Given Imaging Ltd. (Given Imaging) has entered into a distribution agreement with FUJIFILM Medical Systems USA, Inc. (FUJIFILM), to distribute Given Imaging's PillCam SB product line in Japan, effective January 20, 2009. FUJIFILM already distributes PillCam SB in certain countries, including China, and has collaborated with Given Imaging in research and development since 2007.
“We are pleased to expand our relationship with FUJIFILM, a worldwide leader with a proven track record in the endoscopy market,” said Homi Shamir, president and chief executive officer of Given Imaging. “We believe that this partnership will provide excellent care for those patients suffering from gastrointestinal disorders in Japan. With both Suzuken and FUJIFILM Medical acting as distributors of the Company’s products for the small bowel in Japan, we can expand our footprint and sales in the promising Japanese market. In addition, FUJIFILM’s Double Balloon endoscope, launched in 2003 to treat diseases of the small bowel, is the perfect complement to Given Imaging’s capsule endoscopy.”
“The combination of FUJIFILM’s Double Balloon endoscopy with Given Imaging’s PillCam SB provides a very effective diagnostic and therapeutic solution to physicians for treating small bowel disorders,” said Hisatoyo Kato, president and chief executive officer of FUJIFILM. “We are also thrilled by the prospects of connecting the output of these two devices to the Hospital Information Systems through our ‘nexus sif’ filing system.”