Pfizer acquires licensing rights to Protalix drug

Pfizer is making an upfront payment of US$60m to Israeli biopharmaceutical firm Protalix to secure licensing rights to a developing drug for Gaucher's disease.

Under the terms of the agreement, Pfizer will receive worldwide licensing rights to Protalix's taliglucerase alfa, a plant-cell expressed form of glucocerebrosidase (GCD), while Protalix retains exclusive commercialisation rights in Israel.

Protalix is eligible to receive additional regulatory milestone payments of up to US$55m.

With the completion of Phase III clinical studies, Protalix is preparing a rolling New Drug Application (NDA) with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has granted an orphan drug designation and a fast track status to the drug, which is currently being provided to Gaucher's patients in the US.

"By joining our advances in biologics manufacturing and protein development with Pfizer's global strengths in patient services and reimbursement we expect to help make taliglucerase alfa an important and cost-effective treatment choice for Gaucher's patients throughout the world," said Dr David Aviezer, president and ceo of Protalix.

Gaucher's disease is a rare genetic disorder in which patients are deficient in an enzyme that breaks down a certain type of fat molecule, leading potentially to spleen, liver and bone marrow problems.