XML 40 R25.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.19.3

Investments in Variable Interest Entities | 9 Months Ended
--- | ---
Sep. 30, 2019
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. The following are our significant variable interest entities. Neurimmune SubOne AG We have a collaboration and license agreement with Neurimmune SubOne AG (Neurimmune) for the development and commercialization of antibodies for the potential treatment of AD, including aducanumab. We are responsible for the development, manufacturing and commercialization of all collaboration products. This agreement is effective for the longer of the duration of certain patents relating to a licensed product or 12 years from the first commercial sale of any product using such a licensed compound. We consolidate the results of Neurimmune as we determined that we are the primary beneficiary of Neurimmune because we have the power through the collaboration to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and we are required to fund 100% of the research and development costs incurred in support of the collaboration. Under the terms of our collaboration and license agreement with Neurimmune (the Neurimmune Agreement), the royalty rates payable on products developed under the Neurimmune Agreement, including royalty rates payable on potential commercial sales of aducanumab, range from the high single digits to sub-teens. Research and development costs for which we reimbursed Neurimmune are reflected in research and development expense in our condensed consolidated statements of income. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, amounts reimbursed were immaterial. The assets and liabilities of Neurimmune are not significant to our condensed consolidated 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. Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities We have relationships with 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. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the carrying value of our investments in certain biotechnology companies representing potential unconsolidated variable interest entities totaled $23.1 million and $28.7 million, respectively. Our maximum exposure to loss related to these variable interest entities is limited to the carrying value of our investments. We have also entered into research collaboration agreements with certain variable interest entities where we are required to fund certain development activities. These development activities are included in research and development expense in 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. For additional information on our investments in Neurimmune and other variable interest entities, please read Note 20, Investments in Variable Interest Entities, to our consolidated financial statements included in our 2018 Form 10-K.

X
- Definition Investments In Variable Interest Entities. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | biib_InvestmentsInVariableInterestEntitiesAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | biib_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- 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://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2197479 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityDisclosureTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration