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Protalix Announces FDA Investigational New Drug Clearance to Commence Once-Monthly Dosing Study of pegunigalsidase alfa (PRX-102) for the Treatment of Fabry Disease Once Monthly Dosing Would Represent a 50% Reduction in

Key Takeaway: Protalix Announces FDA Investigational New Drug Clearance to Commence Once-Monthly Dosing Study of pegunigalsidase alfa (PRX-102) for the Treatment of Fabry Disease Once Monthly Dosing Would Represent a 50% Reduction in Patient Infusions Unique Chemical Modifications to pegu

Full Press Release Details

Protalix Announces FDA Investigational
New Drug Clearance to Commence
Once-Monthly Dosing Study of pegunigalsidase alfa (PRX-102) for the Treatment of Fabry Disease
Once Monthly Dosing Would Represent a
50% Reduction in Patient Infusions
Unique Chemical Modifications to pegunigalsidase
alfa Result in a Significantly Longer Half-life
Allowing for the Potential of Effective Drug Coverage for Four Weeks
Study Planned to Commence in the Third
CARMIEL, Israel, May 9, 2017 -- Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc.
(NYSE MKT:PLX) (TASE:PLX), announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared an Investigational New Drug
application (IND) for a clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of administering 2 mg/kg of pegunigalsidase alfa (PRX-102)
once monthly in Fabry patients. The current dosing regimen for approved enzyme replacement therapies for Fabry disease is once
every two weeks. Pegunigalsidase alfa is a PEGylated, chemically-modified version of the recombinant alpha-Galactosidase-A enzyme,
in which the protein sub-units are covalently bound via chemical cross-linking using PEG chains, resulting in a longer active and
stable molecule compared to currently available enzyme replacement therapies (ERTs).
Pegunigalsidase alfa with a 2 mg/kg was found to be safe and
well tolerated with no formation of antibodies in the Company's phase I/II clinical trial of pegunigalsidase alfa for the
treatment of Fabry disease. Additionally, in the phase I/II clinical trial, 2 mg/kg of pegunigalsidase alfa demonstrated approximately
a 40 times higher circulatory half-life compared with other enzyme replacement therapies, and, as demonstrated in a Fabry mice
model, with materially higher active enzyme reaching target organs affected by Fabry disease. Pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis and
modeling from the phase I/II clinical trial indicate that pegunigalsidase alfa levels at the second week after infusion remain
10 times higher than published Fabrazyme levels at the day of infusion. Moreover, the amount of pegunigalsidase
alfa in the circulation at weeks three and four, are higher than those of Fabrazyme during
the two-week treatments. These results provide strong rationale for the clinical evaluation of a once-monthly dosing.
Area Under the Curve (AUC) derived from PK data modeling of
Time (week) pegunigalsidase alfa,* 2 mg/kg IV every 4 weeks (ug-min/mL) Fabrazyme ,** 1 mg/kg IV every 2 weeks (ug-min/mL)
1 1 st infusion 59,364 1 st infusion ~700
2 7,144 Nil
3 878 2 nd infusion ~700
4 108 Nil
* PK modeling based on Phase I/II data ** Fabrazyme
"The unique chemical modifications in pegunigalsidase
alfa result in significantly longer circulatory half-life, which we believe will provide effective drug coverage for four full
weeks," said Moshe Manor, Protalix's President and Chief Executive Officer. "This once-monthly regimen, if approved,
will offer patients and care givers a new treatment option addressing the unmet need of less frequent infusions, and uniquely position
Protalix as the only company offering two treatment options. The trial also demonstrates our commitment to the Fabry community
and specifically to Fabry patients that are currently underserved by the therapies available today."
"The Fabry International Network (FIN), a global Fabry
patient organization, welcomes the news that Protalix is moving forward with a third phase III clinical study infusing pegunigalsidase
alfa 2mg/kg once every 4 weeks," sated FIN's President, Christine Lavery. "This study will provide individuals
with Fabry disease and their health care providers with alternative treatment option on top of the pegunigalsidase alfa 1mg/kg
dose once every two weeks regimen. If proven to be effective, the every four week infusion regime will go a long way to normalizing
the lives of those living with Fabry disease."
The Company plans to enroll up to 30 Fabry patients currently
treated with an approved enzyme replacement therapy. Participating patients will be switched to 2 mg/kg of pegunigalsidase alfa
once-monthly. A safety and efficacy evaluation will occur at twelve months with additional long term follow-up. The Company expects
to commence this study in the third quarter of 2017.
About Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc.
Protalix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development
and commercialization of recombinant therapeutic proteins expressed through its proprietary plant cell-based expression system,
ProCellEx . Protalix's unique expression system presents a proprietary method for developing recombinant proteins
in a cost-effective, industrial-scale manner. Protalix's first product manufactured by ProCellEx, taliglucerase alfa, was
approved for marketing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2012 and, subsequently, by the regulatory authorities
of other countries. Protalix has licensed to Pfizer Inc. the worldwide development and commercialization rights for taliglucerase
alfa, excluding Brazil, where Protalix retains full rights. Protalix's development pipeline includes the following product
candidates: PRX-102, a modified version of the recombinant human alpha-GAL-A protein for the treatment of Fabry disease; PRX-106,
an orally-delivered anti-inflammatory treatment; PRX-110, a chemically modified DNase I for the treatment of Cystic Fibrosis; and
Forward-Looking Statements
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. The terms "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect,"
"plan" and "intend" and other words or phrases of similar import are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. 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 material differences
include, among others: failure or delay in the commencement or completion of our preclinical 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 to monitor patients adequately during or after treatment; inability
or unwillingness of medical investigators and institutional review boards to follow our clinical protocols; and lack of sufficient
funding to finance clinical trials; the risk that the results of the clinical trials of our product candidates will not support
our claims of superiority, safety or efficacy, that our product candidates will not have the desired effects or will be associated
with undesirable side effects or other unexpected characteristics; risks related to the amount and sufficiency of our cash and
cash equivalents; risks related to the successful conclusion of our negotiations with the Brazilian Ministry of Health regarding
the purchase of alfataliglicerase, and our commercialization efforts for alfataliglicerase in Brazil generally; risks relating
to our ability to make scheduled payments of the principal of, to pay interest on or to refinance our convertible notes or any
other indebtedness; risks relating to the compliance by Funda o Oswaldo Cruz with its purchase obligations and related
milestones under our supply and technology transfer agreement; our dependence on performance by third party providers of services
and supplies, including without limitation, clinical trial services; 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,
and other risks relating to the review process; the inherent risks and uncertainties in developing drug platforms and products
of the type we are developing; the impact of development of competing therapies and/or technologies by other companies and institutions;
potential product liability risks, and risks of securing adequate levels of product liability and other necessary insurance coverage;
and other factors described in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The statements in this press release
are valid only as of the date hereof and we disclaim any obligation to update this information, except as may be required by law.
The Trout Group, LLC
Source: Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc.
Last updated: May 9, 2017