UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
| x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018
OR
| ¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
001-33357
(Commission file number)
PROTALIX BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | __65-0643773__ |
|
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
|
2 Snunit Street Science Park POB 455 Carmiel, Israel |
20100 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
+972-4-988-9488
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
| Large accelerated filer | ¨ | Accelerated filer | x | |
| Non-accelerated filer | ¨ | |||
| Smaller reporting company | ¨ | Emerging growth company | ¨ | |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
On November 1, 2018, approximately 148,374,921 shares of the Registrant’s common stock, $0.001 par value, were outstanding.
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| i |
Except where the context otherwise requires, the terms “we,” “us,” “our” and “the Company” refer to the business of Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, and “Protalix” or “Protalix Ltd.” refers to the business of Protalix Ltd., our wholly-owned subsidiary and sole operating unit.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The statements set forth under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and other statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which are not historical, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meanings of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, including statements regarding expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies for the future. When used in this report, the terms “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and words or phrases of similar import, as they relate to the Company or our management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We intend that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and reflect our views as of the date they are made with respect to future events and financial performance, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise, nor do we have a policy of updating or revising, any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable law. Forward-looking statements are subject to many risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
Examples of the risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following:
| · | failure or delay in the commencement or completion of our preclinical studies and clinical trials, which may be caused by several factors, including: slower than expected rates of patient recruitment; unforeseen safety issues; determination of dosing issues; lack of effectiveness during clinical trials; inability or unwillingness of medical investigators and institutional review boards to follow our clinical protocols; inability to monitor patients adequately during or after treatment; and or lack of sufficient funding to finance our clinical trials; |
| · | the risk that the results of our clinical trials will not support the applicable claims of superiority, safety or efficacy and that our product candidates will not have the desired effects or will have undesirable side effects or other unexpected characteristics; |
| · | risks relating to our ability to manage our relationship with Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., or Chiesi, and any other collaborator, distributor or partner; |
| · | risks relating to our ability to make scheduled payments of the principal of, to pay interest on or to refinance or satisfy conversions of our outstanding convertible notes or any other indebtedness; |
| · | risks relating to the compliance by Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, or Fiocruz, an arm of the Brazilian Ministry of Health, or the Brazilian MoH, with its purchase obligations under our supply and technology transfer agreement, which may have a material adverse effect on us and may also result in the termination of such agreement; |
| · | our dependence on performance by third-party providers of services and supplies, including without limitation, clinical trial services; |
| · | risks relating to our ability to finance our activities and research programs; |
| · | delays in preparing and filing applications for regulatory approval of our product candidates in the United States, the European Union and elsewhere; |
| · | the impact of development of competing therapies and/or technologies by other companies; |
| · | the risk that products that are competitive to our product candidates may be granted orphan drug status in certain territories and, therefore, one or more of our product candidate may become be subject to potential marketing and commercialization restrictions; |
| ii |
| · | risks related to our supply of drug product to Pfizer Inc., or Pfizer, pursuant to our amended and restated exclusive license and supply agreement with Pfizer; |
| · | risks related to the commercialization efforts for taliglucerase alfa in Brazil; |
| · | risks related to our expectations with respect to the potential commercial value of our product and product candidates; |
| · | the inherent risks and uncertainties in developing the types of drug platforms and products we are developing; |
| · | potential product liability risks, and risks of securing adequate levels of product liability and clinical trial insurance coverage; |
| · | the possibility of infringing a third-party’s patents or other intellectual property rights; |
| · | the uncertainty of obtaining patents covering our products and processes and in successfully enforcing our intellectual property rights against third-parties; |
| · | risks relating to changes in healthcare laws, rules and regulations in the United States or elsewhere; and |
| · | the possible disruption of our operations due to terrorist activities and armed conflict, including as a result of the disruption of the operations of regulatory authorities, our subsidiaries, our manufacturing facilities and our customers, suppliers, distributors, collaborative partners, licensees and clinical trial sites. |
Companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have suffered significant setbacks in advanced or late-stage clinical trials, even after obtaining promising earlier trial results or preliminary findings for such clinical trials. Even if favorable testing data is generated from clinical trials of a drug product, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA, or foreign regulatory authorities may not accept or approve a marketing application filed by a pharmaceutical or biotechnology company for the drug product.
These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These and other risks and uncertainties are detailed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, and are described from time to time in the reports we file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the Commission.
| iii |
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
PROTALIX BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
| September 30, 2018 | December 31, 2017 | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| CURRENT ASSETS: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 41,868 | $ | 51,163 | ||||
| Accounts receivable – Trade | 4,894 | 1,721 | ||||||
| Other assets | 2,619 | 1,934 | ||||||
| Inventories | 7,959 | 7,833 | ||||||
| Total current assets | $ | 57,340 | $ | 62,651 | ||||
| DEFERRED ASSET | $ | 1,450 | ||||||
| FUNDS IN RESPECT OF EMPLOYEE RIGHTS UPON RETIREMENT | 1,779 | $ | 1,887 | |||||
| PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET | 6,628 | 7,676 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 67,197 | $ | 72,214 | ||||
| LIABILITIES NET OF CAPITAL DEFICIENCY | ||||||||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accruals: | ||||||||
| Trade | $ | 4,388 | $ | 7,521 | ||||
| Other | 10,163 | 9,310 | ||||||
| Convertible notes | 5,921 | |||||||
| Total current liabilities | $ | 14,551 | $ | 22,752 | ||||
| LONG TERM LIABILITIES: | ||||||||
| Convertible notes | 47,320 | 46,267 | ||||||
| Deferred revenues | 61,780 | 26,851 | ||||||
| Liability for employee rights upon retirement | 2,386 | 2,586 | ||||||
| Other long term liabilities | 6,154 | 5,051 | ||||||
| Total long term liabilities | $ | 117,640 | $ | 80,755 | ||||
| Total liabilities | $ | 132,191 | $ | 103,507 | ||||
| COMMITMENTS | ||||||||
| CAPITAL DEFICIENCY | (64,994 | ) | (31,293 | ) | ||||
| Total liabilities net of capital deficiency | $ | 67,197 | $ | 72,214 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 1 |
PROTALIX
BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
| Nine Months Ended | Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2018 | September 30, 2017 | September 30, 2018 | September 30, 2017 | |||||||||||||
| REVENUES | $ | 7,222 | $ | 16,773 | $ | 663 | $ | 7,526 | ||||||||
| COST OF REVENUES | (7,024 | ) | (13,677 | ) | (1,917 | ) | (6,066 | ) | ||||||||
| GROSS PROFIT (LOSS) | 198 | 3,096 | (1,254 | ) | 1,460 | |||||||||||
| RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES (1) | (25,565 | ) | (22,389 | ) | (10,803 | ) | (7,118 | ) | ||||||||
| Less – grants | 1,810 | 2,545 | 732 | 729 | ||||||||||||
| RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES, NET | (23,755 | ) | (19,844 | ) | (10,071 | ) | (6,389 | ) | ||||||||
| SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES (2) | (7,294 | ) | (8,187 | ) | (2,638 | ) | (2,836 | ) | ||||||||
| OPERATING LOSS | (30,851 | ) | (24,935 | ) | (13,963 | ) | (7,765 | ) | ||||||||
| FINANCIAL EXPENSES | (5,824 | ) | (8,809 | ) | (1,811 | ) | (3,680 | ) | ||||||||
| FINANCIAL INCOME | 437 | 1,670 | 230 | 8 | ||||||||||||
| LOSS FROM CHANGE IN FAIR VALUE OF CONVERTIBLE NOTES EMBEDDED DERIVATIVE | (38,061 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| FINANCIAL EXPENSES, NET | (5,387 | ) | (45,200 | ) | (1,581 | ) | (3,672 | ) | ||||||||
| NET LOSS FOR THE PERIOD | (36,238 | ) | (70,135 | ) | (15,544 | ) | (11,437 | ) | ||||||||
| NET LOSS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK BASIC AND DILUTED | $ | (0.25 | ) | $ | (0.55 | ) | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | (0.09 | ) | ||||
| WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK USED IN COMPUTING LOSS PER SHARE – BASIC AND DILUTED | 146,752,355 | 128,223,722 | 148,187,513 | 132,549,001 | ||||||||||||
| (1) Includes share-based compensation | $ | 54 | $ | 163 | $ | 14 | $ | 43 | ||||||||
| (2) Includes share-based compensation | $ | 42 | $ | 128 | $ | 8 | $ | 32 | ||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 2 |
PROTALIX BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN CAPITAL DEFICIENCY
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
| Additional | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Common | Common | Paid–In | Accumulated | |||||||||||||||||
| Stock (1) | Stock | Capital | Deficit | Total | ||||||||||||||||
| Number of shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2016 | 124,134,085 | $ | 124 | $ | 202,575 | $ | (212,656 | ) | $ | (9,957 | ) | |||||||||
| Changes during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation related to stock options | 291 | 291 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification of embedded derivative | 43,634 | 43,634 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Convertible notes conversions | 9,711,235 | 10 | 8,771 | 8,781 | ||||||||||||||||
| Conversion component related to convertible notes issuance | 1,315 | 1,315 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss for the period | (70,135 | ) | (70,135 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance at September 30, 2017 | 133,845,320 | $ | 134 | $ | 256,586 | $ | (282,791 | ) | $ | (26,071 | ) | |||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2017 | 143,728,797 | $ | 144 | $ | 266,495 | $ | (297,932 | ) | $ | (31,293 | ) | |||||||||
| Changes during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation related to stock options | 80 | 80 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation related to restricted stock award | 29,898 | * | 16 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||
| Convertible notes conversions | 1,928,907 | 2 | 1,289 | 1,291 | ||||||||||||||||
| Convertible notes exchange | 2,613,636 | 2 | 1,148 | 1,150 | ||||||||||||||||
| Net loss for the period | (36,238 | ) | (36,238 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance at September 30, 2018 | 148,301,238 | $ | 148 | $ | 269,028 | $ | (334,170 | ) | $ | (64,994 | ) | |||||||||
| * | Represents an amount less than $1. |
| (1) | Common Stock, $0.001 par value; Authorized – as of September 30, 2018 and 2017 - 250,000,000. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 3 |
PROTALIX BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
| Nine Months Ended | ||||||||
| September 30, 2018 | September 30, 2017 | |||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (36,238 | ) | $ | (70,135 | ) | ||
| Adjustments required to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Share based compensation | 96 | 291 | ||||||
| Depreciation | 1,257 | 1,469 | ||||||
| Financial (income) expenses, net (mainly exchange differences) | (37 | ) | 13 | |||||
| Changes in accrued liability for employee rights upon retirement | (86 | ) | 54 | |||||
| Gain on amounts funded in respect of employee rights upon retirement | (45 | ) | (21 | ) | ||||
| Net loss in connection with conversions of convertible notes | 204 | 587 | ||||||
| Change in fair value of convertible notes embedded derivative | 38,061 | |||||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount | 1,916 | 1,710 | ||||||
| Issuance of shares for interest payment in connection with conversions of convertible notes | 205 | 1,111 | ||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues | 34,929 | (837 | ) | |||||
| Increase in deferred asset | (1,450 | ) | ||||||
| Increase in accounts receivable and other assets | (3,661 | ) | (6,467 | ) | ||||
| Increase in inventories | (126 | ) | (2,234 | ) | ||||
| Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accruals | (1,805 | ) | 8,698 | |||||
| Increase in other long term liabilities | 1,103 | |||||||
| Net cash used in continuing operations | (3,738 | ) | (27,700 | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided by discontinued operations | 116 | |||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | $ | (3,738 | ) | $ | (27,584 | ) | ||
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
| Purchase of property and equipment | $ | (498 | ) | $ | (681 | ) | ||
| Increase in restricted deposit | (247 | ) | (336 | ) | ||||
| Amounts funded in respect of employee rights upon retirement, net | 70 | (68 | ) | |||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | $ | (675 | ) | $ | (1,085 | ) | ||
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
| Net payment for convertible notes | (4,752 | ) | (10,961 | ) | ||||
| Net proceeds from issuance of convertible notes | 9,542 | |||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (4,752 | ) | (1,419 | ) | ||||
| EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | $ | (130 | ) | $ | 289 | |||
| NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | (9,295 | ) | (29,799 | ) | ||||
| BALANCE OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD | 51,163 | 63,281 | ||||||
| BALANCE OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD | $ | 41,868 | $ | 33,482 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 4 |
PROTALIX BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
(Continued) - 2
| Nine Months Ended | ||||||||
| September 30, 2018 | September 30, 2017 | |||||||
| SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION ON INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES NOT INVOLVING CASH FLOWS: | ||||||||
| Purchase of property and equipment | $ | 237 | $ | 666 | ||||
| Convertible notes conversions | $ | 2,236 | $ | 7,668 | ||||
| SUPPLEMENTARY DISCLOSURE ON CASH FLOWS | ||||||||
| Interest paid | $ | 2,411 | $ | 2,613 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 5 |
PROTALIX BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
| a. | General |
Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc. (collectively with its subsidiaries, the “Company”), and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Protalix Ltd. and Protalix B.V. (the “Subsidiaries”), are biopharmaceutical companies focused on the development and commercialization of recombinant therapeutic proteins based on the Company’s proprietary ProCellEx® protein expression system (“ProCellEx”). To date, the Company has successfully developed taliglucerase alfa (marketed under the name alfataliglicerase in Brazil and certain other Latin American countries and Elelyso® in the rest of the territories) for the treatment of Gaucher disease that has been approved for marketing in the United States, Brazil, Israel and other markets. The Company has a number of product candidates in varying stages of the clinical development process. The Company’s strategy is to develop proprietary recombinant proteins that are therapeutically superior to existing recombinant proteins currently marketed for the same indications.
The Company’s product pipeline currently includes, among other candidates:
(1) pegunigalsidase alfa, or PRX-102, a therapeutic protein candidate for the treatment of Fabry disease, a rare, genetic lysosomal disorder;
(2) alidornase alfa, or PRX-110, a proprietary plant cell recombinant human Deoxyribonuclease 1, or DNase, under development for the treatment of Cystic Fibrosis, to be administered by inhalation; and
(3) OPRX-106, the Company’s oral antiTNF product candidate which is being developed as an orally-delivered anti-inflammatory treatment using plant cells as a natural capsule for the expressed protein.
Obtaining marketing approval with respect to any product candidate in any country is dependent on the Company’s ability to implement the necessary regulatory steps required to obtain such approvals. The Company cannot reasonably predict the outcome of these activities.
On October 19, 2017, Protalix Ltd. and Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A. (“Chiesi”) entered into an Ex-US license agreement (the “Chiesi Ex-U.S. Agreement”) pursuant to which Chiesi was granted an exclusive license for all markets outside of the United States to commercialize pegunigalsidase alfa. On July 23, 2018, Protalix Ltd. entered into an Exclusive License and Supply Agreement with Chiesi (the “Chiesi U.S. Agreement”), with respect to the development and commercialization of pegunigalsidase alfa in the United States.
Under each of the Chiesi Ex-U.S. Agreement and the Chiesi U.S. Agreement, Chiesi made an upfront payment to Protalix Ltd. of $25.0 million in connection with the execution of the agreement. In addition, under the Chiesi Ex-U.S. Agreement, Protalix Ltd. is entitled to additional payments of up to $25.0 million in pegunigalsidase alfa development costs, capped at $10.0 million per year and to receive additional payments of up to $320.0 million, in the aggregate, in regulatory and commercial milestone payments. Under the Chiesi U.S. Agreement, Protalix Ltd. is entitled to payments of up to a maximum of $20.0 million to cover development costs for pegunilgalsidase alfa, subject to a maximum of $7.5 million per year, and to receive an additional up to a maximum of $760.0 million, in the aggregate, in regulatory and commercial milestone payments.
Under the terms of both of the Chiesi agreements, Protalix Ltd. will manufacture all of the pegunigalsidase alfa needed under the agreements, subject to certain exceptions, and Chiesi will purchase pegunigalsidase alfa from Protalix, subject to certain terms and conditions. Under the Chiesi Ex-U.S. Agreement, Chiesi is required to make tiered payments of 15% to 35% of its net sales, depending on the amount of annual sales outside of the United States, as consideration for product supply. Under the Chiesi U.S. Agreement, Chiesi is required to make tiered payments of 15% to 40% of its net sales, depending on the amount of annual sales outside of the United States, as consideration for product supply.
| 6 |
PROTALIX BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued):
Since its approval by the FDA, taliglucerase alfa has been marketed by Pfizer Inc. (“Pfizer”), in accordance with the exclusive license and supply agreement between Protalix Ltd. and Pfizer, which is referred to herein as the Pfizer Agreement. In October 2015, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Exclusive License and Supply Agreement with Pfizer (the “Amended Pfizer Agreement”) which amends and restates the Pfizer Agreement in its entirety. Pursuant to the Amended Pfizer Agreement, the Company sold to Pfizer its share in the collaboration created under the Pfizer Agreement for the commercialization of Elelyso in exchange for a cash payment equal to $36.0 million. As part of the sale, the Company agreed to transfer its rights to Elelyso in Israel to Pfizer while gaining full rights to it in Brazil. Under the Amended Pfizer Agreement, Pfizer is entitled to all of the revenues, and is responsible for 100% of expenses globally for Elelyso, excluding Brazil where the Company is responsible for all expenses and retains all revenues.
On June 18, 2013, the Company entered into a Supply and Technology Transfer Agreement (the “Brazil Agreement”) with Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (“Fiocruz”), an arm of the Brazilian Ministry of Health (the “Brazilian MoH”), for taliglucerase alfa. Fiocruz’s purchases of alfataliglicerase to date have been significantly below certain agreed upon purchase milestones and, accordingly, the Company has the right to terminate the Brazil Agreement. Notwithstanding the termination right, the Company is, at this time, continuing to supply alfataliglicerase to Fiocruz under the Brazil Agreement, and patients continue to be treated with alfataliglicerase in Brazil. Approximately 10% of adult Gaucher patients in Brazil are currently treated with alfataliglicerase. The Company is discussing with Fiocruz potential actions that Fiocruz may take to comply with its purchase obligations and, based on such discussions, the Company will determine what it believes to be the course of action that is in the best interest of the Company.
In 2017, the Company received a purchase order from the Brazilian MoH for the purchase of alfataliglicerase for the treatment of Gaucher patients in Brazil for consideration of approximately $24.3 million. Shipments started in June 2017. The Company recorded revenues of $7.1 million for sales of alfataliglicerase to Fiocruz in 2017, and $2.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.
Based on its current cash resources and commitments, the Company believes it will be able to maintain its current planned development activities and the corresponding level of expenditures for at least 12 months from the date of approval of the September 30, 2018 financial statements, although no assurance can be given that it will not need additional funds prior to such time. If there are unexpected increases in general and administrative expenses or research and development expenses, the Company may need to seek additional financing.
| b. | Basis of presentation |
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (of a normal recurring nature) considered necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented have been included. Operating results for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.
These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed by the Company with the Commission. The comparative balance sheet at December 31, 2017 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date.
| 7 |
PROTALIX BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued):
| c. | Net loss per share |
Basic and diluted loss per share (“LPS”) are computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), outstanding for each period.
Diluted LPS is calculated in continuing operations. The calculation of diluted LPS does not include 76,195,921 and 73,310,911 shares of Common Stock underlying outstanding options and restricted shares of Common Stock and shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the convertible notes for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2018, respectively, and 80,696,070 and 73,280,977 shares of Common Stock for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2018, respectively, because the effect would be anti-dilutive.
| d. | Revenue recognition |
| 1. | Revenues from supply agreements |
The Company recognizes revenues from supply agreements and from selling products when control is transferred to the customer and collectability is probable.
| 2. | Revenues from Chiesi Agreements |
As Chiesi is obligated to acquire pegunigalsidase alfa from the Company and the development services are not considered distinct, development and manufacturing of a product to be commercialized by Chiesi is viewed as a single performance obligation under each of the agreements. Since there is only one performance obligation, all payments received from Chiesi prior to the satisfaction of the Company’s obligation will be deferred. Therefore, the upfront payments and future research and development reimbursement payments and any potential additional development milestone payments under each agreement are contract liabilities and will be deferred until the commencement of commercial manufacturing in the applicable territories.
| e. | Recently adopted standards |
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance on revenues from contracts with customers that will supersede most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The underlying principle is to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. Other major provisions require capitalization of certain contracts costs, consideration of the time value of money in the transaction price, and allowing estimates of variable consideration to be recognized before contingencies are resolved in certain circumstances. The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount timing and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. The guidance is effective for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017. On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the new accounting standard, ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and all the related amendments, using the modified retrospective method. The implementation of this Accounting Standards Update (ASU) did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
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PROTALIX BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued):
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU, No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The guidance affects the accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option and the presentation and disclosure requirements of financial instruments. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The implementation of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 2 - INVENTORIES
The Company’s inventory at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 consisted of the following:
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | |||||||
| (U.S. dollars in thousands) | ||||||||
| Raw materials | $ | 3,201 | $ | 3,838 | ||||
| Work in progress | 276 | 485 | ||||||
| Finished goods | 4,482 | 3,510 | ||||||
| Total inventory | $ | 7,959 | $ | 7,833 | ||||
NOTE 3 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
The Company measures fair value and discloses fair value measurements for financial assets and liabilities. Fair value is based on the price that would be received from the sale of an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
The accounting standard establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels, which are described below:
Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs.
Level 2: Observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted on active markets, but corroborated by market data.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available. The fair value hierarchy gives the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs.
In determining fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible and considers counterparty credit risk in its assessment of fair value.
The fair value of the financial instruments included in the working capital of the Company is usually identical or close to their carrying value.
The fair value of the convertible notes derivative is based on Level 3 measurement.
The fair value of the remaining $58.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Company’s outstanding 7.50% secured convertible promissory notes due 2021 (the “2021 Notes”) is approximately $78.0 million, based on a Level 3 measurement.
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PROTALIX BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
NOTE 3 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (continued):
The Company prepared a valuation of the fair value of the Company’s 2021 Notes (a Level 3 valuation) as of September 30, 2018. The value of these notes was estimated by implementing the binomial model. The liability component was valued based on the Income Approach. The following parameters were used:
| 2021 Notes | ||||
| Stock price (USD) | 0.73 | |||
| Expected term (years) | 3.13 | |||
| Risk free rate | 2.87% | |||
| Volatility | 75.56% | |||
| Yield | 13.50% | |||
NOTE 4 - CONVERTIBLE NOTES
All of our outstanding convertible notes are accounted for using the guidance set forth in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 815 which requires that the Company determine whether the embedded conversion option must be separated and accounted for separately. ASC 470-20, regarding debt with conversion and other options, requires the issuer of a convertible debt instrument that may be settled in cash upon conversion to separately account for the liability (debt) and equity (conversion option) components of the instrument in a manner that reflects the issuer’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate.
The 2021 Notes were accounted for partially as liability and equity components of the instrument and partially as a debt host contract with an embedded derivative resulting from the conversion feature. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the embedded derivative was reclassified to additional paid in capital.
Issuance costs regarding the issuance of the 2021 Notes are amortized using the effective interest rate.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, note holders converted $1.1 million aggregate principal amount of the 2021 Notes into a total of 1,456,354 shares of Common Stock, and cash payments of approximately $14,439, in the aggregate. An additional 14,860 shares of Common Stock were issued after September 30, 2018 in connection with the make-whole premium associated with certain of the converted notes that were converted during the third quarter of 2018. In addition, in June 2018, the Company exchanged $3.42 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s outstanding 4.50% convertible promissory notes due 2018 (the “2018 Notes”) for 2,613,636 shares of Common Stock and approximately $2.2 million in cash and delivered the necessary funds under the indenture governing the 2018 Notes, which was $2.5 million. On September 15, 2018, the 2018 Notes matured and have been paid in full.
As of September 30, 2018, a total of $58.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2021 Notes were outstanding. In addition, as of September 30, 2018, none of the 2018 Notes were outstanding.
NOTE 5 - REVENUES
The following table summarizes the Company’s disaggregation of revenues:
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| (U.S. dollars in thousands) | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||
| Pfizer | $ | 4,649 | $ | 10,198 | ||||
| Brazil | $ | 2,573 | $ | 6,575 | ||||
| $ | 7,222 | $ | 16,773 | |||||
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PROTALIX BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
NOTE 6 - STOCK TRANSACTIONS
On September 13, 2018, the Company’s compensation committee approved the grant of 10-year options to purchase, in the aggregate, 6,360,000 shares of Common Stock, of which options to purchase 4,000,000 shares of Common Stock were granted to the Company’s executive officers and options to purchase 2,360,000 shares of Common Stock were granted to other employees with an exercise price equal to $0.56 per share and $0.51 per share, respectively, under the Company’s 2006 Employee Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”). The options vest over a four-year period in 16 equal quarterly increments. Vesting of the options granted to the executive officers is subject to acceleration in full upon a Corporate Transaction or a Change in Control, as those terms are defined in the Plan, and are subject to certain other terms and conditions. The Company estimated the fair value of the options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to be approximately $1.9 million based on the following weighted average assumptions: share price equal to $0.51; dividend yield of 0% for all years; expected volatility of 64.3%; risk-free interest rates of 2.9%; and expected life of six years.
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| Item 2. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our financial statements and the consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis, particularly with respect to our plans and strategy for our business and related financing, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. You should read “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis.
Overview
We are a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of recombinant therapeutic proteins based on our proprietary ProCellEx® protein expression system. We developed our first commercial drug product, Elelyso®, using our ProCellEx system and we are now focused on utilizing the system to develop a pipeline of proprietary, clinically superior versions of recombinant therapeutic proteins that primarily target large, established pharmaceutical markets and that in most cases rely upon known biological mechanisms of action. With our experience to date, we believe ProCellEx will enable us to develop additional proprietary recombinant proteins that are therapeutically superior to existing recombinant proteins currently marketed for the same indications including applying the unique properties of our ProCellEx system for the oral delivery of therapeutic proteins.
On October 19, 2017, Protalix Ltd., our wholly-owned subsidiary, and Chiesi entered into the Chiesi Agreement pursuant to which Chiesi was granted an exclusive license for all markets outside of the United States to commercialize pegunigalsidase alfa. Pegunigalsidase alfa is our chemically modified version of the recombinant protein alpha-Galactosidase-A protein that is currently being evaluated in phase III clinical trials for the treatment of Fabry disease. Under the terms and conditions of the Chiesi Agreement, Protalix Ltd. retained the right to commercialize pegunigalsidase alfa in the United States. Under the Chiesi Agreement, Chiesi made an upfront payment to Protalix Ltd. of $25.0 million in connection with the execution of the agreement and Protalix Ltd. is entitled to additional payments of up to $25.0 million in development costs, capped at $10.0 million per year. Protalix Ltd. is also eligible to receive an additional up to $320.0 million, in the aggregate, in regulatory and commercial milestone payments. Protalix Ltd. agreed to manufacture all of the PRX-102 needed for all purposes under the agreement, subject to certain exceptions, and Chiesi will purchase pegunigalsidase alfa from Protalix, subject to certain terms and conditions. Chiesi is required to make tiered payments of 15% to 35% of its net sales, depending on the amount of annual sales, as consideration for the supply of pegunigalsidase alfa.
On July 23, 2018, Protalix Ltd. entered into an Exclusive License and Supply Agreement with Chiesi, or the Chiesi U.S. Agreement, with respect to the development and commercialization of pegunigalsidase alfa in the United States. Under the terms of the Chiesi U.S. Agreement, Protalix Ltd. granted to Chiesi exclusive licensing rights for the commercialization of PRX-102 in the United States. Protalix Ltd. is entitled to an upfront, non-refundable, non-creditable payment of $25.0 million from Chiesi and additional payments of up to a maximum of $20.0 million to cover development costs for PRX-102, subject to a maximum of $7.5 million per year. Protalix Ltd. is also eligible to receive an additional up to a maximum of $760.0 million, in the aggregate, in regulatory and commercial milestone payments. Chiesi will also make tiered payments of 15% to 40% of its net sales to Protalix Ltd., depending on the amount of annual sales, subject to certain terms and conditions, as consideration for product supply.
In December 2017, the European Commission granted Orphan Drug Designation for pegunigalsidase alfa for the treatment of Fabry disease. The designation was granted after the European Medicine Agency’s Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products, or the COMP, issued a positive opinion supporting the designation noting that we had established that there was medically plausible evidence that pegunigalsidase alfa will provide a significant benefit over existing approved therapies in the European Union for the treatment of Fabry disease. The COMP cited clinical and non-clinical justifications we provided to establish the significant benefit of pegunigalsidase alfa, noting that the COMP considered the justifications to constitute a clinically relevant advantage. Orphan Drug Designation for pegunigalsidase alfa qualifies Protalix Ltd. for access to a centralized marketing authorization procedure, including applications for inspections and for protocol assistance. If the orphan drug designation is maintained at the time pegunigalsidase alfa is approved for marketing in the European Union, if at all, we expect that PRX-102 will benefit from 10 years of market exclusivity within the European Union. The market exclusivity will not have any effect on Fabry disease treatments already approved at that time.
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In January 2018, the FDA granted Fast Track designation to PRX-102. Fast Track designation is a process designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of drugs and vaccines for serious conditions that fill an unmet medical need.
On May 1, 2012, the FDA approved for sale our first commercial product, taliglucerase alfa for injection, an ERT for the long-term treatment of adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of type 1 Gaucher disease. Subsequently, taliglucerase alfa was approved for marketing by the regulatory authorities of other countries. Taliglucerase alfa is marketed under the name alfataliglicerase in Brazil and certain other Latin American countries, and under the name Elelyso in other territories.
Since its approval by the FDA, taliglucerase alfa has been marketed by Pfizer, as provided in the Pfizer Agreement. In October 2015, we entered into the Amended Pfizer Agreement which amends and restates the Pfizer Agreement in its entirety. Pursuant to the Amended Pfizer Agreement, we sold to Pfizer our share in the collaboration created under the initial Pfizer Agreement for the commercialization of Elelyso in exchange for a cash payment equal to $36.0 million. As part of the sale, we agreed to transfer our rights to Elelyso in Israel to Pfizer, while gaining full rights to Elelyso in Brazil. We will continue to manufacture drug substance for Pfizer, subject to certain terms and conditions. Under the Amended Pfizer Agreement, Pfizer is responsible for 100% of expenses, and entitled to all revenues globally for Elelyso, excluding Brazil, where we are responsible for all expenses and retain all revenues.
For the first 10-year period after the execution of the Amended Pfizer Agreement, we have agreed to sell drug substance to Pfizer for the production of Elelyso, and Pfizer maintains the right to extend the supply period for up to two additional 30-month periods subject to certain terms and conditions. Any failure to comply with our supply commitments may subject us to substantial financial penalties, which will have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. The Amended Pfizer Agreement also includes customary provisions regarding cooperation for regulatory matters, patent enforcement, termination, indemnification and insurance requirements.
On June 18, 2013, we entered into the Brazil Agreement with Fiocruz, an arm of the Brazilian MoH, for taliglucerase alfa. Fiocruz’s purchases of alfataliglicerase to date have been significantly below certain agreed upon purchase milestones and, accordingly, we have the right to terminate the Brazil Agreement. Notwithstanding our termination right, we are, at this time, continuing to supply alfataliglicerase to Fiocruz under the Brazil Agreement, and patients continue to be treated with alfataliglicerase in Brazil. We are discussing with Fiocruz potential actions that Fiocruz may take to comply with its purchase obligations and, based on such discussions, we will determine what we believe to be the course of action that is in our best interest.
We are developing an innovative product pipeline using our ProCellEx protein expression system. Our product pipeline currently includes, among other candidates:
(1) pegunigalsidase alfa, or PRX-102, a therapeutic protein candidate for the treatment of Fabry disease, a rare, genetic lysosomal disorder in humans, currently in an ongoing phase III clinical trial.
(2) alidornase alfa, or PRX-110, a proprietary plant cell recombinant human Deoxyribonuclease 1 under development for the treatment of Cystic Fibrosis, or CF, to be administered by inhalation. We recently completed a phase IIa efficacy and safety study of alidornase alfa for the treatment of CF.
(3) OPRX-106, our oral antiTNF product candidate which is being developed as an orally-delivered anti-inflammatory treatment using plant cells as a natural capsule for the expressed protein. We released final data generated in our phase II clinical trial of OPRX-106 for the treatment of ulcerative colitis in March 2018. Additional data was released in June 2018.
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We have licensed the rights to commercialize taliglucerase alfa worldwide (other than Brazil) to Pfizer, and the rights to commercialize pegunigalsidase alfa worldwide to Chiesi. Otherwise, we hold the worldwide commercialization rights to our other proprietary development candidates. In addition, we continuously evaluate potential strategic marketing partnerships as well as collaboration programs with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and academic research institutes.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements appearing in this Quarterly Report. There have been no material changes to our significant accounting policies since we filed our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our financial statements, which we prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate such estimates and judgments, including those described in greater detail below. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Convertible Notes
Our 2021 Notes are accounted for using the guidance set forth in FASB ASC 815 which requires that we determine whether the embedded conversion option must be separated and accounted for separately. ASC 470-20, regarding debt with conversion and other options, requires the issuer of a convertible debt instrument that may be settled in cash upon conversion to separately account for the liability (debt) and equity (conversion option) components of the instrument in a manner that reflects the issuer’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate.
Our 2021 Notes were accounted for partially as liability and equity components of the instrument and partially as a debt host contract with an embedded derivative resulting from the conversion feature. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the embedded derivative was reclassified to additional paid in capital.
Issuance costs regarding the issuance of the 2021 Notes are amortized using the effective interest rate.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, note holders converted $1.1 million aggregate principal amount of the 2021 Notes into a total of 1,456,354 shares of our common stock, and cash payments of approximately $14,439, in the aggregate. An additional 14,860 shares of common stock were issued after September 30, 2018 in connection with the make-whole premium associated with certain of the converted notes that were converted during the third quarter of 2018. On September 15, 2018, our 2018 Notes matured and the outstanding principal amount for such notes was paid in full.
As of September 30, 2018, a total of $58.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2021 Notes were outstanding, and no 2018 Notes were outstanding.
Results of Operations
Three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2017
Revenues
We recorded revenues of $663,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $6.9 million from revenues of $7.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease resulted from decreased sales of drug substance to Pfizer and drug product to Brazil.
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Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues was $1.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $4.1 million, from cost of revenues of $6.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease resulted primarily from decreased sales of drug substance to Pfizer and drug product to Brazil.
Research and Development Expenses, Net
Research and development expenses were $10.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $3.6 million from $6.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The increase resulted primarily from an increase in clinical trial activity during 2018.
We expect research and development expenses for our various development programs to continue to be our primary expense for the foreseeable future.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $2.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $198,000, or 7%, from $2.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease resulted primarily from a decrease in sales expenses.
Financial Expenses, net
Financial expenses, net were $1.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $2.1 million compared to financial expenses, net of $3.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. Financial expenses are comprised primarily from interest expense on our outstanding convertible notes of $1.2 million for the period ended September 30, 2018.
Nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2017
Revenues
We recorded revenues of $7.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $9.6 million, or 57%, from revenues of $16.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease resulted from a decrease of $5.6 million in sales of drug substance to Pfizer and $4.0 million in sales of drug product to Brazil.
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues was $7.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $6.7 million, or 49%, from cost of revenues of $13.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease resulted primarily from costs related to the production of drug substance sold to Pfizer and drug product sold to Brazil.
Research and Development Expenses, Net
Research and development expenses was $23.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $4.0 million, or 20%, from $19.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The increase resulted primarily from an increase in clinical trial activity during 2018.
We expect research and development expenses for our various development programs to continue to be our primary expense for the foreseeable future.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $7.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $893,000, or 11%, from $8.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease resulted primarily from a decrease in sales expenses.
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Financial Expenses, net
Financial expenses, net were $5.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to financial expenses net of $45.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, financial expenses included a charge of $38.1 million as a result of the re-measurement of the fair value of the 7.5% convertible notes embedded derivative. In addition, financial expenses are comprised primarily from interest expense on our outstanding convertible notes.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources of Liquidity
As a result of our significant research and development expenditures and the lack of significant revenue from sales of taliglucerase alfa, we have incurred operating losses from our continuing operations since our inception. To date, we have funded our operations primarily with proceeds equal to $31.3 million from the sale of shares of convertible preferred and ordinary shares of Protalix Ltd., and an additional $14.1 million in connection with the exercise of warrants issued in connection with the sale of such shares, through December 31, 2008. In addition, on October 25, 2007, we generated gross proceeds of $50.0 million in connection with an underwritten public offering of our common stock and on each of March 23, 2011 and February 22, 2012, we generated gross proceeds of $22.0 million and $27.2 million, respectively, in connection with underwritten public offerings of our common stock.
In addition to the foregoing, on September 18, 2013, we completed a private placement of $69.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.50% convertible notes due 2018, including $9.0 million aggregate principal amount of the of 4.50% convertible notes related to the offering’s initial purchaser’s over-allotment option, which was exercised in full. In December 2016, we completed a private placement of $22.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.50% convertible notes due 2021. Finally, on July 25, 2017, we completed a private placement of an additional $10.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.50% convertible notes due 2021.
Pfizer paid Protalix Ltd. $60.0 million as an upfront payment in connection with the execution of the Pfizer Agreement and subsequently paid to Protalix Ltd. an additional $5.0 million upon Protalix Ltd.’s meeting a milestone. Protalix Ltd. also received a milestone payment of $25.0 million in connection with the FDA’s approval of taliglucerase alfa in May 2012. Pfizer has also paid Protalix Ltd. $8.3 million in connection with the successful achievement of milestones under a clinical development agreement between Pfizer and Protalix Ltd. In connection with the execution of the Amended Pfizer Agreement, we received a $36.0 million payment from Pfizer, and Pfizer purchased 5,649,079 shares of our common stock for $10.0 million.
In the fourth quarter of 2017, Chiesi made an upfront payment to Protalix Ltd. of $25.0 million in connection with the execution of the Chiesi Ex-U.S. Agreement and in the third quarter of 2018, Chiesi made an upfront payment to Protalix Ltd. of $25.0 million in connection with the execution of the Chiesi U.S. Agreement.
Cash Flows
Net cash used in operations was $3.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 of $36.2 million was partially offset by an increase of $34.9 million in deferred revenues representing an upfront payment and certain expense reimbursements actually received from Chiesi in connection with our license agreements with Chiesi which, according to revenue recognition rules, were deferred and not recognized during the period in which the payments were received. Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $675,000 and consisted primarily of purchases of property and equipment, and an increase in restricted deposit. Net cash used in financing activities was $4.8 million for the repayment of convertible notes.
Net cash used in operations was $27.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 of $70.1 million was partially offset by a change of $38.1 million in the fair value of convertible notes embedded derivative and increase of $8.7 million in accounts payable. Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $1.1 million and consisted primarily of purchases of property and equipment and an increase in restricted deposit. Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $1.4 million and consisted primarily of cash settlement of $11.0 million for certain conversions of our convertible notes which was partially offset by $9.5 million of net proceeds from the issuance of our 2021 Notes.
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Future Funding Requirements
We expect to continue to incur significant expenditures in the near future, including significant research and development expenses related primarily to the clinical trials of pegunigalsidase alfa. We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents and commitments will be sufficient for at least 12 months. We have based this estimate on assumptions that are subject to change and may prove to be wrong, and we may be required to use our available capital resources sooner than we currently expect. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with the development and commercialization of our product candidates, we are unable to estimate the amounts of increased capital outlays and operating expenditures associated with our current and anticipated clinical trials.
Our future capital requirements will depend on many other factors, including our progress in commercializing alfataliglicerase in Brazil, the progress and results of our clinical trials, particularly our clinical trials of pegunigalsidase alfa, the duration and cost of discovery and preclinical development and laboratory testing and clinical trials for our product candidates, conversions of our outstanding 2021 Notes from time to time, the timing and outcome of regulatory review of our product candidates, the costs involved in preparing, filing, prosecuting, maintaining, defending and enforcing patent claims and other intellectual property rights, the number and development requirements of other product candidates that we pursue and the costs of commercialization activities, including product marketing, sales and distribution.
We may need to finance our future cash needs through corporate collaboration, licensing or similar arrangements, public or private equity offerings and/or debt financings. We currently do not have any commitments for future external funding, except with respect to the development-related payments and milestone payments that may become payable under our agreements with Chiesi. We may need to raise additional funds more quickly if one or more of our assumptions prove to be incorrect or if we choose to expand our product development efforts more rapidly than we presently anticipate. We may also decide to raise additional funds even before we need them if the conditions for raising capital are favorable. Any sale of additional equity or debt securities will likely result in dilution to our stockholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased fixed obligations and could also result in covenants that would restrict our operations. Additional equity or debt financing, grants or corporate collaboration and licensing arrangements may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all. If adequate funds are not available, we may be required to delay, reduce the scope of or eliminate our research and development programs, reduce our planned commercialization efforts or obtain funds through arrangements with collaborators or others that may require us to relinquish rights to certain product candidates that we might otherwise seek to develop or commercialize independently.
Effects of Inflation and Currency Fluctuations
Inflation generally affects us by increasing our cost of labor and clinical trial costs. We do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our results of operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017.
Currency fluctuations could affect us through increased or decreased acquisition costs for certain goods and services. We do not believe currency fluctuations have had a material effect on our results of operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements as of each of September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017.
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| Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
Currency Exchange Risk
The currency of the primary economic environment in which our operations are conducted is the U.S. dollar. We consider the currency of the primary economic environment to be the currency in which we generate revenues and expend cash. Most of our revenues are denominated in U.S. dollars, approximately 50% of our expenses and capital expenditures are incurred in U.S. dollars, and a significant source of our financing has been provided in U.S. dollars. Since the dollar is the functional currency, monetary items maintained in currencies other than the dollar are remeasured using the rate of exchange in effect at the balance sheet dates and non-monetary items are remeasured at historical exchange rates. Revenue and expense items are remeasured at the average rate of exchange in effect during the period in which they occur. Foreign currency translation gains or losses are recognized in the statement of operations.
A portion of our costs, including salaries, expenses and office expenses, are incurred in NIS. Inflation in Israel may have the effect of increasing the U.S. dollar cost of our operations in Israel. If the U.S. dollar declines in value in relation to the NIS, it will become more expensive for us to fund our operations in Israel. A devaluation of 1% of the NIS will affect our income before tax by less than 1%. The exchange rate of the U.S. dollar to the NIS, based on exchange rates published by the Bank of Israel, was as follows:
| Nine months ended | Year ended | |||||
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2017 | ||||
| Average rate for period | 3.558 | 3.629 | 3.600 | |||
| Rate at period end | 3.627 | 3.529 | 3.467 | |||
To date, we have not engaged in hedging transactions. In the future, we may enter into currency hedging transactions to decrease the risk of financial exposure from fluctuations in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar against the NIS. These measures, however, may not adequately protect us from material adverse effects due to the impact of inflation in Israel.
Interest Rate Risk
Our exposure to market risk is confined to our cash and cash equivalents. We consider all short term, highly liquid investments, which include short-term deposits with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase, that are not restricted as to withdrawal or use and are readily convertible to known amounts of cash, to be cash equivalents. The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal while maximizing the interest income we receive from our investments, without increasing risk. We invest any cash balances primarily in bank deposits and investment grade interest-bearing instruments. We are exposed to market risks resulting from changes in interest rates. We do not use derivative financial instruments to limit exposure to interest rate risk. Our interest gains may decline in the future as a result of changes in the financial markets.
| Item 4. | Controls and Procedures |
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The controls evaluation was conducted under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and procedures designed to reasonably assure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to reasonably assure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Based on the controls evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Commission, and that material information relating to our company and our consolidated subsidiary is made known to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, particularly during the period when our periodic reports are being prepared.
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Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.
Changes in internal controls
There were no changes to our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15f and 15d-15f under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2018 that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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| Item 1. | Legal Proceedings |
We are not involved in any material legal proceedings.
| Item 1A. | Risk Factors |
There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
| Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds |
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.
| Item 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities |
None.
| Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosure |
Not applicable.
| Item 5. | Other Information |
None.
| Item 6. | Exhibits |
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| 21 |
| 101.INS | XBRL INSTANCE FILE | X | ||||||||||
| 101.SCH | XBRL SHEMA FILE | X | ||||||||||
| 101.CAL | XBRL CALCULATION FILE | X | ||||||||||
| 101.DEF | XBRL DEFINITION FILE | X | ||||||||||
| 101.LAB | XBRL LABEL FILE | X | ||||||||||
| 101.PRE | XBRL PRESENTATION FILE | X |
† Portions of this exhibit were omitted and have been filed separately with the Secretary of the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Registrant’s application requesting confidential treatment under Rule 24b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| PROTALIX BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC. | ||
| (Registrant) | ||
| Date: November 7, 2018 | By: | /s/ Moshe Manor |
| Moshe Manor | ||
| President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
| (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
| Date: November 7, 2018 | By: | /s/ Yossi Maimon |
| Yossi Maimon | ||
| Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, | ||
| Treasurer and Secretary | ||
| (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
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