<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001260641-09-000005
<TYPE>4
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>1
<PERIOD>20090121
<FILING-DATE>20090225
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20090225
<REPORTING-OWNER>
<OWNER-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>CZIRR JAMES C
<CIK>0001260641
</OWNER-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>4
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>001-31791
<FILM-NUMBER>09634991
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<PHONE>208-263-6695
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>425 JANISH DR
<CITY>SANDPOINT
<STATE>ID
<ZIP>83864
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</REPORTING-OWNER>
<ISSUER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>PRO PHARMACEUTICALS INC
<CIK>0001133416
<ASSIGNED-SIC>2834
<IRS-NUMBER>043562325
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>NV
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</COMPANY-DATA>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>189 WELLS ST
<STREET2>STE 200
<CITY>NEWTON
<STATE>MA
<ZIP>02459
<PHONE>6175590033
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>189 WELLS ST
<STREET2>STE 200
<CITY>NEWTON
<STATE>MA
<ZIP>02459
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</ISSUER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-01-21</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001133416</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PRO PHARMACEUTICALS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PRWP.OB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001260641</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CZIRR JAMES C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>425 JANISH DR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SANDPOINT</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>ID</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>83864</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-01-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>250000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.08</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3597268</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-02-13</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>500000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4097268</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.5</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-02-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>900000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>2</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3600000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>900000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By 10X Fund, L.P.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A-1 Warrant (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.5</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-02-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2009-02-12</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-02-12</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1800000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By 10X Fund, L.P.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A-2 Warrant (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.5</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-02-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2009-02-12</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-02-12</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1800000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By 10X Fund, L.P.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Warrant (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.5</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-02-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2009-02-12</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-02-12</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>7200000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By 10X Fund, L.P.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Reporting Person consummated two exchanges of 125,000 shares of Issuer's common stock each with two third parties in return for securities of an entity other than Issuer valued at $0.08 per share received in such exchanges.  The closing price of the Issuer's common stock on the date of the exchange was $0.10 per share.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Restricted stock grant, which is subject to forfeiture if Reporting Person no longer serves as a director of the Issuer as follows: (i) 100%, if he is no longer serving as a director before February 13, 2010; (ii) 50%, if he is serving as a director on or after February 13, 2010 but no longer serving before May 13, 2010; (iii) 37.5%, if he is serving as a director on or after May 13, 2010 but no longer serving before August 13, 2010; (iv) 25%, if he is serving as a director on or after August 13, 2010 but no longer serving before November 13, 2010; and (v) 12.5%, if he is serving as a director on or after November 13, 2010 but no longer serving before February 13, 2011.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Each share of Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into four shares of Issuer's common stock at a conversion price of $0.50 per share (subject to customary anti-dilution protection adjustments) at the option of (a) the holder, at any time and (b) Issuer, at any time after February 12, 2010 (and upon 10 days notice) if the Issuer's common stock is quoted at or above $1.50 per share for 15 consecutive trading days and an effective registration statement regarding the underlying shares of Issuer's common stock is in effect (subject to certain monthly volume limits).  The shares of Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock do not expire.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Reporting Person is a managing member of 10X Capital Management, LLC, a Florida limited liability company acting as the general partner of 10X Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and as such, may be deemed to have indirect beneficial ownership of all or a portion of the securities owned directly by 10X Fund, L.P.  Mr. Czirr disclaims beneficial ownership of the foregoing securities except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Excludes (i) up to 2,100,000 shares of Series B-2 Preferred Stock convertible into 8,400,000 shares of Common Stock; (ii) Class A-1 Warrants exercisable to purchase up to 4,200,000 shares of Common Stock; (iii) Class A-2 Warrants exercisable to purchase up to 4,200,000 shares of Common Stock; and (iv) Class B Warrants exercisable to purchase up to 16,800,000 shares of Common Stock that 10X Fund, L.P. may purchase from Issuer within 60 days of the date hereof pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement dated February 12, 2009 between Issuer and 10X Fund, L.P.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">On February 12, 2009, 10X Fund, L.P. purchased (a) 900,000 shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock, (b) one Class A-1 Warrant to purchase 1,800,000 shares for Common Stock for $0.50 per share, (c) one Class A-2 Warrant to purchase 1,800,000 shares for Common Stock for $0.50 per share, and (d) one Class B Warrant to purchase 7,200,000 shares for Common Stock for $0.50 per share, for aggregate consideration of $1,800,000.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>James C. Czirr</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-02-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SUBMISSION>
