Summary of significant accounting policies	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Summary of significant accounting policies [Abstract]
Summary of significant accounting policies	1. Summary of significant accounting policies Basis of presentation and consolidation On August 6, 2015, Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (the "Company" or "Emergent"), announced its plan to separate into two independent publicly-traded companies. On August 1, 2016, the Company accomplished this plan through the completion of the spin-off of Aptevo Therapeutics Inc. ("Aptevo"), a biotechnology company focused on novel oncology and hematology therapeutics to meaningfully improve patients' lives. Emergent remains as a global specialty life sciences company focused on providing specialty products for civilian and military populations that address intentional and naturally emerging public health threats. In anticipation of the spin-off, the Company realigned certain components of its biosciences business to the new Aptevo segment to be consistent with how the Company's chief operating decision maker ("CODM") allocates resources and makes decisions about the operations of the Company. Effective January 1, 2016, the Company changed its segment presentation to reflect this new structure, and recast all prior periods presented to conform to the new presentation. On August 1, 2016, the Company completed the spin-off of Aptevo. Aptevo is now an independent public company trading under the symbol "APVO" on the NASDAQ Global Select Market ("NASDAQ"). The results of operations and financial position of Aptevo are reflected as discontinued operations for all periods presented through the date of the spin-off. The historical financial statements and footnotes have been revised accordingly. See Note 2. "Discontinued operations" for further details regarding the spin-off. For periods following the spin-off, the Company reports financial results under one business segment. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Emergent and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, as filed with the SEC. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 there have been no significant changes to the Company's summary of significant accounting policies contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, as filed with the SEC. In the opinion of the Company's management, any adjustments contained in the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are of a normal recurring nature, except for the adjustments associated with the spin-off of Aptevo, and are necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2016, specifically: the results of operations and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015; and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for an entire year. We analyze our multiple element revenue-generating arrangements to determine whether the elements can be separated and accounted for individually as separate units 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 and (2) if the arrangement includes a general right of return and delivery or performance of the undelivered item(s) is considered probable and substantially in our control. 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 unit's relative selling price and is recognized in full when the appropriate revenue recognition criteria are met. We deem services to be rendered if no continuing obligation exists on our part. As of September 30, 2016, the Company has determined that its US Government contracts for Anthrasil™ (Anthrax Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human), BAT™ (Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent (A,B,C,D,E,F,G)-Equine and VIGIV (Vaccinia Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human)) are multiple element arrangements. Recent accounting standards In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity ("ASU No. 2014-08"). ASU No. 2014-08 limits discontinued operations reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results. ASU No. 2014-08 also requires expanded disclosures for discontinued operations and disposals of individually significant components of an entity that do not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. ASU No. 2014-08 was effective for disposals and components classified as held-for-sale that occurred within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. Early adoption was permitted. The new guidance is effective for the Company prospectively for all disposals of components of an entity that occurred after January 1, 2015. The spin-off of Aptevo by the Company on August 1, 2016 meets the definition of a discontinued operation under the new guidance and, as a result, the Company reflected the provisions of the new guidance in the third quarter of 2016. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Summary and Amendments That Create Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and Other Assets and Deferred Costs—Contracts with Customers (Subtopic 340-40). ASU No. 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, as well as most industry-specific guidance, and significantly enhances comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities and industries by providing a principles-based, comprehensive framework for addressing revenue recognition issues. In order for a provider of promised goods or services to recognize as revenue the consideration that it expects to receive in exchange for the promised goods or services, the provider should apply the following five steps: (1) identify the contract with a customer(s); (2) identify the performance obligations 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. ASU No. 2014-09 also specifies the accounting for some costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer and provides enhanced disclosure requirements. The FASB has deferred ASU No. 2014-09 for one year, and with that deferral, the standard will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, which for the Company will be its 2018 first quarter. The Company is permitted to use either the retrospective or the modified retrospective method when adopting ASU No. 2014-09. The Company is still assessing the potential impact that ASU No. 2014-09 will have on its financial statements and disclosures, but believes that there could be changes to the revenue recognition for government contracts. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30), which simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs. ASU No. 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. Prior to the issuance of ASU 2015-03, debt issuance costs were required to be presented as an asset on the balance sheet. ASU No. 2015-03 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company has adopted the guidance and has applied the guidance on a retrospective basis. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718). ASU No. 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including: (1) the income tax consequences, (2) classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and (3) classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-09 is effective for the annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU No. 2016-09 will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

1. Summary of significant accounting policies

Basis of presentation and consolidation

On August 6, 2015, Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (the "Company" or "Emergent"), announced its plan to separate into two independent publicly-traded companies. On August 1, 2016, the Company accomplished this plan through the completion of the spin-off of Aptevo Therapeutics Inc. ("Aptevo"), a biotechnology company focused on novel oncology and hematology therapeutics to meaningfully improve patients' lives. Emergent remains as a global specialty life sciences company focused on providing specialty products for civilian and military populations that address intentional and naturally emerging public health threats.

In anticipation of the spin-off, the Company realigned certain components of its biosciences business to the new Aptevo segment to be consistent with how the Company's chief operating decision maker ("CODM") allocates resources and makes decisions about the operations of the Company. Effective January 1, 2016, the Company changed its segment presentation to reflect this new structure, and recast all prior periods presented to conform to the new presentation. On August 1, 2016, the Company completed the spin-off of Aptevo. Aptevo is now an independent public company trading under the symbol "APVO" on the NASDAQ Global Select Market ("NASDAQ"). The results of operations and financial position of Aptevo are reflected as discontinued operations for all periods presented through the date of the spin-off. The historical financial statements and footnotes have been revised accordingly. See Note 2. "Discontinued operations" for further details regarding the spin-off. For periods following the spin-off, the Company reports financial results under one business segment.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Emergent and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, as filed with the SEC.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 there have been no significant changes to the Company's summary of significant accounting policies contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, as filed with the SEC. In the opinion of the Company's management, any adjustments contained in the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are of a normal recurring nature, except for the adjustments associated with the spin-off of Aptevo, and are necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2016, specifically: the results of operations and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015; and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for an entire year.

We analyze our multiple element revenue-generating arrangements to determine whether the elements can be separated and accounted for individually as separate units 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 and (2) if the arrangement includes a general right of return and delivery or performance of the undelivered item(s) is considered probable and substantially in our control. 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 unit's relative selling price and is recognized in full when the appropriate revenue recognition criteria are met. We deem services to be rendered if no continuing obligation exists on our part. As of September 30, 2016, the Company has determined that its US Government contracts for Anthrasil™ (Anthrax Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human), BAT™ (Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent (A,B,C,D,E,F,G)-Equine and VIGIV (Vaccinia Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human)) are multiple element arrangements.

Recent accounting standards

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity ("ASU No. 2014-08"). ASU No. 2014-08 limits discontinued operations reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results. ASU No. 2014-08 also requires expanded disclosures for discontinued operations and disposals of individually significant components of an entity that do not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. ASU No. 2014-08 was effective for disposals and components classified as held-for-sale that occurred within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. Early adoption was permitted. The new guidance is effective for the Company prospectively for all disposals of components of an entity that occurred after January 1, 2015. The spin-off of Aptevo by the Company on August 1, 2016 meets the definition of a discontinued operation under the new guidance and, as a result, the Company reflected the provisions of the new guidance in the third quarter of 2016.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Summary and Amendments That Create Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and Other Assets and Deferred Costs—Contracts with Customers (Subtopic 340-40). ASU No. 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, as well as most industry-specific guidance, and significantly enhances comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities and industries by providing a principles-based, comprehensive framework for addressing revenue recognition issues. In order for a provider of promised goods or services to recognize as revenue the consideration that it expects to receive in exchange for the promised goods or services, the provider should apply the following five steps: (1) identify the contract with a customer(s); (2) identify the performance obligations 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. ASU No. 2014-09 also specifies the accounting for some costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer and provides enhanced disclosure requirements. The FASB has deferred ASU No. 2014-09 for one year, and with that deferral, the standard will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, which for the Company will be its 2018 first quarter. The Company is permitted to use either the retrospective or the modified retrospective method when adopting ASU No. 2014-09. The Company is still assessing the potential impact that ASU No. 2014-09 will have on its financial statements and disclosures, but believes that there could be changes to the revenue recognition for government contracts.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30), which simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs. ASU No. 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. Prior to the issuance of ASU 2015-03, debt issuance costs were required to be presented as an asset on the balance sheet. ASU No. 2015-03 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company has adopted the guidance and has applied the guidance on a retrospective basis.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718). ASU No. 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including: (1) the income tax consequences, (2) classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and (3) classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-09 is effective for the annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU No. 2016-09 will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.