Other Corporate Matters	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Other Corporate Matters [Abstract]
Other Corporate Matters	10. Other Corporate Matters On August 5, 2010, SciClone was contacted by the SEC and advised that the SEC has initiated a formal, non-public investigation of SciClone, and the SEC issued a subpoena to SciClone requesting a variety of documents and other information. The subpoena requests documents relating to a range of matters including, but not limited to, potential payments or transfers of anything of value to regulators and government-owned entities in China, bids or contracts with state or government-owned entities in China, any joint venture partner, intermediary or local agent of the Company in China, the Company's ethics and anti-corruption policies, training, and audits, and certain company financial and other disclosures. On August 6, 2010, the Company received a letter from the US Department of Justice (“DOJ”) indicating that the DOJ was investigating Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) issues in the pharmaceutical industry generally, and that the DOJ had information about the Company’s practices suggesting possible violations. The Company will continue to cooperate fully with the SEC and DOJ in the conduct of their investigations. In response to these matters, the Company’s Board appointed a Special Committee of independent directors (the “Special Committee”) to oversee the Company’s response to the government inquiry. Based on an initial review, the Special Committee decided to undertake an independent investigation as to matters reflected in and arising from the SEC and DOJ investigations including, but not limited to, certain sales and marketing matters in China, in order to evaluate whether any violation of the FCPA or other laws occurred. During the investigation, the Special Committee instructed management to (i) evaluate and to expand the Company’s training of employees regarding understanding and compliance with laws including the FCPA and other anti-bribery laws and regulations, (ii) evaluate existing compliance and anti-bribery policies and guidelines and to prepare new, more detailed policies and guidelines for implementation after review by SciClone’s Board and/or committees of the Board, (iii) implement a pre-approval policy for certain expenses including payments for, or reimbursement of, travel and entertainment expenses, and sponsorships of certain third party events, and (iv) hire a Vice President of Compliance and Internal Audit to monitor and enforce compliance with the Company’s policies. The Special Committee has substantially concluded its investigation and on May 4 and 5, 2011 reported its findings and recommendations to the Board of Directors. The Special Committee has also reported findings to the SEC and DOJ. The SEC’s and DOJ’s formal investigations are continuing. Government investigations related to FCPA matters often result in the imposition of fines or penalties for the companies involved. However, due to the significant uncertainty as to the outcome of the investigation, the Company is unable to reasonably estimate the loss or range of loss that may be incurred. As of September 30, 2012, the Company has therefore not accrued a liability for the contingent loss related to the FCPA investigation. Any fines or penalties that may be imposed, or other losses that may be realized related to the investigations, could materially impact the Company’s financial statements. The Company will continue to reassess the potential liability related to the investigations and adjust its estimates accordingly in future periods.

10. Other Corporate Matters

On August 5, 2010, SciClone was contacted by the SEC and advised that the SEC has initiated a formal, non-public investigation of SciClone, and the SEC issued a subpoena to SciClone requesting a variety of documents and other information. The subpoena requests documents relating to a range of matters including, but not limited to, potential payments or transfers of anything of value to regulators and government-owned entities in China, bids or contracts with state or government-owned entities in China, any joint venture partner, intermediary or local agent of the Company in China, the Company's ethics and anti-corruption policies, training, and audits, and certain company financial and other disclosures. On August 6, 2010, the Company received a letter from the US Department of Justice (“DOJ”) indicating that the DOJ was investigating Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) issues in the pharmaceutical industry generally, and that the DOJ had information about the Company’s practices suggesting possible violations. The Company will continue to cooperate fully with the SEC and DOJ in the conduct of their investigations.

In response to these matters, the Company’s Board appointed a Special Committee of independent directors (the “Special Committee”) to oversee the Company’s response to the government inquiry. Based on an initial review, the Special Committee decided to undertake an independent investigation as to matters reflected in and arising from the SEC and DOJ investigations including, but not limited to, certain sales and marketing matters in China, in order to evaluate whether any violation of the FCPA or other laws occurred.

During the investigation, the Special Committee instructed management to (i) evaluate and to expand the Company’s training of employees regarding understanding and compliance with laws including the FCPA and other anti-bribery laws and regulations, (ii) evaluate existing compliance and anti-bribery policies and guidelines and to prepare new, more detailed policies and guidelines for implementation after review by SciClone’s Board and/or committees of the Board, (iii) implement a pre-approval policy for certain expenses including payments for, or reimbursement of, travel and entertainment expenses, and sponsorships of certain third party events, and (iv) hire a Vice President of Compliance and Internal Audit to monitor and enforce compliance with the Company’s policies.

The Special Committee has substantially concluded its investigation and on May 4 and 5, 2011 reported its findings and recommendations to the Board of Directors. The Special Committee has also reported findings to the SEC and DOJ. The SEC’s and DOJ’s formal investigations are continuing. Government investigations related to FCPA matters often result in the imposition of fines or penalties for the companies involved. However, due to the significant uncertainty as to the outcome of the investigation, the Company is unable to reasonably estimate the loss or range of loss that may be incurred. As of September 30, 2012, the Company has therefore not accrued a liability for the contingent loss related to the FCPA investigation. Any fines or penalties that may be imposed, or other losses that may be realized related to the investigations, could materially impact the Company’s financial statements. The Company will continue to reassess the potential liability related to the investigations and adjust its estimates accordingly in future periods.