Founded in 1980 by Professor Haim Aviv in order to take advantage of the nascent field of genetic engineering, Bio-Technology General was one of the very first biotechnology companies in Israel. The company began its operations in the Kiryat Weizmann Industrial Park of Rehovot /Nes Ziona, where it was located until the end of 2007. After receiving its first marketing authorization for recombinant
human growth hormone, it became a manufacturing and sales entity as well. BTG’s first GMP manufacturing facility, located in Kiryat Weizmann's building 17, was in continuous operation from its inauguration in 1988 until its closure in December 2007. Registration of the company’s first finished product manufactured in-house, BiolonÒ, took place in 1993. BTG’s sodium hyaluronate-based orthopedic product, Euflexxa®, was launched by Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. in the United States in 2005. The company acquired the site of its current facilities in 1999; construction of the manufacturing facility took place during the years 2000-2002. Manufacturing operations were transferred to the Be'er Tuvia facility during the period 2003-2006. A Development Wing was built in 2006-2007, and Development personnel as well as other remaining functions were transferred to Beer Tuvia by the end of 2007. BTG was acquired by Swiss-based Ferring Pharmaceuticals in 2005. BTG is a key manufacturing site in Ferring’s Technical Operations network, and BTG’s Development group is part of Ferring Development headquartered in Copenhagen.