U.S. drug giant Pfizer is to purchase new technology and an experimental drug from Israeli biotech company Protalix BioTherapeutics. Protalix uses plant cells to make protein-based drugs, a system that experts say is safer than the animal cells currently used by major drug companies.
In addition, Pfizer will have worldwide rights – except in Israel – to sell a drug called taliglucerase alfa, used to treat Gaucher's disease, a rare inherited condition that damages the liver and bone marrow, sometimes leading to death. Reports said that Pfizer was spending as much as $115 million on the deal.