PROPOSAL 1: APPROVAL, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 713(A) OF THE NYSE AMERICAN COMPANY GUIDE, OF THE POTENTIAL ISSUANCE OF SHARES REPRESENTING IN EXCESS OF 19.9% OF OUR PRE-TRANSACTION TOTAL SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING THAT MAY RESULT FROM THE CONVERSION OF, OR PAYMENT OF ACCRUED INTEREST OR MAKE-WHOLE PAYMENTS ON, THE NEW CONVERTIBLE NOTES
As previously disclosed, on July 25, 2017, we entered into a privately negotiated exchange agreement with certain existing note holders to exchange $9 million aggregate principal amount of our outstanding 4.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2018 (the Existing 4.50% Notes) for (i) $8.55 million aggregate principal amount of 4.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2022 (the Exchange 4.50% Notes); and (ii) $146,250 in cash, representing the accrued and unpaid interest on the exchanged Existing 4.50% Notes (the Exchange). In addition, we paid $275,000 in cash consideration to the note holders.
Concurrently with the Exchange, we entered into note purchase agreements with certain institutional investors relating to our sale of $10 million aggregate principal amount of our 7.50% Senior Secured Convertible Notes Due 2021 (the New 7.50% Notes) in a private placement (the Private Placement). We refer to the Exchange 4.50% Notes and the New 7.50% Notes, from time to time, collectively as the New Convertible Notes.
The Exchange 4.50% Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated July 24, 2017 (the Exchange 4.50% Notes Indenture), between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the Trustee). Interest on the 4.50% Notes will be paid semi-annually at a rate of 4.50% per annum. The 4.50% Notes will mature on February 15, 2022, unless earlier purchased, converted, exchanged or redeemed.
The New 7.50% Notes were issued pursuant to the base indenture, dated December 7, 2016 (the Base 7.50% Indenture) by and among us, the guarantors party thereto, the Trustee and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB (the Collateral Agent), as supplemented by that certain first supplemental indenture, dated July 24, 2017 (the Supplemental Indenture and, with the Base 7.50% Indenture, the 7.50% Notes Indenture), by and among us, the guarantors party thereto, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent. Interest on all of our outstanding 7.50% Notes will be paid semi-annually at a rate of
7.50% per annum and we may elect to pay interest in an amount up to 1.25% per annum in shares of common stock. The 7.50% Notes will mature on November 15, 2021, unless earlier purchased, converted, exchanged or redeemed and are guaranteed by our subsidiaries.
Under the terms of each of the Exchange 4.50% Notes Indenture and the 7.50% Notes Indenture, holders may surrender their notes for conversion at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the applicable stated maturity date. Upon conversion of the Exchange 4.50% Notes and all of our outstanding 7.50% Notes, we will deliver shares of our common stock, cash or a combination of shares of our common stock and cash, at our election, based on an initial conversion rate of 1,176.4706 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Note, which represents an initial conversion
price of $0.85 per share, subject to adjustment. Shares of our common stock are also issuable under the terms of the Exchange 4.50% Notes and the New 7.50% Notes as payment for interest and the number of shares issuable upon conversion of the New Convertible Notes may be increased under certain conditions. As of the transaction date, the number of shares of our common stock issuable under the New Convertible Notes exceeds 20% of our pre-transaction total outstanding shares of our common stock, and we do not have a sufficient number of authorized shares of common stock available to settle all of the potential conversions of principal, make-whole payments and interest payments under the New Convertible Notes in shares of our common stock.
Under Section 713(a) of The NYSE American Company Guide, we are required to obtain the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on this proposal in connection with a transaction (other than a public offering) involving the sale or issuance of common stock (or securities convertible into common stock) equal to more than 19.9% of our pre-transaction total outstanding shares of common stock. We are seeking approval in connection with the potential issuance of shares representing in excess of 19.9% of our pre-transaction total shares of common stock
outstanding that may result from the conversion of, or payment of accrued interest on, the New Convertible Notes. Our Board of Directors has determined that the approval of this Proposal 1 is advisable and in the best interest of our company and our stockholders, and recommends that our stockholders approve this Proposal 1.
Purpose
The number of shares issuable in connection with the Exchange 4.50% Notes and the New 7.50% Notes, including the shares issuable upon conversion of principal, make-whole payments and interest payments, as and to the extent applicable, exceeds 19.9% of our pre-transaction total outstanding shares of common stock. Accordingly, in the Note Purchase Agreements we entered into with the purchasers of the New 7.50% Notes, we agreed to convene a special meeting of our stockholders to solicit their approval for this Proposal 1 to allow us to issue more than 19.9% of our pre-transaction total outstanding shares of common stock
underlying the Exchange 4.50% Notes and the New 7.50% Notes and Proposal 2 to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock. We also agreed not to redeem any of the New 7.50% Notes until we successfully solicit our stockholders approval of this Proposal 1. The purchasers of the New 7.50% Notes correspondingly agreed that they would not exercise their respective rights to convert their New 7.50% Notes for more than 16,373,633 shares of common stock unless and until this Proposal 1 was approved by our stockholders and, in any event not to convert their New 7.50% Notes except to the extent shares are available for such conversions whether by way of approval of Proposal 2 or otherwise.
As a consequence, we are limited in our ability to settle conversions of the New Convertible Notes, including the interest and make-whole obligations thereunder, with shares of our common stock. We have reserved a sufficient number of shares of our common stock to settle principal conversions and make-whole obligations in shares of common stock with respect to the Exchange 4.50% Notes. There are approximately 17,873,101 shares of common stock underlying the New 7.50% Notes at the maximum rate. Absent our stockholders approval of this Proposal 1, we may not issue more than 16,373,633 shares of our common stock in
connection with conversions of the New 7.50% Notes.
We are requesting in this Proposal 1 that our stockholders approve the potential issuance of shares representing in excess of 19.9% of our pre-transaction total outstanding shares of common stock that may be issued so we can conserve cash and rely on stock settlement in whole or in part.
Impact on Current Stockholders if this Proposal 1 is Approved
If our stockholders approve this Proposal 1, we will be permitted to elect to settle all of the conversions of the New 7.50% Notes solely in shares of our common stock, subject to the availability of authorized shares of common stock. Additionally, subject to the availability of authorized shares of common stock, we will be permitted to settle any portion of the make-whole premium due upon conversion, or any portion of accrued interest on the New 7.50% Notes, in shares of our common stock in accordance with the 7.50% Notes Indenture. Any future issuance of shares of our common stock upon conversion of the New 7.50% Notes,
including any other issuances permitted under the 7.50% Notes Indenture, would no longer be subject to the limitations imposed by Section 713(a) of The NYSE American Company Guide.
The removal of the foregoing limitations would provide us with much needed flexibility. We will have greater flexibility to elect to redeem outstanding convertible notes should we find it in our best interest to do so based on market conditions or other factors.
Effect on Current Stockholders if this Proposal 1 is not Approved
If our stockholders do not approve this Proposal 1, the holders of the New 7.50% Notes will not be able to convert their New 7.50% Notes into shares of our common stock. Accordingly, our Board of Directors believes that it is in our best interest, and in the best interest of our stockholders, to approve the potential issuance of more than 19.9% of our pre-transaction total outstanding shares of common stock that may be issued in accordance with the indentures governing the New Convertible Notes.
Absent approval of Proposal 1, we are left with limited financial and corporate flexibility with respect to our ability to satisfy obligations under the New 7.50% Notes with shares of our common stock, and to redeem convertible notes, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. Without stockholder approval, we are limited in the number of shares of our common stock available to satisfy the share issuances that are otherwise permitted in connection with the New 7.50% Notes.
Board of Directors Recommendation
In reaching its determination to approve this Proposal 1, our Board of Directors, with advice from our management and financial and legal advisers, considered a number of factors, including:
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that it is in our best interest, and that of our stockholders, that we have the flexibility to issue more than 19.9% of our pre-transaction total outstanding shares of common stock in accordance with the indentures governing the New Convertible Notes;
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that the terms of any proposed transaction available to us in the future are likely to worsen as the respective maturity dates of the New Convertible Notes approaches; and
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our current financial condition, cash flow and liquidity, including our outstanding debt obligations, which required us to raise additional capital for ongoing cash needs in the Private Placement.
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After evaluating these factors, and based upon their knowledge of our business, financial condition and prospects, potential financing alternatives (or lack thereof), and the views of our management, the Board of Directors concluded that the potential issuance of more than 19.9% of our pre-transaction total outstanding shares of common stock that may result from the conversion of, or payment of accrued interest on, our New Convertible Notes is in our best interest, and in the best interests of our stockholders, and recommends that all stockholders vote FOR the approval of this proposal.
Our Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote FOR to approve, in accordance with Section 713(a) of the NYSE American Company Guide, the potential issuance of shares representing in excess of 19.9% of our pre-transaction total shares of common stock outstanding that may result from the conversion of, or payment of accrued interest or make-whole payments on, our outstanding New Convertible Notes as described in this Proposal 1: Approval, in accordance with Section 713(a) of the NYSE American Company Guide, of the potential issuance of shares representing in excess of 19.9% of our pre-transaction
total shares of common stock outstanding that may result from the conversion of, or payment of accrued interest or make-whole payments on, our outstanding New Convertible Notes.
PROPOSAL 2: AMENDMENT TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF
AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
On August 9, 2017, our Board of Directors authorized and approved an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (Certificate), to increase the number of authorized shares of our common stock from 250,000,000 to 350,000,000 (the Amendment). We are not proposing any change to the authorized number of shares of preferred stock. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, we are required to obtain the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock to amend the Certificate to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock. Our Board of
Directors determined that the Amendment is advisable and in the best interest of our company and our stockholders, and recommends that our stockholders approve the Amendment.
We previously solicited our stockholders approval for a similar increase the number of authorized shares of our common stock in connection with our 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on April 12, 2017, but did not receive the requisite number of votes for the proposal. Currently, we do not have enough authorized shares of common stock available to issue all of the shares of common stock issuable in connection with the New Convertible Notes, or for any capital raising or corporate transactions. As of August 10, 2017, 133,355,039 shares of our common stock were outstanding. As discussed in more detail in this
Proposal 2, we have reserved approximately 5.1 million shares of common stock for issuances in connection with outstanding share-based incentives under our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, and approximately 94.0 million shares are reserved for issuance in connection with our conversion of the Existing 4.50% Notes, and the 7.50% Notes that were outstanding prior to the Exchange and the Private Placement. The unreserved, authorized shares are insufficient to cover the maximum number of shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of the New Convertible Notes, including the interest and make-whole payments included therein, and leaves no authorized shares of common stock for any other purpose. The lack of available authorized shares of common stock impedes and undermines our ability to raise capital in the future. If our stockholders do not approve this Proposal 2, we are left without the authorized shares of common stock necessary for us to pursue a variety of business and
financial objectives without further action of our stockholders (except when required by applicable law or regulation). As a result, we believe that a delay in securing, or a failure to secure, stockholder approval of this Proposal 2 will seriously jeopardize the financial viability of our company.
In the Note Purchase Agreements we entered into with the purchasers of the New 7.50% Notes, we agreed that if this Proposal 2 has not been approved within 120 days of the effective date of the Note Purchase Agreements, we will not, after such date, issue a number of shares of our common stock upon any conversion of the New 7.50% Notes by a purchaser thereof (whether in settlement of the principal of the note, its make-whole obligation or for any other reason), or redeem any outstanding 7.50% Notes, at a rate that exceeds the initial conversion rate unless and only to the extent shares of common stock are available for such
conversions whether by way of approval of this Proposal 2 or otherwise. Finally, we agreed not to issue any shares of common stock for which we have not established a reserve, other than shares issuable in connection with the conversions of the Exchange 4.50% Notes, until our stockholders approve an increase in the number of shares of our authorized shares of common stock. The purchasers of the New 7.50% Notes correspondingly agreed that they would not exercise their respective rights to convert their New 7.50% Notes except to extent shares are available for such conversions whether by way of approval of this Proposal 2 or otherwise.
Description of Common Stock
The Certificate currently authorizes the issuance of 250,000,000 shares of common stock and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, for a total of 350,000,000 shares of capital stock. As of August 10, 2017, there were 133,355,039 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, and no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding.
We have reserved a number of additional shares of common stock for future issuance under our equity compensation plans. As of December 31, 2016, a total of approximately 5.1 million shares of common stock are reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding stock options under our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, and a total of approximately 2.4 million shares of common stock are reserved for issuance in connection with future grants of stock options and/or future issuances of shares under the plan. In addition, approximately 93,989,366 million shares of common stock are reserved for issuance upon the conversion of
the Existing 4.50% Notes, and the 7.50% Notes that were outstanding prior to the Exchange and the Private
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Placement. A significant amount of the shares reserved for issuance upon the conversion of our outstanding convertible promissory notes includes shares issuable upon conversions that are effected in connection with a fundamental change, as described in the indentures governing the promissory notes. After taking into account the total number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding, in addition to the aggregate number of shares of common stock reserved for future issuance as described in this paragraph, we do not have enough shares available to satisfy all of the obligations underlying our convertible notes in shares of
common stock, including the ability to satisfy interest or make-whole payments, in part, in shares of common stock.
Purpose of the Amendment
Our Board of Directors believes that it is in our best interest, and in the best interest of our stockholders, to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock available for future issuance. The lack of authorized shares of common stock impedes and undermines our ability to raise capital in the future and results in limitations on our ability to elect to settle all of the conversions of the New 7.50% Notes solely in shares of our common stock. Absent an increase in the authorized number of shares of common stock, we are left with extremely limited flexibility with respect to the management of our capital structure
generally, and in our compliance with the terms of our outstanding convertible notes specifically, as an insufficient number of shares of our common stock are available to effect the conversion of, or payment of accrued interest on, our outstanding convertible notes. Consequently, we may be required to cash-settle at least part or all of our obligations upon the conversion of any such notes and otherwise under the 7.50% Notes Indenture. In addition, we are limited in our ability to elect to redeem outstanding convertible notes should we find it in our best interest to do so based on market conditions or other factors. Accordingly, our Board of Directors has determined that increasing the number of authorized shares of common stock available for future issuance will provide our company with the ability to best manage our obligations under our convertible notes and greater flexibility in considering and planning our future business needs. Such plans may involve the issuance, from time to
time, of additional shares of common stock.
As discussed above, if our stockholders do not approve this Proposal 2, we are left without the authorized shares of common stock necessary to pursue a variety of business and financial objectives without further action of the stockholders (except when required by applicable law or regulation), and will have extremely limited financial flexibility with respect to our ability to satisfy conversions and other obligations under the Exchange Note Indenture and the 7.50% Notes Indenture. As a result, we believe that a delay in securing, or a failure to secure, stockholder approval of this Proposal 2 would seriously jeopardize the
financial viability of our company.
We anticipate that we may issue additional shares of common stock in the future in connection with one or more of the following:
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issuances in connection with the refinancing or retirement of our outstanding existing convertible notes;
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issuances pursuant to the conversion of outstanding or future convertible securities;
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issuances in connection with the interest payments and make-whole payments under our outstanding convertible notes;
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issuances in connection with any partnerships, strategic alliances, collaborations or other similar transactions;
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issuances in connection with strategic investments;
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financing transactions, such as public or private offerings;
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issuances under current and future stock incentive plans;
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any other proper corporate purpose.
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Our Board of Directors evaluates such opportunities, from time to time, and considers different capital structuring alternatives designed to advance our business strategy. If additional authorized shares of common stock are available, transactions dependent upon the issuance of additional shares would be less likely to be impeded or undermined by delays and uncertainties occasioned by the need to obtain prior stockholder authorization. Our Board of Directors will have the discretion to issue the shares of common stock without further stockholder action, except as may be required for a particular transaction by applicable law
or regulation, or the NYSE American Company Guide. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, we have no specific plans, agreements or commitments to issue any shares of common stock for which approval of the proposed Amendment is required, except as described herein. Our Board of Directors believes the additional authorized shares will provide us with needed flexibility to issue shares of common stock in the future without the potential expense and delay incident to obtaining stockholder approval for a particular issuance. Our Board of Directors believes that a failure to approve this proposed Amendment will seriously restrict our ability to manage our capital needs and will be detrimental to the interests of our stockholders.
Possible Effects of the Amendment
The issuance of additional shares of common stock may, among other things, have a dilutive effect on earnings per share and on stockholders equity and voting rights. Furthermore, future sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, or the perception that these sales might occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock or limit our ability to raise additional capital. Stockholders should recognize that, as a result of this proposal, they will own a smaller percentage of shares relative to the total authorized shares of our company than they presently own.
Neither the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Certificate, nor our Bylaws provides for appraisal or other similar rights for dissenting stockholders in connection with this proposal. Accordingly, our stockholders will have no right to dissent and obtain payment for their shares.
The text of the proposed Amendment is set forth in Exhibit A attached to this Proxy Statement, and this discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibit A. If this proposed Amendment is approved by the stockholders, it will become effective upon filing of a Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. We expect to file the Certificate of Amendment promptly upon approval by our stockholders. In accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law, however, our Board of Directors may elect to abandon the Amendment without further action by the stockholders at any time prior to the
effectiveness of the filing of the Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, notwithstanding stockholder approval of the Amendment.
Our Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote FOR the approval of the Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to Increase the Number of Authorized Shares of Common Stock from 250,000,000 to 350,000,000 as disclosed in this proxy statement and as described in this Proposal 2: Amendment to Increase the Number of Authorized Shares of Common Stock.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
We have engaged Alliance Advisors LLC to assist us in soliciting proxies for the special meeting. We will pay Alliance Advisors a base fee of $8,000, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, plus an additional fee based upon the number of contacts with stockholders made and work performed. We estimate the total amount payable to Alliance Advisors will be approximately $20,000. Our officers, directors and employees may solicit proxies in person or by telephone, fax or email. We will pay these employees and directors no additional compensation for these services. We will ask banks, brokers and other institutions, nominees and
fiduciaries to forward these proxy materials to their principals and to obtain authority to execute proxies. We will then reimburse them for their expenses. We will pay all of the costs of soliciting these proxies.
If you need assistance in voting by telephone or over the Internet or completing your proxy card or have questions regarding the special meeting, please contact our proxy advisor:
Alliance Advisors, LLC
200 Broadacres Drive, 3
rd
Floor
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
+1 (833) 501-4837 (toll free in the United States)
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HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements and annual reports with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as householding, potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.
This year, a number of brokers with account holders who are stockholders of our Company will be householding our proxy materials. A single proxy statement may be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once a stockholder has received notice from its broker that it will be householding communications to such stockholders address, householding will continue until such stockholder is notified otherwise or until such stockholder notifies its broker or us that it no longer wishes to participate in
householding. If, at any time, a stockholder no longer wishes to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement and annual report (for annual meetings) in the future, such stockholder may (1) notify its broker or (2) direct its written request to: Yossi Maimon, Corporate Secretary, Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc., 2 Snunit Street, Science Park, P.O. Box 455, Carmiel 20100, Israel, +972 (4) 988-9488, ext. 143. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the proxy statement at their address and would like to request householding of their communications should contact their broker. In addition, we will promptly deliver, upon written or oral request to the address or telephone number above, a separate copy of the proxy statement to such stockholders at a shared address to which a single copy of the documents was delivered.
OTHER MATTERS
Our Board of Directors knows of no other business to be acted upon at the special meeting. However, if any other business properly comes before the Special meeting of Stockholders, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
The prompt return of your proxy is appreciated and will be helpful in obtaining the necessary vote. Therefore, whether or not you expect to attend the special meeting please sign the proxy and return it in the enclosed envelope or vote by internet or telephone.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
Yossi Maimon
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
Carmiel, Israel
September 1, 2017
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Appendix A
SECOND CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF
PROTALIX BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
(Pursuant to Section 242 of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware)
Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies as follows:
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The name of the corporation is Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc. (the Corporation). The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of the State of Delaware on March 30, 2016, as amended by that Certificate of Amendment dated August 15, 2016 (the Certificate of Incorporation).
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This Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation pursuant to a resolution setting forth the proposed amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation and declaring said amendment to be advisable.
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Article III of the Certificate of Incorporation is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
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The Corporation is authorized to issue the following shares of capital stock: (a) 350,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.001 per share (the Common Stock); and (b) 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.0001 per share (the Preferred Stock). The voting rights, the rights of redemption and other relative rights and preferences of the Preferred Stock shall be established by the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of such stock to such persons upon such terms and for such consideration in cash, property or services as the Board of Directors may determine and as may be allowed by law. The just valuation of such property or services shall be fixed by the Board of Directors. All such stock when issued shall be fully paid and exempt from assessment.
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The aforesaid amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by its duly authorized President and Chief Executive Officer this day of , 2017.
PROTALIX BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
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By:
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Moshe Manor
President and Chief Executive Officer
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