INVESTMENTS

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

INVESTMENTS

INVESTMENTS

6. INVESTMENTS

The Company’s investments balance of $3.4 million as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 consists of the Company’s investments that are recorded using the cost method, and substantially represents the Company’s investment in Ceregene, Inc. (Ceregene), a privately held biotechnology company (Ceregene).  The Company has recorded its investment in Ceregene using the cost method, as no active market exists for this investment, and the Company does not possess significant influence over operating and financial policies of Ceregene, although the Company by virtue of its stock ownership of Ceregene has the right to designate one member on the Ceregene board of directors.

The valuation of investments accounted for under the cost method is based on all available financial information related to the investee, including valuations based on recent third party equity investments in the investee. If an unrealized loss on any investment is considered to be other-than-temporary, the loss is recognized in the period the determination is made. All investments are reviewed for changes in circumstances or occurrence of events that suggest the investment may not be recoverable.  The fair value of the cost method investments are not estimated if there are no identified events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investments and it is not practicable to estimate the fair value of the investments.