Protalix BioTherapeutics Completes Raise of Approximately $40 Million in Gross Proceeds

Rhea-AI Summary

Protalix BioTherapeutics (NYSE American: PLX) has successfully completed a capital raise, garnering approximately $40 million in gross proceeds. The funds will be used for clinical trials, research and development, and general corporate purposes. CEO Dror Bashan highlighted achievements during the pandemic and expressed optimism regarding the upcoming commercial launch of a new treatment option. CFO Eyal Rubin noted the addition of institutional investors and a strengthened balance sheet, aiming to accelerate clinical trials. The company remains focused on pipeline development and shareholder value.

Positive

• Raised approximately $40 million in gross proceeds to fund clinical trials and R&D.
• Strengthened balance sheet and brought in new institutional investors.
• Potential upcoming commercial launch of a new treatment option.

Negative

• None.

CARMIEL, Israel, Feb. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American: PLX) (TASE: PLX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, production and commercialization of recombinant therapeutic proteins produced by its proprietary ProCellEx^® plant cell–based protein expression system, today announced it has completed a raise bringing in gross proceeds of approximately $40 million, before deducting the underwriting discount and estimated expenses of the offering. BofA Securities acted as book-running manager for the offering with Oppenheimer & Co. acting as co-manager.

"I am very proud of our team for all our accomplishments this past year, especially having executed on our strategic plans during the global pandemic. We are on a new trajectory as a company with the potential upcoming commercial launch in a significant market with a new, exciting treatment option for patients, if approved; a pipeline of proprietary assets designed to enhance shareholder value supported by a strong balance sheet allowing us to execute on our strategic goals," said Dror Bashan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Protalix.

Eyal Rubin, Chief Financial Officer of Protalix added, "With this financing, we were able to accomplish our goal of bringing in new institutional investors to the Company while strengthening our balance sheet to accelerate clinical trial development. We are grateful for the commitment and the confidence in our strategic plans and goals and look forward to continuing to execute and achieve our milestones planned for this year."

Protalix intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to fund clinical trials for its product candidates, to fund its research and development activities and for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

About Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc.

Protalix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of recombinant therapeutic proteins expressed through its proprietary plant cell-based expression system, ProCellEx^®. Protalix was the first company to gain U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a protein produced through plant cell-based in suspension expression system. Protalix's unique expression system represents a new method for developing recombinant proteins in an industrial-scale manner.

Protalix's first product manufactured by ProCellEx, taliglucerase alfa, was approved for marketing by the FDA in May 2012 and, subsequently, by the regulatory authorities of other countries. Protalix has licensed to Pfizer Inc. the worldwide development and commercialization rights for taliglucerase alfa, excluding Brazil, where Protalix retains full rights.

Protalix's development pipeline consists of proprietary versions of recombinant therapeutic proteins that target established pharmaceutical markets, including the following product candidates: pegunigalsidase alfa, a modified version of the recombinant human α–Galactosidase–A protein for the proposed treatment of Fabry disease; OPRX–106, an orally–delivered anti-inflammatory treatment; alidornase alfa or PRX-110, for the treatment of various human respiratory diseases or conditions; PRX–115, a plant cell-expressed recombinant PEGylated Uricase for the treatment of gout; and others. Protalix has partnered with Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., both in the United States and outside the United States, for the development and commercialization of pegunigalsidase alfa, and with SarcoMed USA, Inc. for the worldwide development and commercialization of PRX–110 for use in the treatment of any human respiratory disease or condition including, but not limited to, sarcoidosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and other related diseases via inhaled delivery.

Forward-Looking Statements

To the extent that statements in this press release are not strictly historical, all such statements are forward-looking, and are made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The terms "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "project," "plan," "should" and "intend," and other words or phrases of similar import are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future experience and results to differ materially from the statements made. These statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations as to such future outcomes. Drug discovery and development involve a high degree of risk and the final results of a clinical trial may be different than the preliminary findings for the clinical trial. Factors that might cause material differences include, among others: failure or delay in the commencement or completion of our preclinical and clinical trials which may be caused by several factors, including: risks that the FDA will not accept an application for accelerated approval of PRX–102 with the data generated to date or will request additional data or other conditions of our submission of any application for accelerated approval of PRX–102; unforeseen safety issues; determination of dosing issues; lack of effectiveness during clinical trials; inability to monitor patients adequately during or after treatment; inability or unwillingness of medical investigators and institutional review boards to follow our clinical protocols; and slower than expected rates of patient recruitment; risks associated with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID–19) outbreak, which may adversely impact our business, preclinical studies and clinical trials; risks related to any transactions we may effect in the public or private equity markets to raise capital to finance future research and development activities, general and administrative expenses and working capital; the risk that the results of the clinical trials of our product candidates will not support our claims of safety or efficacy, that our product candidates will not have the desired effects or will be associated with undesirable side effects or other unexpected characteristics; risks related to our ability to maintain and manage our relationship with our collaborators, distributors or partners; risks related to the amount and sufficiency of our cash and cash equivalents; risks relating to our ability to make scheduled payments of the principal of, to pay interest on or to refinance our outstanding notes or any other indebtedness; our dependence on performance by third party providers of services and supplies, including without limitation, clinical trial services; delays in our preparation and filing of applications for regulatory approval; delays in the approval or potential rejection of any applications we file with the FDA or other health regulatory authorities, and other risks relating to the review process; the inherent risks and uncertainties in developing drug platforms and products of the type we are developing; the impact of development of competing therapies and/or technologies by other companies and institutions; potential product liability risks, and risks of securing adequate levels of product liability and other necessary insurance coverage; and other factors described in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The statements in this press release are valid only as of the date hereof and we disclaim any obligation to update this information, except as may be required by law.

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Investor Contact
Chuck Padala, Managing Director
LifeSci Advisors
+1-646-627-8390
chuck@lifesciadvisors.com

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SOURCE Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc.

FAQ

What financial milestone did Protalix BioTherapeutics achieve recently?

Protalix BioTherapeutics raised approximately $40 million in gross proceeds.

How will Protalix use the funds from their recent capital raise?

The funds will be used for clinical trials, research and development, and general corporate purposes.

What is the significance of the $40 million capital raise for PLX?

The capital raise strengthens the company's balance sheet and enables the acceleration of clinical trial development.

Who managed the recent offering for Protalix BioTherapeutics?

BofA Securities acted as the book-running manager, with Oppenheimer & Co. as co-manager.

What is the strategic focus of Protalix BioTherapeutics moving forward?

Protalix is focused on enhancing shareholder value through its clinical pipeline and potential new product launches.