and Australia and its 51% owned subsidiary in Japan. The accounts of its subsidiaries are consolidated from the date of their inception. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

All the subsidiaries were established for the purpose of marketing and selling the Given System.


F - 8



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Notes to The Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands except per share data)

Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont’d)

C.         Functional and reporting currency

The accounting records of the Company are maintained in New Israeli Shekels (“NIS”) and U.S. dollars. The Company’s functional and reporting currency is the U.S. dollar.

Transactions denominated in foreign currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into the reporting currency using current exchange rates. Gains and losses from the translation of foreign currency balances are recorded in the statement of operations.

The Company currently has no plans to pay dividends and has not determined the currency in which any dividends would be paid.

D.         Cash and cash equivalents

All highly-liquid investments with original maturity of three months or less from the date of deposit are considered to be cash equivalents.

E.          Provision for doubtful debts

The provision for doubtful debts is calculated on the basis of specific identification of balances, the collection of which, in management’s opinion, is doubtful. In determining the adequacy of the provision, management bases its opinion, inter alia, on the estimated risk, in reliance on available information with respect to the debtor’s financial position and an evaluation of the collateral received.

F.          Inventories

Inventories are stated at lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the average cost method for raw materials and finished goods, and on the basis of actual manufacturing costs for work in progress and sub-contractors.

G.         Prepaid expenses

Prepaid expenses are amortized using the straight-line method over the period during which such costs are recovered.

H.         Assets held for severance benefits

Assets held for employee severance benefits represent contributions to severance pay funds and cash surrender life insurance policies that are recorded at their current redemption value.


F - 9



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Notes to The Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands except per share data)

Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont’d)

I.            Fixed assets

Fixed assets are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets at the following annual rates:

 

 

 

%

 

 




 

 

 

 

Office furniture, leasehold improvements, laboratory equipment and other equipment

 

6 - 15

 

Computers, software and related equipment

 

20 - 33

 

Machinery and equipment

 

15

 

Motor vehicles

 

15

 


Motor vehicles purchased under capital lease arrangements are recorded at the present value of the minimum lease payments. Such assets and leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset.

       

J.  

Other assets

1.

The Company develops proprietary software for its computer workstations that permits downloading and viewing recorded data from the portable data recorder. The costs of developing this software are capitalized in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 86, “Accounting for Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased or Otherwise Marketed” (“Statement 86”). As such, capitalization of software development costs begins upon the establishment of technological feasibility as defined in Statement 86 and continues up to the time the software is available for general release to customers, at which time capitalized software costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected life of the related product which is generally three years.

2.

Legal expenses related to patent and trademark registration have been capitalized and depreciated over the remaining life of the asset, which is generally eight years.

3.

Technology and content costs are generally expensed as incurred, except for certain costs relating to the development of the Company’s web site that are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives which are generally three years.


F - 10



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Notes to The Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands except per share data)

Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont’d)

K.         Stock compensation plans

Employees

The Company has adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Statement No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“Statement 123”) which permits entities to recognize as an expense over the vesting period, the fair value on the date of grant of all stock-based awards. Alternatively, Statement 123 allows entities to continue to apply the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees and related interpretations” (“APB Opinion No. 25”) and provide pro forma net income and pro forma earnings per share disclosures for employee stock option grants as if the fair-value based method defined in Statement 123 had been applied. The Company has elected to continue to apply the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 and provide the pro forma disclosure provisions of Statement 123, as amended by SFAS 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure, an amendment of Statement No. 123” (“Statement 148”).

The Company applies the intrinsic value-based method prescribed in APB Opinion No. 25 for its stock compensation to employees and directors. As such, the Company computes and records compensation expense for grants whose terms are fixed with respect to the number of shares and option price only if the market price on the date of grant exceeds the exercise price of the stock option. The compensation cost for the fixed plans is recorded over the period the employee performs the service to which the stock compensation relates.

Non-Employees

The Company applies the fair value-based method of accounting set forth in Statement 123 to account for stock based compensation to non-employees. Using the fair value method, the total compensation expense is computed based on the fair value of the options on the date the options are granted to the non-employees since the options are fully vested.

The following table shows the effect on net loss and loss per Ordinary Share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of Statement 123:

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

 

 


 


 


 

Net loss as reported

 

$

(18,657

)

$

(18,310

)

$

(9,609

)

Deduct: Compensation expenses according to APB 25 included in the reported net loss

 

 

728

 

 

227

 

 

105

 

Add: Application of compensation expenses according to Statement 123

 

 

(1,198

)

 

(4,324

)

 

(7,012

)

 

 



 



 



 

Pro forma net loss

 

$

(19,127

)

$

(22,407

)

$

(16,516

)

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted loss per Ordinary Share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

(1.60

)

$

(0.73

)

$

(0.38

)

 

 



 



 



 

Pro forma

 

$

(1.63

)

$

(0.89

)

$

(0.65

)

 

 



 



 



 



F - 11



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Notes to The Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands except per share data)

Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont’d)

L.          Loss per Ordinary Share

Basic and diluted loss per Ordinary Share is presented in conformity with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 128, “Earnings Per Share”, for all years presented. Basic loss per Ordinary Share is calculated by dividing the net loss attributable to Ordinary Shares, by the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding. All the outstanding options have an anti-dilutive influence since the Company incurred losses since inception.

M.        Use of estimates

Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

N.         Impairment of long-lived assets and certain intangibles

The Company accounts for long-lived assets and certain intangible assets in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment of or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (“Statement 144”).

This Statement requires that long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles assets be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.

The adoption of Statement 144 had no impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.


F - 12



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Notes to The Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands except per share data)

Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont’d)

O.         Revenue recognition

The Company derives principally all of its revenues from sales of its gastrointestinal diagnostic system (Given System). The Given System consists principally of the disposable M2A color-imaging capsule, a portable data recorder with an array of sensors and a computer workstation equipped with the Company’s proprietary RAPID software.

Revenues from sales of products are recognized in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101 “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements” (“SAB No. 101”), that was amended in Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, upon delivery provided that the collection of the resulting receivable is probable, there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, no significant obligations in respect of installation remain and the price is fixed or determinable.

For sale contracts which include a Post Contract Customer Support (“PCS”) component, revenues from PCS are deferred and recognized ratably over the term of the support period, which is generally one year, according to EITF 00-21 “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables”.

The Company accrues estimated warranty costs at time of shipment based on contractual rights and historical experience. The Company’s policy is not to grant return rights.

P.          Government-Sponsored Research and Development

The Company records grants received from the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Israeli Ministry of Industry and Trade (the “OCS”) as a deduction of research and development expenses.

Royalties payable to OCS are classified as cost of revenue.

Q.         Income taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“Statement 109”).

Under Statement 109 deferred tax assets or liabilities are recognized in respect of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts as well as in respect of tax losses and other deductions which may be deductible for tax purposes in future years, based on enacted statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which such deferred taxes will be realized. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

R.         Research and development costs

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.


F - 13



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Notes to The Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands except per share data)

Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont’d)

S.          Concentration of credit risk

Financial instruments that may subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable.

Cash and cash equivalents are deposited with major financial institutions in Europe, the United States, Japan and Israel.

The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of the financial condition of its customers. The risk of collection associated with trade receivables is reduced by the large number and geographical dispersion of the Company’s customer base and the Company’s policy of requiring collateral or security on sales to distributors.

T.          Recent accounting pronouncements

The Company examined the recently issued accounting standards SFAS No. 149, SFAS No. 150, and FIN 46 and believes that the adoption of these standards will not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Note 2 - Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

 

 

December 31

 

 

 


 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominated in U.S. dollars

 

$

29,807

 

$

17,364

 

Denominated in New Israeli Shekels

 

 

575

 

 

2,413

 

Denominated in Euro

 

 

772

 

 

1,321

 

Denominated in Australian dollars

 

 

147

 

 

485

 

Denominated in Japanese Yen

 

 

4,491

 

 

3,784

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

35,792

 

$

25,367

 

 

 



 



 


Cash equivalents in Israeli currency include bank deposits bearing annual interest rates of 5% unlinked to the Israeli CPI. Cash equivalents in U.S. dollars include bank deposits bearing annual interest rates of 1%. Cash equivalents in Euros include bank deposits bearing annual interest rates of 1.5%. The original maturities of these cash equivalents did not exceed three months.


F - 14



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Notes To The Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands except per share data)

Note 3 - Accounts Receivable - Other

 

 

 

December 31

 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

Government institutions

 

$

1,192

 

$

443

 

Related party

 

 

206

 

 

 

Other

 

 

87

 

 

24

 

 

 

$

1,485

 

$

467

 

Note 4 - Inventories

 

 

 

December 31

 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

Raw materials and components

 

$

3,838

 

$

4,248

 

Work in progress

 

 

2,342

 

 

1,011

 

Finished goods

 

 

4,479

 

 

3,226

 

 

 

$

10,659

 

$

8,485

 

Note 5 - Fixed Assets, at Cost, Less Accumulated Depreciation

 

 

 

December 31

 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

Computers and software

 

$

3,352

 

$

3,648

 

Instruments and laboratory equipment

 

 

450

 

 

543

 

Leasehold improvements

 

 

1,069

 

 

1,120

 

Motor vehicles

 

 

267

 

 

144

 

Machinery and equipment

 

 

6,767

 

 

8,351

 

Communication equipment

 

 

296

 

 

328

 

Office furniture and equipment

 

 

756

 

 

813

 

Fixed assets

 

 

12,957

 

 

14,947

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(2,990

)

 

(5,352

)

Fixed assets less accumulated depreciation

 

$

9,967

 

$

9,595

 

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 are $859, $1,757 and $2,475, respectively.


F - 15



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Notes To The Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands except per share data)

Note 6 - Other Assets, at Cost, Less Accumulated Amortization

 

 

 

December 31

 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

Software development costs

 

$

647

 

$

647

 

Patents and trademarks

 

 

1,242

 

 

1,714

 

Web site application and infrastructure

 

 

596

 

 

823

 

Other assets

 

 

2,485

 

 

3,184

 

Accumulated amortization

 

 

(649

)

 

(1,204

)

Other assets, net

 

$

1,836

 

$

1,980

 

Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 are $203, $419 and $555, respectively.

Note 7 - Commitments and Contingencies

A.         Office of the Chief Scientist Grants

The Company’s research and development efforts have been partially financed through grants from the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Israeli Ministry of Industry and Trade (the “OCS”). In return for the OCS’s participation, the Company is committed to pay royalties to the Israeli Government at a rate of 3% of the sales of its product, up to 100% of the amount of the grants received. The grants are deducted from research and development expenses. Grants received in advance of the corresponding expenditures incurred are recorded as a liability. The Company is entitled to the grants only upon incurring research and development expenditures. The Company is not obligated to repay any amount received from OCS if the research effort is unsuccessful or if no products are sold. There are no future performance obligations related to the grants received from the OCS. However, under certain limited circumstances, the OCS may withdraw its approval of a research program or amend the terms of its approval. Upon withdrawal of approval, the grant recipient may be required to refund the grant, in whole or in part, with or without interest, as the OCS determines. The Company received from the OCS office a total cumulative amount of $2,500 of which it already repaid $1,197. The total outstanding obligation for royalties, based on royalty-bearing government participation totaled approximately $1,303 as of December 31, 2003. Royalties payable to the OCS are classified in cost of revenues.


F - 16



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Notes To The Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands except per share data)

Note 7 - Commitments and Contingencies (cont’d)

B.         Leases

Capital leases for motor vehicles

The capital leases are to be repaid in five years and bear interest of LIBOR+ 1.35%. The vehicles are pledged as collateral.

Operating leases

The Company and its subsidiaries lease office space and manufacturing space for periods of up to ten years (including options to extend the lease terms). The Company and its subsidiaries furnished the lessors with bank guarantees - a total amount of $531.

The Company and its subsidiaries signed several motor vehicles lease agreements. The companies deposited a total amount of $177 to guarantee their performance under the terms of the lease agreements.

Future minimum capital lease payments and future minimum operating lease payments:

 

 

 

December 31, 2003

 

 

 

Capital leases

 

Operating leases

 

2004

 

$

27

 

$

1,731

 

2005

 

 

4

 

 

1,449

 

2006

 

 

 

 

655

 

2007

 

 

 

 

142

 

2008 and thereafter

 

 

 

 

123

 

 

 

$

31

 

$

4,100

 

Office and manufacturing rental expense under the lease agreements for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 are $516, $950 and $1,140, respectively.

C.         Agreements with Pemstar Inc.

During 2002, the Company entered into a one year non-exclusive technical services agreement with Pemstar Inc., a U.S. electronics manufacturing service and equipment company (Pemstar), pursuant to which Pemstar will provide the Company with technical services relating to the manufacture of the M2A capsule and purchasing the components necessary for producing the M2A capsule, either through the Company or directly from the suppliers.


F - 17



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Notes To The Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands except per share data)

Note 7 - Commitments and Contingencies (cont’d)

C.         Agreements with Pemstar Inc. (cont’d)

Pemstar built for the Company two semi-automated production lines. One is fully operated in the Company’s facilities in Yoqneam and one serves as a back-up production line being stored outside of Israel and ready for operation on sixty days notice.

In consideration of providing these services to the Company, the Company pays Pemstar a monthly fixed amount for each functional M2A capsule that is delivered to the Company. This amount will decrease as the volume of M2A capsules produced increase.

      

D. 

Legal claims

1.

On November 25, 2002, the Company filed a lawsuit and motion for preliminary injunction against a former employee, a company which he founded and a wholly-owned subsidiary thereof for which he is now working (together, the “Defendants”) relating to certain patent applications filed by the former employee seeking a declaratory judgment that the above patent applications are the sole property of the Company. The Defendants filed a defense and counterclaim against the Company and its CEO for abuse of legal proceedings and acting in bad-faith, damaging the Defendant’s reputation and unfairly interfering with the Defendants’ business.

 
On January 25, 2003, directors of the Company received correspondence from certain investors in the Defendants claiming that the directors are liable for the Company’s conduct with respect to the lawsuit against the Defendants, and demanding that the Company withdraw its lawsuit.
 
The Company believes that its complaint against the Defendants has merit and that it should prevail, and accordingly, both the counterclaim and the correspondence received by the members of the Company’s Board of Directors are both without merit and the Company intends to vigorously defend against them.

F - 18



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Notes To The Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands except per share data)

Note 7 - Commitments and Contingencies (cont’d)

D. 

 Legal claims (cont’d)

2. On November 14, 2002, the Company received correspondence from a U.S. Corporation proposing to grant the Company a license under reasonable terms for a U.S. patent for the technology utilized by the Company in its disposable imaging capsule.
 
The Company believes that such a license is not warranted, however, several further letters have been exchanged between the parties and the Company is in communication with the U.S. Corporation to amicably resolve this matter.
3.
On December 30, 2003, a Japanese corporation filed a request for ex parte reexamination (hereinafter - “Reexamination Request”) of some claims in one of the Company’s U.S. patents (hereinafter - the “Patent”) in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (hereinafter the - “USPTO”). The USPTO will decide by late March or early April 2004, whether or not to conduct the reexamination pursuant to the request. The Company is not accused of infringing a third party’s patent and its ability to sell its products is not contested.

 

 

 

Note 8 - Accounts Payable - Other

 

 

 

December 31

 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

Government institutions

 

$

559

 

$

439

 

Liabilities to employees

 

 

2,933

 

 

2,078

 

Advances from customers

 

 

214

 

 

40

 

Warranty

 

 

95

 

 

68

 

Chief Scientist Royalties

 

 

490

 

 

 

Commissions

 

 

346

 

 

884

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

1,642

 

 

953

 

 

 

$

6,279

 

$

4,462

 


F - 19



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Notes To The Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands except per share data)

Note 9 - Liability in Respect of Employee Severance Benefits

Under Israeli law and labor agreements the Company is required to pay severance benefits to its dismissed employees and employees leaving its employment under certain circumstances. The Company’s liability for severance benefits is covered mainly by deposits with insurance companies in the name of the employee and/or by purchase of insurance policies. The liability is calculated on the basis of the latest salary of the employee multiplied by the number of years of employment as of the balance sheet date. The provision for employee severance benefits included in the balance sheet represents the total liability for such severance benefits, while the assets held for severance benefits included in the balance sheet represents the Company’s contributions to severance pay funds and to insurance policies. The Company may make withdrawals from the funds only upon complying with the Israeli severance pay law or labor agreements.

The U.S. subsidiary has a defined contribution retirement plan for its employees. Employees are allowed to contribute a percentage of their salary in any one year, subject to a regulatory limit. The Company makes matching contributions of up to 3% of an employee’s salary. Employees are immediately vested in the Company’s contributions.

Expenses recorded in respect of severance pay for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 are $339 $418, and $489, respectively.

Note 10 - Loss Per Ordinary Share

The following table summarizes information related to the computation of basic and diluted loss per Ordinary Share for the years indicated.

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

Net loss

 

$

(18,657

)

$

(18,310

)

$

(9,609

)

Interest accrued on Preferred Shares

 

 

(1,888

)

 

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to Ordinary Shares

 

$

(20,545

)

$

(18,310

)

$

(9,609

)

Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding used in basic loss per Ordinary Share calculation

 

 

12,879,369

 

 

25,182,563

 

 

25,493,073

 

Add assumed exercise of outstanding dilutive potential Ordinary Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding used in diluted loss per Ordinary Share calculation

 

 

12,879,369

 

 

25,182,563

 

 

25,493,073

 

Basic loss per Ordinary Share

 

$

(1.60

)

$

(0.73

)

$

(0.38

)

Diluted loss per Ordinary Share

 

$

(1.60

)

$

(0.73

)

$

(0.38

)


The Company had 3,881,396 options outstanding as of December 31, 2003 that could potentially dilute basic loss per ordinary share in future periods but which were not included in diluted loss per Ordinary Share because their effect on the periods presented was antidilutive.


F - 20



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Notes To The Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands except per share data)

Note 11 - Share Capital

A.         Ordinary shares

All of the issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares of the Company are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. The Ordinary Shares of the Company are not redeemable and have no preemptive rights. The ownership or voting of Ordinary Shares by non-residents of Israel is not restricted in any way by the Company’s memorandum of association, its articles of association or the laws of the State of Israel, except that citizens of countries which are, or have been, in a state of war with Israel may not be recognized as owners of Ordinary Shares.

B.         Employees’ and non employees’ stock options

In 1998, the Company adopted a stock option plan for employees and consultants involving up to 10% of the Company’s share capital. Each option entitles the holder to purchase one Ordinary A Share (as of the IPO date - one Ordinary Share) of par value of NIS 0.05. The options vest over a period of four years and are exercisable for a period of ten years from the date of grant. The options are held in trust on behalf of the Israeli employees, in accordance with Section 102 of the Income Tax Ordinance in Israel and related regulations.

In 2000, the Company adopted the 2000 Stock Option Plan (“2000 Plan”), and in 2003, the Company adopted another Option Plan (“2003 Plan”). Under the 2000 Plan and the 2003 Plan, the Board of Directors (or a compensation committee appointed and upheld by the board) (the “Board”) has the authority to grant options to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, directors or consultants.

The purchase price of each share pursuant to the options granted under the 2003 Plan shall be the fair market value on the date the Board approves the grant of the option or as otherwise determined by the Board.

As of December 31, 2003, 4,303,788 Ordinary Shares of the Company, of a par value of NIS 0.05 each, are reserved for the exercise of options granted under the Plans.

According to the 2003 Plan, 25% of the options of an optionee, who received options under this option plan and who had already received options for the purchase of shares from the Company in the past, will vest and be exercisable as of the date of grant. Upon each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant and at any time thereafter, an additional 25% of the options shall vest.

Unless otherwise prescribed by the Board, an option is not exercisable before the second anniversary of the date of grant. As of the second anniversary of the date of grant and at any time thereafter, the option vests with respect to 50% of the option shares, and after the third and fourth anniversaries of the date of grant with respect to 25% of the option shares, respectively. The Board has the exclusive authority to accelerate the periods for exercising an option. However, no option is exercisable after the passing of ten years from the date of grant.


F - 21



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Notes To The Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands except per share data)

Note 11 - Share Capital (cont’d)

B.         Employees’ and non employees’ stock options (cont’d)

Options granted to Israeli optionees are designated as Section 102 options or Section 3(i) options within the meaning of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance and related regulations.
(See Note 13A(4)(b) regarding the Israel Tax Reform).

Options granted to non-Israeli optionees may or may not contain such terms as will qualify such options as Incentive Stock Options (“ISOs”) within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Options that do not contain terms that will qualify them as ISOs are referred to herein as Non-Qualified Stock Options. Each option agreement is required to state whether such option will or will not be treated as an ISO. No ISO is granted unless such option, when granted, qualifies as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code.

Compensation expense related to options issued has been calculated based on the difference between the market price of the underlying shares and the option’s exercise price. Prior to the IPO date (October 4, 2001), the market price of the underlying shares was estimated on the basis of the price that was paid by various third parties, as well as increases in value attributable to the achievement of milestones in the Company’s business plan. The share price paid by third parties has been adjusted upwards between the dates of the various private offerings. Following the IPO date (October 4, 2001), the market price represents the underlying listed price on the Nasdaq National Market.

The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 and recorded compensation expense of $361, $227 and $46 in the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively, according to the intrinsic value of the above options.

The Company applies Statement 123 in respect of options granted to consultants and recorded compensation expense of $367, $0 and $59 in the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively, related to the above options according to the Black-Scholes model.

The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations in accounting for its stock compensation programs benefiting employees and directors.


F - 22



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Notes To The Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands except per share data)

Note 11 - Share Capital (cont’d)

B.         Employees’ and non employees’ stock options (cont’d)

The following table illustrates the effect on net loss and loss per Ordinary Share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of Statement 123:

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

Net loss as reported

 

$

(18,657

)

$

(18,310

)

$

(9,609

)

Deduct: Compensation expenses according to APB 25 included in the reported net loss

 

 

728

 

 

227

 

 

105

 

Add: Application of compensation expenses according to Statement 123

 

 

(1,198

)

 

(4,324

)

 

(7,012

)

Pro forma net loss

 

$

(19,127

)

$

(22,407

)

$

(16,516

)

Basic and diluted loss per Ordinary Share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

(1.60

)

$

(0.73

)

$

(0.38

)

Pro forma

 

$

(1.63

)

$

(0.89

)

$

(0.65

)


The fair value of each option granted is estimated on the date of grant, using the Black-Scholes model using the following assumptions:

1.

Dividend yield of zero percent.

2.

Risk-free interest rate of 2.00%, 2.00% and 1.50% for December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively, which represents the risk free interest rates to dollar-linked financial instruments as published by the Israeli Stock Exchange.

3.

Estimated expected lives of seven years as of the date of grant.

4.

Expected average volatility of 55%, 100% and 81%, for December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively which represents a weighted average standard deviation rate for the price of the Company’s Ordinary Shares in the Nasdaq National Market.


F - 23



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Notes To The Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands except per share data)

Note 11 - Share Capital (cont’d)

B.         Employees’ and non employees’ stock options (cont’d)

The following table summarizes information relating to stock options for Ordinary Shares outstanding as of the years indicated:

 

 

 

 

 

Options outstanding

 

Options exercisable

 

Exercise price

 

Number outstanding at
December 31, 2003

 

Weighted average
remaining contractual life
(in years)

 

Number exercisable at
December 31, 2003

 

NIS 0.05

 

403,036 

 

4.8

 

403,036 

 

$1.00

 

33,000 

 

5.1

 

33,000 

 

$1.250

 

12,000 

 

6.8

 

12,000 

 

$1.268

 

139,350 

 

5.9

 

133,350 

 

$2.628

 

282,375 

 

6.5

 

241,782 

 

$3.505

 

563,732 

 

6.8

 

434,999 

 

$4.667

 

189,270 

 

7.3

 

95,010 

 

$8.030

 

40,000 

 

9.2

 

— 

 

$8.180

 

53,000 

 

9.4

 

500 

 

$8.700

 

32,000 

 

8.7

 

— 

 

$8.860

 

321,625 

 

9.1

 

76,250 

 

$9.260

 

21,000 

 

9.0

 

21,000 

 

$11.00

 

32,000 

 

9.7

 

— 

 

$11.70

 

84,900 

 

7.6

 

54,600 

 

$12.00

 

475,000 

 

8.2

 

187,500 

 

$12.15

 

336,800 

 

8.5

 

37,800 

 

$12.35

 

4,500 

 

9.7

 

3,750 

 

$12.45

 

15,000 

 

8.2

 

— 

 

$12.60

 

2,500 

 

9.8

 

2,500 

 

$12.68

 

100,000 

 

9.5

 

25,000 

 

$12.95

 

10,000 

 

8.1

 

— 

 

$13.00

 

26,808 

 

8.1

 

5,308 

 

$13.09

 

8,000 

 

9.6

 

— 

 

$13.85

 

41,500 

 

8.3

 

— 

 

$14.30

 

2,000 

 

7.9

 

1,000 

 

$16.40

 

2,000 

 

7.9

 

1,000 

 

$17.76

 

650,000 

 

9.9

 

68,750 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,881,396 

 

 

 

1,838,135 

 


F - 24



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Notes To The Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands except per share data)

Note 11 - Share Capital (cont’d)

B.         Employees’ and non employees’ stock options (cont’d)

The option allotments are as follows:

 

 

 

Number of shares

 

Weighted average
exercise price

 

Weighted average grant
date fair value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2001

 

1,968,543

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

721,140

 

9.16

 

9.57

 

Forfeited

 

(40,020

)

2.77

 

3.46

 

Balance at December 31, 2001

 

2,649,663

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

679,000

 

12.06

 

11.60

 

Forfeited

 

(82,600

)

9.02

 

9.42

 

Exercised

 

(268,600

)

0.60

 

1.91

 

Balance at December 31, 2002

 

2,977,463

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

1,331,500

 

13.78

 

13.61

 

Forfeited

 

(151,892

)

9.08

 

8.92

 

Exercised

 

(275,675

)

2.63

 

3.34

 

Balance at December 31, 2003

 

3,881,396

 

 

 

 

 


The following summarizes the departmental allocation of the stock-based compensation charge:

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development costs

 

$

463

 

$

73

 

$

(18

)

Selling and marketing expenses

 

 

165

 

 

77

 

 

94

 

General and administrative expenses

 

 

100

 

 

77

 

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

728

 

$

227

 

$

105

 


F - 25



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Notes To The Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands except per share data)

Note 12 - Revenues

A.         Revenues by activities

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Workstations and recorders

 

$

3,325

 

$

17,230

 

$

15,879

 

M2A capsule

 

 

1,362

 

 

10,889

 

 

22,865

 

Patency capsules and scanners

 

 

 

 

 

 

15

 

Service

 

 

46

 

 

785

 

 

1,780

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

4,733

 

$

28,904

 

$

40,539

 


B.         Revenues by geographic areas

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

2,252

 

$

15,648

 

$

26,162

 

Europe

 

 

1,972

 

 

8,334

 

 

11,838

 

Rest of the world

 

 

509

 

 

4,922

 

 

2,539

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

4,733

 

$

28,904

 

$

40,539

 


Note 13 - Taxes on Income

A.

Company

(1)

Israeli income tax is computed on the basis of the Company’s results in nominal NIS determined for statutory purposes. The Company is assessed for tax purposes under the Income Tax Law (Inflationary Adjustments 1985), the purpose of which is to prevent taxation on inflationary profits.

 
Pursuant to the Israeli tax law, the Company was awarded “Approved Enterprise” status under the government alternative benefits track. The program is for investments in the development of infrastructure and for investments in locally produced and imported equipment. The main benefits to which the Company will be entitled, if it implements all the terms of an approved program, are the exemption from tax on income deriving from an approved enterprise, and reduced tax rates on dividends originating from this income. The income derived from an approved enterprise will be exempt from tax for a ten year period, commencing on the date that taxable income is first generated by the approved enterprise (limited to the earlier of a maximum period of 12 years from the year of commencement of operations or 14 years from the year the approval letter was received). As of December 31, 2003, the benefit term had not commenced.
 
On December 30, 2002, the Company received an approval from the Investment Center for the expansion of its production capacity during the next two years under the alternative benefits track. The investments are expected to amount to $4.9 million and will be invested in its facilities in Yoqneam. The plan is subject to certain terms set forth in the approval letter.

F - 26



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Notes To The Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands except per share data)

Note 13 - Taxes on Income (cont’d)

A.

Company (cont’d)

Dividend distributions originating from the income of the Approved Enterprise will be subject to tax at the rate of 15%, provided that the dividend is distributed during the period stipulated under Israeli law.

In the event of a dividend distribution (including withdrawals and charges that are deemed to be dividends) out of the income originating from the approved enterprise, and on which the Company received a tax exemption, income from which the dividend is distributed will be subject to corporate taxes at rates varying from 10% - 25% depending on the percentage of foreign investment holding in the Company as defined by the Law.

If the Company derives income from sources other than the approved enterprise during the relevant period of benefits, such income will be taxable at regular corporate tax rates (36%).

(2)

The Company has net operating loss carryforwards in Israel of approximately $29.5 million as of December 31, 2003. These net operating loss carryforwards are linked to the Israeli Consumer Price Index and are available to offset future taxable income, if any, indefinitely.

(3)

The Company is exempt from tax for a ten-year period. Therefore, the Company has not recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities.

(4)

Israel Tax Reform

 

During the year 2002, tax reform legislation was enacted with effect from January 1, 2003, which significantly changed the taxation basis from a territorial basis to a worldwide basis.

 

The main provisions of the tax reform that may affect the Company are as follows:

(a)

Transfer pricing of international transactions with related parties

 

The Income Tax Ordinance was amended to include provisions concerning transfer pricing between related parties, where one of the parties is situated abroad. Detailed provisions are to be included in Income Tax Regulations that have yet to be issued. Although the Company considers that its transfer pricing policy adopted with foreign affiliates is economically fair, an adjustment may be required following the issuance of the Regulations.


F - 27



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Notes To The Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands except per share data)

Note 13 - Taxes on Income (cont’d)

      

A.   

Company (cont’d)

(4)

Israel Tax Reform (continued)

(b)

Employee stock incentive plans

 

The tax reform codified past practice and determined three alternative tracks for taxing employee stock option plans. Where a trustee arrangement is in place, the employer can either claim an expense for tax purposes while the employee will be fully taxed up to the maximum marginal tax rate of 50% or the Company can waive the tax expense and the employee will pay a reduced tax rate of 25%. Where there is no trustee arrangement, the employee is fully taxable and no expense is allowed to the Company. There are detailed provisions for implementing these tracks. The Company decided to waive the tax expense and the employees will pay a reduced tax rate of 25%.

(c)

The seven year limit for carrying forward of capital losses has been removed with respect to capital losses arising from 1996 and thereafter.

B.

Subsidiaries

Because of operating losses, the Company’s subsidiaries, incurred no income tax expense for the period from inception through December 31, 2003. At December 31, 2003, the subsidiaries had local, federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $23,886.

C.

Deferred Taxes

The tax effects of significant items comprising the Company’s deferred taxes as of December 31, 2003:

 

Net operating tax assets regarding carryforward losses of subsidiaries

 

$

8,730

 

Start up costs and other timing differences

 

 

526

 

Less valuation allowance

 

 

(9,256

)

 

 

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

 

$

 


F - 28



Given Imaging Ltd. and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

Notes To The Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands except per share data)

Note 14 - Related Parties Transactions and Balances

A.

The Company carried out transactions with companies considered to be “related parties”. All of these transactions are carried out under normal business conditions.

B.

Agreement with Rafael

On January 29, 1998, the Company entered into a technology purchase and license agreement (the “Technology Purchase Agreement”) with Rafael Armament Development Authority (“Rafael”) which is a division of the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

Rafael is a related party because it beneficially owns 47.8% of the outstanding shares of RDC Rafael Development Corporation, and they both held approximately 16.5% of the Company’s shares.

Pursuant to the Technology Purchase Agreement, the Company purchased from Rafael for $30 all of Rafael’s rights to the technology associated with and the patent issued in connection with the prototype M2A capsule and system. Rafael and the Company each granted each other certain rights in connection with the know-how and technology associated with the M2A capsule and system, in the case of Rafael, solely for use in the military and security fields and, in the case of the Company, solely for commercial exploitation of the M2A capsule. In consideration for payment of royalties in an amount to be agreed upon, the Company and Rafael have agreed to grant to the other the exclusive right to use any improvements to the M2A capsule and system technology developed by the other party in these fields.


None of the parties has exercised these certain rights to date.

Note 15 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, deposits, assets held for severance benefits and accounts payable. The carrying amounts of these financial instruments approximate fair value.


F - 29



ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 20-F

INDEX OF EXIBITS

 

Exhibit

 

Description

 

 

 

  1.1

 

Articles of Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-68142) filed with the Commission on August 22, 2001.

 

 

 

  4.1

 

Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of September 15, 2000, by and among the Registrant and the parties thereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-68142) filed with the Commission on August 22, 2001.

 

 

 

  4.2

 

Amendment No. 1 to Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of July 16, 2001, by and among the Registrant and the parties thereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 of the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-68142) filed with the Commission on August 22, 2001.

 

 

 

  4.3

 

Production Development, Manufacturing and Sales Agreement, dated as of November 26, 2002, by and between Micron Technology, Inc. and the Registrant.

 

 

 

  4.4

 

Technology Purchase and License Agreement, dated as of January 29, 1998, by and between Rafael Armament Development Authority of the Israeli Ministry of Defense and the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-68142) filed with the Commission on August 22, 2001.

 

 

 

  4.5

 

Agreement for the Development, Planning and Production of an ASIC Transmitter, dated as of December 13, 1998, by and between ASICOM Technologies Ltd. and the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-68142) filed with the Commission on August 22, 2001.†

 

 

 

  4.6

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement between directors and officers of the Registrant and the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-68142) filed with the Commission on August 22, 2001.

 

 

 

  4.7

 

Lease Agreement, dated as of December 15, 1999, by and between B. A. T. M. Lands Ltd. and the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-68142) filed with the Commission on August 22, 2001.

 

 

 

  4.8

 

Purchase and Sale Contract, dated as of August 25, 2001, by and between Pemstar, Inc. and the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-68142) filed with the Commission on August 22, 2001.

 

 

 

  4.9

 

Form of Standard Distribution Agreement of the Registration, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-81514) filed with the Commission on February 1, 2002.

 

 

 

  4.10

 

Lease Agreement, dated as of November 26, 2001, by and between Ska’ar Yoqneam L.P. and the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 of the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-81514) filed with the Commission on February 1, 2002.

 

 

 

  4.11

 

Summary of Material Terms of Addendum, dated December 2002, to Lease Agreement, dated as of November 26, 2001, by and between Ska’ar Yoqneam and the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 of the Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 000-33133) filed with the Commission on April 10, 2003.

 

 

 

  8.1

 

List of subsidiaries of the Registrant.

 

 

 

  9.1

 

Consent of KPMG Somekh Chaikin, independent accountants.

 

 

 



 

  11.1

 

Code of Ethics adopted on December 9, 2003.

 

 

 

  12.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

  12.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

  13.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

 

 

 

  13.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

 

 

 


______________


Portions of this exhibit were omitted and have been filed separately with the Secretary of the Commission on March 17, 2004, pursuant to the Registrant’s application requesting confidential treatment under Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Portions of this exhibit were omitted and have been filed separately with the Secretary of the Commission on April 10, 2003, pursuant to the Registrant’s application requesting confidential treatment under Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

*

This document is being furnished in accordance with SEC Release Nos. 33-8212 and 34-47551.



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Exhibit 4.3

 


 

 

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, MANUFACTURING

 

AND SALES AGREEMENT

 

between

 

MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

 

and

 

GIVEN IMAGING LTD.

 

 

 

Dated November 26, 2002

 

 

 





PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, MANUFACTURING AND SALES AGREEMENT

This Product Development, Manufacturing, and Sales Agreement is made and entered into as of the 26th day of November, 2002, by and between Micron Technology, Inc. (“Micron”), a Delaware corporation with its principal offices at 8000 South Federal Way, Boise, Idaho 83716-9632, U.S.A. and Given Imaging Ltd. (“Given”), an Israeli company with its principal offices at 2 Ha’carmel Street, New Industrial Park, P.O. Box 258, Yoqneam 20692, Israel.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Given is engaged in the development, manufacture and sale of current and future systems utilizing a swallowable, disposable capsule (the “Capsule”) for the in-vivo imaging of the human gastrointestinal tract (the “GI Tract”), which system and Capsule captures color video images via a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (“CMOS”) image sensor (the “Given System”);

WHEREAS, Given entered into an agreement with Photobit Corporation (“PC”) under which PC developed a CMOS image sensor for use in a Given System used to image the small intestine, such CMOS image sensor today known as Micron part number MT9S01S00STC (the “Original Sensor”), pursuant to the terms of Given Purchase Order Number 142 together with the Proposed Business Arrangement dated August 11, 1998, as amended (collectively, the “Original Agreement”);

WHEREAS, PC assigned to Photobit Technology Corporation (“PTC”) all of its assets and properties relating to its machine vision and contract research business, including without limitation the Original Agreement, pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated on or about January 1, 2001, by and between PC and PTC;

WHEREAS, Given agreed to purchase from PTC, and PTC agreed to sell to Given, certain quantities of the Original Sensor pursuant to the terms of that certain PTC Sales Order 1075-B dated July 5, 2001 and signed by Given on August 29, 2001 (the “Original Sales Order”);

WHEREAS, PC and PTC assigned to Micron substantially all of their assets and properties, including without limitation the Original Agreement and their respective Intellectual Property Rights (as defined herein), pursuant to that certain Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 21, 2001, by and among Micron, PC, PTC and certain others;

WHEREAS, Micron, PC and PTC have designed and developed, and Micron is continuing to design, develop and manufacture, products and technologies related to CMOS image sensors;


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WHEREAS, Given desires that Micron design, manufacture and sell to Given the * more fully described in Exhibit A hereto and certain *, such * also known as “*” and “*” and more fully described in Exhibit A hereto (the “*”) *, to design, manufacture and supply all * CMOS image sensors to be used in Given Systems during the term of this Agreement for use in imaging the GI Tract (such * CMOS image sensors and the * referred to herein as the “*”); and

WHEREAS, the parties wish to set forth their understanding regarding the design, manufacture, and sales of the * and *.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

AGREEMENT

1.          DEFINITIONS. As used herein, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings provided below and capitalized terms used in any Exhibit hereto shall have the meanings provided therein for purposes of this Agreement.

Affiliates” means, with respect to any entity or person, any other entity or person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such entity or person. For purposes of this definition, “control” shall mean the authority or power to direct the management and policies of any entity or person, and “controlling” and “controlled” shall be interpreted accordingly.

Agreement” means this Agreement, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Approval Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.

Approved Product” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.

Background IP” means all Intellectual Property Rights owned by one of the parties hereto or licensed from a third party with a right to sublicense (unless subject to payment of a royalty or restricted from being disclosed or used pursuant to a third party license agreement) by such party that is conceived, created or developed prior to or independent of any work performed under this Agreement, whether or not incorporated into the Products.

Bankruptcy Code” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.5(c).

Binding Quantity” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.

 

______________________

*

Omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request. The confidential portion has been filed separately with the SEC.


-3-



CMOS” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Capsule” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Confidentiality Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.2.

Deliverables” means the deliverables set forth in the Development Schedule for a Product.

“*” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Design Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.5(c).

Development Schedule” means the development schedule set forth in Exhibit B with respect to the * and the * or such future development schedule(s) as may be set forth in future addenda to this Agreement with respect to other *.

Effective Date” means the date first written above.

Estimate” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

Evaluation Prototype” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

FDA” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.

Force Majeure” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.1.

GI Tract” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Given” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

“*” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“*” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“*” means the * described in Exhibit A.

Given Exclusivity Restriction” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.

Given Foreground IP” means any Intellectual Property Right that is conceived, created or developed by or for Given in the course of performing work under or in connection with this Agreement, whether or not incorporated into the Products, including, but not limited to, any

 

______________________

*

Omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request. The confidential portion has been filed separately with the SEC.


-4-



Intellectual Property Right created or developed by Given relating to Given’s specifications for a Given System or any part thereof.

Given System” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Governmental Approvals” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.3.

Have Made Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.

Incorporated Given IP” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.5(a).

Intellectual Property Rights” means all rights of a person or entity in, to, arising out of or associated with: (i) any U.S. or foreign patents, utility models, invention registrations (or any similar right) and applications therefor and any and all re-issues, divisions, continuations, renewals, provisionals, extensions and continuations-in-part thereof; (ii) inventions (whether patentable or not in any country), invention disclosures, improvements, trade secrets, proprietary information, know-how, technology and technical data; (iii) copyrights, semiconductor mask works and registrations and applications therefor in the U.S. or any foreign country, and all other rights corresponding thereto throughout the world; (iv) any trademark or trade dress rights anywhere in the world; and (v) any other proprietary rights anywhere in the world.

Joint Foreground IP” means any Intellectual Property Right, whether or not incorporated into the Products, that is jointly developed by Micron and Given and wherein each party has made an inventive or meaningful contribution and in the case of jointly developed patents rights, wherein employees or agents of each party have made an inventive contribution in accordance with the provisions of 35 U.S.C Section 116.

Lead Time” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.

Micron” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

“*” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.

Micron Foreground IP” means any Intellectual Property Right that is conceived, created or developed by or for Micron in the course of performing work under or in connection with this Agreement, whether or not incorporated into the Products, including, but not limited to, any Intellectual Property Right created or developed by Micron relating to the design of or the manufacturing process used to manufacture, assemble, test or repair CMOS image sensors or integrated circuits generally.

Minimum Market Penetration Requirement” means the minimum market share as determined in accordance with Exhibit C.

 

______________________

*

Omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request. The confidential portion has been filed separately with the SEC.


-5-



“*” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Original Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Original Sales Order” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Original Sensor” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

PC” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

PTC” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Price Schedule” means the price schedule set forth in Exhibit D with respect to the * and the * or such future price schedule(s) as may be set forth in future addenda to this Agreement with respect to other *.

Product” means the and the * and the *, as more fully described in the Specifications set forth in Exhibit A, and such other *, as may be more fully described in Specifications set forth in future addenda to this Agreement with respect to such *.

Purchase Order” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.

RMA” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2.

Sales Acknowledgement Form” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.

Scheduled Shipping Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.

Specifications” means the specifications for the * and the * as set forth in Exhibit A, and the specifications for certain other *, as may be set forth in future addenda to this Agreement with respect to such *.

Third Party Offer” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.

2.          PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT.

2.1       Micron’s Obligations.

(a)        Micron shall use commercially reasonable efforts to design, develop and prototype (each prototype, an “Evaluation Prototype”) the *, the * (such efforts to commence upon the * Commencement Date in accordance with Exhibit B), and such other * as the parties may from time to time agree pursuant to Section 2.5 below, in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Given understands and agrees that the development of any Product in accordance with the Specifications may not be feasible, and that Micron shall not in

 

______________________

*

Omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request. The confidential portion has been filed separately with the SEC.


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any respect be in breach or default of its obligations to Given hereunder if Micron’s commercially reasonable efforts are not sufficient to successfully complete the development of any Product or to provide the Deliverables in accordance with the Development Schedule, provided, however, that if Micron does not provide any Deliverable within one hundred and ten (110) days of the applicable milestone date set forth in the Development Schedule (as extended in accordance with the terms of this Agreement), Given, at its option to be exercised in its reasonable discretion, may, within ten (10) days of expiration of such one hundred and ten (110) day period and upon written notice to Micron, terminate the development by Micron of the Product with respect to which Micron failed to provide such Deliverable.

(b)        Given understands and agrees that Micron’s provision of the services and goods described herein may depend on completion of certain tasks or adherence to schedules by Given; consequently, the project schedule, time of performance, and services may require adjustments or changes to the extent that Given’s failure to timely complete such tasks or adhere to such schedules causes a delay to the Development Schedule. In order to mitigate the extent of any such delays, Micron shall promptly notify Given if it believes that any such delays could cause a delay in the Development Schedule.

(c)        Subject to the provisions of Section 16.5, the design work shall be performed by Micron primarily in-house.

(d)        If requested by Given, Micron shall use commercially reasonable efforts to design such * as may be specified from time to time by Given to be backward compatible in terms of size and functionality with the *.

2.2       Given’s Obligations. Subject to the provisions of Section 15 below, Given shall use commercially reasonable efforts, as and when reasonably requested in writing by Micron from time to time, to assist in the preparation of the Specifications and the Deliverables and in the design, development and prototyping of the Evaluation Prototype. To assist Micron with its performance of the services described herein Given agrees, subject to the provisions of Section 15 below, as and when reasonably requested in writing by Micron from time to time, to provide to Micron such information, materials and technology owned or controlled by Given as Micron reasonably requires.

2.3       Engineering Change Orders.

(a)         If Given proposes changes to the Specifications for any Product, it shall give to Micron written notice of such proposed changes and the parties shall consult with each other as to whether the changes are commercially reasonable and technically feasible and, if the parties agree that the changes are commercially reasonable and technically feasible, Micron shall prepare and deliver to Given as promptly as reasonably possible, but in no event more than twenty-one (21) days from the date of such agreement, a detailed written estimate of the cost of designing and developing the relevant Product based on the proposed changes and of any delay

 

______________________

*

Omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request. The confidential portion has been filed separately with the SEC.


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to the Development Schedule that may be required to design and develop the relevant Product based on such changes and of any change to the price of such Product (the “Estimate”). Unless Given subsequently gives notice of its disapproval of Micron’s Estimate within twenty (20) days of Micron’s delivery of such Estimate, the proposed changes shall become part of this Agreement and shall supersede the relevant provisions of Exhibit A. Upon Micron’s request, Given shall sign such revised Specifications to confirm its acceptance thereof.

(b)        If the parties do not agree on the reasonableness or technical feasibility of the proposed changes to the Specifications, the cost thereof, the delay to the Development Schedule or the change to the price within thirty (30) days of Micron’s delivery of the Estimate, Given shall have the option, to be exercised in its reasonable discretion within forty-five (45) days of Micron’s delivery of the Estimate, to terminate the development by Micron of the Product with respect to which Given requested such changes or instruct Micron to continue to, in which case Micron shall continue to, design and develop the relevant Product in accordance with the Specifications and Development Schedule in effect prior to the requested change.

2.4       Design Approval and FDA Master Device File.

(a)        The agreed specifications for the * are as set forth in Exhibit A and the agreed specifications for any other * will be set forth in future addenda to this Agreement entered into pursuant to Section 2.5, in each case, as such specifications are amended from time to time pursuant to Section 2.3.

(b)        Given shall review, test, and evaluate the Evaluation Prototype delivered with respect to any * and within thirty (30) days after receipt, Given shall provide Micron with a written acceptance and approval of the Evaluation Prototype (such specific approved Product referred to herein as “Approved Product” and the date of such written acceptance referred to herein as the “Approval Date”) or a written statement of the specific defect(s) to be corrected. Micron shall use commercially reasonable efforts promptly to correct such defects, if any, and provide a new Evaluation Prototype to Given for retesting, review, and reevaluation in accordance with the foregoing procedure. Without prejudice to Given’s rights pursuant to Sections 7.3 or 10, Given shall grant acceptance and approval of the Evaluation Prototype if it conforms in all material respects with the Specifications and demonstrates through testing conducted by Given its capability to function as reasonably intended by Given within the Given System for which it is being qualified (it being understood that if any changes result from such testing that should be reflected in the Specifications, the Specifications shall be amended accordingly in accordance with Section 2.3). The parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to repeat such procedure until Given accepts the Evaluation Prototype.

(c)        If Given has not accepted the Evaluation Prototype for any * within sixty (60) days after initial delivery of the Evaluation Prototype, either party shall have the option, to be exercised in its reasonable discretion within twenty (20) days of the end of the 60 day period referenced above to terminate the development by Micron of such Product, effective

 

______________________

*

Omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request. The confidential portion has been filed separately with the SEC.


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upon written notice to the other party, and the parties shall have no further rights or obligations hereunder with respect to the development of such Product.

(d)        Micron shall, upon receiving from Given a written notification that the Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) requires specified information or data pertaining to an Approved Product prior to granting marketing clearance or approval of a Given System, establish a Device Master File containing such information or data specified by the FDA. Micron shall grant Given a reference right to the Device Master File solely for purposes of obtaining FDA clearance or approval of a Given System incorporating the Approved Product. The Device Master File shall be in the form identified in FDA guidance, and contain only that information specifically identified by the FDA as necessary for the clearance or approval of a Given System incorporating an Approved Product. Micron will identify all trade secret and confidential commercial information in the Device Master File as such. Micron shall be solely responsible for ensuring the completeness and accuracy of the Device Master File, and shall expeditiously respond to and address any questions from the FDA regarding the contents of the Device Master File or Micron’s Approved Product. Micron will update the Device Master File if the Micron Approved Product used in the Given System is modified and the updated information is necessary to obtain clearance or approval of the Given System. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall Micron be required to provide any information related to process or manufacturing technology except to the extent specifically requested by the FDA.

2.5       *

2.6       Co-Marketing. Subject to Section 15.3, Given and Micron shall cooperate in good faith to participate in co-marketing efforts, as reasonably requested by the other party from time to time, and the parties may, from time to time, agree upon joint press releases, trade show cooperation and other like events intended to promote the parties’ respective products relating to this Agreement.

3.          PURCHASE AND SALES.

3.1       Purchase and Sale. After Given’s acceptance of an Evaluation Prototype with respect to a particular Product in accordance with Section 2.4, Given shall purchase from Micron, and Micron shall manufacture and sell to Given, such Approved Products pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

3.2       Purchase Requirement. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.1(a), 2.3(b), 2.4(c) and 2.5(b), Given shall order and purchase exclusively from Micron, and shall cause any subcontractors utilized by Given for the manufacture of the Capsule, to order and purchase exclusively from Micron, all of their respective requirements for any CMOS image sensor used in the Given System during the term of this Agreement (the “Given Exclusivity Restriction”) in compliance with the Minimum Market Penetration Requirement and in individual Approved Product quantities not less than as set forth in Exhibit E; provided, however, that,

 

______________________

*

Omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request. The confidential portion has been filed separately with the SEC.


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(a)        If Micron fails to deliver at least eighty percent (80%) of any Binding Quantity, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, within ten (10) days after the Scheduled Shipping Date and (i) Micron fails to provide adequate written assurance to Given, within thirty (30) days of Given’s notice thereof, that it will remedy such shortfall within sixty (60) days of such Scheduled Shipping Date, including by supplying such shortfall out of the buffer inventory for such Approved Product established and maintained under Section 5.1(a) below, or (ii) after providing such written assurance, Micron fails to deliver such shortfall within such sixty (60) day period, then Given may, upon written notice to Micron (a “Have Made Notice”) and as its sole and exclusive remedy for such failure, have made (pursuant to the license granted under Section 9.5(c) below) or order and purchase from any other sources the quantity of CMOS image sensors that Micron failed to supply.

(b)        If Micron fails on three (3) consecutive Scheduled Shipping Dates to deliver at least seventy percent (70%) of any Binding Quantity, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, within ten (10) days after the Scheduled Shipping Date and Micron fails to remedy such shortfall within fifteen (15) days of Given’s notice of such failure, including by supplying such shortfall out of the buffer inventory for such Approved Product established and maintained under Section 5.1(a) below, Given may immediately elect to terminate Micron’s further manufacture of such Approved Product under this Agreement and to no longer be subject to the Given Exclusivity Restriction. If Given makes such election (i) Given shall, upon providing a Have Made Notice to Micron, be entitled to exercise its license rights described in Section 9.5(c) below; (ii) Micron will no longer be subject to the * with respect to such Approved Product (for clarification, in such event, however, Micron shall have no implied license to Given Intellectual Property); (iii) Given may exercise its last-time buy rights pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.3(c); (iv) if requested by Given, Micron shall deliver to Given the undelivered quantity of the Binding Quantity as soon as practicable. The remedies provided in this Section 3.2(b) and in Section 8.1(b) below shall be Given’s sole and exclusive remedies for Micron’s failure to supply any Binding Quantities in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(c)        If Micron is in default under any of its other material obligations under this Agreement in any material respect and fails to cure such default within thirty (30) days of Given’s written notice (unless such default is the subject of a good faith dispute by Micron, in which event the cure period shall be ninety (90) days), Given may elect, effective upon written notice to Micron delivered not later than thirty (30) days after the end of such cure period, to no longer be subject to the Given Exclusivity Restriction. If Given makes such election (i) Given shall, upon providing a Have Made Notice to Micron, be entitled to exercise its license rights described in Section 9.5(c) below; and (ii) Micron shall no longer be subject to the * (for clarification, in such event, however, Micron shall have no implied license to Given Intellectual Property).

3.3       *

 

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*

Omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request. The confidential portion has been filed separately with the SEC.


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; provided that if at any time (A) it is determined that Given has not met the Minimum Market Penetration Requirement, or (B) Given is in default under any of its other material obligations under this Agreement in any material respect and fails to cure such other default within thirty (30) days of Micron’s written notice (unless such default is the subject of a good faith dispute by Given, in which event the cure period shall be ninety (90) days), Micron may elect, upon written notice to Given delivered not later than thirty (30) days after either the determination referenced in clause (A) above or the end of the cure period referenced in clause (B) above, to no longer be subject to the *. If Micron makes such election Given shall no longer be subject to the Given Exclusivity Restriction (for clarification, in such event, however, Given shall have no implied license to Micron Intellectual Property Rights). Micron’s sole and exclusive remedy for Given’s failure to meet the Minimum Market Penetration Requirement shall be for Micron to terminate the * in accordance with this Section 3.3 or to terminate this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.1(b).

4.          LEAD TIME AND PURCHASE ORDERS.

4.1       Rolling Forecasts. As early as practicable, but in no event later than the end of the month in which Given accepts the Evaluation Prototype for each Approved Product and by the end of each month thereafter during the term of this Agreement, Given shall provide to Micron rolling forecasts of the quantity of such Approved Product that Given proposes to order in the next*. Micron shall notify Given within ten (10) calendar days of its receipt of each such forecast of the quantity Given proposes to order for the first * of such forecast that Micron shall deliver to Given; provided, however, that Micron shall be required to (i) deliver at a minimum * Approved Products with respect to the first production lot of Given’s first forecast for any Approved Product; (ii) with respect to any subsequent forecast for such Approved Product, deliver at least * of the quantity purchased by Given during the * period prior to the date of such forecast (it being understood that such required quantity determined pursuant to this clause (ii) shall not be further diminished with respect to the immediately following or any subsequent consecutive forecasts); and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver quantities requested by Given in excess of such amounts; provided further that, unless otherwise agreed by Micron, the forecast production monthly ramp up rate shall not exceed * times the forecast quantity of the previous month (the quantity accepted by Micron for the first * of any rolling forecast in accordance with this Section 4.1, the “Binding Quantity”). The Binding Quantity of any forecast and any Purchase Order placed by Given hereunder for the Binding Quantity may not be cancelled or rescheduled by Given or Micron and shall be purchased by Given and sold by Micron in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Otherwise, the forecasts provided by Given under this Section 4.1 shall be for informational purposes only, and the parties shall only be bound by Purchase Orders issued by Given under Section 4.2 and accepted by Micron under Section 4.3.

4.2       Purchase Orders. Given shall provide Micron from time to time during the term of this Agreement originals or facsimile copies of purchase orders for delivery of Approved Products (each, a “Purchase Order”) by Micron, executed by an authorized representative of

 

______________________

*

Omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request. The confidential portion has been filed separately with the SEC.


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Given. All Purchase Orders shall state unit quantities, unit descriptions, requested delivery dates, and shipping instructions. Purchase Orders shall be issued at least eighteen (18) weeks in advance of the requested delivery date specified in the Purchase Order (“Lead Time”) and shall correspond to the Binding Quantity of the latest rolling forecast. The standard terms and conditions contained in either party’s printed documents shall not apply to any sales and purchase transaction of Products hereunder, and the terms and conditions set forth herein shall govern all such sales and purchases.

4.3       Sales Confirmation. Given may request several specific dates for the delivery of Products pursuant to any Purchase Order, and Micron will use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver such Products accordingly, provided that any requested delivery dates allow for the Lead Time and any requested delivery dates for the Binding Quantity correspond to requested delivery dates specified in the relevant rolling forecast provided by Given and accepted by Micron under Section 4.1. Micron shall acknowledge each Purchase Order by providing Given with an original or facsimile copy of a sales acknowledgement form (the “Sales Acknowledgement Form”) within ten (10) calendar days of receipt and specify the date it shall ship the quantity of Products specified in such Purchase Order (such date, the “Scheduled Shipping Date”); provided, however, that Micron shall use commercially reasonable efforts to schedule shipment in order to enable delivery by the requested delivery date(s) specified in such Purchase Order, and in no event later than twenty (20) days following the delivery date established with respect to the Binding Quantity in the Micron confirmed forecast; and provided, further, that no additional terms specified in any Sales Acknowledgment Form shall be deemed to have been accepted by Given unless it countersigns such Sales Acknowledgement Form. Should a change by Given in delivery date or partial order cancellation by Given change the volume or minimum ship rate such that the order would have been quoted at a higher price, Micron reserves the right to charge Given the higher price for any remaining shipments and retroactively for any partial fulfillment of the changed order in accordance with the provisions of Exhibit D.

4.4       Purchase Order Fulfillment. Each Purchase Order shall request delivery of quantities of Product consistent with the latest rolling forecast. Micron shall use commercially reasonable efforts to fill each such Purchase Order by the Scheduled Shipping Date to the extent such Purchase Order is in compliance with the terms of this Agreement. Given shall be entitled to reject any quantity of Approved Products shipped later than ten (10) calendar days after the Scheduled Shipping Date for such quantity and to deduct the rejected quantity from the minimum quantity Given is required to purchase under this Agreement.

5.         PRODUCTION FLOWS.

5.1       Manufacturing.

(a)        Micron shall use commercially reasonable efforts to establish * of an initial buffer inventory of each Approved Product based upon the initial rolling forecast for such

 

______________________

*

Omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request. The confidential portion has been filed separately with the SEC.


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Approved Product and thereafter to maintain * of buffer inventory of such Approved Product based on the actual average monthly amounts of such Approved Product purchased by Given during the prior six month period during the term of this Agreement. If Micron does not manufacture a sufficient quantity of any Approved Product to fill any Purchase Order for any Approved Product by the Scheduled Shipping Date, it shall fill such order out the buffer inventory for such Approved Product within sixty (60) days of the Scheduled Shipping Date and thereafter use commercially reasonable efforts to replenish the buffer inventory. Upon expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement by Micron (other than a termination by Micron pursuant to Section 11.3) or upon termination of this Agreement by Given pursuant to Section 11.5, Given shall purchase from Micron, and Micron shall deliver and sell to Given, all such buffer inventory then remaining. Without prejudice to Given’s rights under Section 8.3, upon termination of this Agreement by Given or upon termination of this Agreement by Micron pursuant to Section 11.3, Given shall have the option exercisable by written notice to Micron to purchase from Micron, and, if Given exercises such option, Micron shall deliver and sell to Given, all such buffer inventory then remaining.

(b)        If production of any Approved Products other than the * Products to the extent manufactured by Tower Semiconductor as permitted under Section 16.5, is disrupted or suspended by Force Majeure, or for any other reason, and such disruption or suspension is reasonably likely, after exhausting the buffer inventory maintained in accordance with Section 5.1(a), to affect Micron’s ability to fill any Purchase Order for the Binding Quantity by the Scheduled Shipping Date for such Purchase Order or otherwise to comply with its obligations under this Agreement, Micron shall use commercially reasonable efforts to * of such disruption or suspension. In such event, Micron shall reimburse Given for the added * costs per part that Given incurs, if any, as a direct result of *. The foregoing provisions of this Section 5.1(b) are without prejudice to Given’s rights pursuant to Sections 3.2(a), (b) and (c) or 13.2.

5.2       Inventory Management. Micron shall use commercially reasonable efforts to manage inventories of goods in process to meet the delivery schedule contained in Micron’s Sales Acknowledgement Form.

5.3       Meetings with Main Subcontractors. Each of Micron and Given shall use commercially reasonable efforts to meet with representatives of Micron’s main subcontractors as needed to discuss and coordinate the production flow, discuss any technical or quality issues or difficulties, determine inventory levels, improve communications and procedures for ordering, testing and delivering the Product at the various manufacturing stages.

5.4       Inspection Rights. Given’s representatives may, during normal business hours and without undue disruption of Micron’s normal business practices, inspect and/or monitor Micron’s progress towards delivering Products required to be delivered hereunder and Micron’s records relating specifically to performance of such obligations. Micron shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with Given with respect to any inspections or audits required by any government or certification authority in relation to any regulatory approval or certification of

 

______________________

*

Omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request. The confidential portion has been filed separately with the SEC.


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the Given System, including, without limitation, any inspections or audits by the FDA. Given shall notify Micron at least ten (10) business days prior to an intended Given visit and, to the extent practicable, shall notify Micron at least ten (10) business days prior to an intended government or certification authority visit.

6.          PURCHASE PRICE, TAXES AND PAYMENT TERMS.

6.1       Terms. Prices are as set forth on the Price Schedule. ALL PRICES AND PAYMENTS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE IN UNITED STATES DOLLARS. Micron shall submit an invoice to Given for each shipment of Approved Products delivered by Micron. The amount stated in such invoice shall be due and payable by Given * net calendar days from the date of Micron’s delivery of the invoice to Given. Delivery via verified facsimile transmission of an invoice to Given’s purchasing manager at fax number 972-4-959-2466, or such other fax number as Given may specify in writing from time to time, shall constitute “delivery” for purposes of the foregoing sentence.

6.2       Finance Charge and Costs. On any amounts not paid within seven (7) days of the due date Micron may, in its sole discretion, charge interest on such overdue amount, from the due date of such past-due payment through the date of payment, at a rate not in excess of one and one-half percent (1 1/2%) per month (eighteen percent (18%) per annum) unless a lower rate is required under applicable law, in which event Micron may charge such lower rate. In addition, Given agrees to pay all costs of collection of any late payment, including costs of litigation and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Micron may accept payment in an amount less than the full amount of any invoice, but such acceptance shall not constitute a waiver of Micron’s right to collect the balance or accord and satisfaction notwithstanding Micron’s endorsement of a check or other instrument. If Given is adjudicated bankrupt or a petition for winding up or judicial management is made against Given or corporate reorganization under any bankruptcy or similar laws is filed by or against Given, or Given makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or a receiver and/or manager or like person for Given is appointed, Micron may, to the extent allowed by applicable law, cancel any unfilled Purchase Order. Each individual shipment shall be invoiced and paid as a separate and independent transaction.

6.3       Credit. All shipments, deliveries, and performance of work hereunder shall at all times be subject to credit approval or review by Micron; provided that Micron shall not withhold credit approval unless Micron reasonably determines, in accordance with its standard policies and procedures with respect to its other top tier customers, that Given’s financial condition has materially adversely changed as compared to Given’s financial condition as of the date hereof. Given shall provide such credit information and references as are reasonably requested by Micron from time to time. Given authorizes such references to release credit information about Given’s accounts and warrants that all such information and assurances shall be true and correct to the best of Given’s knowledge. Micron shall treat such information as confidential in accordance with the provisions of Section 15. Given shall indemnify and hold harmless Micron

 

______________________

*

Omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request. The confidential portion has been filed separately with the SEC.


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and its employees and agents from any and all liability resulting from the release of any such information to Micron, unless such liability results from Micron’s breach of its obligations under the provisions of Section 15.

6.4       Taxes. Prices do not include any customs duties, sales, use, value added, excise, federal, state, local or other similar taxes. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.1(b), all such duties or taxes shall be paid by Given, or in lieu thereof, Given shall provide Micron with an appropriate exemption certificate.

7.          DELIVERY, RISK OF LOSS AND RETURNS.

7.1       Delivery and Risk of Loss. All deliveries of Product shall be made F.C.A. Micron’s or, subject to Section 16.5, its subcontractor’s facilities. Title and risk of loss or damage to Product shall pass to Given upon Micron’s delivery of the Products to the carrier at Micron’s designated facility. Micron shall ship Products in accordance with Given’s reasonable instructions.

7.2       Returns. Given may not return any Approved Product for any reason without first obtaining a Return Material Authorization (“RMA”) from Micron, which Micron shall promptly provide for any non-conforming Approved Product the tender or delivery of which is rejected by Given in accordance with Section 7.3. All returns of Approved Product shall be made in compliance with Micron’s standard RMA procedures notified to Given in writing and shall be in the original packaging or equivalent. If Given returns any Approved Product to Micron without an RMA or without proper packaging, Micron may refuse such return, and Given shall remain liable for the full purchase price of such Approved Product until Given returns such Approved Product to Micron with an RMA and in proper packaging.

7.3       Right to Cure Improper Tender or Delivery. If Given rejects tender or delivery of any Approved Product that does not conform to the Specifications in all material respects, Given shall provide Micron written notice of such rejection within five (5) business days of Given’s discovery of the non-conforming Approved Product, provided, however, that any claims by Given against Micron for any delivery shortage shall be deemed waived if not made within fifteen (15) days of Given’s receipt of shipment. Micron may cure, within ninety (90) days from the date it receives written notice of Given’s rejection, the non-conformance by replacing the non-conforming Approved Products with Approved Products that conform to the Specifications in all material respects. The foregoing provisions of this Section 7.3 shall in no way limit Given’s rights pursuant to Section 10.

8.          TERM AND TERMINATION.

8.1       Term

(a)        Unless earlier terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and expire five (5) years after the Effective Date; provided, however, that not less than six (6) months prior to the expiration of this Agreement or any extension thereof, the parties


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may, in their respective discretion, agree in writing to enter into up to five (5) one (1) year extensions to this Agreement.

(b)        Either party may terminate this Agreement and/or suspend or cancel any further work and shipments of Products, effective upon written notice to the other party stating such party’s intention to terminate, if the other party: (i) ceases to function as a going concern or to conduct operations in the normal course of business; (ii) has a petition filed by or against it under any bankruptcy or insolvency law which petition has not been dismissed or set aside within sixty (60) days of its filing; (iii) fails to make any payment due hereunder within thirty (30) days after written notice of such failure; or (iv) without prejudice to the rights of Given under Sections 2.1(a), 2.3(b), 3.2, or of either party under Section 2.4(c), fails to perform any of its other material obligations under this Agreement in any material respect so as to be in default hereunder and fails to cure such default within thirty (30) days after written notice of such default, unless such default is of a type that it cannot reasonably be expected to be cured within such thirty (30) day period, in which event the defaulting party shall have not more than ninety (90) days to cure such default, provided such party is diligently prosecuting the cure of such default. If Given terminates this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(b), Given shall, upon providing a Have Made Notice to Micron, be entitled to exercise its license rights described in Section 9.5(c) below.

(c)        Given shall have the right to terminate the development or manufacture of any Product hereunder effective upon written notice to Micron as set forth in Sections 2.1(a), 2.3(b) or 3.2(b). Either party shall have the right to terminate the development of any Product hereunder effective upon written notice to the other party as set forth in Section 2.4(c). If development of * Products is terminated pursuant to any of such sections in any two year period, either party may, effective upon ninety (90) days prior written notice to the other party, elect to terminate this Agreement; provided that such election must be made within thirty (30) days of the date of the Product development termination giving rise to such right. In the event of termination of this Agreement pursuant to the foregoing sentence, neither party shall have any further liability to the other party under the provisions of this Agreement, except to the extent provided in Section 8.4 below.

8.2       Duties Upon Termination. Upon expiration or termination of this Agreement: (i) all amounts owing shall be accelerated and shall become immediately due and payable; (ii) each party shall return or destroy the Confidential Information of the other party (provided that Given shall not be required to return to Micron the Design Information); and (iii) Given shall purchase or, as the case may be, shall have the option to purchase from Micron, and Micron shall deliver to Given, all buffer inventory then held by Micron in accordance with Section 5.1. Either party may request in writing that the other party certify that it has complied with its obligations under clause (ii) of this Section 8.2.

8.3       Last-Time Buy.

 

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*

Omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request. The confidential portion has been filed separately with the SEC.


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(a)        Provided that Given is then not in material breach of any of its material obligations under this Agreement, not later than six (6) months prior to expiration of this Agreement: (i) Given may place a non-cancelable purchase order for Approved Product in quantities not exceeding * times the actual quantities purchased by Given hereunder during the * period prior to such purchase order, for delivery in equal monthly increments during the * period following such expiration and at the price set forth in the Price Schedule; and (ii) in addition, Given may place a non-cancelable purchase order for up to an additional * times the actual quantities purchased by Given hereunder during the * period prior to such purchase order, for delivery in equal monthly increments during the * period following such expiration and at the price set forth in the Price Schedule, provided that Given shall, at its option, within ten (10) days of the date of Micron’s confirmation of such purchase order, either (A) pre-pay Micron for all such additional quantities ordered pursuant to this clause (ii); or (B) cause to be issued for Micron’s benefit a letter of credit, in form and substance, and provided by a bank, reasonably acceptable to Micron, covering the full purchase price of such additional quantities.

(b)        Provided that Given is not then in material breach of any of its material obligations under this Agreement and Micron has not been enjoined from further manufacture and sale of the applicable Approved Product, not later than thirty (30) days after Micron’s notice of termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.3(b) below, Given may place a non-cancelable purchase order for Approved Product in quantities not exceeding * times the actual quantities purchased by Given hereunder during * period prior to such purchase order, for delivery in equal monthly increments during the * period following the end of the third month following such notice of termination and at the price set forth in the Price Schedule, plus fifty percent (50%) of any royalty that Micron is required to pay as a result of a claim or suit described in Section 11.3(b) with respect to the Approved Products purchased pursuant to such last-time-buy right.

(c)        If Given elects to terminate the manufacture by Micron of any Approved Product pursuant to Section 3.2(b) and provided that Given is then not in material breach of any of its material obligations under this Agreement, not later than thirty (30) days after Given’s notice of such election, Given may place a non-cancelable purchase order for such Approved Product in quantities not exceeding * times the actual quantities purchased by Given hereunder during the * period prior to such purchase order, for delivery in equal monthly increments during the * period following the end of the third month following such notice of such election and at the price set forth in the Price Schedule.

(d)        If Micron terminates this Agreement as a result of Given’s failure to meet the Minimum Market Penetration Requirement, and provided that Given is then not in material breach of any of its material obligations under this Agreement, not later than thirty (30) days after Micron’s notice of such termination, (i) Given may place a non-cancelable purchase order for Approved Product in quantities not exceeding * times the actual quantities purchased by Given hereunder during the * period prior to such purchase order, for delivery in equal monthly increments during the * period following the end of the third month following such notice of such

 

______________________

*

Omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request. The confidential portion has been filed separately with the SEC.


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termination and at a price of * times the price set forth in the Price Schedule; and (ii) in addition, Given may place a non-cancelable purchase order for up to an additional * times the actual quantities purchased by Given hereunder during the * period prior to such purchase order, for delivery in equal monthly increments during the * month period following the end of the third month following such notice of such termination and at a price of * times the price set forth in the Price Schedule, provided that Given shall, at its option, within ten (10) days of the date of Micron’s confirmation of such purchase order, either (A) pre-pay Micron for all such additional quantities ordered pursuant to this clause (ii); or (B) cause to be issued for Micron’s benefit a letter of credit, in form and substance, and provided by a bank, reasonably acceptable to Micron, covering the full purchase price of such additional quantities.

8.4       Survival. Sections 3.2(b), clause (i) of the first sentence of Section 3.3 as provided therein, Sections 8.2, 8.3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 and 16 of this Agreement, and such other provisions of this Agreement as may be necessary to give meaning to such Sections (but only to the extent necessary to give such meaning) (including Sections 6 and 7 in relation to Given’s last-time-buy rights under Section 8.3), shall survive expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement and remain in effect in accordance with their respective terms.

9.          IP OWNERSHIP.

9.1       Background IP. Micron and Given acknowledge and agree that each party is and shall be the sole and exclusive owner of all right, title and interest in and to its Background IP. Except as may be expressly provided herein, a party acquires no interest under this Agreement to any Background IP of the other party.

9.2       Foreground IP; Inclusion of Given IP.

(a)        Given acknowledges and agrees that all right, title and interest in and to all Micron Foreground IP shall inure to the sole and exclusive benefit of Micron. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, Micron shall have the right to exploit, and to grant to any third party the right to exploit, all rights with respect to Micron Foreground IP.

(b)        Micron acknowledges and agrees that all right, title and interest in and to all Given Foreground IP shall inure to the sole and exclusive benefit of Given. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, Given shall have the right to exploit, and to grant to any third party the right to exploit, all rights with respect to the Given Foreground IP.

9.3.      Joint Foreground IP.

(a)        Micron and Given agree to use all reasonable efforts to identify, notify the other party of, and negotiate appropriate terms in writing relating to the development and protection of Joint Foreground IP by the parties; provided that in no event shall any party be liable to the other party for the failure to identify any such opportunity for the development or protection of Joint Foreground IP; provided, further, that, unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties in writing, all right, title and interest in Joint Foreground IP shall be jointly owned by Micron and Given. Subject to Section 3.3 of this Agreement, each party shall be entitled to use


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any Joint Foreground IP and to grant non-exclusive licenses to third parties without prior consent of the other party and without accounting to the other party.

(b)        The parties shall meet as needed to discuss matters relating to obtaining legal protection for the Joint Foreground IP. If the parties determine to file for patent, copyright or any other form of legal protection in any country, the parties shall agree upon which party shall file the application on behalf of the parties and name each party as joint and equal owners of the Joint Foreground IP and any patent or other protection relating thereto. During the prosecution of any applications filed pursuant to this section, and prior to responding to office actions from the patent or other authority of any country, the filing party agrees to send to the other party copies of all correspondence and official actions received from such authority. All expenses incurred pursuant to the filing and prosecution of such applications, including patentability search expenses, shall be divided equally between the parties. The filing party agrees to consult with the other party prior to incurring filing or prosecution expenses in excess of $20,000 with respect to any one application.

(c)        No party shall permit any application for Joint Foreground IP to become abandoned without giving the other party the opportunity to assume the prosecution of such patent or other application as soon as possible, which in no event shall be less than sixty (60) days prior to the date on which it shall become abandoned. Each party agrees to provide the other with timely copies of all official papers and correspondence related to the prosecution of any such application for Joint Foreground IP.

(d)        When the parties meet and discuss matters relating to obtaining legal protection for Joint Foreground IP, if one party does not want to pursue filing an application on the Joint Foreground IP in any country, the other party may independently pursue such protection of the Joint Foreground IP in such country on behalf of that party only at that party’s sole expense. The applicant party in such country shall be the sole owner of any and all resulting patents or other Intellectual Property Rights arising from the application, and shall be entitled to all revenues derived by such party relating to the issued patent or other protection; provided, however, that the other party shall have a non-transferable, non-exclusive, royalty free license under such patent or other intellectual property protection within such country and for the full term of such patent or other legal protection, to make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale, import and market products or processes utilizing or embodying the subject matter claimed therein.

(e)        Should any of the parties wish to prosecute any suspected infringement of any Joint Foreground IP by a third party, the parties shall meet and discuss the prosecution of such infringement claims against suspected third party infringers, and which party shall be responsible for any such prosecution. Should the parties agree on joint action, the prosecuting party shall have control of such action, provided that: (i) the other party shall fully cooperate in every reasonable way with the prosecution, and the parties shall equally share the costs of such infringement action; (ii) no settlement or compromise shall be agreed upon without the prior consent of the other party; and (iii) the parties shall equally share in any proceeds obtained from such action. If one party does not want to pursue prosecution of an infringement claim, the other party may do so at its own expense, controlling such action and retaining all proceeds therefrom; provided that once such other party indicates that it is going to pursue such action, the party that


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declined to participate in such action may not directly or indirectly license or offer to license the Joint Foreground IP at issue to such third party from the date of such indication and continuing during the pendancy of such action.

9.4.      Registration of IP.

Neither party shall register or attempt in any country to register copyrights in, or register as a trademark, service mark, design patent, utility patent or industrial design or business designation, any of the other party’s Intellectual Property Rights (including, without limitation, the Micron Foreground IP and the Given Foreground IP, respectively), or any word, symbol, or design which is so similar thereto as to suggest direct or indirect association with or sponsorship by the other party or any of its Affiliates.

9.5       Licenses.

(a)        (i)        Given hereby grants to Micron a non-exclusive, fully paid up, worldwide license to use, modify and copy Given’s Background IP and Given Foreground IP solely for the purpose of allowing Micron to fulfill its obligations to Given under this Agreement. Except as permitted pursuant to this Section 9.5(a) and Section 16.5(a) of this Agreement, Micron shall in no event use, modify, practice, manufacture, have manufactured, copy, import, market, sell, offer for sale, lease, offer for lease, sublicense or otherwise furnish Given’s Background IP or Given Foreground IP in connection with any product or service for any third party (including, without limitation, the manufacture, sale, design or marketing thereof).

(ii)        Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of Section 9.5(a)(i), Given hereby grants to Micron a non-exclusive, fully paid up, royalty free, worldwide license, without the right to sub-license, under Given Background IP and Given Foreground IP (but expressly excluding under Given patents), if any, that is actually incorporated into any Approved Product (“Incorporated Given IP”) to make, have made, modify, use, sell or have sold, offer for sale, import or have imported, or otherwise dispose of CMOS imaging products for use in all applications other than in-vivo imaging of the human body. Micron agrees that it (A) shall not sell, lease transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of any CMOS imaging products containing Incorporated Given IP to any third party if Micron knows or, with the exercise of reasonable diligence should know, that such third party is using or intends to use such CMOS imaging products in an application for the in-vivo imaging of the human body and (B) shall notify Given promptly upon Micron’s discovery that any such third party is using such CMOS imaging products for such use (including the name of such third party if Micron can disclose such without being in breach of a written confidentiality agreement with such third party) and immediately cease selling such CMOS imaging products to such third party for such use. If Given terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1(b) or terminates the Given Exclusivity Restriction pursuant to Section 3.2(b) or 3.2(c), the license granted to Micron under this Section 9.5(a)(ii) shall terminate effective upon the date of such termination.

(b)        Micron hereby grants to Given a non-exclusive, fully paid up, royalty free, worldwide license to Micron’s Background IP and Micron Foreground IP solely for the purpose


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of allowing Given to market, offer for sale and sell Given Systems incorporating the Approved Products purchased hereunder. Except as permitted pursuant to this Section 9.5(b) and Sections 3.2, 8.1(b), 9.5(c), 11.3(b) and 13.2 of this Agreement, Given shall in no event use, modify, practice, manufacture, have manufactured, copy, import, market, sell, offer for sale, lease, offer for lease, sublicense or otherwise furnish Micron’s Background IP or Micron Foreground IP in connection with any product or service for any third party (including, without limitation, the manufacture, sale, design or marketing thereof).

(c)        Upon Given’s Have Made Notice to Micron made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.2, 8.1(b), 11.3(b) or 13.2, Micron shall grant to Given a non-exclusive, fully paid up, royalty free, worldwide license, without the right to sub-license, under Micron’s Background IP and Micron Foreground IP solely to make, have made, modify, use, sell or have sold, offer for sale, import or have imported, or otherwise dispose of CMOS imaging products strictly for use in systems utilizing a swallowable capsule for the in-vivo imaging of the GI Tract but only to the extent such Micron Background IP and Micron Foreground IP was actually incorporated into or used to manufacture Approved Products as of the date of such Have Made Notice. The grant of the license under this Section 9.5(c) shall become effective upon Given’s Have Made Notice to Micron. Micron shall, during the term of this Agreement with respect to any Approved Product, maintain in readily available form with respect to such Approved Product updated versions of:* The rights and licenses granted to Given pursuant to Section 9.5(b) and this Section 9.5(c) are, and shall be deemed to be, for purposes of Section 365(n) of Title 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”), licenses to rights of “intellectual property” as defined thereunder, and Given is, and shall be deemed to be, a “licensee” for purposes of Section 365(n) of the Bankruptcy Code. Notwithstanding any provision contained herein to the contrary, if Micron is under any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code and the trustee in bankruptcy of Micron, or Micron as a debtor in possession, rightfully elects to reject this Agreement, Given may exercise its rights as a licensee pursuant to Sections 365(n)(1), (2) and (3) of the Bankruptcy Code.

(d)        Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to be a grant, by implication, estoppel, or otherwise, of any license or other right under Intellectual Property Rights of either party.

10.       WARRANTY.

10.1     Limited Warranty. OTHER THAN AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT, NEITHER PARTY MAKES ANY WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, EXCEPT THAT MICRON WARRANTS ONLY THAT EACH APPROVED PRODUCT SHALL (i) BE FREE FROM DEFECTS IN MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP; AND (ii) COMPLY WITH THE SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE APPROVED PRODUCT; PROVIDED THAT DEFECTS OR

 

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Omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request. The confidential portion has been filed separately with the SEC.


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DEVIATIONS FROM SUCH SPECIFICATIONS WHICH DO NOT MATERIALLY AFFECT FORM, FIT OR FUNCTION OF SUCH APPROVED PRODUCT IN THE GIVEN SYSTEM FOR WHICH IT IS INITIALLY QUALIFIED BY GIVEN SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO CONSTITUTE FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH SUCH SPECIFICATIONS OR THE FOREGOING WARRANTY. NO WARRANTY WHATSOEVER IS MADE WITH RESPECT TO EVALUATION PROTOTYPES, PRE-PRODUCTION OR ENGINEERING SAMPLES, OR ANY OTHER PRODUCT THAT HAS NOT BEEN FULLY QUALIFIED BY MICRON.

10.2     Claim Period and Remedy. ANY CLAIM BY GIVEN AGAINST MICRON UNDER SECTION 10.1 MUST BE MADE WITHIN * FROM THE DATE OF DELIVERY BY MICRON TO GIVEN OF SUCH APPROVED PRODUCT AND MICRON SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY THEREAFTER. MICRON’S LIABILITY IS LIMITED TO REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE PRODUCT OR CREDIT OR REFUND OF THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. ALL WARRANTIES COVER ONLY DEFECTS IN APPROVED PRODUCTS ARISING UNDER NORMAL USE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SPECIFICATIONS AND DO NOT INCLUDE MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES RESULTING FROM MICRON’S COMPLIANCE WITH SPECIFICATIONS PROVIDED BY GIVEN, MISUSE, USE NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPECIFICATIONS, ABUSE, NEGLECT, ALTERATION, MODIFICATION, IMPROPER INSTALLATION, OR REPAIRS BY ANYONE OTHER THAN MICRON.

10.3     Non-Authorized Uses. MICRON’S PRODUCTS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR USE AS CRITICAL COMPONENTS IN LIFE SUPPORT DEVICES OR SYSTEMS WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN APPROVAL OF THE PRESIDENT OF MICRON. Life support devices or systems are those which are intended to support or sustain life and whose failure to perform can be reasonably expected to result in either a significant injury or death to the user. Critical components are those whose failure to perform can be reasonably expected to cause failure of a life support device or system or affect its safety or effectiveness.

10.4     Conditions. The warranty provided for under this Section 10 is subject to the following conditions: (a) if Approved Product becomes defective during the warranty period, Given shall notify Micron promptly in writing of any claims; (b) if Micron advises Given to return such Approved Product for repair or replacement, Given shall follow Micron’s written instructions with respect to the return of such Approved Product and Micron shall reimburse Given for the costs and expenses associated therewith; (c) if Approved Product alleged by Given to be defective or returned to Micron for repair as provided in this Section 10 is either (i) not under warranty, (ii) not defective, or (iii) defective due to any cause or condition excluded from the warranty provided for under this Section 10, Given agrees to reimburse Micron for all reasonable expenses incurred with respect to such claim and/or the shipping, handling, and inspection of such Approved Product; (d) Approved Products shall be accepted by Micron for warranty claim verification only when returned by Given in a condition which allows for suitable testing by Micron, to the extent practicable; (e) when more than one type of Approved Product is

 

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*

Omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request. The confidential portion has been filed separately with the SEC.


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returned, the Products must be segregated by Product type; (f) unless resulting from such defect, any returned Approved Products electrically or mechanically destroyed by Given or third parties shall not be covered by this warranty, and shall not be returned to Given, but shall be scrapped by Micron.

10.5     No Authority. NO AGENT, EMPLOYEE OR REPRESENTATIVE OF EITHER PARTY HAS ANY AUTHORITY TO BIND SUCH PARTY TO ANY AFFIRMATION, REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY RELATING TO THE PRODUCTS OR THE DELIVERABLES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OTHER THAN AS SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED HEREIN AND EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY SUCH PURPORTED WARRANTY, AFFIRMATION OR REPRESENTATION SHALL BE VOID AND OF NO FORCE AND EFFECT. ONLY MICRON OFFICERS ARE AUTHORIZED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY AMENDMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS HERETO. ONLY GIVEN OFFICERS ARE AUTHORIZED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY AMENDMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS HERETO.

10.6     Medical Claims. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT, MICRON MAKES NO WARRANTY WHATSOEVER, AND DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, THAT MAY ARISE AS A RESULT OF FAILURE OF A GIVEN SYSTEM TO CAPTURE INFORMATION THAT COULD HAVE ASSISTED IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF A MEDICAL CONDITION. GIVEN SHALL INDEMNIFY, DEFEND AND HOLD HARMLESS MICRON FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL COST, LOSS, LIABILITY OR EXPENSE THAT MICRON MAY INCUR AS A RESULT OF ANY SUCH FAILURE EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH FAILURE IS CAUSED BY AN APPROVED PRODUCT’S NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 10.

11.       IP RIGHTS INFRINGEMENT INDEMNIFICATION.

11.1     Given’s Sole Remedy. Given’s sole remedy with respect to allegations or proof of infringement of third-party Intellectual Property Rights by any Product, TO THE EXCLUSION OF ALL OTHER REMEDIES THEREFOR, shall be for Given to invoke the provisions set forth in Sections 11.2 to 11.4 below.

11.2     Indemnification by Micron. Subject to the following terms and conditions, Micron, at its own expense, shall defend and hold harmless Given from and against any claim or suit brought against Given by third parties (other than by Affiliates of Given) alleging that any Approved Product that Given purchased hereunder infringes any Intellectual Property Right of said third party. To be entitled to defense of any such claim by Micron:

(a)        Given shall provide Micron with written notice of any such claim or suit as soon as reasonably practicable by the most expeditious reasonable means of those methods specified in Section 16.3, and in no event later than ten (10) business days after learning of the assertion of the claim against Given (whether or not litigation or any other proceeding has been filed or served); and


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(b)        Given agrees that Micron shall have the sole right to control the defense and/or settlement of all such claims, in litigation or otherwise, and Given shall provide Micron with all reasonable assistance and cooperation in the defense of any such claim or suit at Micron’s cost and expense; provided that Micron shall not settle any such claim or suit in a manner which would have a adverse effect on Given’s rights other than under this Agreement, without the written consent of Given.

11.3     Additional Indemnification Obligations of Micron.

(a)        If, pursuant to Section 11.2 above, Micron is obligated to defend any claim or suit brought against Given, Micron shall, subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, discharge any obligation imposed on Given, whether by settlement or by judgment, as a result of such claim or suit; provided that Micron shall have no obligation with respect to any non-monetary activity or conduct imposed by such settlement or judgment to the extent such activity or conduct is within Given’s control and Given has consented thereto if such consent is required pursuant to Section 11.2(b).

(b)        In addition, if a claim or suit is brought against Given or Micron by a third party alleging that any Approved Product infringes any Intellectual Property Right of said third party, Micron shall, upon fulfillment of its obligation to defend and indemnify pursuant to Section 11.2 and 11.3(a) above (if such claim or suit is brought against Given), elect one of the following, at its sole cost and expense and in its sole discretion: (i) obtain for Given the right to continue using and selling the Approved Product; (ii) replace or modify the Approved Product with functionally equivalent, compatible product so that the Approved Product becomes noninfringing; or (iii) terminate this Agreement effective upon written notice to Given, without further obligation under this Agreement; provided that if Micron terminates this Agreement pursuant to the foregoing clause (iii), (a) Given shall then be entitled, upon providing a Have Made Notice to Micron, to exercise the have made license rights granted under Section 9.5(c); and (b) so long as Micron is not enjoined from continued manufacture and sale of the Approved Product, Given may exercise its last-time-buy right pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.3(b).

11.4     Limitation on Micron’s Liability. Micron’s liability and defense obligations under Sections 11.1 to 11.4 shall be limited as follows:

(a)        Micron shall not be required to defend or indemnify Given with respect to any losses or expenses caused by Given’s own negligence, gross negligence, or willful misconduct.

(b)        Micron shall not be required to defend or indemnify Given with respect to any losses or expenses that resulted from Given’s failure to act in strict accordance with this Agreement.

(c)        Micron shall not be required to defend or indemnify Given with respect to any losses or expenses relating to trademark infringements involving any marking or branding not applied by or requested by Micron, or involving any marking or branding applied by Micron at Given’s request.


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(d)        Micron shall neither have any liability for claims of infringement nor any obligation to defend with respect to any Approved Product purchased hereunder: (i) if such Approved Product has been modified by Given without the express, written authorization of Micron if the claim of infringement involves some aspect of the modification; (ii) if such claim would have been avoided but for the combination of such Approved Product with any system, circuitry, hardware, software or other component, method or process not supplied by Micron; or (iii) if such claim is attributable to Micron’s compliance with designs, specifications or instructions provided by Given, its subcontractors or other designees.

(e)        Micron shall not be liable for expenses incurred by Given in connection with any claim or suit without Micron’s express, written authorization.

11.5. Indemnification by Given. Micron’s sole remedy with respect to allegations or proof of infringement of third-party Intellectual Property Rights by any Product, TO THE EXCLUSION OF ALL OTHER REMEDIES THEREFOR, shall be for Micron to invoke the provisions set forth in Sections 11.5 and 11.6. Given shall, subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, discharge any obligation imposed on Micron, whether by settlement or by judgment, as a result of any claim or suit brought against Micron by third parties (other than by Affiliates of Micron) alleging that any Approved Product that Given purchased hereunder or any Given System or component thereof infringes any Intellectual Property Right of said third party, unless such claim is of a type that Micron would be required to indemnify Given pursuant to Sections 11.1 to 11.4; provided that Given shall have no obligation with respect to any non-monetary activity or conduct imposed by such settlement or judgment to the extent such activity or conduct is within Micron’s control and Micron has consented thereto pursuant to Section 11.5(b). To be entitled to defense of any such claim by Given:

(a)        Micron shall provide Given with written notice of any such claim or suit as soon as reasonably practicable by the most expeditious reasonable means of those methods specified in Section 16.3, and in no event later than ten (10) business days after learning of the assertion of the claim against Micron (whether or not litigation or other proceeding has been filed or served); and

(b)        Micron agrees that Given shall have the sole right to control the defense and/or settlement of all such claims, in litigation or otherwise, and Micron shall provide Given with all reasonable assistance and cooperation in the defense of any such claim or suit at Given’s cost and expense; provided that Given shall not settle any such claim or suit in a manner which would have a material adverse effect on Micron’s rights other than under this Agreement, without the written consent of Micron.

In addition, if a claim or suit is brought against Micron by a third party and Given is required to indemnify Micron pursuant to this Section 11.5, Given may terminate this Agreement effective upon written notice to Micron, without further obligation under this Agreement; provided that if Given terminates this Agreement pursuant to the foregoing clause, Micron shall deliver to Given, and Given shall purchase from Micron (i) all buffer inventory then remaining; and (ii) the Binding Quantity remaining to be delivered at the time of such termination.


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For avoidance of doubt, in no event shall Given be required to indemnify or defend Micron for any claim brought against Micron by a third party alleging that a product not sold to Given hereunder that uses Incorporated Given IP licensed to Micron pursuant to Section 9.5(a)(ii) infringes such third party’s Intellectual Property Rights.

11.6     Limitation on Given’s Liability. Given’s liability and defense obligations under Section 11.5 shall be limited as follows:

(a)        Given shall not be required to defend or indemnify Micron with respect to any losses or expenses caused by Micron’s own negligence, gross negligence, or willful misconduct.

(b)        Given shall not be required to defend or indemnify Micron with respect to any losses or expenses that resulted from Micron’s failure to act in strict accordance with this Agreement.

(c)        Given shall not be required to defend or indemnify Micron with respect to any losses or expenses relating to trademark infringements involving any marking or branding not applied by or requested by Given, or involving any marking or branding applied by Given at Micron’s request.

(d)        Given shall not be liable for expenses incurred by Micron in connection with any claim or suit without Given’s express, written authorization.

12.       LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, NEITHER PARTY SHALL BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY OR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM PERFORMANCE OR FAILURE TO PERFORM UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE FURNISHING, PERFORMANCE OR USE OF ANY PRODUCTS, GOODS OR SERVICES SOLD PURSUANT HERETO, WHETHER DUE TO A BREACH OF CONTRACT, BREACH OF WARRANTY, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE. EXCEPT WITH RESPECT TO (i) MICRON’S OBLIGATION TO REPAIR, REPLACE OR GRANT A REFUND OR CREDIT WITH RESPECT TO DEFECTIVE APPROVED PRODUCT AS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 10.2; (ii) GIVEN’S PAYMENT OBLIGATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 6; (iii) * GIVEN’S OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE GIVEN EXCLUSIVITY RESTRICTION; AND (iv) EITHER PARTY’S OBLIGATIONS PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 11 AND 15, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY’S LIABILITY TO THE OTHER PARTY OR ANY THIRD PARTY ARISING OUT OF BREACH OF CONTRACT, BREACH OF WARRANTY, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS

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*

Omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request. The confidential portion has been filed separately with the SEC.


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AGREEMENT OR THE PRODUCTS PURCHASED OR MATERIALS DELIVERED HEREUNDER, EXCEED THE TOTAL AMOUNT PAID TO MICRON BY GIVEN HEREUNDER FOR THE PRODUCTS ACTUALLY GIVING RISE TO SUCH LIABILITY DURING THE SIX (6) MONTH PERIOD IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE MAKING OF THE CLAIM IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH LIABILITY.

13.       FORCE MAJEURE

13.1     Definition. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Force Majeure” means acts of God, fire, flood, accident, riot, war, terrorism, government intervention, embargoes or other events or circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the affected party, but only to the extent (i) such event or circumstance (A) directly prevents the affected party from performing any of its material obligations under this Agreement, (B) is not a result of a breach by the affected party of its obligations under this Agreement and (C) could not have been prevented or avoided despite the exercise of reasonable diligence and (ii) the affected party gives notice of the occurrence of such event or circumstance to the other. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the issuance by the United States Department of State or any other governmental authority of any other country of any travel advisory with respect to Israel shall not, standing alone, constitute Force Majeure and late deliveries by suppliers and equipment failures shall not, unless caused by Force Majeure, constitute Force Majeure.

13.2     Effects of Force Majeure. Neither party shall be liable for any delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder (other than the payment of money) directly caused by or resulting from Force Majeure. If either party is prevented from substantially performing its obligations under this Agreement for a continuous period of one hundred and twenty (120) days by Force Majeure, this Agreement may be terminated by the other party effective upon written notice to the affected party; provided that, upon termination of this Agreement by either party as a result of a Force Majeure affecting Micron, Given shall then be entitled, upon providing a Have Made Notice to Micron, to exercise the have made license rights granted under Section 9.5(c).

14.       COMPLIANCE WITH EXPORT CONTROL LAWS AND OTHER LAWS.

14.1     Export Control Laws. Given understands and acknowledges that Micron is subject to regulation by agencies of the United States Government, including, but not limited to, the United States Department of Commerce, which prohibit export or diversion of certain products and technology to certain countries and end-users and for certain uses. Any and all obligations of Micron to provide the Products and services described herein, as well as any other technical information or assistance, shall be subject in all respects to such United States laws and regulations as shall from time to time govern the license and delivery of technology and products abroad by persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, including the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended, any successor legislation, and the Export Administration Regulations issued by the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Export Administration. Given agrees to cooperate with Micron, including without limitation providing required documentation, to obtain export licenses or exemptions therefrom (with the costs of such export licenses or exemptions to be borne by the party who would be required to bear such costs under the delivery terms provided herein). Given warrants that it shall comply with the


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Export Administration Regulations and other United States laws and regulations governing exports in effect from time to time. Given shall complete the End Use Statement attached hereto as Exhibit F.

14.2     Certain Exports Prohibited. Without in any way limiting the provisions of this Agreement, Given agrees that unless prior written authorization is obtained from the Bureau of Export Administration or the Export Administration Regulations explicitly permit the re-export without such written authorization, it shall not export, re-export, or transship, directly or indirectly, the Products or any technical data disclosed or provided to Given or the direct product of such technical data: (i) to Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea or Libya or to any other country as to which the United States Government has placed an embargo against the shipment of products, which embargo is in effect during the term of this Agreement; or (ii) for or to any end-users or end uses, including without limitation chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons or missile technology, as to which the United States Government has placed a restriction upon the shipment of Products.

14.3     Regulatory Approvals. Given shall, and shall be solely responsible to, at its sole cost and expense, obtain and maintain in full force and effect any and all approvals, consents, licenses, authorizations, declarations, filings, registrations and the like from and with any governmental agency, body, or like authority as may be necessary or appropriate to allow for the marketing, sale, distribution and use of the Products or products incorporating the Products in all jurisdictions in which the Products or products incorporating the Products are marketed, sold, distributed or used (“Governmental Approvals”). Given shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Micron from and against any and all loss, cost, liability, expense or damage that Micron, its Affiliates, or their respective officers, directors, employees or agents may incur or suffer as a result of lack or deficiency of any such Governmental Approvals or failure by Given to obtain or maintain such Governmental Approvals.

15.       CONFIDENTIALITY.

15.1     Confidentiality of Agreement. Except as required by law, each party agrees that it shall keep this Agreement and its terms confidential, and that it shall prevent the acquisition, disclosure, use or misappropriation, by any person or persons, of this Agreement and its terms, all in accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement (as defined in Section 15.2 below).

15.2     Confidentiality Agreement. Given and Micron shall abide by the terms of that certain Mutual Confidentiality Agreement between Given and Micron effective as of November 21, 2001, as amended or replaced from time to time (the “Confidentiality Agreement”), which agreement is incorporated herein. If the Confidentiality Agreement is terminated or expires and is not replaced, such Confidentiality Agreement shall continue with respect to confidential information provided in connection with this Agreement, notwithstanding such expiration or termination, for the duration of the term of this Agreement or until a new Confidentiality Agreement is entered into between the parties. Each party agrees that if it breaches this Section 15, the owner of the confidential or proprietary information shall suffer irreparable injury and


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shall be entitled immediately to a temporary and permanent injunction, in addition to other remedies that may be available for breach of this Agreement.

15.3     Publicity. Neither Given nor Micron shall, without the prior written approval of the other party, issue any press releases or otherwise make any public statements concerning the terms and conditions of this Agreement, except as may be required by applicable law or by obligations pursuant to any listing agreement with any national securities exchange, so long as such party has used reasonable best efforts to obtain the approval of the other party prior to issuing such press release or making such public disclosure.

16.       MISCELLANEOUS.

16.1     Governing Law. THE VALIDITY, INTERPRETATION AND PERFORMANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL NOT BE GOVERNED BY THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON CONTRACTS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL SALE OF GOODS, AS AMENDED OR REPLACED; RATHER, SUCH RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, U.S.A., WITHOUT REFERENCE TO CONFLICT OF LAWS RULES OTHER THAN SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW.

16.2     Submission to Jurisdiction. Each of the parties agrees that all actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or based on this Agreement or the subject matter hereof shall be brought and maintained exclusively in the state or federal courts located in the state of New York. Each of the parties by execution hereof (i) hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in New York County, State of New York for the purpose of any proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the subject matter hereof and (ii) hereby waives to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such proceeding, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named court, that it is immune from extraterritorial injunctive relief, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that any such proceeding brought or maintained in the above-named court should be dismissed on the grounds of forum non conveniens, should be transferred to any court other than the above-named court, or should be stayed by virtue of the pendency of any other proceeding in any court other than the above-named court, or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by the above-named court. Each of the parties hereto hereby consents to service of process in any such proceeding in any manner permitted by the laws of the State of New York, agrees that service of process by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, at the address specified in or pursuant to Section 16.3 hereof is reasonably calculated to give actual notice and waives and agrees not to assert by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such Proceeding any claim that service of process made in accordance with Section 16.3 hereof does not constitute good and sufficient service of process. The provisions of this Section 16.2 shall not restrict the ability of any party to enforce in any court any judgment obtained in the state or federal courts located in the State of New York.


-29-



16.3.   Notices. Any notice, communication or statement relating to this Agreement shall be in writing and deemed effective upon delivery in person, by verified facsimile transmission, by internationally-recognized overnight delivery service that provides confirmation of receipt, or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the address of the respective party below:

 

To Micron at:

 

To Given at:

 

 

 

 

 

Micron Technology, Inc.

 

Given Imaging Ltd.

 

2125 O’Nel Drive

 

2 Ha’carmel St.

 

San Jose, CA 95131-5131

 

New Industrial Park

 

USA

 

POB 258

 

 

 

Yoqneam 20692

 

Attention:

V.P. of Imaging

 

Israel

 

Facsimile:

408-822-0169

 

 

 

 

 

Attention:

Chief Operating Officer

 

 

 

Facsimile:

+972 (4) 959 2466

 

 

 

 

 

With a copy to:

 

With a copy to:

 

 

 

 

 

Micron Technology, Inc.

 

White & Case LLP

 

8000 S. Federal Way MS 507

 

601 Thirteenth Street, N.W.

 

Boise, ID 83716-9632

 

Suite 600 South

 

Attention: General Counsel

 

Washington, D.C. 20005-3807

 

Fax: 208-368-4540

 

Attention: Edward R. Neaher, Jr.

 

 

 

Facsimile: (202) 639-9355

 


16.4     Modification; Amendment. No modification of, extension to, or amendment to, this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing signed by both parties. This Agreement shall not be supplemented or modified by any course of dealing, course of performance or other trade usage.

16.5     Successors and Assigns; Assignment

(a)        This Agreement shall be legally binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties’ successors and permitted assigns. Except as provided in this Section 16.5(a), neither party may, directly or indirectly, including by merger or change of control, assign, delegate or subcontract its rights or obligations hereunder, in whole or in part, without the express prior written consent of the other party, and any assignment, delegation or subcontract without such consent shall be a material breach of this Agreement by the assigning party. For purposes of this Section 16.5(a) “control” means possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities or other equity interests, by contract or otherwise). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Micron may (i) subcontract with Tower Semiconductor for the manufacture of * Products; (ii) perform its

 

______________________

*

Omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request. The confidential portion has been filed separately with the SEC.


-30-



design, manufacturing and sales obligations hereunder through any of its wholly-owned subsidiaries; (iii) perform test and assembly functions through ShellCase and such other reputable test and assembly providers as Micron may reasonably determine from time to time; and (iv) engage individual design engineers or firms comprised of not more than ten (10) individual design engineers, whether engaged directly or through independent temporary services agencies, to perform discrete portions of the design work described herein; provided that in the circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iv) above, such subcontractors and subsidiaries shall, in accordance with Micron’s standard practices, be under written obligations of confidentiality with Micron and shall have assigned to Micron Intellectual Property Rights created by such subsidiaries and subcontractors in connection with design work performed hereunder. Nothing herein shall create any contractual relationship between any Micron Affiliate or other Micron subcontractor and Given, and, except with respect to invoices from Micron subsidiaries for Product purchased hereunder, Given shall have no obligation to make any payments to any Micron Affiliate or other Micron subcontractor. Micron shall at all times remain responsible for the performance of such subsidiaries and subcontractors.

(b)        If upon Given’s written request Micron agrees, such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld, to sell Product directly to Given subcontractors for eventual use by Given, Given hereby guarantees the payment by such subcontractors of all amounts due to Micron with respect to such Product purchased by such subcontractors.

(c)        Except with respect to Micron’s wholly-owned subsidiaries performing hereunder in accordance with clause (ii) of Section 16.5(a) above, in no event shall there be deemed to be any third party beneficiaries under this Agreement.

16.6     Waiver. Any waiver of any kind by a party of a breach of this Agreement must be in writing, shall be effective only to the extent set forth in such writing and shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach. Any delay or omission in exercising any right, power or remedy pursuant to a breach or default by a party shall not impair any right, power or remedy which either party may have with respect to a future breach or default.

16.7     Severability. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction as part of a final nonappealable ruling, government action or binding arbitration, that any provision of this Agreement (or part thereof) is invalid, illegal, or otherwise unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such provision shall be enforced in such jurisdiction as nearly as possible in accordance with the stated intention of the parties, while the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and bind the parties according to its terms, and any such determination shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. To the extent any provision (or part thereof) cannot be enforced in accordance with the stated intentions of the parties, such provision (or part thereof) shall be deemed not to be a part of this Agreement; provided that in such event the parties shall use their best efforts to negotiate, in good faith, a substitute, valid and enforceable provision which most nearly effects the parties’ intent in entering into this Agreement.


-31-



16.8     Headings. All section headings herein are for convenience only and are in no way to be construed as part of this Agreement or as a limitation of the scope of the particular sections to which they refer.

16.9     Limitation of Actions. No action against either party for breach hereof shall be commenced more than one (1) year after the accrual of the cause of action.

16.10  Integration. Except with respect to the Original Agreement and Micron-confirmed Given Purchase Orders that are unfilled as of the date hereof, this Agreement, together with Exhibits A through F and the Confidentiality Agreement, all of which are incorporated herein by this reference, sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and merges and supersedes all prior understandings (whether written, verbal or implied) with respect thereto. The parties agree that the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall prevail, notwithstanding any contrary or additional terms in any of the parties’ preprinted documents, unless explicitly agreed to in writing by both parties.

16.11  Construction. This Agreement is the product of negotiation between the parties and their respective counsel. This Agreement shall be interpreted fairly in accordance with its terms and conditions and without any strict construction in favor of either party. Any ambiguity shall not be interpreted against the drafting party other than in accordance with the foregoing principles.

16.12  Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be a duplicate original, but which, taken together, shall be deemed to constitute a single instrument.

16.13  No Partnership. The relationship of Micron and Given established by this Agreement is that of independent contractors, and neither party is an employee, agent, partner, joint venturer or franchisee of the other. All financial obligations associated with Given’s business are the sole responsibility of Given. All financial obligations associated with Micron’s business are the sole responsibility of Micron. Neither party shall represent to any third party that it is the agent of the other party or is authorized to bind the other party in any manner.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]


-32-



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective duly authorized representatives as of the Effective Date.

 

MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

 

GIVEN IMAGING LTD.

By: 



/s/ Steven R. Appleton

 

By: 



/s/ Gavriel Meron

 


 

 


Name:

Steven R. Appleton

 

Name:

  Gavriel Meron

 


 

 


Title:

Chairman, CEO, and President

 

Title:

 President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

 


 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Zvi Ben David

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Name:

Zvi Ben David

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Title:

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 


 


-33-



EXHIBIT A

Specifications

*Specification

*

  

______________________

*

Omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request. The confidential portion has been filed separately with the SEC.


-34-



EXHIBIT B

Development Schedule

*

 

______________________

*

Omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request. The confidential portion has been filed separately with the SEC.


-35-



EXHIBIT C

Minimum Market Penetration Requirement

Given’s market share of all worldwide sales of swallowable capsules approved by the FDA or a like regulatory agency in Japan, Canada or in any European Union member state for the in-vivo imaging of the GI Tract must be in excess of 50% during any two consecutive calendar quarters. Such determination shall be made, at the request of Micron from time to time (such request to be made within thirty (30) days after the end of the applicable two calendar quarters), by an independent third party firm reasonably acceptable to both parties. If the parties are unable to agree on an independent third party, Micron may then appoint Millenium Research Group (http://www.mrg.net/) or, if Millenium Research Group is not then independent or willing and able to determine Given’s market share, Frost and Sullivan. If none of such third parties is then independent or is willing and able to determine Given’s market share, Micron may then request the International Chamber of Commerce’s International Chamber for Expertise (the “ICC Center”) to appoint an independent third party, unless the parties agree on another appointment procedure. Any third party appointed by the ICC Center shall be a qualified market research firm having experience with the worldwide market for medical devices. The costs and expenses of any determination of Given’s market share under this Exhibit C shall be borne by Micron.


-36-



EXHIBIT D

Price Schedule

* (Manufactured at Tower Semiconductor) *

 

Minimum Order

 

& Minimum Shipment Per Month

 

Unit Price (USD)

 

 

 

*(     k/yr)

 

*

 

*

 

  (     k/yr)

 

*

 

*

 

*(    m/yr)

 

*

 

>=          *

 

*of order

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* End of life subject to external supplier

 

 

 


*(mm x * mm)

 

Minimum Order

 

& Minimum Shipment over 6 months

 

Over 12 months

 

Unit Price (USD)

 

*

 

             *

 

*

 

*

 

In addition to the foregoing, Given may purchase from Micron up to *, and up to * , at a purchase price of *, respectively.


* ( mm x * mm)

 

Minimum Order

 

& Minimum Shipment over 6 months

 

Over 12 months

 

Unit Price (USD)

 

*

 

             *

 

*

 

*

 

In addition to the foregoing, Given may purchase from Micron up to * and up to * at a purchase price of *.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Exhibit D, if Given places a “Minimum Order” but fails to take delivery of the entire quantity of such Minimum Order within the required one *, as the case may be (unless such failure is caused by Micron), the price applicable to the quantity actually delivered shall be the price set forth above opposite such quantity actually delivered and Given shall pay Micron any difference between the price charged by Micron for previous deliveries based on the price applicable to the Minimum Order and such adjusted price. For example, if Given places a purchase order for * for * units to be delivered during a * period but actually takes delivery of only * units during such * period, the price of those * shall be adjusted to $*. Micron shall submit an invoice to Given for any such difference, and Given shall pay such invoice as provided in Section 6.1.

 

______________________

*

Omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request. The confidential portion has been filed separately with the SEC.


-37-



Any quantity of the Minimum Order not taken by Given in the *, as the case may be, and any portion of the Binding Quantity not taken by Given by the Scheduled Shipping Date shall be added to the buffer inventory to the extent necessary to increase the buffer inventory to the level required by Section 5.1(a) and the balance of any such quantity not taken by Given shall be used to fill Given’s subsequent Purchase Orders for such Approved Product and shall be included in the determination of the Minimum Order for purposes of any such subsequent Purchase Order, provided that Micron shall be entitled to reasonable additional storage charges it incurs to hold such balance until it is delivered to and purchased by Given. Such balance may be used by Micron at any time to supply any Binding Quantity.

The remedies set forth in this Exhibit D and in Section 8.1(b) shall be Micron’s sole and exclusive remedies for Given’s failure to take delivery of any quantity of any Minimum Order or any Binding Quantity but shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be in addition to Micron’s remedies for Given’s failure to purchase the Required Minimum as provided in Exhibit E.

 

______________________

*            Omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request. The confidential portion has been filed separately with the SEC.


-38-



EXHIBIT E

Approved Product Minimum Purchase Requirements

If Given fails to purchase the minimum quantities of specific Approved Product set forth below in this Exhibit E, Given shall pay to Micron, as liquidated damages (and not as a penalty) for such failure, in order to compensate Micron for its R&D expenditures incurred in connection with such Approved Product, an amount calculated in accordance with the provisions of this Exhibit E. The parties acknowledge that Micron’s actual un-recouped R&D expenditures incurred as a result of Given’s failure to purchase such minimum quantities are difficult to calculate and that the amounts calculated pursuant to this Exhibit E are agreed to be a reasonable estimate of the un-recouped R&D costs that Micron shall suffer as a result of such failure.

Unless Given elects to terminate the Given Exclusivity Restriction pursuant to Sections 3.2(b) or 3.2(c), Given agrees to order, take delivery of, and pay for at least (i) *units of *Approved Products within the first * following its receipt of the first shipment of production units of * Approved Product; and (ii) * units (including the * units of * Given is required to order, take delivery of, and pay for) in the aggregate of * Approved Product within * months following its receipt of the first shipment of production units of * (such minimum purchase requirements in the foregoing two sentences referred to herein as the “Required Minimum”). If Given does not order, take delivery of, and pay for at least the Required Minimum during any such period, Given shall pay to Micron an amount equal to (i) the difference between the Required Minimum and the number of such Approved Product actually purchased during such period (ii) multiplied by * .Given shall pay such amount in U.S. dollars within thirty (30) days of the date of Micron’s invoice. With respect to subsequent *, the Required Minimum and corresponding payment requirement for failure to purchase such Required Minimum shall be set forth in future addenda to this Agreement entered into with respect to such *, as contemplated herein.

 

______________________

*            Omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request. The confidential portion has been filed separately with the SEC.


-39-



EXHIBIT F

End Use Statement

From: Micron Technology, Inc.

Dear Sir/Madam:

The Government of the United States monitors and controls the export and re-export of U.S. products and technology and therefore and requires U.S. exporters to screen end-use and end-users of their products. For these reasons, we must ask that you complete and return the attached questionnaire and certification prior to any shipment of product indicating your company’s potential involvement in certain industries or activities, or accepting responsibility for subsequent transfers of the products. Answering yes to any of the questions does not mean that we will be unable to sell and/or export this product to you. However, a review of the completed questionnaire may require MICRON to obtain additional information from you or to apply for and obtain an Export License from the U.S. Government prior to export.

Once completed, the questionnaire and certification will remain on file with MICRON for future purchase orders or for the length of a specified project. We will request updates on a yearly basis. If your business activities change your answers during the year, the certification indicates your agreement to notify MICRON immediately.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

We thank you for taking the time to complete the questionnaire.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 




Carolyn Gorr

 

 



Export Specialist
Micron Technology, Inc.
Tel: (208)363-1660
Fax: (208)368-3273
e-mail: cgorr@micron.com

 

 

 



-40-



Company Name: ______________________________________

             Country: ______________________________________

               Project: ______________________________________

Customer End-Use Statement

I. Sensitive Nuclear Screen

A.

Indicate if your company, any related companies, or customers to which the exported items may be provided are involved in any of the following potentially nuclear related industries or activities:

 

- power plants

 

Yes___

 

No___

- energy plants

 

Yes___

 

No___

- nuclear facilities

 

Yes___

 

No___

- nuclear explosives or weapons activities

 

Yes___

 

No___

- manufacturing of parts used in atomic facilities

 

Yes___

 

No___

- nuclear or atomic reprocessing plants

 

Yes___

 

No___

- nuclear or atomic waste activities

 

Yes___

 

No___

- nuclear or atomic “source” material

 

Yes___

 

No___

- separation of isotopes of any source or special nuclear material

 

Yes___

 

No___

- production of heavy water

 

Yes___

 

No___

- nuclear fuel and fabrication

 

Yes___

 

No___

- plants of any kind supported by fast breeder reactor

 

Yes___

 

No___

- institutes of science and technology

 

Yes___

 

No___

- radiological facilities

 

Yes___

 

No___

- conventional weapons and armaments research and development establishments

 

Yes___

 

No___

- other military entities

 

Yes___

 

No___

 

II. Chemical and Biological Weapons Applicability Checklist for Commodity Exports

A.

Is your company or are any related companies involved in any of the following chemical or biological activities or industries?

 

 

 

 

 

- chemical plants

 

Yes___

 

No___

- petrochemical plants

 

Yes___

 

No___

- petroleum

 

Yes___

 

No___

- cosmetics

 

Yes___

 

No___

- food processing equipment

 

Yes___

 

No___



-41-



 

- glass, ceramic or porcelain production

 

Yes___

 

No___

- mining operations metal manufacturing

 

Yes___

 

No___

- organic synthesis

 

Yes___

 

No___

- paper manufacturing

 

Yes___

 

No___

- plastic or rubber manufacturing

 

Yes___

 

No___

- pharmaceuticals textile or textile dyes

 

Yes___

 

No___

- insecticides or pesticides

 

Yes___

 

No___

- semiconductor manufacturing

 

Yes___

 

No___

- paint production

 

Yes___

 

No___

- institutes of science and technology

 

Yes___

 

No___

- conventional weapons and armaments research and development establishments

 

Yes___

 

No___

- other military entities

 

Yes___

 

No___

- other potential end-users of controlled chemical weapons precursors or biological agents

 

Yes     

 

No     

 

III. Missile Screen

A.

Indicate if your company or any related companies are involved in any activities involving the development of missiles as identified below.

 

1. Will the items be used in, or do you purchase or supply material for use in the design, development, production, or use of missiles?

Yes ___ No ___

 

2. Do you provide any direct or indirect assistance in the design, fabrication, operation or maintenance of rocket systems (including ballistic missile systems, space launch vehicles and sounding rockets)?

Yes ___ No ___

 

3. Do you provide any direct or indirect assistance in the design, fabrication, operation or maintenance of unmanned air vehicles systems (including cruise missile systems, target drones, remotely piloted vehicles and reconnaissance drones)?

Yes ___ No ___


-42-



END-USE STATEMENT

The undersigned Company understands the reasons for the completion of this questionnaire as stated in paragraph one of the cover letter.

Undersigned company acknowledges that products received from MICRON are exported from the United States subject to the Export Administration Regulations and that diversion contrary to U.S. law is prohibited.

Undersigned company hereby certifies that products received from MICRON will not be used for maritime nuclear propulsion end-uses, on exports to all countries for Libyan aircraft and to and for use on foreign vessels or aircraft.

The undersigned understands that the United States Government prohibits exports or re-exports to parties named on the Denied Party List, Entity List and list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons; and that the U.S. Government currently restricts said products from being exported or re-exported to Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria. The U.S. Government may change its export control restrictions from time to time without notice.

Please note that some of MICRON’s products or components that are shipped as spare parts carry additional requirements for military end-users. If this order or project is for end-use in:

Albania, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzogovina, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, China (PRC), Croatia, Egypt, Estonia, Georgia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Lithuania, Macau, Moldova, Mongolia, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovenia, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Uzbekistan, Vietnam or Yemen.

(as of 4/24/2002)

then the undersigned company hereby certifies that no export of MICRON’s products will be used for Military end-uses and that the undersigned company certifies that it is a civil end-user neither owned nor controlled by any military entity. If the end-use is for Military purposes or the end-user is a Military entity, the undersigned company will notify MICRON so the proper export documents or license may be requested.

The undersigned company agrees to notify MICRON if there is any information suggesting that the proposed order or export will be used in the design, development,


-43-



production, or use of nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons or missiles, or in a facility engaged in such activities.

The undersigned company agrees to notify MICRON if the answer to any of the information on this questionnaire changes or if the end-use or end-user of the products changes prior to any shipment made against above referenced order or project.

Please fill in all applicable blocks. Please print.

 

 



1. Name of Company receiving parts:

3. Name of Ultimate Consignee
    
(if different from 1)



2. Recipient Address:

4. Ultimate Consignee Address



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



5. Country of Ultimate Destination:


6. Type of Goods Purchased:


7. The intended end-use application of the MICRON product(s) is (be specific):



The undersigned company representative is a responsible official authorized to complete and sign this questionnaire. The undersigned company certifies that all information provided in this questionnaire is complete and accurate.



 


 

Signature

 

 

 

 

 


 

Name (please print)

 

 

 

 

 


 

Title (please print)

 

 

 

 

 


 

Date (please print)

 

 

 

 

 


 

Company (please print)

 


-44-



EX-99 7 ex8-1.htm EXHIBIT 8.1

Exhibit 8.1

List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant

 

Name of Subsidiary

 

Jurisdiction of Incorporation

 

 

 

Given Imaging Pty. Ltd.

 

Australia

Given Imaging, Inc.

 

Delaware

Given Imaging s.a.s.

 

France

Given Imaging GmbH

 

Germany

Given Imaging B.V.

 

Netherlands

Given Imaging KK

 

Japan



EX-99 8 ex9-1.htm EXHIBIT 9.1

Exhibit 9.1

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ CONSENT

The Board of Directors
Given Imaging Ltd.

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (No. 333-107630 and No. 333-73732) on Form S-8 of Given Imaging Ltd. (the “Company”) of our report dated February 10, 2004, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of the Company and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2003, which report appears in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

 

 

 

 


/s/ Somekh Chaikin

 

 



Somekh Chaikin
Certified Public Accountants (Isr.)
A member of KPMG International

 

 

 

 

March 14, 2004



EX-99 9 ex11-1.htm EXHIBIT 11.1

CODE OF ETHICS FOR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
AND SENIOR FINANCIAL OFFICERS
OF GIVEN IMAGING LTD. (THE “COMPANY”)

In addition to the obligations under the Code of Business Conduct of the Company, to the extent applicable to all directors, officers and employees of the Company, the Chief Executive Officer and all senior financial officers, including the Chief Financial Officer, the controller and persons performing similar functions (the “Senior Financial Officers” and together with the Chief Executive Officer, the “Named Officers”) are expected to know and abide by the following rules of ethical conduct (this “Code”).

The Named Officers must conduct the Company’s business with honesty and integrity, including avoiding any actual or apparent conflict of interest with the Company. A “conflict of interest” occurs when an individual’s private interest interferes, or even appears to interfere, in any way with the interests of the Company as a whole. Named Officers should not have any undisclosed, unapproved financial, business or other relationships with suppliers, customers, competitors or the Company that might impair the independence of any judgment they need to make on behalf of the Company. If a Named Officer considers undertaking any transaction or relationship that reasonably could be expected to give rise to an actual or apparent conflict or disparity of interest between him/her and the Company or in him/her personal or professional relationship, the Named Officer must disclose such activity in advance to Yoram Ashery (+ 972-4-909-7790, yoram@givenimaging.com) (the “Legal Compliance Officer”) for review and, if necessary, referral to the Company’s legal counsel and/or Audit Committee.

The Named Officers are responsible for full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in the reports and documents filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and in other public communications made by the Company. All Named Officers must, and must make reasonable efforts to cause the Company to, comply with the system of disclosure controls and procedures devised, implemented and maintained by the Company to provide reasonable assurances that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports and documents that it files or submits to the SEC and in other public communications made by the Company is properly authorized, executed, recorded, processed, summarized and reported.

The Named Officers must promptly report to the Company’s Audit Committee any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses, including corrective actions, in the design or operation of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting, which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data.

The Named Officers must promptly report to the Company’s Audit Committee any fraud, whether or not material, involving management or other employees of the Company who have a significant role in the Company’s disclosures or internal controls over financial reporting.


The Named Officers must, and must make reasonable efforts to cause the Company to, comply with all governmental laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Company’s business, including taking necessary steps to avoid and, where possible, prevent any material violations of the securities laws.

The Named Officers will take reasonable measures to protect the confidentiality of non-public information about the Company or its subsidiaries and their customers obtained or created in connection with the activities of the Named Officers and to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of such information unless required by applicable law, rule or regulation.

The Named Officers shall promptly report information or knowledge of any act in violation of this Code, the Code of Business Conduct or other laws, rules, regulations, or which he or she believes to be unethical, to the Legal Compliance Officer. The Named Officers shall submit any concerns or complaints anonymously and/or confidentially regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors for review and investigation, which will treat such submissions confidentially. If the Named Officers have any questions regarding the best course of action in a particular situation, the Named Officers should promptly contact the Legal Compliance Officer.

A waiver of any provision of this Code made to any Named Officer must be granted by the Audit Committee. The Company will disclose any waivers of this Code made to a Named Officer, whenever and to the extent required by the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the rules thereunder.

The Board of Directors shall determine, or designate appropriate persons to determine, appropriate actions to be taken in the event of violations of this Code or the Code of Business Conduct by the Named Officers. Such actions shall be reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote accountability for adherence to this Code and the Code of Business Conduct. In determining what action is appropriate in a particular case, the Board of Directors or such designee shall take into account all relevant information, including the nature and severity of the violation, whether the violation was intentional or inadvertent, the extent of the likely damage to the Company and its shareholders resulting from the violation and whether the Named Officer has committed previous violations of this Code, the Code of Business Conduct or other Company policy concerning ethical behavior. The Board of Directors shall provide a written notice to the individual involved in the violation stating that the Board of Directors or such designee has determined that there has been a violation and indicating the action to be taken by the Board of Directors against the individual, which may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

Effective as of: December 9, 2003


EX-99 10 ex12-1.htm EXHIBIT 12.1

Exhibit 12.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Gavriel Meron, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Given Imaging Ltd;

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.

The company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the company and have:

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(c)

Disclosed in this report any change in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.

The company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: March 17, 2004

 

 

 

 



 

 


/s/ Gavriel Meron

 

 

 

Gavriel Meron
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director



EX-99 11 ex12-2.htm EXHIBIT 12.2

Exhibit 12.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Zvi Ben David, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Given Imaging Ltd;

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.

The company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the company and have:

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(c)

Disclosed in this report any change in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.

The company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 17, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Zvi Ben David

 

 

 

Zvi Ben David
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer



EX-99 12 ex13-1.htm EXHIBIT 13.1

Exhibit 13.1

SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION

CERTIFICATION

(pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 of Given Imaging Ltd. (the “Company”) as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on the date hereof (the “Report”) and pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, I, Gavriel Meron, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, of the Company, certify, that:

(1)        the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2)        the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: 


/s/ Gavriel Meron

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Name: 

Gavriel Meron

 

 

 

Title: 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

 

 

Date:

March 17, 2004

 

 

 

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Given Imaging Ltd. and will be retained by Given Imaging Ltd. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.



EX-99 13 ex13-2.htm EXHIBIT 13.2

Exhibit 13.2

SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION

CERTIFICATION

(pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 of Given Imaging Ltd. (the “Company”) as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on the date hereof (the “Report”) and pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, I, Zvi Ben David, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, that:

(1)        the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2)        the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: 


/s/ Zvi Ben David

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Name: 

Zvi Ben David

 

 

 

Title: 

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Date: 

March 17, 2004

 

 

 

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Given Imaging Ltd. and will be retained by Given Imaging Ltd. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.



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