Protalix Biotherapeutics Inc. (AMEX:PLX; TASE: PLX) today announced that a scientific paper states that the company's PRX-105 recombinant plant-derived protein may confer protection in Parkinson’s disease. The paper, entitled “Adaptive alternative splicing correlates with less environmental risk of Parkinsonism,” has been published online in the "Journal of Neurodegenerative Diseases".
The lead author, Prof. Hermona Soreq, a former dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said that different forms of the protein in the brain either inherited or acquired due to environmental factors or toxins, were an important contributor in Parkinson's disease. The protein variant may help drive the brain’s transcription machinery to follow a protective path could lead to new treatment options for Parkinson’s disease.
Protalix and the Hebrew University have also jointly filed a patent application entitled, “Methods for Treating or Preventing Parkinson's Disease". The filing is part of Protalix's ongoing collaboration with Yissum Technology Transfer Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Cornell University affiliate Boyce Thompson Institute Inc.
Protalix's share price fell 2% on the American Stock Exchange yesterday to $6.27, giving a market cap of $536 million, but rose 3.5% by mid-afternoon on the TASE today to NIS 24.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 10, 2011
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