Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Description of Company [Policy Text Block]

The Company

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) is a biotechnology company that designs, optimizes and develops novel small molecule drugs that block key enzymes involved in the pathogenesis of diseases. The Company focuses on the treatment of rare diseases in which significant unmet medical needs exist and align with its capabilities and expertise. The Company was incorporated in Delaware in 1986 and its headquarters is located in Durham, North Carolina. The Company integrates the disciplines of biology, crystallography, medicinal chemistry and computer modeling to discover and develop small molecule pharmaceuticals through the process known as structure-guided drug design. BioCryst has incurred losses and negative cash flows from operations since inception. 

Based on its current operating plans, the Company expects it has sufficient liquidity, with its existing cash, restricted cash and investments of $100,858, to continue its planned operations through mid-2017. The Company’s liquidity needs, and ability to address those needs, will largely be determined by the success of its product candidates and key development and regulatory events in the future. In order to continue its operations substantially beyond mid-2017 it will need to: (1) successfully secure or increase U.S. Government funding of its programs, including procurement contracts; (2) out-license rights to certain of its products or product candidates, pursuant to which the Company would receive cash milestones; (3) raise additional capital through equity or debt financings or from other sources; (4) obtain additional product candidate regulatory approvals, which would generate revenue and cash flow; (5) reduce spending on one or more research and development programs; and/or (6) restructure operations. The Company may issue securities through private placement transactions or registered public offerings pursuant to a registration statement filed with the SEC.  Additionally, the Company retains the ability to offer for sale approximately $10,000 of securities, including common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, stock purchase contracts, warrants and units from its effective shelf S-3 registration statement, which it filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on November 6, 2013. The Company will continue to incur operating losses and negative cash flows until revenues reach a level sufficient to support ongoing operations.

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Basis of Presentation

Beginning in March 2011, the consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, JPR Royalty Sub LLC (“Royalty Sub”). Royalty Sub was formed in connection with a $30,000 financing transaction the Company completed on March 9, 2011. See Note 3, Royalty Monetization, for a further description of this transaction. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). Such consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in management’s opinion, necessary to present fairly, in all material respects, the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. There were no adjustments other than normal recurring adjustments.

Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Reclassifications

Long term deferred rent as of December 31, 2014 has been reclassified to conform to the 2015 presentation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company generally considers cash equivalents to be all cash held in commercial checking accounts, certificates of deposit, money market accounts or investments in debt instruments with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these items.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash as of December 31, 2015 reflects $150 the Company is required to maintain in an interest bearing certificate of deposit to serve as collateral for a corporate credit card program, $59 in royalty revenue paid by Shionogi & Co., Ltd. (“Shionogi”) designated for interest on the PhaRMA Notes (defined in Note 3) and $1,403 the Company is required to maintain as collateral for a letter of credit associated with the lease execution and build-out of its new Birmingham research facilities.

Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Investments

The Company invests in high credit quality investments in accordance with its investment policy, which is designed to minimize the possibility of loss. The objective of the Company’s investment policy is to ensure the safety and preservation of invested funds, as well as maintaining liquidity sufficient to meet cash flow requirements. The Company places its excess cash with high credit quality financial institutions, commercial companies, and government agencies in order to limit the amount of its credit exposure. In accordance with its policy, the Company is able to invest in marketable debt securities that may consist of U.S. Government and government agency securities, money market and mutual fund investments, municipal and corporate notes and bonds, commercial paper and asset or mortgage-backed securities, among others. The Company’s investment policy requires it to purchase high-quality marketable securities with a maximum individual maturity of three years and requires an average portfolio maturity of no more than 18 months. Some of the securities the Company invests in may have market risk. This means that a change in prevailing interest rates may cause the principal amount of the investment to fluctuate. To minimize this risk, the Company schedules its investments with maturities that coincide with expected cash flow needs, thus avoiding the need to redeem an investment prior to its maturity date. Accordingly, the Company does not believe it has a material exposure to interest rate risk arising from its investments. Generally, the Company’s investments are not collateralized. The Company has not realized any significant losses from its investments.

The Company classifies all of its investments as available-for-sale. Unrealized gains and losses on investments are recognized in comprehensive loss, unless an unrealized loss is considered to be other than temporary, in which case the unrealized loss is charged to operations. The Company periodically reviews its investments for other than temporary declines in fair value below cost basis and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company believes the individual unrealized losses represent temporary declines primarily resulting from interest rate changes. Realized gains and losses are reflected in interest and other income in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss and are determined using the specific identification method with transactions recorded on a settlement date basis. Investments with original maturities at date of purchase beyond three months and which mature at or less than 12 months from the balance sheet date are classified as current. Investments with a maturity beyond 12 months from the balance sheet date are classified as long-term. At December 31, 2015, the Company believes that the costs of its investments are recoverable in all material respects.

The following tables summarize the fair value of the Company’s investments by type. The estimated fair value of the Company’s fixed income investments are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy as defined in U.S. GAAP. These valuations are based on observable direct and indirect inputs, primarily quoted prices of similar, but not identical, instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active. These fair values are obtained from independent pricing services which utilize Level 2 inputs.

	December 31, 2015
	Amortized Cost		Accrued Interest		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value
Obligations of U.S. Government and its agencies	$	26,557	$	88	$	—	$	(99	)	$	26,546
Corporate debt securities		21,820		184		—		(41	)		21,963
Certificates of deposit		21,884		21		5		(72	)		21,838
Total investments	$	70,261	$	293	$	5	$	(212	)	$	70,347

	December 31, 2014
	Amortized Cost		Accrued Interest		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value
Obligations of U.S. Government and its agencies	$	20,307	$	22	$	—	$	(23	)	$	20,306
Corporate debt securities		27,152		151		5		(47	)		27,261
Commercial paper		11,838		6		—		(63	)		11,781
Total investments	$	59,297	$	179	$	5	$	(133	)	$	59,348

The following table summarizes the scheduled maturity for the Company’s investments at December 31, 2015 and 2014.

	2015		2014
Maturing in one year or less	$	22,664	$	18,232
Maturing after one year through two years		28,395		25,459
Maturing after two years		19,288		15,657
Total investments	$	70,347	$	59,348

Receivables, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Receivable from Collaborations

Receivables from collaborations are recorded for amounts due to the Company related to reimbursable research and development costs from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, royalty receivables from Shionogi and Seqirus UK Limited (“SUL”), and product sales to SUL. These receivables are evaluated to determine if any reserve or allowance should be established at each reporting date. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company had the following receivables.

	December 31, 2015
	Billed		Unbilled		Total
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services	$	—	$	5,536	$	5,536
Shionogi & Co. Ltd.		469		—		469
Seqirus UK Limited		210		28		238
Total receivables	$	679	$	5,564	$	6,243

	December 31, 2014
	Billed		Unbilled		Total
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services	$	—	$	2,778	$	2,778
Shionogi & Co. Ltd.		1,071		—		1,071
Total receivables	$	1,071	$	2,778	$	3,849

Monthly invoices are submitted to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services related to reimbursable research and development costs. The Company is also entitled to monthly reimbursement of indirect costs based on rates stipulated in the underlying contract. The Company’s calculations of its indirect cost rates are subject to audit by the U.S. Government.

Receivables from Product Sales

Receivables from product sales are recorded for amounts due to the Company related to sales of RAPIVAB. These receivables are evaluated to determine if any reserve or allowance should be established at each reporting date.

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventory

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company’s inventory consisted of RAPIVAB finished goods inventory and work in process. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost, determined under the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method, or market. The Company expenses costs related to the production of inventories as research and development expenses in the period incurred until such time it is believed that future economic benefit is expected to be recognized, which generally is reliant upon receipt of regulatory approval. Upon regulatory approval, the Company will capitalize subsequent costs related to the production of inventories.

During 2014, in connection with the FDA approval of RAPIVAB, the Company began capitalizing costs associated with the production of RAPIVAB inventories.

The Company’s inventory consisted of the following:

	As of December 31,
	2015		2014
Work in process	$	1,612	$	267
Finished goods		—		416
Net inventories	$	1,612	$	683

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Computer equipment is depreciated over a life of three years. Laboratory equipment, office equipment, and software are depreciated over a life of five years. Furniture and fixtures are depreciated over a life of seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over their estimated useful lives or the remaining lease term, whichever is less. Property consists of a leased building which did not meet the sale-leaseback criteria and is recorded at its fair value, less depreciation. The building is being depreciated over a period of ten years equal to the term of the related lease

In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company periodically reviews its property and equipment for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. In the event that such cash flows are not expected to be sufficient to recover the carrying amount of the assets, the assets are written down to their estimated fair values. Property and equipment to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. 

Intangible Assets, Finite-Lived, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Patents and Licenses

The Company seeks patent protection on all internally developed processes and products. All patent related costs are expensed to selling, general and administrative expenses when incurred as recoverability of such expenditures is uncertain.

Accrued Expenses [Policy Text Block]

Accrued Expenses

The Company generally enters into contractual agreements with third-party vendors who provide research and development, manufacturing, and other services in the ordinary course of business. Some of these contracts are subject to milestone-based invoicing and services are completed over an extended period of time. The Company records liabilities under these contractual commitments when it determines an obligation has been incurred, regardless of the timing of the invoice. This process involves reviewing open contracts and purchase orders, communicating with applicable Company personnel to identify services that have been performed on its behalf and estimating the level of service performed and the associated cost incurred for the service when the Company has not yet been invoiced or otherwise notified of actual cost. The majority of service providers invoice the Company monthly in arrears for services performed. The Company makes estimates of accrued expenses as of each balance sheet date in its financial statements based on the facts and circumstances. The Company periodically confirms the accuracy of its estimates with the service providers and makes adjustments if necessary. Examples of estimated accrued expenses include:

• fees paid to Clinical Research Organizations (“CROs”) in connection with preclinical and toxicology studies and clinical trials;

• fees paid to investigative sites in connection with clinical trials;

• fees paid to contract manufacturers in connection with the production of our raw materials, drug substance and drug products; and

• professional fees.

The Company bases its expenses related to clinical trials on its estimates of the services received and efforts expended pursuant to contracts with multiple research institutions and CROs that conduct and manage clinical trials on the Company’s behalf. The financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation, vary from contract to contract and may result in uneven payment flows. Payments under some of these contracts depend on factors such as the successful enrollment of patients and the completion of clinical trial milestones. In accruing service fees, the Company estimates the time period over which services will be performed and the level of effort expended in each period. If the actual timing of the performance of services or the level of effort varies from the estimate, the Company will adjust the accrual accordingly.

Accrued expenses were comprised of the following:

	December 31,
	2015		2014
Compensation and benefits	$	424	$	2,105
Development costs		10,398		4,232
Inventory		549		397
Professional fees		242		238
Duties and taxes		102		75
Other		4,522		4,282
Total accrued expenses	$	16,237	$	11,329

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the carrying value of accrued expenses approximates their fair value due to their short-term settlement.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

The liability method is used in the Company’s accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.

Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Accumulated other comprehensive loss is comprised of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments and is disclosed as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss are recorded as interest and other income on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. During 2015, realized gains of $13 were reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss. No reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss were recorded during 2014.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenues from collaborative and other research and development arrangements, royalties and product sales when realized or realizable and earned. Revenue is realized or realizable and earned when all of the following criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (iii) the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured.

Collaborative and Other Research and Development Arrangements and Royalties

Revenue from license fees, royalty payments, event payments, and research and development fees are recognized as revenue when the earnings process is complete and the Company has no further continuing performance obligations or the Company has completed the performance obligations under the terms of the agreement. Fees received under licensing agreements that are related to future performance are deferred and recognized over an estimated period determined by management based on the terms of the agreement and the products licensed. Revisions to revenue or profit estimates as a result of changes in the estimated revenue period are recognized prospectively. 

Under certain of the Company’s license agreements, the Company receives royalty payments based upon its licensees’ net sales of covered products. The Company recognizes royalty revenues when it can reliably estimate such amounts and collectability is reasonably assured. 

For arrangements that involve the delivery of more than one element, each product, service and/or right to use assets is evaluated to determine whether it qualifies as a separate unit of accounting. This determination is based on whether the deliverable has “stand-alone value” to the customer. The consideration that is fixed or determinable is then allocated to each separate unit of accounting based on the relative selling price of each deliverable. The estimated selling price of each deliverable is determined using the following hierarchy of values: (i) vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value, (ii) third-party evidence of selling price (“TPE”) and (iii) best estimate of selling price (“BESP”). The BESP reflects our best estimate of what the selling price would be if the deliverable was regularly sold by the Company on a stand-alone basis. In most cases the Company expects to use TPE or BESP for allocating consideration to each deliverable. The consideration allocated to each unit of accounting is recognized as the related goods or services are delivered, limited to the consideration that is not contingent upon future deliverables. Analyzing the arrangement to identify deliverables requires the use of judgment, and each deliverable may be an obligation to deliver services, a right or license to use an asset, or another performance obligation. 

In June 2015, the Company entered into a License Agreement (the “SUL Agreement”) granting Seqirus UK Limited (“SUL”) and its affiliates worldwide rights, excluding Israel, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, to develop, manufacture and commercialize RAPIVAB. The SUL Agreement provides for various types of payments, including a non-refundable upfront fee, milestone payments, and future royalties. Analysis of the SUL Agreement identified three deliverables: (i) license rights, (ii) inventory and (iii) regulatory support to obtain Canadian and European Union (“EU”) marketing approvals. The Company received an upfront payment of $33,740 from SUL, of which $7,000 was determined to be contingent upon EU marketing approval and will be deferred until that time. Approximately $21,777 of the upfront payment was allocated to the license rights and recognized as revenue in the second quarter. Approximately $3,740 of the upfront payment was allocated to the pending sale of inventory and was recognized during the third quarter, when the inventory transfer was completed. Approximately $1,223 of the revenue from the SUL Agreement will be recognized over the expected period of involvement in these regulatory support activities.

Milestone payments are recognized as licensing revenue upon the achievement of specified milestones if (i) the milestone is substantive in nature and the achievement of the milestone was not reasonably assured at the inception of the agreement; and (ii) the fees are non-refundable. Any milestone payments received prior to satisfying these revenue recognition criteria are recorded as deferred revenue.

Under the terms of the SUL Agreement, the Company may receive up to $12,000 in additional payments related to the successful achievement of regulatory milestones, including marketing approval (i) by the FDA for a pediatric indication, (ii) by the EMA for an adult indication in the EU and (iii) by Health Products and Food Branch of Health Canada (“Health Canada”) for an adult indication in Canada. The Company evaluated each event based payment under the provisions of ASU 2010-17,

Milestone Method of Revenue Recognition

, and determined that each event based payment met the criteria to be considered substantive and represents a milestone under the milestone method of accounting. No event based payments were achieved during the periods presented. 

Reimbursements received for direct out-of-pocket expenses related to research and development costs are recorded as revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss rather than as a reduction in expenses. Under the Company’s contracts with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority within the United States Department of Health and Human Services (”BARDA/HHS”) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (“NIAID/HHS”), revenue is recognized as reimbursable direct and indirect costs are incurred.

Product Sales

The Company recognizes revenue for sales of RAPIVAB when title and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership have transferred to the customer, which generally occurs on the date of shipment from our specialty distributors, utilizing the Sell-Through revenue recognition methodology. Product sales are recognized when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, title has passed, the price is fixed and determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Product sales are recognized net of estimated allowances, discounts, sales returns, chargebacks and rebates. In the United States, and prior to the SUL Agreement, the Company sold RAPIVAB to specialty distributors, who in turn, sell to physician offices, hospitals and federal, state and commercial health care organizations. With the completion of the SUL worldwide license of RAPIVAB, SUL will be primarily responsible for sales of RAPIVAB, other than U.S. Government stockpiling sales, and the Company’s commercial sales will be minimal.

Sales deductions consist of statutory rebates to state Medicaid, Medicare and other government agencies and sales discounts (including trade discounts and distribution service fees). These deductions are recorded as reductions from revenue from RAPIVAB in the same period as the related sales with estimates of future utilization derived from historical experience adjusted to reflect known changes in the factors that impact such reserves.

The Company utilizes data from external sources to help it estimate gross-to-net sales adjustments as they relate to the recognition of revenue for RAPIVAB sold. Externally sourced data includes, but is not limited to, information obtained from specialty distributors with respect to their inventory levels and their sell-through to customers, as well as information from third-party suppliers of market research data to the pharmaceutical industry.

The Company accounts for these sales deductions in accordance with authoritative guidance on revenue recognition when consideration is given by a vendor to a customer. 

The Company has categorized and described more fully the following significant sales deductions, all of which involve estimates and judgments, which the Company considers to be critical accounting estimates, and require it to use information from external sources. 

Rebates and Chargebacks

Statutory rebates to state Medicaid agencies and Medicare are based on statutory discounts to RAPIVAB’s selling price. As it can take up to nine months or more for information to be received on actual usage of RAPIVAB in Medicaid and other governmental programs, the Company maintains reserves for amounts payable under these programs relating to RAPIVAB sales. 

Chargebacks claimed by specialty distributors are based on the differentials between product acquisition prices paid by the specialty distributors and lower government contract pricing paid by eligible customers covered under federally qualified programs. 

The amount of the reserve for rebates and chargebacks is based on multiple qualitative and quantitative factors, including the historical and projected utilization levels, historical payment experience, changes in statutory laws and interpretations as well as contractual terms, product pricing (both normal selling prices and statutory or negotiated prices), changes in prescription demand patterns and utilization of the Company’s product through public benefit plans, and the levels of RAPIVAB inventory in the distribution channel. The Company acquires prescription utilization data from third-party suppliers of market research data to the pharmaceutical industry. The Company updates its estimates and assumptions each period and records any necessary adjustments to its reserves. Settlements of rebates and chargebacks typically occur within nine months from point of sale. To the extent actual rebates and chargebacks differ from the Company’s estimates, additional reserves may be required or reserves may need to be reversed, either of which would impact current period product revenue. 

Discounts and Sales Incentives

Discounts and other sales incentives primarily consist of Inventory Management Agreement (“IMA”) Fees. Per contractual agreements with the Company’s specialty distributors, the Company provides an IMA fee based on a percentage of their purchases of RAPIVAB. The IMA fee rates are set forth in individual contracts. The Company tracks sales to these distributors each period and accrues a liability relating to the unpaid portion of these fees by applying the contractual rates to such product sales. 

Product Returns

The Company does not record a product return allowance as it does not offer the ability to return goods once a bonafide shipment has been accepted by a specialty distributor. 

The Company recorded the following revenues for the years ended December 31:

	2015		2014		2013
Product sales, net	$	6,291	$	33	$	—
Royalty revenue		2,386		3,025		2,562
Collaborative and other research and development revenues:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services		16,337		9,366		13,585
Green Cross Corporation		132		—		—
Shionogi (Japan)		1,184		1,184		1,184
Seqirus UK Limited		21,927		—		—
Total collaborative and other research and development revenues		39,580		10,550		14,769
Total revenues	$	48,257	$	13,608	$	17,331

Advertising

The Company engages in very limited distribution and direct-response advertising when promoting RAPIVAB. Advertising and promotional costs are expensed as the costs are incurred. Advertising and product promotion expenses were $103 and $290 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Research and Development Expenses

The Company’s research and development costs are charged to expense when incurred. Research and development expenses include all direct and indirect development costs related to the development of the Company’s portfolio of product candidates. Advance payments for goods or services that will be used or rendered for future research and development activities are deferred and capitalized. Such amounts are recognized as expense when the related goods are delivered or the related services are performed. Research and development expenses include, among other items, personnel costs, including salaries and benefits, manufacturing costs, clinical, regulatory, and toxicology services performed by CROs, materials and supplies, and overhead allocations consisting of various administrative and facilities related costs. Most of the Company’s manufacturing and clinical and preclinical studies are performed by third-party CROs. Costs for studies performed by CROs are accrued by the Company over the service periods specified in the contracts and estimates are adjusted, if required, based upon the Company’s on-going review of the level of services actually performed. 

Additionally, the Company has license agreements with third parties, such as Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University (“AECOM”), Industrial Research, Ltd. (“IRL”), and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (“UAB”), which require fees related to sublicense agreements or maintenance fees. The Company expenses sublicense payments as incurred unless they are related to revenues that have been deferred, in which case the expenses are deferred and recognized over the related revenue recognition period. The Company expenses maintenance payments as incurred. 

Deferred collaboration expenses represent sub-license payments, paid to the Company’s academic partners upon receipt of consideration from various commercial partners, and other consideration paid to our academic partners for modification to existing license agreements. These deferred expenses would not have been incurred without receipt of such payments or modifications from the Company’s commercial partners and are being expensed in proportion to the related revenue being recognized. The Company believes that this accounting treatment appropriately matches expenses with the associated revenue.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Stock-Based Compensation

All share-based payments, including grants of stock option awards and restricted stock unit awards, are recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss based on their fair values. The fair value of stock option awards is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value of restricted stock unit awards is based on the grant date closing price of the common stock. Stock-based compensation cost is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award. In addition, we have outstanding performance-based stock options for which no compensation expense is recognized until “performance” has occurred.

Interest Expense and Deferred Financing Costs [Policy Text Block]

Interest Expense and Deferred Financing Costs

Interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $5,200, $4,998 and $4,778, respectively, and relates to the issuance of the PhaRMA Notes. Costs directly associated with the issuance of the PhaRMA Notes have been capitalized and are included in other non-current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These costs are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the PhaRMA Notes using the effective interest rate method. Amortization of deferred financing costs included in interest expense was $439 for each of the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

Currency Hedge Agreement [Policy Text Block]

Currency Hedge Agreement

In connection with the issuance by Royalty Sub of the PhaRMA Notes, the Company entered into a Currency Hedge Agreement to hedge certain risks associated with changes in the value of the Japanese yen relative to the U.S. dollar. The Currency Hedge Agreement does not qualify for hedge accounting treatment; therefore mark to market adjustments are recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. Cumulative mark to market adjustments for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 resulted in a loss of $564 and gains of $5,487 and $5,294, respectively. Mark to market adjustments are determined by a third party pricing model which uses quoted prices in markets that are not actively traded and for which significant inputs are observable directly or indirectly, representing Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy as defined by U.S. GAAP. In addition, a realized currency exchange gain of $1,654 was recognized in 2015 related to the exercise of a U.S. dollar/Japanese yen currency option under our foreign currency hedge. The Company is also required to post collateral in connection with the mark to market adjustments based on defined thresholds. As of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, no hedge collateral was posted under the agreement.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Net Loss Per Share

Net loss per share is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share is equivalent to basic net loss per share for all periods presented herein because common equivalent shares from unexercised stock options, outstanding warrants, and common shares expected to be issued under the Company’s employee stock purchase plan were anti-dilutive. The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 does not include 3,524, 3,991 and 1,430 respectively, of potential common shares as their impact would be anti-dilutive.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 

Concentration of Market Risk [Policy Text Block]

Significant Customers and Other Risks

Significant Customers

Prior to the SUL Agreement, the Company relied primarily on three specialty distributors to purchase and supply the majority of RAPIVAB. These three pharmaceutical specialty distributors accounted for greater than 90% of all RAPIVAB product sales to date and accounted for predominantly all of the Company’s outstanding receivables from product sales. The loss of one or more of these specialty distributors as a customer could negatively impact the commercialization of RAPIVAB. However, the Company will utilize these specialty distributors on a limited basis subsequent to the SUL collaboration as SUL, and other peramivir collaboration partners, will be responsible for commercial sales on a worldwide basis. In addition, in connection with the SUL collaboration, all peramivir sales (i.e., RAPIVAB, RAPIACTA, and PERAMIFLU) will be made by the Company’s partners and the Company will be reliant on these partners to generate sales and remit cash to satisfy receivables.

The Company’s primary source of revenue that has an underlying cash flow stream is the reimbursement of RAPIVAB and BCX4430 development expenses earned under cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts with BARDA/HHS and NIAID/HHS, respectively. The Company relies on BARDA/HHS and NIAID/HHS to reimburse predominantly all of the development costs for its RAPIVAB and BCX4430 programs. Accordingly, reimbursement of these expenses represents a significant portion of the Company’s collaborative and other research and development revenues. The completion (as with the June 30, 2014 BARDA/HHS peramivir development contract) or termination of the NIAID/HHS and BARDA/HHS BCX4430 contracts could negatively impact the Company’s future Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss and Cash Flows. In addition, the Company also recognizes royalty revenue from the net sales of RAPIACTA by Shionogi; however, the underlying cash flow from these royalty payments goes directly to pay the interest, and then the principal, on the Company’s non-recourse notes payable. Payment of the interest and the ultimate repayment of principal of these notes will be entirely funded by future royalty payments derived from net sales of RAPIACTA. Further, the Company’s drug development activities are performed by a limited group of third party vendors. If any of these vendors were unable to perform their services, this could significantly impact the Company’s ability to complete its drug development activities.

Risks from Third Party Manufacturing and Distribution Concentration

 

The Company relies on single source manufacturers for active pharmaceutical ingredient and finished drug product manufacturing of RAPIVAB, as well as for its other product candidates in development. Delays in the manufacture or distribution of any product could adversely impact the commercial revenue and future procurement stockpiling of RAPIVAB.

Credit Risk

Cash equivalents and investments are financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentration of risk to the extent recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company deposits excess cash with major financial institutions in the United States. Balances may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits. The Company believes it has established guidelines for investment of its excess cash relative to diversification and maturities that maintain safety and liquidity. To minimize the exposure due to adverse shifts in interest rates, the Company maintains a portfolio of investments with an average maturity of approximately 18 months or less. Other than product sale and collaborative partner receivables discussed above, the majority of the Company’s receivables from collaborations are due from the U.S. Government, for which there is no assumed credit risk.