SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

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 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 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) 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 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 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 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 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 three months ended March 31, 2018.

On October 19, 2017, Protalix Ltd. and Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A. (“Chiesi”) entered into an Ex-US license (the “Chiesi Agreement”) pursuant to which Chiesi was granted an exclusive license for all markets outside of the United States to commercialize pegunigalsidase alfa. Under the terms and conditions of the Chiesi Agreement, Protalix Ltd. retained the right to commercialize pegunigalsidase 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 additional payments of up to $320.0 million, in the aggregate, in regulatory and commercial milestone payments.

Under the terms of the Chiesi Agreement, Protalix Ltd. will 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 will 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.

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 March 31, 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.

Basis of presentation

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.

Net loss per share

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 78,142,133 and 73,800,491 shares of Common Stock underlying outstanding options and restricted shares of Common Stock and shares issuable upon conversion of outstanding convertible notes for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively, because the effect would be anti-dilutive.

Revenue Recognition

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 Agreement

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. Since there is only one performance obligation, all payments received by Chiesi prior to the satisfaction of the Company’s obligation will be deferred. Therefore, the $25.0 million upfront payment and future research and development reimbursement payments (up to $25.0 million) and any potential additional development milestone payments are contract liabilities and will be deferred until the commencement of commercial manufacturing.

Recently adopted standards

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.

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.