Given Imaging's Capsule Endoscopy is Shown in Study to Reduce Costs and Improve Patient Quality of Life

17 September 2002 - Atlanta and Philadelphia -- Given Imaging, Inc. (NASDAQ: GIVN) announced today that a study by investigators in the Office of Health Policy and Clinical Outcomes at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, in the latest issue of Disease Management (Volume 5, Number 3, 2002) concluded that the M2A capsule endoscope offers a potential net cost savings through earlier diagnosis of obscure intestinal bleeding. This issue will be released September 14th, 2002.

You can download this study at:
http://www.givenimaging.com/ftp/disease_management.pdf

In addition to economic benefits, the authors conclude that capsule endoscopy has been shown to have a higher diagnostic yield than other diagnostic modalities for the small intestine. Capsule endoscopy also was found to result in less pain, discomfort and anxiety for the patient. Early diagnosis also averts needless worry, inconvenience and out-of-pocket costs to the patient.

"Capsule endoscopy offers higher diagnostic yield, has the potential to diagnose and treat patients earlier and is more patient friendly than other diagnostic methods," said Neil Goldfarb, Director of Research in the Office of Health Policy, Jefferson, and the study’s primary author. "In view of these facts, it is not unreasonable to suggest that capsule endoscopy is more cost-effective than traditional methods of endoscopy to diagnose bleeding of the small intestine."

To assess the economic impact of capsule endoscopy versus other diagnostic modalities, Mr. Goldfarb and his colleagues constructed a model consisting of key contributors to the direct medical costs of screening as well as key indirect medical and non-medical costs. The study used data from the first U.S. clinical trial of capsule endoscopy, conducted by Dr. Blair Lewis, a New York gastroenterologist, that compared capsule endoscopy against push enteroscopy, a procedure that pushes a scope into the patients small intestine. Findings suggest that direct medical costs associated with hospitalization, blood transfusion, and repeat diagnostic testing all could be reduced through earlier diagnosis. Capsule endoscopy offers the potential for earlier diagnosis, reduced cost, and much less patient pain, discomfort, and worry.

David B. Nash, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.P., Associate Dean and Director of the Office of Health Policy and Clinical Outcomes at Jefferson, added, "This research suggests that capsule endoscopy, when used appropriately, can improve diagnoses of small bowel illnesses, both quantitatively and qualitatively, at no additional cost to the healthcare system."

Over 33 million Americans have health insurance that covers capsule endoscopy procedures.

About Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University is composed of three schools--Jefferson Medical College, the College of Graduate Studies and the College of Health Professions. The three colleges enroll more than 2,000 future physicians, scientists and health-care professionals. Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, part of the academic health center complex, admits nearly 40,000 patients a year for advanced treatment and care.

In December 2001, physicians in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Jefferson University Hospital were the first in the Philadelphia area to use the Capsule Endoscope to diagnose patients. The division, which is recognized nationwide for excellence, offers a full range of clinical services in gastroenterology and hepatology, including diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, motility and liver transplantation.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including projections about our business, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. For example, statements in the future tense, words such as "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "intends" and words and terms of similar substance used in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance identify such forward-looking statements. Those forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results could differ materially from our current expectations as a result of numerous factors, including but not limited to the following: changes in regulatory environment, our success in implementing our sales, marketing and manufacturing plan, protection and validity of patents and other intellectual property rights, the impact of currency exchange rates, the effect of competition by other companies, the outcome of future litigation, the reimbursement policies for our product from healthcare payors, and other risks disclosed in our filings with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission.

19.Sept.'03