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Investments in Variable Interest Entities | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2014
Investments in Variable Interest Entities [Abstract] |
Investments in Variable Interest Entities | Investments in Variable Interest Entities Consolidated Variable Interest Entities Our condensed consolidated financial statements include the financial results of variable interest entities in which we are the primary beneficiary. Neurimmune SubOne AG In 2007, we entered into a collaboration agreement with Neurimmune SubOne AG (Neurimmune), a subsidiary of Neurimmune AG, for the development and commercialization of antibodies for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Neurimmune conducts research to identify potential therapeutic antibodies and we are responsible for the development, manufacturing and commercialization of all products. Our anti-amyloid beta antibody, BIIB037 program, for Alzheimer’s disease resulted from this collaboration. Based upon our current development plans, we may pay Neurimmune up to $335.0 million in remaining milestone payments, as well as royalties on sales of any resulting commercial products. Amounts that are incurred by Neurimmune for research and development expenses in support of the collaboration that we reimburse are reflected in research and development expense in our condensed consolidated statements of income. Future milestone payments will be reflected within our condensed consolidated statements of income as a charge to noncontrolling interest, net of tax, when such milestones are achieved. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the collaboration incurred development expenses totaling $7.4 million and $29.1 million, respectively, which is reflected as research and development expense within our condensed consolidated statements of income, as compared to $6.1 million and $16.8 million, respectively, in the prior year comparative periods. In addition, in the second quarter of 2014, we recorded a $10.0 million milestone payment in connection with the achievement of certain clinical goals in the Phase 1 trial of our BIIB037 program for Alzheimer’s disease, which was reflected as a charge to noncontrolling interests, net of tax, within our condensed consolidated statements of income. The assets and liabilities of Neurimmune are not significant to our financial position or results of operations as it is a research and development organization. We have provided no financing to Neurimmune other than contractually required amounts. Ataxion, Inc. In February 2014, we paid $1.6 million for preferred stock of Ataxion, Inc. (Ataxion) and entered into an option agreement which gives us the right to purchase all outstanding shares of Ataxion at any time until 30 days after delivery of a Phase 1 clinical trial study report. Ataxion is a discovery-stage biopharmaceutical company developing product candidates focused on a group of orphan genetic disorders referred to as hereditary ataxis. We committed to make additional investments in Ataxion's preferred shares of up to $6.2 million if certain development milestones are achieved. If we exercise our option to purchase the outstanding shares of Ataxion, we could pay additional amounts upon achievement of clinical and commercial milestones. In the Ataxion relationship, through our fixed price option to purchase the company, purchases of equity and presence on the program advisory committee, we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary of Ataxion, a variable interest entity. Therefore, we consolidate the results of Ataxion. As part of the initial consolidation of Ataxion, we recorded an IPR&D intangible asset of $3.5 million and assigned that amount to minority interest within our shareholders' equity. The assets and liabilities of Ataxion are not significant to our financial position or results of operations as it is a research and development organization. We have provided no financing to Ataxion other than contractually required amounts. Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities We have relationships with other variable interest entities that we do not consolidate as we lack the power to direct the activities that significantly impact the economic success of these entities. These relationships include investments in certain biotechnology companies and research collaboration agreements. For additional information related to our significant collaboration arrangements with unconsolidated variable interest entities, please read Note 19, Investments in Variable Interest Entities to our consolidated financial statements included within our 2013 Form 10-K. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the total carrying value of our investments in biotechnology companies that we have determined to be variable interest entities, but do not consolidate as we do not have the power to direct their activities, totaled $6.4 million and $5.5 million, respectively. Our maximum exposure to loss related to these variable interest entities is limited to the carrying value of our investments. We have entered into research collaborations with certain variable interest entities where we are required to fund certain development activities. These development activities are included in research and development expense within our condensed consolidated statements of income, as they are incurred. We have provided no financing to these variable interest entities other than previously contractually required amounts.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for a variable interest entity (VIE), including but not limited to, judgments and assumptions in determining whether to consolidate and in identifying the primary beneficiary, gain (loss) recognized on the initial consolidation of the VIE, terms of arrangements, amounts and classification of the VIE's assets and liabilities, and the entity's maximum exposure to loss. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28200181&loc=d3e5710-111685 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5A -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28200181&loc=SL6759159-111685 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28200181&loc=d3e5728-111685 + Details
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