PB
Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc. (PLX)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q3 2025 revenue was $17.851M and diluted EPS was $0.03; EPS missed Wall Street consensus*, while revenue was essentially in-line, driven by partner ordering variability across Chiesi, Pfizer, and Fiocruz . EPS consensus* was $0.055, revenue consensus* was $17.866M; the EPS miss was the primary negative surprise* .
- Year-to-date revenue reached $43.622M, up 24% YoY, supported by commercialization of Elfabrio and Elelyso; however, Q3 revenue declined 1% YoY due to timing of partner purchases .
- Operating income was $2.131M; net income was $2.355M, reflecting higher R&D spend for PRX-115 (uncontrolled gout) as Phase 2 begins in 2025; management guided to continued elevated R&D as pipeline advances .
- Regulatory update: EMA’s CHMP issued a negative opinion on Elfabrio’s 2 mg/kg every 4 weeks dosing regimen (E4W); Chiesi requested re-examination; the approved 1 mg/kg every 2 weeks regimen remains unaffected—a key watch item for European label expansion .
- Stock reaction: shares fell ~13.6% premarket on the release day and previously dropped ~22.5% on the October CHMP news; EPS miss and EU dosing uncertainty were the catalysts .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Year-to-date revenue up 24% YoY to $43.622M and YTD sales of goods up 24% to $43.108M; company highlighted ongoing commercial traction despite quarterly variability .
- PRX-115 IND effective; Phase 2 initiation planned later in 2025; management reiterated best-in-class potential based on Phase 1 data and long-acting profile aspirations .
- Cash and short-term deposits of $29.370M at Q3-end, with management stating this is sufficient to fund at least 12 months from the 10-Q issuance date; supports continued R&D and operations .
What Went Wrong
- Q3 EPS of $0.03 missed consensus* ($0.055); revenue was essentially in-line; EPS miss reflects higher R&D (up 50% YoY in Q3) and SG&A uptick .
- EMA CHMP negative opinion on Elfabrio E4W regimen; label expansion delayed pending re-examination, increasing regulatory uncertainty in Europe .
- Revenue down 1% YoY in Q3 (to $17.851M vs $17.959M), driven by partner ordering timing; underscores quarter-to-quarter variability and inventory management by partners .
Financial Results
Note: Values marked with * retrieved from S&P Global.
Segment breakdown (Q3 2025):
KPIs and balance sheet trend:
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We are pleased to report total revenues of $43.6 million for the first nine months of 2025… Our total revenues for the third quarter were $17.9 million…” emphasizing partner-controlled inventory dynamics and ongoing commercial success .
- “We are particularly excited about PRX-115… we believe it has the potential to be a best-in-class therapy with a long-acting profile… We are planning to initiate a phase 2 clinical trial… later this year” .
- “In November 2025, Chiesi… requested a re-examination of the recent negative opinion… for the E4W dosing regimen for Elfabrio… The 1 mg/kg E2W regimen is unaffected” .
- “We expect to continue to incur significant research and development expenses as we enter into a more advanced stage of… clinical trials, including the initiation of the phase 2 clinical trial of PRX-115” .
Q&A Highlights
- EPS and revenue vs expectations: multiple outlets highlighted an EPS miss ($0.03 vs ~$0.06–$0.07) and near in-line revenue; the miss weighed on premarket trading .
- CHMP decision Q&A: management noted Chiesi has submitted a request for re-examination of the E4W regimen; additional studies may be contemplated depending on EMA feedback .
- Receivables and cash conversion: investors asked about receivables build and subsequent cleanup; pattern discussed with management acknowledging timing effects and subsequent collections .
- Ordering variability: reiterated that partners manage inventories; demand trends and market expansion efforts continue, with submissions planned across multiple geographies .
Estimates Context
- Q3 2025 actual EPS: $0.03 vs consensus* $0.055 → bold negative surprise on EPS; Q3 2025 revenue: $17.851M vs consensus* $17.866M → essentially in line*. The EPS miss largely reflects increased R&D for PRX-115 as Phase 2 preparation accelerated .
- Adjacent quarter context: Q2 2025 beat revenue vs consensus* ($15.658M actual vs $13.486M*), while Q1 2025 significantly missed revenue vs consensus* ($10.113M actual vs $21.600M*), highlighting order timing and partner variability*.
- Estimate breadth remains narrow (# of estimates: 2 for Q3 EPS/revenue*), increasing volatility in reported-vs-consensus outcomes*.
Note: Values marked with * retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Quarter was mixed: strong profitability (net income margin 13.2%) but a clear EPS miss vs consensus*; watch for normalization of R&D spend post Phase 2 ramp and partner ordering cadence .
- Regulatory overhang: EU E4W dosing re-examination introduces timeline uncertainty; the base E2W regimen remains intact, but the upside case for label flexibility is delayed .
- Commercial engine intact: YTD revenue +24% YoY; quarterly variability is intrinsic to a partner-led inventory model; expect continued lumpiness but expanding geographic submissions over time .
- Liquidity adequate for near-term execution: $29.370M cash + ST deposits supports at least the next 12 months; monitor receivables build and cash conversion into Q4/Q1 .
- Trading setup: EPS miss and EU dosing uncertainty pressured shares; a positive CHMP re-exam outcome or clean receivables conversion could be near-term catalysts, while Phase 2 first patient dosing in PRX-115 offers clinical milestones .
- Medium-term thesis: execution on PRX-115 and broader Elfabrio market penetration drives upside; risk centers on regulatory outcomes, partner demand variability, and sustained R&D investment pace .
- Action: reassess EPS models to reflect higher R&D run-rate and regulatory timing; maintain focus on EU label outcome and PRX-115 Phase 2 start as key inflection points .