UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section
13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 3, 2007

Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Florida

(State or other
jurisdiction of
incorporation)
   000-27836

(Commission
File Number)  
    65-0643773

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
2 Snunit Street
Science Park
POB 455
Carmiel, Israel 21000

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: +972-4-988-9488

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

|_|   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

|_|   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

|_|   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

|_|   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


 
   

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure

On May 3, 2007, Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release to announce that the Company would present at the Biotechnology Industry Organization’s (BIO), 2007 International Convention being held at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, Boston, Massachusetts, on May 7, 2007. The full text of the press release is set forth in Exhibit 99.1.

A copy of the Company’s presentation materials for the convention, appearing in Exhibit 99.2, is furnished and not filed pursuant to Regulation FD.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)   Exhibits

99.1   Press release dated May 3, 2007, titled “Protalix BioTherapeutics to Present at the BIO International Convention on May 7, 2007”.

99.2   Slide Presentation to be used at the Biotechnology Industry Organization’s (BIO), 2007 International Convention on May 7, 2007.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

      PROTALIX BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
         
Date: May 4, 2007     By: /s/ David Aviezer

      Name:
Title:
David Aviezer, Ph.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer

 
  2 

Exhibit 99.1

Protalix BioTherapeutics to Present at the BIO International Convention on May 7, 2007

CARMIEL, Israel, May 3, 2007 —- Protalix BioTherapeutics (AMEX: PLX) today announced that Dr. David Aviezer, President and Chief Executive Officer, will present at the Biotechnology Industry Organization’s (BIO), 2007 International Convention on Monday, May 7, 2007 at 10:20 a.m. EDT, at the Boston Convention &Exhibition Center, Boston, Massachusetts.

Dr. Aviezer will present Protalix’s proprietary and innovative underlying platform technology, as well as recent advances in the clinical development of prGCD, its lead product for treating Gaucher Disease.

The Convention will feature a program packed with more than 200 sessions and speakers focusing on the global aspects of biotechnology. More than 20,000 leaders from across the industry are expected to be in attendance. Additional information is available at www.bio2007.org.

About Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc.

Protalix’s proprietary technology is based on its plant cell culture and bioreactor system which provides an effective and scaleable cell system for industrial production of recombinant biopharmaceuticals. Protalix is pursuing advanced clinical studies for its enzyme therapy for Gaucher Disease and intends to advance additional recombinant biopharmaceutical drug development programs. Protalix’s plant-based expression has significant advantages over more traditional mammalian and bacterial expression technology with respect to patient safety, cost and scalability.

Safe Harbor Statement:

To the extent that statements in this press release are not strictly historical, all such statements are forward-looking, and are made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future experience and results to differ materially from the statements made. These statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations as to such future outcomes. Drug discovery and development involve a high degree of risk. Factors that might cause such a material difference include, among others, the inherent risks and uncertainties in developing drug platforms and products of the type we are developing; delays in our preparation and filing of applications for regulatory approval; delays in the approval or potential rejection of any applications we file with the FDA, or other health regulatory authorities; any lack of progress of our research and development (including the results of clinical trials being conducted by us); obtaining on a timely basis sufficient patient enrollment in our clinical trials; the impact of development of competing therapies and/or technologies by other companies; our ability to obtain additional financings required to fund our research programs; our ability to establish and maintain strategic license, collaboration and distribution arrangements and to manage our relationships with collaborators, distributors and partners; potential product liability risks and risks of securing adequate levels of product liability and clinical trial insurance coverage; the possible disruption of our operations due to terrorist activities and armed conflict, including as a result of the disruption of operations of regulatory authorities, our subsidiaries, our manufacturing facilities and our customers, suppliers, distributors, couriers, collaborative partners, licensees, and clinical trial sites; and other factors described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The statements are valid only as of the date hereof and we disclaim any obligation to update this information.

For additional information, contact:

Protalix Investor Relations: investors@protalix.com

AMEX IR Alliance for Protalix:

Lee Roth / David Burke
212-896-1209 / 212-896-1258
lroth@kcsa.com / dburke@kcsa.com

Exhibit 99.2

 

Novel and Biogeneric Protein
Therapeutics

BIO International
Convention

May 7, 2007

Dr. David Aviezer

President & CEO

 

Safe Harbor Statement

To the extent that statements in this document are not strictly historical, all such statements are forward-
looking, and are made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that
may cause actual future experience and results to differ materially from the statements made. These
statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations as to such future outcomes. Drug discovery and
development involve a high degree of risk. Factors that might cause such a material difference include,
among others, the inherent risks and uncertainties in developing drug platforms and products of the type we
are developing; delays in our preparation and filing of applications for regulatory approval; delays in the
approval or potential rejection of any applications we file with the FDA, or other health regulatory
authorities; lack of progress of our research and development (including the results of clinical trials being
conducted by us); obtaining on a timely basis sufficient patient enrollment in our clinical trials; the impact of
development of competing therapies and/or technologies by other companies; our ability to obtain additional
financings required to fund our research programs; our ability to establish and maintain strategic license,
collaboration and distribution arrangements and to manage our relationships with collaborators,
distributors and partners; potential product liability risks and risks of securing adequate levels of product
liability and clinical trial insurance coverage; the possible disruption of our operations due to terrorist
activities and armed conflict, including as a result of the disruption of our subsidiary, our manufacturing
facilities, collaborative partners, licensees, and clinical trial sites; and other factors described in our filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The statements are accurate only as of the date hereof and we
disclaim any obligation to update this information, except as required by law.

 

About Protalix

                                Protalix has developed a proprietary plant cell culture
technology and innovative bioreactor system for the efficient
and safe, large-scale production of complex human therapeutic
proteins in plant cells.

                                

           The company's platform technology is designed to
produce a range of human protein therapeutics for the bio-
pharmaceutical market.

      The lead product, prGCD, Glucocerebrosidase enzyme, for
treating Gaucher Disease, targets a $1 billion market and is
scheduled to initiate Phase III clinical trial in mid 2007.

 

Company Highlights

Product-driven strategy: lead product, prGCD, Glucocerebrosidase
for treating Gaucher Disease, targets a
$1 billion market.

prGCD - scheduled to initiate Phase III in 2007.

Pipeline includes novel and biogeneric therapeutic proteins.

Strong IP positioning based on proprietary protein manufacturing
platform in plant cell culture with advantages in terms of the
glycosylation process, cost-effectiveness and safety.

Experienced Management Team led by board members such as Mr.
Eli Hurvitz, Chairman of Teva, and Dr. Phillip Frost, current Vice
Chairman of Teva and former Chairman and CEO of IVAX.

Partnership strategy: generating alliances with biopharmaceutical  
and large cap pharmaceutical  companies.

Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc. - Publicly traded on the         
American Stock Exchange (AMEX: PLX).

 

Board of Directors

Mr. Eli Hurvitz - Chairman of Protalix’s BOD; Chairman, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

Dr. Phillip Frost - Vice Chairman Teva; Former Chairman & CEO, IVAX Corp.

Mr. Zeev Bronfeld - CEO, Biocell

Mr. Amos Bar-Shalev - Director, Technorov VC fund

Dr. Jane Hsiao - Former Vice Chairman, IVAX Corp.

Mr. Eyal Sheratzki - Co-CEO, Ituran

Gen. (res.) Pinchas Buchris - Managing Director, Tamares, Venture Partner, APAX

Mr. Sharon Toussia-Cohen - CEO, Marathon VC fund

Dr. Yoseph Shaaltiel - Founder & E.VP of R&D, Protalix

Dr. David Aviezer - President & CEO, Protalix

 

Protalix Pipeline

PhaseIII

prGCD II

PRX- 103

PRX-111

PRX-102

prGCD

NDA

Phase II

Phase I

Preclinical

Validation

                                                               **

-  Denotes projected pipeline status during 2007

**- prGCD Phase II has been waived by FDA

 

Target selection-Global strategy

First target: Gaucher Disease.

Think “Big” and Globally, for a well
established and lucrative market, but seek a
“Small” niche market as to number of
patients, treatment centers, marketing  
efforts, etc.

Seek Global collaboration partners for large
patient population targets.

 

prGCD for treating Gaucher
Disease: Highlights

Well established, lucrative billion dollar niche market with
wide profit margins. Cerezyme® produced in mammalian cells,
generated 2006 sales of $ 1 Billion
, without competition on the
market
(Source: Genzyme announcement 2007)

FDA- approved clinical regulatory path:

Phase I: completed

Phase II: waived by FDA

Phase III: initiation -mid 2007

Proven superior bioactivity in various models

Strong IP positioning due to circumvention of patents

prGCD clinical grade production serves as major proof of concept
for Protalix’s platform

 

prGCD: Equal to Superior
Biological Activity

0

25

50

75

100

125

0

1

2

Cerezyme

prGCD

S, uM

prGCD has superior enzymatic activity degrading the natural substrate
when compared to
Cerezyme® :

Gaucher patients macrophages
model:
prGCD demonstrates superior
uptake vs.
Cerezyme® following 24
and 48 hours of incubation

Enhanced uptake of prGCD by
mouse macrophages compared to
Cerezyme®:

 


Similar three dimensional
structure

Three dimensional crystal
structure of
prGCD solved
by a team of world
renowned scientists from the
Weizmann Institute of
Science is comparable to
Cerezyme® structure  

 

Regulatory Development -
Global Thinking

First target: Gaucher Disease

Meet with FDA very early in the process.

Gain insight as to what the regulatory
global “real world” will require, as early
as possible in the development stage of
your drug candidate.

Perform clinical studies globally.

 

prGCD Phase I Study:
Summary

Safety study of three single escalating doses administered as intravenous
infusions in healthy volunteers.

Design: Single-center, non-randomized, open label performed at Hadassah
Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.

Study performed under FDA IND approval.

Results: Treatment successfully completed:

prGCD was well tolerated.

Highly satisfactory safety lab results.

Pharmacology – prolonged half life of drug in serum.

Final report submitted.

 

Comparison of PK data:
prGCD  vs. Cerezyme®

prGCD data:

Preclinical-Primates

T1/2~13-20 minutes

Phase I: Human data:
T1/2~
10.5-14.5 minutes

Cerezyme (published data):

Preclinical-Primates:

T1/2~ 6.8-8 minutes

Human data

T1/2~3.6-10.4 minutes

 

Multi-center world wide study: efficacy
and safety in
untreated patients with
significant symptoms of Gaucher Disease.

Protocol outline reviewed by FDA:
randomized, double blind, parallel groups,
dose-ranging study.

Measurable efficacy end point.

prGCD Phase III: Study Design

 

Phase III Milestones

Israel Ministry of Health
approval to initiate         
Phase III study

FDA approval to                       
initiate Phase III study

  - Initiate Phase III trial

 

Plant Cell Technology Demonstration

 

The Technology Platform

Expression of recombinant
human proteins in a
proprietary plant cell
bioreactors:

safe

simple to handle

friendly to plant cell growth

cost efficient

easily up-scalable

Built in line with FDA
guidelines and GMP
standards

Protalix Manufacturing Facility:
~
5000 Sq/ft. of clean rooms

 

Follicle Stimulating Hormone

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
regulates several major reproductive
functions of the human female body
(IVF).

Growing $1 billion market.

Protein consisting of a common alpha
subunit non-covalently bound to a beta
subunit.

Protalix is also co-developing a
proprietary variant of FSH with
Compugen.

 

IgG1-CHO

IgG4-Protalix
*

IgG1-Protalix

Control

FACS Analysis of Protalix IgG1
and IgG4 Ab’s Binding to Jurkat
Leukemia Cells- Compared to
CHO IgG1:

Heavy Chain

Light Chain

Human IgG
Standard

Recombinant

IgG produced by

Protalix’s plant

culture system

Monoclonal Antibodies:

Proof of concept

Protalix system may represent an
alternative platform for hard-to-
express proteins in mammalian
systems, including some monoclonal
antibodies

 

Two-Armed Business Model

Share risks and profits by
forming
early-stage co-
development
partnering
deals
for biotherapeutic
proteins

Examples: TEVA

Internal development of  
Protalix’s
proprietary
specialty
market oriented
therapeutic proteins
into
advanced commercial
stage

Example: prGCD, for
treating Gaucher Disease

 

Partnership Validation

2006- Teva Pharmaceutical
Industries:
Agreement for co-development of
two therapeutic proteins

2005- Bayer (Icon Genetics):
License agreement for
complementary technology

Protalix is constantly
seeking new value-
adding partnerships

 

Global Financial Strategy

Use non-equity funding from sources such as
Israeli chief scientist governmental grants at
early stage.

Bring in top-tier early stage US and global investors
early in the financing process.

Select late stage investors with global perception of
capital markets and the pharmaceutical arena.

Increase financial and strategic visibility by becoming
public in the US (AMEX:PLX).

 

Innovative and Biogeneric
Protein Therapeutics

Contact:

Dr. David Aviezer

President & CEO
david@protalix.com

Thank
You!