We depend on in-licensing agreements with third parties to maintain the intellectual property rights to certain of our therapeutic candidates. We have in-licensed rights from Bar Ilan University (through Bar Ilan Research and Development Company Ltd., or Bar Ilan Research and Development), and Ramot at Tel Aviv University Ltd., or Ramot, with respect to our BL-1020 and BL-1021 therapeutic candidates, from B.G. Negev Technologies and Applications Ltd., or B.G. Negev Technologies, the technology transfer company of Ben Gurion University, or B.G. Negev Technologies, with respect to our BL-1040 therapeutic candidate,candidate; from Biokine Therapeutics Ltd., or Biokine, with respect to our BL-8040 therapeutic candidate; from Valorisation-Recherche, Limited Partnership, or Univalor, for our BL-7010 therapeutic candidate; from Innovative Pharmaceutical Concepts, Inc., or IPC, with respect to our BL-5010 therapeutic candidate,candidate; and from the Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd., or Yissum, with respect to our BL-7040 therapeutic candidate and from Biokine Therapeutics Ltd., or Biokine, with respect to our BL-8040 therapeutic candidate. See “Business“Item 4. Information on the Company — Business Overview — Our Product Pipeline.” Our in-license agreements require us to make payments and satisfy performance obligations in order to maintain our rights under these agreements. The royalty rates and revenue sharing payments vary from case to case but generally range from 20%22% to 29.5% of the consideration we receive from sublicensing the applicable therapeutic candidate. In some instances, we are required to pay a substantially lower percentage (generally less than 5%) if we elect to commercialize the subject therapeutic candidate independently. Due to the relatively advanced stage of development of the compound licensed from Biokine, our license agreement with Biokine provides for royalty payments of between 40-60% of the consideration we receive from sublicensing and between 10-12% of net sales, subject to certain limitations, should we independently sell products. The amount of the royalty for either direct sales or sublicensing is dependent on the aggregate amount of our investment in connection with the Biokine agreement, decreasing as the amount of our investment in the project increases. These in-license agreements last either throughout the life of the patents that are the subject of the agreements, or with respect to other licensed technology, for a number of years after the first commercial sale of the relevant product.

Even if products we or our licensees develop receive regulatory approval or clearance, we or our licensees, as applicable, will be subject to ongoing reporting obligations and the products and the manufacturing operations will be subject to continuing regulatory review, including FDA inspections. The results of thisThis ongoing review may result in the withdrawal of a product from the market, the interruption of the manufacturing operations and/or the imposition of labeling and/or marketing limitations. Since many more patients are exposed to drugs and medical devices following their marketing approval, serious but infrequent adverse reactions that were not observed in clinical trials may be observed during the commercial marketing of the product. In addition, the manufacturer and the manufacturing facilities we or our licensees, as applicable, will use to produce any therapeutic candidate will be subject to periodic review and inspection by the FDA and other, similar foreign regulators. Later discovery of previously unknown problems with any product, manufacturer or manufacturing process, or failure to comply with regulatory requirements, may result in actions such as:

If we, or our licensees, suppliers, third party contractors, partners or clinical investigators are slow to adapt, or are unable to adapt, to changes in existing regulatory requirements or the adoption of new regulatory requirements or policies, we or our licensees may lose marketing approval for any of our products, if any of our therapeutic products are approved, resulting in decreased or lost revenue from milestones, product sales or royalties.

Our success depends upon the continued service and performance of our senior management and other key personnel. The loss of the services of these personnel could delay or prevent the successful completion of our planned clinical trials or the commercialization of our therapeutic candidates or otherwise affect our ability to manage our company effectively and to carry out our business plan. We do not maintain key-man life insurance. Although we have entered into employment agreements with all of the members of our senior management team, members of our senior management team may resign at any time. High demand exists for senior management and other key personnel in the pharmaceutical industry. There can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to retain and attract such personnel.

Our growth and success also depend on our ability to attract and retain additional highly qualified scientific, technical, sales, managerial and finance personnel. We experience intense competition for qualified personnel, and the existence of non-competition agreements between prospective employees and their former employers may prevent us from hiring those individuals or subject us to suit from their former employers. In addition, if we elect to independently commercialize any therapeutic candidate, we will need to expand our marketing and sales capabilities. While we attempt to provide competitive compensation packages to attract and retain key personnel, many of our competitors are likely to have greater resources and more experience than we have, making it difficult for us to compete successfully for key personnel. If we cannot attract and retain sufficiently qualified technical employees on acceptable terms, we may not be able to develop and commercialize competitive products. Further, any failure to effectively integrate new personnel could prevent us from successfully growing our company.

Even if our therapeutic candidates are approved for commercialization, they may not become commercially viable products.  For example, if we or our licensees receive regulatory approval to market a product, approval may be subject to limitations on the indicated uses or subject to labeling or marketing restrictions which could materially and adversely affect the marketability and profitability of the product.  In addition, a new product may appear promising at an early stage of development or after clinical trials but never reach the market, or it may reach the market but not result in sufficient product sales, if any.  A therapeutic candidate may not result in commercial success for various reasons, including:

If we are unable to develop commercially viable products, either on our own or through licensees, our business, results of operations and financial condition will be materially and adversely affected.

Extending coverage to a large population could substantially change the structure of the health insurance system and the methodology for reimbursing medical services, drugs and devices.  These structural changes could entail modifications to the existing system of private payors and government programs (Medicare, Medicaid and State Children’s Health Insurance Program), creation of a government-sponsored healthcare insurance source, or some combination of both, as well as other changes.  Restructuring the coverage of medical care in the United States could impact the reimbursement for prescribed drugs and biopharmaceuticals, such as those we and our licensees are currently developing.  If reimbursement for our approved products, if any, is substantially reduced in the future, or rebate obligations associated with them are substantially increased, our business could be materially and adversely impacted.

Extending medical benefits to those who currently lack coverage will likely result in substantial cost to the U.S. federal government, which may force significant changes to the healthcare system in the United States.  Much of the funding for expanded healthcare coverage may be sought through cost savings.  While some of these savings may come from realizing greater efficiencies in delivering care, improving the effectiveness of preventive care and enhancing the overall quality of care, much of the cost savings may come from reducing the cost of care.

Cost of care could be reduced by decreasing the level of reimbursement for medical services or products (including those biopharmaceuticals currently being developed by us or our licensees), or by restricting coverage (and, thereby, utilization) of medical services or products.  In either case, a reduction in the utilization of, or reimbursement for, any product for which we receive marketing approval in the future could have a materially adverse effect on our financial performance.

The PPACA also requires the medical device industry to subsidize healthcare reform in the form of a 2.3% excise tax on U.S. sales of certain medical devices beginning January 1, 2013 and also includes new regulatory mandates and other measures designed to constrain medical costs, as well as stringent new reporting requirements of financial relationships between device manufacturers and physicians and hospitals.

Our revenues and profits will depend heavily upon the availability of adequate reimbursement for the use of our approved candidates, if any, from governmental or other third-party payors, both in the United States and in foreign markets.  Reimbursement by a third-party payor may depend upon a number of factors, including the third-party payor’s determination that the use of an approved product is:

Obtaining reimbursement approval for a product from each government or other third-party payor is a time-consuming and costly process that could require us or our licensees to provide supporting scientific, clinical and cost-effectiveness data for the use of our products to each payor.  Even when a payor determines that a product is eligible for reimbursement, the payor may impose coverage limitations that preclude payment for some uses that are approved by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities.  Reimbursement rates may vary according to the use of the product and the clinical setting in which it used, may be based on payments allowed for lower-cost products that are already reimbursed, may be incorporated into existing payments for other products or services, and may reflect budgetary constraints and/or imperfections in Medicare, Medicaid or other data used to calculate these rates.

Regardless of the impact of the PPACA on us, the U.S. government, other governments and commercial payors have shown significant interest in pursuing healthcare reform and reducing healthcare costs.  Any government-adopted reform measures could cause significant pressure on the pricing of healthcare products and services, including those biopharmaceuticals currently being developed by us or our licensees, in the United States and internationally, as well as the amount of reimbursement available from governmental agencies or other third party payors.  The continuing efforts of the U.S. and foreign governments, insurance companies, managed care organizations and other payors to contain or reduce healthcare costs may compromise our ability to set prices at commercially attractive levels for our products that we may develop, which in turn could adversely impact how much or under what circumstances healthcare providers will prescribe or administer our products, if approved.  Changes in healthcare policy, such as the creation of broad limits for diagnostic products, could substantially diminish the sale of or inhibit the utilization of diagnostic tests, increase costs, divert management’s attention and adversely affect our ability to generate revenues and achieve consistent profitability.  This could materially and adversely impact our business by reducing our ability to generate revenue, raise capital, obtain additional collaborators and market our products, if approved.

Further, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, frequently change product descriptors, coverage policies, product and service codes, payment methodologies and reimbursement values.  Third-party payors often follow Medicare coverage policy and payment limitations in setting their own reimbursement rates, and both CMS and other third-party payors may have sufficient market power to demand significant price reductions.

Our business exposes us to significant potential clinical trial and product liability risks that are inherent in the development, manufacturing and sales and marketing of human therapeutic products. Although we do not currently commercialize any products, claims could be made against us based on the use of our therapeutic candidates in clinical trials. We currently carry life science liability insurance covering general liability with a coverage amount of $10.0 million per occurrence, products liability with an annual coverage amount of $5.0 million in the aggregate, and clinical trial insurance with a coverage amount of $10.0 million in the aggregate. The maximum indemnity for a single occurrence or circumstances under this policy is $10.0 million. In addition to this policy, we carry excess liability insurance with a coverage amount of $5.0 million which increases the coverage limit provided by our life science insurance package. However, our insurance may not provide adequate coverage against potential liabilities. Furthermore, clinical trial and product liability insurance is becoming increasingly expensive. As a result, we may be unable to maintain current amounts of insurance coverage or obtain additional or sufficient insurance at a reasonable cost to protect against losses that could have a material adverse effect on us. If a claim is brought against us, we might be required to pay legal and other expenses to defend the claim, as well as damages awards beyond the coverage of our insurance policies resulting from a claim brought successfully against us. Furthermore, whether or not we are ultimately successful in defending any claims, we might be required to direct significant financial and managerial resources to such defense, and adverse publicity is likely to result.

Our activities and those of our third-party manufacturers on our behalf involve the controlled storage, use and disposal of hazardous materials, including microbial agents, corrosive, explosive and flammable chemicals and other hazardous compounds.  We and our manufacturers are subject to U.S. federal, state, local, Israeli and other foreign laws and regulations governing the use, manufacture, storage, handling and disposal of these hazardous materials.  Although we believe that our safety procedures for handling and disposing of these materials comply with the standards prescribed by these laws and regulations, we cannot eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials.  In addition, if we develop a manufacturing capacity, we may incur substantial costs to comply with environmental regulations and would be subject to the risk of accidental contamination or injury from the use of hazardous materials in our manufacturing process.

In the event of an accident, government authorities may curtail our use of these materials and interrupt our business operations. In addition, we could be liable for any civil damages that result, which may exceed our financial resources and may seriously harm our business. Although our Israeli insurance program covers certain unforeseen sudden pollutions, we do not maintain a separate insurance policy for any of the foregoing types of risks. In addition, although the general liability section of our life sciences policy covers certain unforeseen, sudden environmental issues, pollution in the United States and Canada is excluded from the policy. In the event of environmental discharge or contamination or an accident, we may be held liable for any resulting damages, and any liability could exceed our resources. In addition, we may be subject to liability and may be required to comply with new or existing environmental laws regulating pharmaceuticals or other medical products in the environment.

We do not conduct our own initial research with respect to the identification of our therapeutic candidates.  Instead, we rely upon research and development work conducted by third parties as the primary source of our therapeutic candidates.  As such, we have obtained our rights to the majority of our therapeutic candidates through in-license agreements entered into with universities, research institutions and biotechnology companies that invent and own the intellectual property underlying our candidates.  There is no assurance that such in-licenses or rights will not be terminated or expire due to a material breach of the agreements, such as a failure on our part to achieve certain progress milestones set forth in the terms of the in-licenses or due to the loss of the rights to the underlying intellectual property by any of our licensors.  There is no assurance that we will be able to renew or renegotiate an in-licensing agreement on acceptable terms if and when the agreement terminates.  We cannot guarantee that any in-license is enforceable or will not be terminated or converted into a non-exclusive license in the future.  The termination of any in-license or our inability to enforce our rights under any in-license would materially and adversely affect our ability to commercialize certain of our therapeutic candidates.

We currently have in-licensing agreements relating to our lead therapeutic candidates under clinical development. In April 2004, we in-licensed the rights to BL-1020 and BL-1021, and one other compound, under a research and license agreement with Bar Ilan Research and Development and Ramot. Under the research and license agreement, we are obligated to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop, commercialize and market the licensed technology, including meeting certain specified diligence goals. In January 2005, we in-licensed the rights to BL-1040 under a license agreement with B.G. Negev Technologies. Under the BL-1040 license agreement, we are obligated to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop the licensed technology in accordance with a specified development plan, including meeting certain specified diligence goals. In September 2012, we in-licensed the rights to BL-8040 under a license agreement from Biokine. Under the BL-8040 license agreement, we are obligated to make commercially reasonable, good faith efforts to sublicense or commercialize BL-8040 for fair consideration. In February 2011, we in-licensed the rights to BL-7010 from Univalor. Under the BL-7010 license agreement, we are obligated to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop the licensed technology in accordance with a specified development plan, including meeting certain specified diligence goals. In November 2007, we in-licensed the rights to develop and commercialize BL-5010 under a license agreement with IPC. Under the IPCBL-5010 license agreement, we are obligated to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop the licensed technology in accordance with a specified development plan, including meeting certain specified diligence goals. In June 2011, we in-licensed the rights to develop, have developed, manufacture, have manufactured, use, market, distribute, export, import and/or sell BL-7040 under a license agreement from Yissum. Under the BL-7040 license agreement, we are responsible for, and are required to exert, reasonable commercial efforts to carry out the development, regulatory, manufacturing, and marketing work necessary to develop and commercialize products under the agreement in accordance with a specified development plan. In SeptemberJanuary 2012, we in-licensed the rights to BL-8040BL-8020 under a license agreement from Biokine.Panmed, Inc., or Panmed, and Genoscience. Under the BL-8040BL-8020 license agreement, we arewere obligated under the agreement to makeuse commercially reasonable good faith efforts to develop and commercialize the licensed technology in accordance with a specified development plan. Due to a number of considerations, including the potential for other viral indications, as well as a re-prioritization of our pipeline, and after consultation with the licensors, we agreed with them that as of April 1, 2014, the license agreement would be terminated and that we would enter into a collaboration agreement whereby, among other things, the licensors agreed to take over development of the drug in consideration for 28% of future sublicense or commercialize BL-8040receipts by the licensors, and we agreed to supply, at the licensors’ request and in consideration for fair consideration.full payment, the drug needed for a clinical trial to be administered by the licensors. Genoscience and Panmed will in the near future be deciding on the direction of the current phase 1/2 study as well as assessing potential additional indications.

Each of the foregoing in-licensing agreements, or the obligation to pay royalties thereunder, will generally remain in effect until the expiration, under the applicable agreement, of all of the licensing, royalty and sublicense revenue obligations to the applicable licensors, determined on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis. We may terminate anythe BL-1040 in-licensing agreement by providing 60 days’ prior written notice to Ramot, inB.G. Negev Technologies. We may terminate the case of the BL-1020/BL-1021BL-8040 in-licensing agreement orupon 90 days’ prior written notice to B.G. Negev Technologies, in the case of the BL-1040 in-licensing agreement.Biokine. We may terminate the BL-7010 in-licensing agreement, the BL-5010 in-licensing agreement or the BL-7040 in-licensing agreement upon 30 days’ prior written notice. We may terminate the BL-8040 licensing agreement upon 90 days’ prior written notice to Biokine.the respective licensor.

Any party to any of the foregoing in-licensing agreements may terminate the respective agreement for material breach by the other party if the breaching party is unable to cure the breach within an agreed upon period, generally 30 days to 90 days, after receiving written notice of the breach from the non-breaching party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of the BL-1020 in-licensing agreement, Ramot, but not Bar Ilan Research and Development, has the right to provide us with notice of material breach and to terminate the agreement if such breach is not cured within the applicable timeframe. In addition, with respect to the BL-1040 in-licensing agreement, the breaching party is entitled to 60 days’ prior written notice of the material breach prior to termination instead of 30 days. Each of the foregoing in-licensing agreements provide that with respect to any termination for material breach, if the breach is not susceptible to cure within the stated period and the breaching party uses diligent, good faith efforts to cure such breach, the stated period will be extended by an additional 30 days. In addition, either party to one of the foregoing in-licensing agreements (except Bar Ilan Research and Development, in the case of the BL-1020 in-licensing agreement) may terminate the agreement upon notice to the other upon the occurrence of certain bankruptcy events.

Our success depends, in part, on our ability, and the ability of our licensees and licensors to obtain patent protection for our therapeutic candidates, maintain the confidentiality of our trade secrets and know how, operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of others and prevent others from infringing our proprietary rights.

We try to protect our proprietary position by, among other things, filing U.S., European, Israeli and other patent applications related to our proprietary products, technologies, inventions and improvements that may be important to the continuing development of our therapeutic candidates. As of December 31, 2012,2013, we owned or exclusively licensed for uses within our field of business 23 patent families that, collectively, contain 60 issued patents, sevennine allowed patent applications and 8685 patent applications relating to our six clinical candidates. We are also pursuing patent protection for other drug candidates in our pipeline.

Because the patent position of biopharmaceutical companies involves complex legal and factual questions, we cannot predict the validity and enforceability of patents with certainty.  Our issued patents and the issued patents of our licensees or licensors may not provide us with any competitive advantages, or may be held invalid or unenforceable as a result of legal challenges by third parties.  Thus, any patents that we own or license from others may not provide any protection against competitors.  Our pending patent applications, those we may file in the future or those we may license from third parties may not result in patents being issued.  If these patents are issued, they may not provide us with proprietary protection or competitive advantages against competitors with similar technology.  The degree of future protection to be afforded by our proprietary rights is uncertain because legal means afford only limited protection and may not adequately protect our rights or permit us to gain or keep our competitive advantage.

Patent rights are territorial; thus, the patent protection we do have will only extend to those countries in which we have issued patents.  Even so, the laws of certain countries do not protect our intellectual property rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States and Israel.  For example, the patent laws of China and India are relatively new and are not as developed as are older, more established patent laws of other countries.  Competitors may successfully challenge our patents, produce similar drugs or products that do not infringe our patents, or produce drugs in countries where we have not applied for patent protection or that do not respect our patents.  Furthermore, it is not possible to know the scope of claims that will be allowed in published applications and it is also not possible to know which claims of granted patents, if any, will be deemed enforceable in a court of law.

Our technology may infringe the rights of third parties.  The nature of claims contained in unpublished patent filings around the world is unknown to us and it is not possible to know which countries patent holders may choose for the extension of their filings under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, or other mechanisms.  Any infringement by us of the proprietary rights of third parties may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We rely on a combination of patents, trade secrets, know-how, technology, trademarks and regulatory exclusivity to maintain our competitive position.  We generally try to protect trade secrets, know-how and technology by entering into confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements with parties that have access to it, such as our licensees, employees, contractors and consultants.  We also enter into agreements that purport to require the disclosure and assignment to us of the rights to the ideas, developments, discoveries and inventions of our employees, advisors, research collaborators, contractors and consultants while we employ or engage them.  However, these agreements can be difficult and costly to enforce or may not provide adequate remedies.  Any of these parties may breach the confidentiality agreements and willfully or unintentionally disclose our confidential information, or our competitors might learn of the information in some other way.  The disclosure to, or independent development by, a competitor of any trade secret, know-how or other technology not protected by a patent could materially adversely affect any competitive advantage we may have over any such competitor.

To the extent that any of our employees, advisors, research collaborators, contractors or consultants independently develop, or use independently developed, intellectual property in connection with any of our projects, disputes may arise as to the proprietary rights to this type of information.  If a dispute arises with respect to any proprietary right, enforcement of our rights can be costly and unpredictable and a court may determine that the right belongs to a third party.

The development, manufacture, use, offer for sale, sale or importation of our therapeutic candidates may infringe on the claims of third-party patents.  A party might file an infringement action against us.  The cost to us of any patent litigation or other proceeding, even if resolved in our favor, could be substantial.  Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of such litigation or proceedings more effectively because of their substantially greater financial resources.  Uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation or defense of a patent litigation or other proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete in the marketplace.  Patent litigation and other proceedings may also absorb significant management time.  Consequently, we are unable to guarantee that we will be able to manufacture, use, offer for sale, sell or import our therapeutic candidates in the event of an infringement action.  At present, we are not aware of pending or threatened patent infringement actions against us.

In the event of patent infringement claims, or to avoid potential claims, we may choose or be required to seek a license from a third party and would most likely be required to pay license fees or royalties or both.  These licenses may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all.  Even if we were able to obtain a license, the rights may be non-exclusive, which could potentially limit our competitive advantage.  Ultimately, we could be prevented from commercializing a therapeutic candidate or be forced to cease some aspect of our business operations if, as a result of actual or threatened patent infringement claims, we are unable to enter into licenses on acceptable terms.  This inability to enter into licenses could harm our business significantly.  At present, we have not received any written demands from third parties that we take a license under their patents nor have we received any notice form a third party accusing us of patent infringement.

In May 2004, the OCS invited companies to bid to establish and operate OCS-funded biotechnological incubators to provide a physical, organized and professional platform for commercializing biotechnological research and development projects. We submitted a proposal to operate a biotechnological incubator, and our proposal was selected by the OCS. Accordingly, we entered into an incubator agreement with the OCS in January 2005. The initial agreement was scheduled to expire on December 31, 2010 but at the end of 2010, the OCS agreed to renew the agreement for an additional two years, with an option to renew for another one-year period at the same terms and conditions, subject to OCS approval. In 2012, the OCS approved our exercise of the option to extend the incubator agreement for the final one-year periodrenewed through December 31, 2013.2013, as of which date it expired. There are no projects currently being developed in the framework of the incubator, and we are in the process of terminating its activities.

The funding provided to us under the incubator agreement iswas in the form of separate loans for each approved project initiated by our incubator. Each loan is subject to repayment solely out of the revenues generated by that project.project and the sale or license of technologies thereunder, with interest. If revenues are not achieved with respect to a project, there is no obligation to repay the loan, for the project will be forgiven, subject to certain terms and conditions. If revenues are achieved with respect to a project, the loans will be repaid from such revenues, with interest. The interest rates for the loans are prescribed by the OCS at the commencement of each loan,All assets and range from 3.11% to 5.34%, but are doubled if the loan is not repaid within five years of our achievement of certain development milestones, or within two years following the completion of the applicable incubator program. All intellectual property held by ourthe incubator for development through the incubator program iswere pledged as security for our obligations under the incubator agreement. If we are unable to meet our obligations under the incubator agreement, the intellectual property held by the incubator would be subject to seizure and would not be available for sale for the benefit of or distribution to our creditors or shareholders in the event of a reorganization or insolvency. Any loss of the rights to the intellectual property held by our incubator may have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects. In addition, all intellectual property held by the incubator program is subject to restrictions imposed by the OCS with respect to transfer in Israel or abroad of rights to manufacture products based on the intellectual property or of rights to the intellectual property itself, as described more fully under “Item 4. Information on the Company — Business Overview — Government Regulation and Funding — Israeli Government Programs — Office of the Chief Scientist.”

We will be treated as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes in any taxable year in which either (i) at least 75% of our gross income is “passive income” or (ii) on average at least 50% of our assets by value produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income. Passive income for this purpose generally includes, among other things, certain dividends, interest, royalties, rents and gains from commodities and securities transactions and from the sale or exchange of property that gives rise to passive income. Passive income also includes amounts derived by reason of the temporary investment of funds, including those raised in a public offering. In determining whether a non-U.S. corporation is a PFIC, a proportionate share of the income and assets of each corporation in which it owns, directly or indirectly, at least a 25% interest (by value) is taken into account. We believe that we were a PFIC during certain prior years and, although we have not determined whether we will be a PFIC in 2013,2014, or in any subsequent year, our operating results for any such years may cause us to be a PFIC. If we are a PFIC in 2013,2014, or any subsequent year, and a U.S. shareholder does not make an election to treat us as a “qualified electing fund,” or QEF, or make a “mark-to-market” election, then “excess distributions” to a U.S. shareholder, and any gain realized on the sale or other disposition of our ordinary shares or ADSs will be subject to special rules. Under these rules: (i) the excess distribution or gain would be allocated ratably over the U.S. shareholder’s holding period for the ordinary shares (or ADSs, as the case may be); (ii) the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any period prior to the first day of the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income; and (iii) the amount allocated to each of the other taxable years would be subject to tax at the highest rate of tax in effect for the applicable class of taxpayer for that year, and an interest charge for the deemed deferral benefit would be imposed with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each such other taxable year. In addition, if the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, determines that we are a PFIC for a year with respect to which we have determined that we were not a PFIC, it may be too late for a U.S. shareholder to make a timely QEF or mark-to-market election. U.S. shareholders who hold our ordinary shares or ADSs during a period when we are a PFIC will be subject to the foregoing rules, even if we cease to be a PFIC in subsequent years, subject to exceptions for U.S. shareholders who made a timely QEF or mark-to-market election. A U.S. shareholder can make a QEF election by completing the relevant portions of and filing IRS Form 8621 in accordance with the instructions thereto. A QEF election generally may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS. Upon request, we will annually furnish U.S. shareholders with information needed in order to complete IRS Form 8621 (which form would be required to be filed with the IRS on an annual basis by the U.S. shareholder) and to make and maintain a valid QEF election for any year in which we or any of our subsidiaries are a PFIC.

These factors and any corresponding price fluctuations may materially and adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares and result in substantial losses by our investors.

Additionally, market prices for securities of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies historically have been very volatile.  The market for these securities has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations for reasons unrelated to the operating performance of any one company.  In the past, following periods of market volatility, shareholders have often instituted securities class action litigation.  If we were involved in securities litigation, it could have a substantial cost and divert resources and attention of management from our business, even if we are successful.

Substantial sales of our ordinary shares or ADSs, either on the TASE or on the Nasdaq, may cause the market price of our ordinary shares or ADSs to decline.  Sales by us or our securityholders of substantial amounts of our ordinary shares or ADSs, or the perception that these sales may occur in the future, could cause a reduction in the market price of our ordinary shares or ADSs.

In February 2012, we issued an aggregate of 5,244,301 of our ADSs for a purchase price of $2.86 per ADS.  Purchasers also received an aggregate of 2,622,157 five-year warrants to purchase ADSs at an exercise price of $3.57 per ADS.

In September 2012, we signed a purchase agreement for the sale, from time to time, of up to $15 million of our ADSs to Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC, or LPC. During the 36-month term of the purchase agreement, we control the timing and amount of any sales to LPC, if and when we decide, in accordance with the purchase agreement. LPC has no right to require us to sell any ADSs to LPC, but LPC is obligated to make purchases as we direct, subject to certain conditions. The purchase price related to any sales to LPC will beis based on the prevailing market prices of our ADSs immediately preceding the notice of sale to LPC, without any fixed discount. The agreement may be terminated by us at any time, at our sole discretion, without any cost or penalty.  On a cumulative basis through March 5, 2013,14, 2014, we have issued a total of 1,568,8113,904,211 ADSs to LPC in accordance with the purchase agreement, and there are an additional 2,629,787294,387 ADSs registered for sale under the agreement that may be issued during the remaining term of the purchase agreement.

In February 2013, we issued 2,666,667 of our ADSs to OrbiMed Israel Partners Limited Partnership, or OrbiMed, for a purchase price of $3.00 per ADS. OrbiMed also received 1,600,000 five-year warrants to purchase ADSs at an exercise price of $3.94 per ADS.

The issuance of any additional ordinary shares, any additional ADSs, or any securities that are exercisable for or convertible into our ordinary shares or ADSs, may have an adverse effect on the market price of our ordinary shares and ADSs and will have a dilutive effect on our shareholders.

We may need to raise substantial future capital to continue to complete clinical development and commercialize our products and therapeutic candidates and to conduct the research and development and clinical and regulatory activities necessary to bring our therapeutic candidates to market.  Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:

If we raise additional funds through licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our therapeutic candidates, or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us.  If we raise additional funds by issuing equity or convertible debt securities, we will reduce the percentage ownership of our then-existing shareholders, and these securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of our existing shareholders.  See also “— Future sales of our ordinary shares or ADSs could reduce the market price of our ordinary shares and ADSs.”

Our ordinary shares have been traded on the TASE since February 2007.  Our ADSs have been listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market since July 2011.  Trading in our securities on these markets takes place in different currencies (dollars on the Nasdaq Capital Market and NIS on the TASE), and at different times (resulting from different time zones, different trading days and different public holidays in the United States and Israel).  The trading prices of our securities on these two markets may differ due to these and other factors.  Any decrease in the price of our securities on one of these markets could cause a decrease in the trading price of our securities on the other market.

As a public company in the United States, we incur additional significant accounting, legal and other expenses as a result of listing our ADSs on the Nasdaq.  These include costs associated with corporate governance requirements of the SEC and the Marketplace Rules of the Nasdaq, as well as requirements under Section 404 and other provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.  These rules and regulations have increased our legal and financial compliance costs, introduced new costs such as investor relations, stock exchange listing fees and shareholder reporting, and made some activities more time consuming and costly.  Any future changes in the laws and regulations affecting public companies in the United States and Israel, including Section 404 and other provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the rules and regulations adopted by the SEC and the Marketplace Rules of the Nasdaq, as well as applicable Israeli reporting requirements, for so long as they apply to us, will result in increased costs to us as we respond to such changes.  These laws, rules and regulations could make it more difficult or more costly for us to obtain certain types of insurance, including director and officer liability insurance, and we may be forced to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage.  The impact of these requirements could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our Board of Directors, our board committees or as executive officers.

As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to follow certain home country corporate governance practices instead of those otherwise required under the Marketplace Rules of the Nasdaq for domestic issuers. For instance, we may follow home country practice in Israel with regard to, among other things, composition of the Board of Directors, director nomination procedure, composition of the compensation committee, approval of compensation of officers, and quorum at shareholders’ meetings. In addition, we will follow our home country law, instead of the Marketplace Rules of the Nasdaq, which require that we obtain shareholder approval for certain dilutive events, such as for the establishment or amendment of certain equity based compensation plans, an issuance that will result in a change of control of the company, certain transactions other than a public offering involving issuances of a 20% or more interest in the company and certain acquisitions of the stock or assets of another company.  Following our home country governance practices as opposed to the requirements that would otherwise apply to a United States company listed on the Nasdaq may provide less protection than is accorded to investors under the Marketplace Rules of the Nasdaq applicable to domestic issuers. See “—“Item 16G — Corporate Governance — Nasdaq Listing Rules and Home Country Practices.”

In addition, as a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules and regulations under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)“Exchange Act”), related to the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.  In addition, we are not be required under the Exchange Act to file annual, quarterly and current reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as domestic companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act.

If we are unable to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act as they apply to a foreign private issuer that is listinglisted on a U.S. exchange, for the first time, or our internal controls over financial reporting are not effective, the reliability of our financial statements may be questioned and our stock price and ADS price may suffer.

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires companies subject to the reporting requirements of the U.S. securities laws to do a comprehensive evaluation of its and its subsidiaries’ internal controls over financial reporting.  To comply with this statute, we are required to document and test our internal control procedures;procedures, and our management is required to assess and issue a report concerning our internal controls over financial reporting.  In addition, our independent registered public accounting firm may be required to issue an opinion on management’s assessment of those matters.

The continuous process of strengthening our internal controls and complying with Section 404 is complicated and time-consuming.  Furthermore, as our business continues to grow both domestically and internationally, our internal controls will become more complex and will require significantly more resources and attention to ensure our internal controls remain effective overall.  During the course of its testing, our management may identify material weaknesses or significant deficiencies, which may not be remedied in a timely manner to meet the deadline imposed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.  If our management cannot favorably assess the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting, or our independent registered public accounting firm identifies material weaknesses in our internal controls, investor confidence in our financial results may weaken, and the market price of our securities may suffer.

Our headquarters, all of our operations and some of our suppliers and third party contractors are located in central Israel and our key employees, officers and most of our directors are residents of Israel. Accordingly, political, economic and military conditions in Israel and the surrounding region may directly affect our business. Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, a number of armed conflicts have taken place between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Any hostilities involving Israel or the interruption or curtailment of trade within Israel or between Israel and its trading partners could adversely affect our operations and results of operations and could make it more difficult for us to raise capital. During the summer of 2006, Israel was engaged in an armed conflict with Hezbollah, a Lebanese Islamist Shiite militia group and political party; and during the winter of 2008-2009 and the autumn of 2012, Israel was engaged in armed conflicts with Hamas, a militia group and political party operating in the Gaza Strip. These conflicts involved missile strikes against civilian targets in various parts of Israel, and negatively affected business conditions in Israel. In addition, Israel faces threats from more distant neighbors, in particular Iran. Iran is also believed to have a strong influence among extremist groups in the region, such as Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and various rebel militia groups in Syria. Recent political uprisings and social unrest in various countries in the Middle East and North Africa are affecting the political stability of those countries. This instability may lead to deterioration of the political relationships that exist between Israel and these countries, and havehas raised concerns regarding security in the region and the potential for armed conflict. These situations may escalate in the future to more violent events which may affect Israel and us. Among other things, this instability may affect the global economy and marketplace through changes in oil and gas process.prices. Any armed conflicts, terrorist activities or political instability in the region could adversely affect business conditions and could harm our results of operations. For example, any major escalation in hostilities in the region could result in a portion of our employees being called up to perform military duty for an extended period of time. Parties with whom we do business have sometimes declined to travel to Israel during periods of heightened unrest or tension, forcing us to make alternative arrangements when necessary. In addition, the political and security situation in Israel may result in parties with whom we have agreements involving performance in Israel claiming that they are not obligated to perform their commitments under those agreements pursuant to force majeure provisions in the agreements.

Our commercial insurance does not cover losses that may occur as a result of events associated with the security situation in the Middle East. Although the Israeli government currently covers the reinstatement value of direct damages that are caused by terrorist attacks or acts of war, we cannot assure you that this government coverage will be maintained. Any losses or damages incurred by us could have a material adverse effect on our business. Any armed conflicts or political instability in the region would likely negatively affect business conditions and could harm our results of operations.

Further, in the past, the State of Israel and Israeli companies have been subjected to an economic boycott. Several countries still restrict business with the State of Israel and with Israeli companies. These restrictive laws and policies may have an adverse impact on our operating results, financial condition or the expansion of our business.

Many of our male employees in Israel, including members of our senior management, are obligated to perform one month, and in some cases more, of annual military reserve duty until they reach the age of 4540 (or older, for officers or reservists with certain occupations) and, in the event of a military conflict, may be called to active duty. In response to increases in terrorist activity, there have been periods of significant call-ups of military reservists, and recently some of our employees have been called up in connection with armed conflicts. It is possible that there will be military reserve duty call-ups in the future. Our operations could be disrupted by the absence of a significant number of our employees or of one or more of our key employees. Such disruption could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our reporting and functional currency is the NIS, and we pay a substantial portion of our expenses in NIS. The revenues from our out-licensing and co-development arrangements with Ikaria are payable in U.S. dollars, and we expect our revenues from future licensing arrangements to be denominated in U.S. dollars or in Euros. As a result, we are exposed to the currency fluctuation risks relating to the recording of our revenues in NIS. For example, if the NIS strengthens against either the U.S. dollar or the Euro, our reported revenues in NIS may be lower than anticipated. The Israeli rate of inflation has generally not offset or compounded the effects caused by fluctuations between the NIS and the U.S. dollar or the Euro. To date, we have not engaged in hedging transactions. Although the Israeli rate of inflation has not had a material adverse effect on our financial condition during 2010, 2011, 2012 or 2012,2013, we may, in the future, decide to enter into currency hedging transactions to decrease the risk of financial exposure from fluctuations in the exchange rates of the currencies mentioned above in relation to the NIS. These measures, however, may not adequately protect us from material adverse effects.

Our research and development efforts, including the operation of our biotechnology incubator, have been financed, in part, through grants and loans that we have received from the OCS. Of our 12nine current development projects, five have been or aretwo were approved to be fundedfor funding by the OCS, either directly or through our incubator: BL-1020, BL-1021,OCS: BL-1040 BL-5040and BL-7040. OfIn addition, before we in-licensed BL-8040, Biokine had received funding for the five projects funded byproject from the OCS, four have been or are approvedand as a condition to be funded throughOCS consent to our incubator.in-licensing of BL-8040, we were required to agree to abide by any obligations resulting from such funding. We therefore must comply with the requirements of the Israeli Law for the Encouragement of Industrial Research and Development, 1984, and related regulations, or the Research Law.Law with respect to these projects. As of December 31, 2012,2013, we have received approximately NIS 75.976.1 million ($20.321.9 million) in funding from the OCS, of which approximately NIS 53.7 million ($14.415.5 million) was funding provided to our biotechnology incubator. The aggregate funding amount includes funding of approximately NIS 34.165.6 million ($9.118.9 million) for projects that have been terminated, which we will not be required to repay. When know-how, technology or products are developed using OCS grants, the terms of these grants and the Research Law restrict the transfer of that know-how (as well as know-how that is derived from funded know-how) and the development or manufacture of those products out of Israel without the prior approval of the OCS. Therefore, the discretionary approval of an OCS committee will be required for any transfer to third parties of our therapeutic candidates developed with OCS funding, for the purpose of the commercialization of our product candidates. We received approval in 2009 for the out-licensing of BL-1040 to Bellerophon; however the out-licensing of BL-7040 and BL-8040 to any party outside of Israel will be subject to the prior approval of the OCS. There is no assurance that we will receive the required approvals should we wish to transfer this technology or development out of Israel in the future. Furthermore, the OCS committee may impose certain conditions on any arrangement under which we transfer technology or development out of Israel. Transfers of know-how from OCS funded programs, including our biotechnology incubator, even if approved by the OCS, may be subject to restrictions set forth in the Research Law, and may include payments to the OCS, as described more fully under “Item 4. Information on the Company — Business Overview — Government Regulation and Funding — Israeli Government Programs — Office of the Chief Scientist.”

The transfer abroad of the manufacturing of any OCS-supported product or technology is also subject to various conditions, including the payment of increased royalties equal to, in the aggregate, up to 300% of the total grant amounts received in connection with the product or technology, plus interest, depending on the portion of total manufacturing that is performed outside of Israel. Payment of the increased royalties would constitute the repayment amount required with respect to the OCS grants received for the development of the products or technology for which the manufacturing is performed outside of Israel. In addition, any decrease in the percentage of manufacture performed in Israel of any product or technology, as originally declared in the application to the OCS with respect to the product or technology, may require us to notify, or to obtain the approval of, the OCS, and may result in increased royalty payments to the OCS of up to 300% of the total grant amounts received in connection with the product or technology, plus interest, depending on the portion of total manufacturing that is performed outside of Israel. These restrictions may impair our ability to sell our technology assets or to outsource or transfer development or manufacturing activities with respect to any product or technology. These restrictions continue to apply even after we have repaid any grants, in whole or in part, unless otherwise agreed by the designated OCS committee.

Israeli corporate law regulates mergers, requires tender offers for acquisitions of shares above specified thresholds, requires special approvals for transactions involving directors, officers or significant shareholders and regulates other matters that may be relevant to these types of transactions.  For example, a merger may not be consummated unless at least 50 days have passed from the date that a merger proposal was filed by each merging company with the Israel Registrar of Companies and at least 30 days from the date that the shareholders of both merging companies approved the merger.  In addition, a majority of each class of securities of the target company must approve a merger.  Moreover, a full tender offer can only be completed if the acquirer receives at least 95% of the issued share capital (provided that a majority of the offerees that do not have a personal interest in such tender offer shall have approved the tender offer, except that if the total votes to reject the tender offer represent less than 2% of the company’s issued and outstanding share capital, in the aggregate, approval by a majority of the offerees that do not have a personal interest in such tender offer is not required to complete the tender offer), and the shareholders, including those who indicated their acceptance of the tender offer, may, at any time within six months following the completion of the tender offer, petition the court to alter the consideration for the acquisition (unless the acquirer stipulated in the tender offer that a shareholder that accepts the offer may not seek appraisal rights).

Furthermore, Israeli tax considerations may make potential transactions unappealing to us or to our shareholders whose country of residence does not have a tax treaty with Israel exempting such shareholders from Israeli tax.  For example, Israeli tax law does not recognize tax-free share exchanges to the same extent as U.S. tax law.  With respect to mergers, Israeli tax law allows for tax deferral in certain circumstances but makes the deferral contingent on the fulfillment of numerous conditions, including a holding period of two years from the date of the transaction during which sales and dispositions of shares of the participating companies are restricted.  Moreover, with respect to certain share swap transactions, the tax deferral is limited in time, and when such time expires, the tax becomes payable even if no actual disposition of the shares has occurred.

These and other similar provisions could delay, prevent or impede an acquisition of us or our merger with another company, even if such an acquisition or merger would be beneficial to us or to our shareholders.

We have received Israeli government grants and loans for the operation of a biotechnology incubator and for certain research and development expenditures. The terms of these grants and loans may require us to satisfy specified conditions in order to manufacture products and transfer technologies outside of Israel. We may be required to pay penalties in addition to repayment of the grants and loans. Such grants and loans may be terminated or reduced in the future, which would increase our costs. See “Business — Government Regulation and Funding — Israeli Government Programs.”

We are incorporated in Israel. All of our executive officers and the majority of our directors reside outside of the United States, and all of our assets and most of the assets of our executive officers and directors are located outside of the United States. Therefore, a judgment obtained against us or any of our executive officers and directors in the United States, including one based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws, may not be collectible in the United States and may not be enforced by an Israeli court. It also may be difficult for you to effect service of process on these persons in the United States or to assert U.S. securities law claims in original actions instituted in Israel.

We are incorporated under Israeli law.  The rights and responsibilities of the holders of our ordinary shares are governed by our Articles of Association and Israeli law.  These rights and responsibilities differ in some respects from the rights and responsibilities of shareholders in typical U.S.-based corporations.  In particular, a shareholder of an Israeli company has a duty to act in good faith toward the company and other shareholders and to refrain from abusing its power in the company, including, among other things, in voting at the general meeting of shareholders on matters such as amendments to a company’s articles of association, increases in a company’s authorized share capital, mergers and acquisitions and interested party transactions requiring shareholder approval.  In addition, a shareholder who knows that it possesses the power to determine the outcome of a shareholder vote or to appoint or prevent the appointment of a director or executive officer in the company has a duty of fairness toward the company.  There is limited case law available to assist us in understanding the implications of these provisions that govern shareholders’ actions.  These provisions may be interpreted to impose additional obligations and liabilities on holders of our ordinary shares that are not typically imposed on shareholders of U.S. corporations.

Our legal and commercial name is BioLineRx Ltd. We are a company limited by shares organized under the laws of the State of Israel. Our principal executive offices are located at 19 Hartum Street, Jerusalem 9777518, Israel, and our telephone number is +972 (2) 548-9100.

We were founded in 2003 by leading institutions in the Israeli life sciences industry, including Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., or Teva. We completed our initial public offering in Israel in February 2007 and our ordinary shares are traded on the TASE under the symbol “BLRX.” In July 2011, we listed our ADSs on Nasdaq and they are traded under the symbol “BLRX.”

Our capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 20122013 were $0.3 million, $0.5 million $0.3 million and $0.2$0.1 million, respectively. Our current capital expenditures involve acquisitions of laboratory equipment, computers and communications equipment.