SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Transgenomic, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Risks and Uncertainties

Risks and Uncertainties.

Certain risks and uncertainties are inherent in our day-to-day operations and to the process of preparing our financial statements. The more significant of those risks are presented below and throughout the notes to the financial statements.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting period. In addition, estimates and assumptions associated with the determination of the fair value of certain assets and related impairments require considerable judgment by management. Actual results could differ from the estimates and assumptions used in preparing these consolidated financial statements.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified in order to conform to the current year presentation.

Fair Value

Fair Value.

Unless otherwise specified, book value approximates fair market value. The Company's Level 1 financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents. The Company's Level 2 financial instruments include accounts receivable, accounts payable, other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities. The Company's Level 3 financial instruments include the common stock warrant liability, preferred stock warrant liability and conversion feature, and debt. The Company is also unable to estimate the fair value of the debt due to the lack of comparable available credit facilities.  The common stock warrant liability and Series A Preferred Stock warrant liability and conversion feature are recorded at fair value.  See Footnote 12 Fair Value.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents.

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and investments with original maturities at the date of acquisition of three months or less. Such investments presently consist of temporary overnight investments

Concentration of Cash

Concentrations of Cash.

From time to time, we may maintain a cash position with financial institutions in amounts that exceed federally insured limits. We have not experienced any losses on such accounts as of December 31, 2012.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are carried at original invoice amount and shown net of allowance for doubtful accounts and contractual allowances. The estimate made for doubtful accounts is based on a review of all outstanding amounts on a quarterly basis. We determine the allowance for doubtful accounts and contractual allowances by regularly evaluating individual customer receivables and considering a customer’s financial condition, credit history and current economic conditions. Accounts receivable are written off when deemed uncollectible. Recoveries of accounts receivable previously written off are recorded when received.

Inventories

Inventories.

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market net of allowance for obsolete inventory. Cost is computed using standard costs for finished goods and average or latest actual cost for raw materials and work in process, which approximates the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. We write down slow-moving and obsolete inventory by the difference between the value of the inventory and our estimate of the reduced value based on potential future uses, the likelihood that overstocked inventory will be sold and the expected selling prices of the inventory. If our ability to realize value on slow-moving or obsolete inventory is less favorable than assumed, additional write-downs of the inventory may be required.

Inventory Obsolescence

We determine the allowance for obsolescence by evaluating inventory quarterly for items deemed to be slow moving or obsolete.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment.

Property and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets

Goodwill

Goodwill.

Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over fair value of assets acquired and is not amortized. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually. We perform this impairment analysis during the fourth quarter of each year or when a significant event occurs that may impact goodwill. Impairment occurs when the carrying value is determined to be not recoverable thereby causing the carrying value of the goodwill to exceed its fair value. If impaired, the asset’s carrying value is reduced to its fair value. No impairment existed at December 31, 2012 and 2011.

Intangibles

Intangibles.

Intangibles include intellectual property, patents and acquired products.

1. Intellectual Property.    Initial costs paid to license intellectual property from independent third parties are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over the license period. Ongoing royalties related to such licenses are expensed as incurred.

2. Patents.    We capitalize legal costs, filing fees and other expenses associated with obtaining patents on new discoveries and amortize these costs using the straight-line method over the shorter of the legal life of the patent or its economic life beginning on the date the patent is issued.

3. Acquired Products.    As a part of the FAMILION acquisition and acquisition of certain intangible assets from Axial we acquired technology, in process technology, trademarks/tradenames, customer relationships, covenants not to compete and third party relationships. These costs will be amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated economic life of seven to eight years. See Footnote 4 Intangibles and Other Assets.

We review our amortizable long lived assets for impairment whenever events indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be recorded if the sum of the future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset. The amount of the loss would be determined by comparing the fair market value of the asset to the carrying amount of the asset. No loss has been recorded during the years ended December 31, 2012 or 2011. 

Common Stock Warrants

Common Stock Warrants.

 Our issued and outstanding warrants to purchase common stock do not qualify to be treated as equity, and accordingly, are recorded as a liability ("Common Stock Warrant Liability"). The Common Stock Warrant Liability was initially recorded at fair value using a Monte Carlo simulation model. We are required to present these instruments at fair value at each reporting date and any changes in fair values are recorded as an adjustment to earnings. The Common Stock Warrant Liability is considered a level three financial instrument. See Footnote 12 -Fair Value.

Preferred Stock

Preferred Stock.   Priorto the 2011 modification, the Series A Preferred Stock met the definition of mandatorily redeemable stock as it was preferred capital stock which was redeemable at the option of the holder and therefore was reported outside of equity. The Series A Preferred Stock was accreted to its redemption value. Prior to the 2011 modification, the Series A Warrants did not qualify to be treated as equity, and accordingly, was recorded as a liability. A preferred stock conversion feature was embedded within the Series A Preferred Stock that met the definition of a derivative. The Series A Preferred Stock, Series A Warrants liability and Series A Preferred Stock conversion feature were all recorded separately and were initially recorded at fair value using the Black-Scholes model. We were required to record these instruments at fair value at each reporting date and changes were recorded as an adjustment to earnings. The Series A Warrant liability and Series A Preferred Stock conversion feature were considered level three financial instruments.

In November 2011, we entered into a transaction with the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock (the "Series A Holders"), pursuant to an Agreement Regarding Preferred Stock (the “Amendment Agreement”), in which the Series A Holders agreed to (i) waive their rights to enforce the anti-dilution and redemption features of the Series A Preferred Stock and (ii) at the next annual shareholder meeting, vote to amend the Certificate of Designation for the Series A Preferred Stock to remove the anti-dilution and redemption features of the Series A Preferred Stock. In exchange, the Company issued shares of common stock to the Series A Holders having an aggregate market value of $0.3 million.

As a result of the Amendment Agreement, the value of the Series A Preferred Stock and Series A Warrant, including the Series A Preferred Stock conversion feature and Series A Warrant liability, were reclassified into shareholders equity as of the date of the Amendment Agreement.

Stock Based Compensation

Stock Based Compensation.

All stock options awarded to date have exercise prices equal to the market price of our common stock on the date of grant and have ten-year contractual terms. Unvested options as of December 31, 2012 had vesting periods of one or three years from date of grant. None of the stock options outstanding at December 31, 2012 are subject to performance or market-based vesting conditions.

We measure and recognize compensation expense for all stock-based awards made to employees and directors, including stock options. Compensation expense is based on the calculated fair value of the awards as measured at the grant date and is expensed ratably over the service period of the awards (generally the vesting period).

Income Taxes

Income Taxes.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities at each balance sheet date using tax rates expected to be in effect in the year the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent that it is more likely than not that they will not be realized. Our policy is to record interest and penalties directly related to income taxes as income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Net Sales Recognition

Net Sales Recognition.

Revenue is realized and earned when all of the following criteria are met:

• Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;

• Delivery has occurred or services have been rendered;

• The seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and

• Collectability is reasonably assured.

Net sales from our Clinical Laboratories are recognized on an individual test basis and takes place when the test report is completed, reviewed and sent to the client less the reserve for insurance, Medicare and Medicaid contractual adjustments. There are no deferred net sales associated with our Clinical Laboratories. Adjustments to the allowances, based on actual receipts from third party payers, are recorded upon settlement.

In our Pharmacogenomics Services, we perform services on a project by project basis. When we receive payment in advance, we recognize revenue when we deliver the service. These projects typically do not extend beyond one year. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, deferred net sales associated with pharmacogenomics research projects, included in the balance sheet in deferred revenue, was $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

Net sales of Diagnostic Tools products are recognized in accordance with the terms of the sales arrangement. Such recognition is based on receipt of an unconditional customer order and transfer of title and risk of ownership to the customer, typically upon shipment of the product under a purchase order. Our sales terms do not provide for the right of return unless the product is damaged or defective. Net sales from certain services associated with the analytical instruments, to be performed subsequent to shipment of the products, is deferred and recognized when the services are provided. Such services, mainly limited to installation and training services that are not essential to the functionality of the instruments, typically are performed in a timely manner subsequent to shipment of the instrument. We also enter into various service contracts that cover installed instruments. These contracts cover specific time periods and net sales associated with these contracts are deferred and recognized ratably over the service period. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, deferred net sales, mainly associated with our service contracts, included in the balance sheet in deferred revenue was approximately $1.0 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

Taxes collected from customers and remitted to government agencies for specific net sales producing transactions are recorded net with no effect on the income statement.

Research and Development

Research and Development.

Research and development and various collaboration costs are charged to expense when incurred.

Translation of Foreign Currency

Translation of Foreign Currency.

Our foreign subsidiary uses the local currency of the country in which it is located as its functional currency. Its assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date.

Expense on Preferred Stock

Expense on Preferred Stock.

For 2011, we recorded expense associated with the Series A Preferred Stock and Series A Warrants of $6.1 million, which is due to the change in fair value of the Series A Preferred Stock conversion feature and Series A Warrants liability of $5.8 million and the issuance of $0.3 million in common stock to the Series A Investors. The expense associated with the change in value of the Series A Preferred Stock conversion feature is a non-cash item. There was no expense on preferred stock in 2012 or 2010.

Other Income

Other Income.

Other income in the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 includes an award of a federal grant under the Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project related to COLD-PCR, Surveyor Scan kit development for detecting key cancer pathway gene mutations and mtDNA damage assays.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive Income.

Accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 consisted of foreign currency translation adjustments, net of applicable tax of zero. We deem our foreign investments to be permanent in nature and do not provide for taxes on currency translation adjustments arising from converting investments in a foreign currency to U.S. dollars.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share.

Basic earnings per share is calculated based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share include shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options, warrants or conversion rights that have exercise or conversion prices below the market value of our common stock, as long as the effect is not anti-dilutive.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-04, “Fair Value Measurement” (“ASU 2011-04”). ASU 2011-04 amends ASC 820 to achieve common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The amended guidance requires information disclosure regarding transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, information disclosure regarding sensitivity of a fair value measurement categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy to changes in unobservable inputs and any interrelationships between those unobservable inputs, and the categorization by level of the fair value hierarchy for items that are not measured at fair value. The amended guidance was effective for financial periods beginning after December 15, 2011. ASU 2011-04 did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income. The new guidance eliminates the current option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in equity. Instead, an entity will be required to present either a continuous statement of net income and other comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011 and will have presentation changes only. We elected to report other comprehensive income and its components in a separate statement of comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2012.

In July 2011, the FASB issued guidance on the presentation of net patient service revenue. The new guidance requires a change in presentation of the statement of operations by reclassifying the provision for bad debts associated with patient service revenue from an operating expense to a deduction from patient service revenue (net of contractual allowances and discounts). Additionally, enhanced disclosure about policies for recognizing revenue and assessing bad debts are required. Disclosures of patient service revenue (net of contractual allowances and discounts) as well as qualitative and quantitative information about changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts will be required. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Our adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued guidance on intangibles including goodwill and other intangibles. The new guidance will allow an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. We adopted this guidance in the fourth quarter of 2012.

In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, to improve the transparency of reporting reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendments in the Update do not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in financial statements. The new amendments will require an organization to present (either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes) the effects on the line items of net income of significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income if the item reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. Additionally, for other amounts that are not required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP to provide additional detail about those amounts. For public companies, the amendments are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. We do not expect that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.