On October 29, 2020 Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American: PLX) (TASE: PLX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, production and commercialization of recombinant therapeutic proteins produced by its proprietary ProCellEx plant cell-based protein expression system, reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020, and provided a business update on recent corporate and clinical developments (Press release, Protalix, OCT 29, 2020, View Source [SID1234569331]).
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"This quarter, we delivered on another important milestone for the Company with the FDA’s acceptance of, and grant of Priority Review designation to, the biologics license application (BLA) submitted for PRX-102 for the treatment of Fabry disease," said Dror Bashan, Protalix’s President and Chief Executive Officer. "We continue to build-out our clinical data profile for PRX-102. The last patient has completed treatment in the BRIGHT study, and we expect to report top-line data from the study by the end of the first quarter, 2021. We remain focused on advancing our earlier stage pipeline as well. We are proud of our team’s continued dedication and collaboration in progressing on our corporate mission during these challenging times of the pandemic."
Recent Business Highlights
●Announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acceptance of the BLA submitted for PRX-102 (pegunigalsidase alfa) for the treatment of adult patients with Fabry disease and grant of Priority Review designation to the BLA. The BLA was submitted under the FDA’s accelerated approval pathway in collaboration with the Company’s development and commercialization partner, Chiesi Global Rare Diseases. The FDA indicated in its communications that it is not currently planning to hold an advisory committee meeting to discuss the application.
●The FDA set an action date of January 27, 2021 under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) for the BLA. The FDA advised that, as part of its review of the BLA application, it requires an inspection of the Company’s manufacturing facility and that of a third party in Europe that performs fill and finish processes for PRX-102. Due to COVID-19 related FDA travel restrictions, the FDA has advised that it may be unable to conduct the inspections prior to the PDUFA date. Together with Chiesi, the Company is diligently exploring potential alternatives that would enable the FDA to meet its timeline. As part of such efforts, Chiesi submitted a request to the FDA for a Type A meeting. The
Company anticipates an FDA response to this request during the first week of November 2020.
● Disclosed the completion of the patient treatment period for the Company’s phase III BRIGHT clinical trial of PRX-102 for the treatment of Fabry disease. The trial was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 2 mg/kg PRX-102 infused every four weeks, in Fabry patients. The Company expects to report top-line results from the trial by the end of the first quarter, 2021.
● Announced the launch of an Expanded Access Program in the United States for PRX-102 allowing a broader group of physicians and patients, beyond those in the Company’s phase III clinical program, access to PRX-102.
● Launched an at-the-market equity offering program with BofA Securities enabling the Company to sell up to $30 million shares of common stock according to the terms and conditions set forth in its agreement with BofA Securities. The program provides the Company with greater capital-raising flexibility as it executes on its commercialization and development plans.
Third Quarter 2020 Financial Highlights
The Company recorded revenues from selling goods of $3.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2020, a decrease of $1.8 million, or 36%, compared to revenues of $5.1 million for the same period of 2019. The decrease resulted primarily from a timing difference in sales to Brazil in 2020 compared to 2019, which was partially offset by an increase in sales to Pfizer Inc.
Revenues from license and R&D services for the three months ended September 30, 2020 were $7.5 million, a decrease of $1.6 million, or 18%, compared to $9.1 million for the same period of 2019. Revenues from license and R&D services are comprised primarily of revenues the Company recognized in connection with its license and supply agreements with Chiesi. The decrease is primarily due to the completion of two out of the three phase III clinical trials of PRX-102 as well as lower costs related to the Company’s phase III BALANCE clinical trial of PRX-102 for the treatment of Fabry disease.
Cost of goods sold for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was $2.9 million, a decrease of $0.3 million, or 11%, compared to $3.2 million for the same period of 2019. The decrease is primarily due to a change in the cost structure as well as lower royalties paid to the Israeli Innovation Authority.
Research and development expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2020 were $7.7 million, a decrease of $2.3 million, or 23%, compared to $10.0 million for the same period of 2019. The decrease is primarily due to the completion of two out of the three phase III clinical trials of PRX-102 and reduced costs related to the BALANCE study as well as a decrease in costs
related to manufacturing of the Company’s drug in development as some of the manufactured drug product and related costs have been recorded as inventory.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2020 were $2.8 million, an increase of $0.2 million, or 9%, compared to $2.6 million for the same period of 2019.
Financial expenses net for the three months ended September 30, 2020 were $1.9 million, a decrease of $0.1 million, or 8%, compared to $2.0 million for the same period of 2019.
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits were approximately $41.3 million at September 30, 2020.
Conference Call and Webcast Information:
The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 8:30 am Eastern Daylight Time, to review the clinical, corporate, and financial highlights. To participate in the conference call, please dial the following numbers prior to the start of the call:
The conference call will be webcast live from the Company’s website and will be available via the following links:
Company Link: View Source
Webcast Link: View Source
Conference ID: 13711708
Please access the websites at least 15 minutes ahead of the conference to register, download and install any necessary audio software.