2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Consolidation

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Portola and its wholly owned subsidiary as of December 31, 2014. Unless otherwise specified, references to the Company are references to Portola and its consolidated subsidiary. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, clinical trial accruals, fair value of assets and liabilities, income taxes and stock-based compensation. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other market-specific and relevant assumptions that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Variable Interest Entities

We review agreements we enter into with third party entities, pursuant to which we may have a variable interest in the entity, in order to determine if the entity is a variable interest entity (VIE). If the entity is a VIE, we assess whether or not we are the primary beneficiary of that entity. In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of an entity, we apply a qualitative approach that determines whether we have both (1) the power to direct the economically significant activities of the entity and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the entity that could potentially be significant to that entity. If we determine we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we consolidate the statements of operations and financial condition of the VIE into our consolidated financial statements. Our determination about whether we should consolidate such VIEs is made continuously as changes to existing relationships or future transactions may result in a consolidation or deconsolidation event.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and other highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase.

Investments

All investments have been classified as “available-for-sale” and are carried at estimated fair value as determined based upon quoted market prices or pricing models for similar securities. Management determines the appropriate classification of our investments in debt securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. Unrealized gains and losses are excluded from earnings and were reported as a component of accumulated comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains and losses and declines in fair value judged to be other than temporary, if any, on available-for-sale securities are included in interest and other income, net. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific-identification method. Interest on marketable securities is included in interest and other income, net.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value accounting is applied for all financial assets and liabilities and non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually).

Concentration of Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash, cash equivalents, receivables from collaborations and investments. Our investment policy limits investments to certain types of debt securities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies and institutions with investment-grade credit ratings and places restrictions on maturities and concentration by type and issuer. We are exposed to credit risk in the event of a default by the financial institutions holding our cash, cash equivalents and investments and issuers of investments to the extent recorded on the consolidated balance sheets.

Receivables from collaborations are typically unsecured and are concentrated in the pharmaceutical industry. Accordingly, we may be exposed to credit risk generally associated with pharmaceutical companies or specific to our collaboration agreements. To date, we have not experienced any losses related to these receivables.

Certain materials and key components that we utilize in our operations are obtained through single suppliers. Since the suppliers of key components and materials must be named in a new drug application (NDA) filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a product, significant delays can occur if the qualification of a new supplier is required. If delivery of material from our suppliers were interrupted for any reason, we may be unable to supply any of our product candidates for clinical trials.

Customer Concentration

Customers that accounted for 10% or more of total revenues were as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Pfizer Inc.		16%		38%	–
Bayer Pharma, AG and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.		37%		37%	–
Daiichi Sankyo, Inc		45%		23%	–
Novartis, AG	–		–			97%

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, ranging from two to five years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the related lease term.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We review long-lived assets, including property and equipment, for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. An impairment loss would be recognized when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition are less than its carrying amount. Impairment, if any, is assessed using discounted cash flows or other appropriate measures of fair value. Through December 31, 2014, there have been no such losses.

Deferred Rent

We recognize rent expense on a straight-line basis over the noncancelable term of our operating lease and, accordingly, record the difference between cash rent payments and the recognition of rent expense as a deferred rent liability. We also record lessor-funded lease incentives, such as reimbursable leasehold improvements, as a deferred rent liability, which is amortized as a reduction of rent expense over the noncancelable term of our operating lease.

Revenue Recognition

We generate revenue from collaboration and license agreements for the development and commercialization of our products. Collaboration and license agreements may include non-refundable or partially refundable upfront license fees, partial or complete reimbursement of research and development costs, contingent consideration payments based on the achievement of defined collaboration objectives and royalties on sales of commercialized products. Our performance obligations under our collaborations include the transfer of intellectual property rights (licenses), obligations to provide research and development services and related clinical drug supply, obligation to provide regulatory approval services and obligations to participate on certain development and/or commercialization committees with the collaborators. Upfront payments are recorded as deferred revenue in our consolidated balance sheet and are recognized as collaboration revenue over our estimated period of performance that is consistent with the terms of the research and development obligations contained in each collaboration agreement. We regularly review the estimated periods of performance related to our collaborations based on the progress made under each arrangement. Our estimates of our performance period may change over the course of the collaboration term. Such a change could have a material impact on the amount of revenue we record in future periods.

Payments that are contingent upon achievement of a substantive milestone are recognized in their entirety in the period in which the milestone is achieved. A milestone is defined as an event that can only be achieved based on our performance and there is substantive uncertainty about whether the event will be achieved at the inception of the arrangement. Events that are contingent only on the passage of time or only on counterparty performance are not considered milestones subject to this guidance. Further, the amounts received must relate solely to prior performance, be reasonable relative to all of the deliverables and payment terms within the agreement and commensurate with our performance to achieve the milestone after commencement of the agreement. Payments contingent upon achievement of events that are not considered substantive milestones are allocated to the respective arrangements unit of accounting when received and recognized as revenue based on the revenue recognition policy for that unit of accounting.

Amounts from sales of licenses are recognized as revenue. Amounts received as funding of research and development or regulatory approval activities are recognized as revenue if the collaboration arrangement involves the sale of our research or development and regulatory approval services at amounts that exceed our cost. However, such funding is recognized as a reduction in research and development expense when we engage in a research and development project jointly with another entity, with both entities participating in project activities and sharing costs and potential benefits of the arrangement.

Amounts related to research and development and regulatory approval funding are recognized as the related services or activities are performed, in accordance with the contract terms. Payments may be made to or by us based on the number of full-time equivalent researchers assigned to the collaboration project and the related research and development expenses incurred.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and consist of salaries and benefits, lab supplies, materials and facility costs, as well as fees paid to other nonemployees and entities that conduct certain research and development activities on our behalf. Amounts incurred in connection with collaboration and license agreements are also included in research and development expense. Payments made prior to the receipt of goods or services to be used in research and development are capitalized until the goods are received or services are rendered.

Clinical Trial Accruals

Clinical trial costs are a component of research and development expenses. We accrue and expense clinical trial activities performed by third parties based upon actual work completed in accordance with agreements established with clinical research organizations and clinical sites. We determine the actual costs through monitoring patient enrollment and discussions with internal personnel and external service providers as to the progress or stage of completion of trials or services and the agreed-upon fee to be paid for such services. The Company has not experienced any material deviations between the accrued clinical trial expenses and actual clinical trial expenses. However, actual services performed, number of patients enrolled and the rate of patient enrollment may vary from our estimates, resulting in adjustments to clinical trial expense in futures periods.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based awards issued to employees, are recorded at fair value as of the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award. Because noncash stock compensation expense is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it is reduced by an estimate for future forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from estimates.

Equity instruments issued to nonemployees, consisting of stock options granted to consultants, are valued using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Stock-based compensation expense for nonemployee services is subject to remeasurement as the underlying equity instruments vest and is recognized as an expense over the period during which services are received.

Income Taxes

We provide for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Current income tax expense or benefit represents the amount of income taxes expected to be payable or refundable for the current year. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the consolidated financial statement reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and net operating loss and credit carryforwards, and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when such items are expected to reverse. Deferred income tax assets are reduced, as necessary, by a valuation allowance when management determines it is more likely than not that some or all of the tax benefits will not be realized. The recognition, derecognition and measurement of a tax position is based on management’s best judgment given the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date. Our policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to the underpayment of income taxes as a component of income tax expense or benefit. To date, there have been no interest or penalties charged in relation to the underpayment of income taxes.

Foreign Currency Transactions and Hedging

We have transactions denominated in foreign currencies, primarily the Euro, and, as a result, are exposed to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We manage a portion of these cash flow exposures through the purchase of Euros and the use of foreign currency forward contracts. Our foreign currency forward contracts are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. Gains or losses on foreign currency forward contracts are intended to offset gains or losses on the underlying net exposures in an effort to reduce the earnings and cash flow volatility resulting from fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates. Foreign currencies and our foreign currency forward contracts are marked to market at the end of each period and recorded as interest and other income, net in the consolidated statements of operations.

Our foreign exchange forward contracts expose us to credit risk to the extent that the counterparty, a major financial institution, is unable to meet the terms of the agreement. Our management does not expect material losses as a result of defaults by the counterparty.

Net Income (Loss) per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders is calculated in conformity with the two-class method required for companies with participating securities. Under the two-class method, in periods when we have net income, basic net income attributable to common stockholders is determined by allocating undistributed earnings, calculated as net income less current period convertible preferred stock noncumulative dividends, between the common stock and the convertible preferred stock. In computing diluted net income attributable to common stockholders, undistributed earnings are re-allocated to reflect the potential impact of dilutive securities. Basic net loss per share attributable to common stockholders is calculated by dividing the net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. The diluted net income per share attributable to common stockholders is computed by giving effect to all potential dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding for the period. In periods when we have incurred a net loss, convertible preferred stock, options and warrants to purchase common stock and convertible preferred stock warrants are considered common stock equivalents but have been excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders as their effect is antidilutive.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB, jointly with the International Accounting Standards Board, issued, issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The standard's core principle is that a reporting entity will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In applying this new guidance to contracts within its scope, an entity will: (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (2) identify the performance obligation in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. Additionally, this new guidance will require significantly expanded revenue recognition disclosures. This guidance will become effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2017. Early application is not permitted. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adopt this new guidance. We are currently evaluating the impact of our pending adoption of this standard on our consolidated financial statements.