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Summary of significant accounting policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Summary of significant accounting policies [Abstract]  
Summary of significant accounting policies
2.    Summary of significant accounting policies
        
Basis of presentation and consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Emergent and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. For investments in variable interest entities, the Company consolidates when it is determined to be the primary beneficiary.

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with a maturity of 90 days or less at the date of purchase and consist of time deposits and investments in money market funds with commercial banks and financial institutions. Also, the Company maintains cash balances with financial institutions in excess of insured limits. The Company does not anticipate any losses with such cash balances.

Investments

Investments that are classified as available-for-sale are measured at fair value in the balance sheets, and unrealized holding gains and losses on investments are reported as a separate component of stockholder equity until realized. Realized gains and losses are reported in other income (expense), net, on a specific identification basis.

For debt securities, if the Company intends to either sell or determines that it will more likely than not be required to sell a debt security before recovery of the entire amortized cost basis or maturity of the debt security, the Company recognizes the entire impairment in earnings. If the Company does not intend to sell the debt security but determines that it will not be more likely than not required to sell the debt security and it does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis, the impairment is bifurcated into the amount attributed to the credit loss, which is recognized in earnings, and all other causes, which are recognized in other comprehensive income. Regardless of the Company's intent to sell a security, it performs additional analysis on all securities with unrealized losses to evaluate losses associated with the creditworthiness of the security. Credit losses are identified when the Company does not expect to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the amortized cost basis of a security.
 
Fair value of measurements

The Company measures and records cash equivalents and investment securities considered available-for-sale at fair value in the accompanying financial statements. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability, an exit price, in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value include:

Level 1 — Observable inputs for identical assets or liabilities such as quoted prices in active markets;
Level 2 — Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, which are therefore developed by the Company using estimates and assumptions that reflect those that a market participant would use.

The fair value of U.S. Treasury securities (Level 2) is obtained from an independent pricing service and is based on recent sales of similar securities and other observable market data.

The carrying amounts of the Company's short-term financial instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, approximate their fair values due to their short maturities. The fair value of the Company's long-term indebtedness is estimated based on the quoted prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities.

Restricted cash

Restricted cash at December 31, 2011 includes a certificate of deposit held by a bank as collateral for a letter of credit acting as a security deposit on a loan. As of December 31, 2011 the Company had restricted cash of $220,000. The Company had no restricted cash as of December 31, 2012.

Significant customers and accounts receivable

For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company's primary customer was the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS"). For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, revenues from HHS and HHS agencies comprised 97.9%, 91.3% and 97.5%, respectively, of total revenues and are included in the Company's Biodefense segment. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company's receivable balances were comprised of 99.9% and 90.0%, respectively, from this customer. Unbilled accounts receivable, included in accounts receivable, totaling $19.9 million and $19.0 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, relate to various service contracts for which work has been performed, though invoicing has not yet occurred. Substantially all of the unbilled receivables are expected to be billed and collected within the next 12 months. Accounts receivable are stated at invoice amounts and consist primarily of amounts due from the U.S. government and collaborative partners as well as amounts due under reimbursement contracts with other government entities and non-government and philanthropic organizations. If necessary, the Company records a provision for doubtful receivables to allow for any amounts which may be unrecoverable. This provision is based upon an analysis of the Company's prior collection experience, customer creditworthiness and current economic trends. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, an allowance for doubtful accounts was not recorded as the collection history from the Company's customers indicated that collection was probable.

Concentrations of credit risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and investments and accounts receivable. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents and investments with high quality financial institutions. Management believes that the financial risks associated with its cash and cash equivalents and investments are minimal. Because accounts receivable consist primarily of amounts due from the U.S. government for product sales and from government agencies under government grants and development contracts, management deems there to be minimal credit risk.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost being determined using a standard cost method, which approximates average cost. Average cost consists primarily of material, labor and manufacturing overhead expenses and includes the services and products of third party suppliers. The Company analyzes its inventory levels quarterly and writes down, in the applicable period, inventory that has become obsolete, inventory that has a cost basis in excess of its expected net realizable value and inventory in excess of expected customer demand. The Company also writes off in the applicable period the costs related to expired inventory.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
 
Buildings
31-39 years
Building improvements
10-39 years
Furniture and equipment
3-15 years
Software
Lesser of 3-5 years or product life
Leasehold improvements
Lesser of the asset life or lease term

Upon retirement or sale, the cost of assets disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is credited or charged to operations. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
 
Income taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using the liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and net operating loss and research and development tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.
 
The Company's ability to realize deferred tax assets depends upon future taxable income as well as the limitations discussed below. For financial reporting purposes, a deferred tax asset must be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized prior to expiration. The Company considers future taxable income and ongoing tax planning strategies in assessing the need for valuation allowances. In general, if the Company determines that it is more likely than not to realize more than the recorded amounts of net deferred tax assets in the future, the Company will reverse all or a portion of the valuation allowance established against its deferred tax assets, resulting in a decrease to the provision for income taxes in the period in which the determination is made. Likewise, if the Company determines that it is not more likely than not to realize all or part of the net deferred tax asset in the future, the Company will establish a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets, with an offsetting increase to the provision for income taxes, in the period in which the determination is made.

Under sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code, if an ownership change occurs with respect to a "loss corporation", as defined, there are annual limitations on the amount of net operating losses and deductions that are available. The Company believes the use of net operating losses and research and development tax credits acquired in the Trubion acquisition will not be significantly limited. Due to the acquisition of Microscience in 2005 and the Company's initial public offering, the Company believes the use of the operating losses incurred prior to 2005 will be significantly limited.

Revenue recognition

The Company recognizes revenues from product sales if four basic criteria have been met:

§there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement;
§delivery has occurred or title has passed to the Company's customer;
§the fee is fixed or determinable; and
§collectability is reasonably assured.

All revenues from product sales are recorded net of applicable allowances for sales returns, rebates, special promotional programs, and discounts. For arrangements where the risk of loss has not passed to the customer, the Company defers the recognition of revenue until such time that risk of loss has passed to the customer. Also, the cost of revenue associated with amounts recorded as deferred revenue is recorded in inventory until such time as risk of loss has passed to the customer.

Under previous contracts with HHS, the Company invoiced HHS and recognized the related revenues upon delivery of the product to the government carrier, at which time title to the product passed to HHS. Effective September 30, 2011, the Company has a contract from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC"), an operating division of HHS, to supply up to 44.75 million doses of BioThrax over a five year period. Under the Company's contract from the CDC, the Company invoices the CDC and recognizes the related revenue upon acceptance by the government at delivery site, at which time title to the product passes the CDC.
 
Collaborative research and development agreements can provide for one or more of upfront license fees, research payments, and milestone payments. Agreements with multiple components ("deliverables" or "items") are evaluated to determine if the deliverables can be divided into more than one unit of accounting. An item can generally be considered a separate unit of accounting if both of the following criteria are met: (1) the delivered item(s) has value to the customer on a stand-alone basis; (2) if the arrangement includes a general right of return relative to the delivered item(s), delivery or performance of the undelivered item(s) is considered probable and substantially in control of the Company. Items that cannot be divided into separate units are combined with other units of accounting, as appropriate. Consideration received is allocated among the separate units based on the relative selling price of each deliverable. The Company deems service to have been rendered if no continuing obligation exists on the part of the Company.
 
Revenue associated with non-refundable upfront license fees under arrangements where the license fees and research and development activities cannot be accounted for as separate units of accounting is deferred and recognized as revenue either on a straight-line basis over the Company's continued involvement in the research and development process or based on the proportional performance of the Company's expected future obligation under the contract. Revenues from the achievement of research and development milestones, if deemed substantive, are recognized as revenue when the milestones are achieved, and the milestone payments are due and collectible. If not deemed substantive, the Company would recognize such milestone as revenue on a straight-line basis over the remaining expected term of continued involvement in the research and development process.

Milestones are considered substantive if all of the following conditions are met; (1) the milestone is non-refundable; (2) achievement of the milestone was not reasonably assured at the inception of the arrangement; (3) substantive effort is involved to achieve the milestone; and (4) the amount of the milestone appears reasonable in relation to the effort expended. Payments received in advance of work performed are recorded as deferred revenue.

The Company generates contract and grant revenue from cost-plus-fee contracts. Revenues on reimbursable contracts are recognized as costs are incurred, generally based on allowable costs incurred during the period, plus any recognizable earned fee. The Company considers fixed fees under cost-plus-fee contracts to be earned in proportion to the allowable costs incurred in performance of the contract. The Company analyzes cost for contracts and reimbursable grants to ensure reporting of revenues gross versus net is appropriate. For each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012, the costs incurred under the contracts and grants approximated the revenue earned.

The Company previously generated revenues from its agreements with Pfizer, Inc. ("Pfizer") and Abbott Laboratories ("Abbott"). Certain internal and external research and development costs and patent costs were reimbursed in connection with the Company's agreements. Reimbursed costs under the Pfizer agreement, which was terminated in September 2012, were recognized as revenue in the period in which the costs were incurred. Under the Company's agreement with Abbott, which was terminated in March 2012, Abbott shared development and clinical costs equally with the Company. Under the collaboration agreement, each of the Company and Abbott were required to report to the other party the total costs incurred for development. The total spending by each party was then compared to the spending by to the other party. In the event that the Company's spending for a given quarter exceeded the spending of Abbott, the Company recorded a net receivable in its financial statements equal to the difference between the Company's spending and 50% of the total spending for the period, and recognized revenue in this amount. If Abbott's spending for the quarterly period exceeded the Company's spending, the Company recorded a net payable in its financial statements equal to the difference between the Company's spending and 50% of the total spending, and recorded additional research and development expenses in this amount.

Contingent value rights
 
The Company records contingent value right ("CVR") obligations at fair value. Obligations generally become due and payable only upon achievement of certain developmental, regulatory or commercial milestones. The fair value model used for the CVR obligations are based on a discounted cash flow model that has been risk adjusted based on the probability of achievement of the milestones.
 
The Company believes that the inputs it uses for determining the fair value of the CVR obligations are Level 3 fair value measurements. The Company re-evaluates the fair value on a quarterly basis. Changes in the fair value of the CVR obligations can result from adjustments to the discount rates, updates in the assumed timing of achievement of any development milestones or changes in the probability of certain events and changes in the assumed probability associated with approval. Any future increase in the fair value of the CVR obligations, based on an increased likelihood that the underlying milestones will be achieved and the associated payment or payments will therefore become due and payable, will result in a charge to research and development expense in the period in which the increase is determined. Similarly, any future decrease in the fair value of the CVR obligations will result in a reduction in research and development expense.

Acquired in process research and development
 
Acquired in-process research and development ("IPR&D") represents the fair value assigned to research and development assets that the Company acquires that have not been completed at the date of acquisition. The value assigned to acquired IPR&D is determined by estimating the costs to develop the acquired technology into commercially viable products, estimating the resulting revenue from the projects, and discounting the net cash flows to present value. The revenue and cost projections used to value acquired IPR&D are, as applicable, reduced based on the probability of developing a new drug. Additionally, the projections considered the relevant market sizes and growth factors, expected trends in technology, and the nature and expected timing of new product introductions by us and our competitors. The resulting net cash flows from such projects are based on management's estimates of cost of sales, operating expenses, and income taxes from such projects. The rates utilized to discount the net cash flows to their present value are commensurate with the stage of development of the projects and uncertainties in the economic estimates used in the projections described above. The Company determines the fair values of these assets as of the acquisition date using discounted cash flow models. These models require the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including but not limited to:

§estimating the timing of and expected costs to complete the in-process projects;
§projecting the likelihood and timing of regulatory approvals;
§estimating future cash flows from product sales resulting from completed products and in-process projects; and
§developing appropriate discount rates and probability rates by project.

The Company believes the fair values assigned to the IPR&D assets acquired are based upon reasonable estimates and assumptions given available facts and circumstances as of the acquisition dates. The underlying assumptions and estimates used to value these IPR&D assets are subject to change in the future, and actual results may differ significantly from the assumptions and estimates. The Company's IPR&D assets are assessed for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if indicators of impairment are present. The Company has selected October 1st as its annual impairment test date.

Goodwill

The Company assesses the carrying value of goodwill on an annual basis, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable, to determine whether any impairment in this asset may exist and, if so, the extent of such impairment. The provisions of the relevant accounting guidance require that the Company perform a two-step impairment test. In the first step, the Company compares the fair value of its reporting unit to the carrying value of the reporting unit. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then the second step of the impairment test is performed in order to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss equal to the difference is recorded and charged to general and administrative expense. The Company calculates the fair value of the reporting unit utilizing the income approach. The income approach utilizes a discounted cash flow model, using a discount rate based on the Company's estimated weighted average cost of capital.
 
The determination of the fair value of a reporting unit is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. The estimates and assumptions used in calculating fair value include identifying future cash flows, which requires that the Company makes a number of critical legal, economic, market and business assumptions that reflect best estimates as of the testing date. The Company's assumptions and estimates may differ significantly from actual results, or circumstances could change that would cause the Company to conclude that an impairment now exists or that it previously understated the extent of impairment. The Company selected October 1st as its annual impairment test date.

Impairment of long-lived assets

The Company assesses the recoverability of its long-lived assets for which an indicator of impairment exists by determining whether the carrying value of such assets can be recovered through undiscounted future operating cash flows. If the Company concludes that the carrying value will not be recovered, the Company measures the amount of such impairment by comparing the fair value to the carrying value.

Research and development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development costs primarily consist of salaries and fees paid to outside service providers and the costs of materials used in clinical trials and research and development. Other research and development expenses include fees paid to consultants, materials and related expenses for personnel and facility expenses.

Comprehensive income

Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and other changes in equity that are excluded from net income. The Company includes translation gains and losses incurred when converting its subsidiaries' financial statements from their functional currency to the U.S. dollar in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Foreign currencies

The local currency is the functional currency for the Company's foreign subsidiaries and, as such, assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates. Income and expense items are translated at average exchange rates during the year. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are charged or credited to other comprehensive income.

Capitalized interest

The Company capitalizes interest based on the cost of major ongoing capital projects which have not yet been placed in service. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company incurred interest of $2.2 million, $1.7 million and $1.8 million, respectively. Of these amounts, the Company capitalized $2.2 million, $1.7 million and $1.8 million, respectively.
 
Certain risks and uncertainties

The Company has derived substantially all of its revenue from sales of BioThrax under contracts with the U.S. government. The Company's CDC contract does not necessarily increase the likelihood that it will secure future comparable contracts with the U.S. government. The Company expects that a significant portion of the business that it will seek in the near future, in particular for BioThrax, will be under government contracts that present a number of risks that are not typically present in the commercial contracting process. U.S. government contracts for BioThrax are subject to unilateral termination or modification by the government. The Company may fail to achieve significant sales of BioThrax to customers in addition to the U.S. government, which would harm its growth opportunities. The Company may not be able to sustain or increase profitability. The Company is spending significant amounts for the expansion of its manufacturing facilities. The Company may not be able to manufacture BioThrax consistently in accordance with FDA specifications. Other than BioThrax, all of the Company's product candidates are undergoing clinical trials or are in early stages of development, and failure is common and can occur at any stage of development. None of the Company's product candidates other than BioThrax have received regulatory approval.

Earnings Per Share

Basic net income per share of common stock excludes dilution for potential common stock issuances and is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.

Accounting for stock-based compensation

The Company has two stock-based employee compensation plans, the Second Amended and Restated Emergent BioSolutions Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2006 Plan") and the Emergent BioSolutions Employee Stock Option Plan (the "2004 Plan" and together with the 2006 Plan, the "Emergent Plans"). The Company has granted options to purchase shares of common stock under the Emergent Plans and has granted restricted stock units under the 2006 Plan. The Emergent Plans have both incentive and non-qualified stock option features. The Company no longer grants equity awards under the 2004 Plan.

On May 17, 2012, the Company's shareholders approved amendments to the 2006 Plan, which increased the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under plan awards by 2,500,000. As of December 31, 2012, an aggregate of 11,178,826 shares of common stock were authorized for issuance under the 2006 Plan, of which a total of 3,752,260 shares of common stock remain available for future awards to be made to plan participants. As part of the May 2012 amendment, awards of restricted stock units after May 17, 2012 are counted against the maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2006 Plan as 1.86 shares of common stock for every one restricted stock unit granted. The maximum number of shares subject to awards that may be granted per year under the 2006 Plan to a single participant is 287,700. The exercise price of each option must be not less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares underlying such option on the date of grant. Awards granted under the 2006 Plan have a contractual life of no more than 10 years. The terms and conditions of equity awards (such as price, vesting schedule, term and number of shares) under the Emergent Plans are determined by the compensation committee of the Company's board of directors, which administers the Emergent Plans. Each equity award granted under the Emergent Plans vests as specified in the relevant agreement with the award recipient and no option can be exercised after ten years from the date of grant.
The Company determines the fair value of restricted stock units using the closing market price of the Company's common stock on the day prior to the date of grant. The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes valuation model for estimating the fair value of all stock options granted. The fair value of each option is estimated on the date of grant. Set forth below are the assumptions used in valuing the stock options granted and a discussion of the Company's methodology for developing each of the assumptions used:

 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2012
 
 
2011
 
 
2010
 
Expected dividend yield
 
 
0
%
 
 
0
%
 
 
0
%
Expected volatility
 
 
41-52
%
 
 
60
%
 
 
55
%
Risk-free interest rate
 
 
0.36-0.54
%
 
 
0.35-1.04
%
 
 
0.49-1.46
%
Expected average life of options
 
3.4 years
 
 
3.4 years
 
 
3.4 years
 
 
§
Expected dividend yield — the Company does not pay regular dividends on its common stock and does not anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future.
§
Expected volatility —  a measure of the amount by which a financial variable, such as share price, has fluctuated (historical volatility) or is expected to fluctuate (implied volatility) during a period. The Company analyzed its own historical volatility to estimate expected volatility over the same period as the expected average life of the options.
§
Risk-free interest rate — the range of U.S. Treasury rates with a term that most closely resembles the expected life of the option as of the date on which the option is granted.
§
Expected average life of options — the period of time that options granted are expected to remain outstanding, based primarily on the Company's expectation of optionee exercise behavior subsequent to vesting of options.
 
Recent accounting pronouncements
 
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, which amended ASC Topic 220 regarding presentation of comprehensive income. The amendments in ASU No. 2011-05 require that all nonowner changes in stockholders' equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In the two-statement approach, the first statement should present total net income and its components followed consecutively by a second statement that should present total other comprehensive income, the components of other comprehensive income, and the total of comprehensive income. This amendment is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company elected to present comprehensive income in two separate but consecutive statements as part of the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.