SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]

General

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 Uplyso^TM in Brazil and certain other Latin American countries and Elelyso^TM 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 current 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) PRX-102, or alpha-GAL-A, a therapeutic protein candidate for the treatment of Fabry disease, a rare, genetic lysosomal disorder;

(2) 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 directly 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.

Since its approval by the FDA, taliglucerase alfa has been marketed mainly in the United States by Pfizer Inc. (“Pfizer”), as provided in the exclusive license and supply agreement by and 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 (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 Pfizer Agreement, Pfizer and the Company shared revenues and expenses for the development and commercialization of Elelyso on a 60%/40% basis globally, excluding Israel and 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. For further details see note 2.

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 for taliglucerase alfa. Fiocruz’s purchases of Uplyso 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 low purchase amounts, the Company is, at this time, continuing to supply Uplyso to Fiocruz under the Brazil Agreement, and patients continue to be treated with Uplyso in Brazil. Approximately 10% of adult Gaucher patients in Brazil are currently treated with Uplyso. 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 December 2016, the Company received a letter from Fiocruz regarding an order from the Brazilian Ministry of Health (the “Brazilian Ministry”) to purchase alfataliglicerase to treat Gaucher patients in Brazil. The Brazilian Ministry’s order consists of a number of shipments during 2017 for a total of approximately $24.3 million. Shipments are to start in mid-2017 and continue through the end of the year, in increasing volumes. The Company has recorded revenues of approximately $4.0 million for sales of taliglucerase alfa to Fiocruz in 2016.

The Company is required to pay a fee equal to 5% of the net proceeds generated in Brazil to an agent for services provided in assisting the Company complete the Brazil Agreement pursuant to an agreement between the agent and the Company. The agreement will remain in effect with respect to the Brazil Agreement until the termination thereof.

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, 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.

Basis of presentation

b. Basis of presentation

The Company’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”).

Use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements

c. Use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Functional currency

d. Functional currency

The dollar is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are conducted. Most of the Company’s revenues are derived in dollars. Most of the Company’s expenses and capital expenditures are incurred in dollars, and the major source of the Company’s financing has been provided in dollars.

Transactions and balances originally denominated in dollars are presented at their original amounts. Balances in non-dollar currencies are translated into dollars using historical and current exchange rates for non-monetary and monetary balances, respectively. For non-dollar transactions and other items (stated below) reflected in the statements of operations, the following exchange rates are used: (i) for transactions – exchange rates at the transaction dates or average rates; and (ii) for other items (derived from non-monetary balance sheet items such as depreciation and amortization, etc.) – historical exchange rates. Currency transaction gains and losses are recorded as financial income or expenses, as appropriate.

Cash equivalents

e. Cash equivalents

The Company considers all short-term, highly liquid investments, which include short-term bank 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.

Inventories

f. Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost of raw and packaging materials and purchased products is determined using the “moving average” basis.

Cost of finished products is determined as follows: the value of the raw and packaging materials component is determined primarily using the “moving average” basis; the value of the labor and overhead component is determined on an average basis over the production period.

Inventory is written down for estimated obsolescence based upon management assumptions about future demand and market conditions.

Property and equipment

g. Property and equipment

1. Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization.

2. The Company’s assets are depreciated by the straight-line method on the basis of their estimated useful lives as follows:

	Years
Laboratory equipment		5
Furniture		10-15
Computer equipment		3

Leasehold improvements are amortized by the straight-line method over the expected lease term, which is shorter than the estimated useful life of the improvements.

Impairment in value of long-lived assets

h. Impairment in value of long-lived assets

The Company tests long-lived assets for impairment if an indication of impairment exists. If the sum of expected future cash flows of definite life assets (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount of such assets, the Company recognizes an impairment loss, and writes down the assets to their estimated fair values.

Income taxes

i. Income taxes

1. Deferred income taxes

Deferred taxes are determined utilizing the assets and liabilities method based on the estimated future tax effects of the differences between the financial accounting and tax bases of assets and liabilities under the applicable tax laws. Deferred tax balances are computed using the tax rates expected to be in effect when those differences reverse. A valuation allowance in respect of deferred tax assets is provided if, based upon the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company has provided a full valuation allowance with respect to its deferred tax assets. The Company used tax rates of 39%, 24% and 23%. See note 10.

2. Uncertainty in income taxes

Tax benefits recognized in the financial statements are those that the Company’s management deems at least more likely than not to be sustained, based on technical merits. The amount of benefits recorded for these tax benefits is measured as the largest benefit the Company’s management deems more likely than not to be sustained.

Revenue Recognition

j. Revenue Recognition

Revenues from supply agreements and from selling products

The Company recognizes revenues from supply agreements and from selling products upon delivery, when the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.

Research and development costs

k. Research and development costs

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and consist primarily of personnel, subcontractors and consultants (mainly in connection with clinical trials), facilities, equipment and supplies for research and development activities. Grants received by the Israeli Subsidiary from the National Authority for Technological Innovation (“NATI”), which has replaced many of the functions of the Office of the Chief Scientist of Israel’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor (the “OCS”), are recognized when the grant becomes receivable, provided there is reasonable assurance that the Company or the Subsidiaries will comply with the conditions attached to the grant and there is reasonable assurance the grant will be received. The grant is deducted from the research and development expenses as the applicable costs are incurred. In connection with purchases of assets, amounts assigned to intangible assets to be used in a particular research and development project that have no alternative future use are charged to research and development costs at the purchase date.

Nonrefundable advance payments for goods or services that will be used or rendered for future research and development activities are deferred and amortized over the period that the goods are consumed or the related services are performed.

Concentration of credit risks and trade receivable

l. Concentration of credit risks and trade receivable

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist principally of bank deposits. The Company deposits these instruments with highly rated financial institutions, mainly in Israeli banks, and, as a matter of policy, limits the amounts of credit exposure to any one financial institution. The Company has not experienced any credit losses in these accounts and does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk on these instruments.

The Company’s trade receivables represent amounts to be received from Pfizer and Brazil. The Company does not require Pfizer or Brazil to post collateral with respect to receivables.

Share-based compensation

m. Share-based compensation

The Company accounts for employee’s share-based payment awards classified as equity awards using the grant-date fair value method. The fair value of share-based payment transactions is recognized as an expense over the requisite service period.

The Company elected to recognize compensation cost for an award with only service conditions that has a graded vesting schedule using the accelerated method based on the multiple-option award approach.

When stock options are granted as consideration for services provided by consultants and other non-employees, the grant is accounted for based on the fair value of the stock options issued. Options granted are measured on a final basis at the end of the related service period and is recognized over the related service period using the straight-line method.

Net earnings (loss) per share

n. Net earnings (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.

The calculation of diluted LPS does not include 18,850,724, 19,778,424 and 23,532,492 shares of Common Stock underlying outstanding options, restricted shares of Common Stock and shares issuable upon conversion of the convertible notes for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively, because the effect would be anti-dilutive.

Convertible notes

o. Convertible notes

All outstanding convertible notes are accounted for using the guidance set forth in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 815 requiring 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 Company accounts for the 2013 Notes (as defined in note 8a) as a liability, on an aggregated basis, in their entirety. The 2016 Notes (as defined in note 8b) partially are accounted for as liability and equity components of the instrument and partially as a debt host contract with an embedded derivative resulting from the conversion feature.

The debt discount and debt issuance costs regarding the issuance of the 2013 Notes are deferred and amortized over the 2013 Notes period (5 years).

Issuance costs regarding the issuance of the 2016 Notes were allocated to the liability, equity component, derivative and shares based on their relative fair values. Issuance costs that were allocated to the liability are amortized using the effective interest rate, other than issuance costs that were allocated to the derivative which were expensed immediately.

Recently adopted standards

p. Recently adopted standards

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718)” (“ASU 2016-09”) which simplifies certain aspects of the accounting for share-based payments, including accounting for income taxes, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, classification on the statement of cash flows as well as allowing an entity-wide accounting policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest or account for forfeitures as they occur. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted in any annual or interim period for which financial statements have not yet been issued, and all amendments in the ASU that apply must be adopted in the same period.

The Company adopted this standard in the fourth quarter of 2016. The implementation of this ASU did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

q. Recently issued accounting pronouncements

In May 2014, the 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 (early adoption is permitted for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016). The guidance permits the use of either a retrospective or modified retrospective transition method. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

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 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019. Early adoption is permitted for the accounting guidance on financial liabilities under the fair value option. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes the existing guidance for lease accounting, Leases (Topic 840). ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize leases on their balance sheets, and leaves lessor accounting largely unchanged. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted for all entities. ASU 2016-02 requires a modified retrospective approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the date of initial application, with an option to elect to use certain transition relief. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flow - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (Topic 230)” (“ASU 2016-15”) which addresses specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new pronouncement on its consolidated statements of cash flows.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, “Statement of cash flows (Topic 230): Restricted cash,” which addresses the treatment of restricted cash in the statements of cash flows. Amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The guidance will be effective the fiscal year beginning on January 1, 2018, including interim periods within that year (early adoption is permitted). The Company is currently evaluating the potential effect of the guidance on its consolidated financial statements.