OPKO Management and Israel’s Minister of Science Open TASE Trading in Honor of OPKO’S Dual-Listing on TASE

This morning the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) held an opening bell ceremony honoring the dual listing of the OPKO Health, Inc., which was attended by  Israel’s Minister of Science, Technology and Space and senior management from OPKO, PROLOR Biotech and TASE.

 

The Minister of Science, Technology and Space, Yaacov Peri, stated the OPKO’s dual listing on TASE constitutes another stage in the process of establishing Israel as an international leader in the bio-pharma industries. The listing of multinational concern on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange should not be taken for granted, particularly during these times of regional and economic turmoil. The dual listing underscores Israel’s strength. “I hope that OPKO’s listing is a harbinger for other international multinational companies.”

 

Dr. Phillip Frost, OPKO’s Chairman and CEO stated the “We at OPKO believe that we will profit from PROLOR’s talent and experience. The merger between OPKO and PROLOR is a prime example of what cooperation between Israel and the U.S. and other countries can yield. PROLOR contains talented professionals, which to my mind constitute the heart and soul of Israel and the Israeli mind. What Israel needs today is 10 companies like Teva; one is not enough. I am certain that PROLOR, together with OPKO, will become a success story like Teva in the near future, and it is interesting to see that there are other companies here harboring the same potential. The Israeli mind does not cease to amaze and is definitely worth study and investment.”

 

Ester Levanon, TASE CEO, said that “This is a special day for TASE. OPKO’s dual listing is recognition of the special position the biomed sector holds at the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, and it constitutes a vote of confidence in Israel’s capital market. In the past years TASE has managed to turn into a hub for biomed companies. At the end of 2005 only 12 biomed firms were listed on TASE. Today 59 companies are listed, 7 of which are dual listed. This sector is larger than what is currently found on European exchanges.”