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Organization And Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2011
Organization And Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Organization And Significant Accounting Policies | NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Nature of Business and Going Concern Arrowhead Research Corporation is a nanomedicine company developing innovative therapies at the interface of biology and nanoengineering to cure disease and improve human health. Arrowhead has one of the most advanced and broadest technology platforms for therapeutics based on RNA interference (RNAi), including access to five different RNAi delivery systems and the three primary small interfering RNA (siRNA) structures in commercial development for RNAi therapeutics. This broad technology platform enables optimization of siRNA therapeutic candidates for delivery based on siRNA chemistry, tissue type, disease state, and target [gene] and siRNA type and chemistry on a target-by-target basis. Arrowhead is leveraging its in house R&D expertise and capabilities, as well as a broad intellectual property portfolio for RNAi therapeutics, to attract development partnerships with other pharmaceutical and biotech companies committed to bringing RNAi therapeutics to market, as well as continuing the preclinical and clinical development its own clinical candidates. Arrowhead's non-RNAi development programs include a unique therapeutic candidate that shows promise for the treatment of obesity and advanced bioactive materials for the regeneration of injured tissues. Arrowhead operates a wholly-owned subsidiary, Arrowhead Madison, which is focused on the development of RNAi therapeutics, two majority owned subsidiaries, Calando, a leader in delivering small interfering RNAs for gene silencing, and Ablaris, an anti-obesity therapeutics company, and has minority investments in Nanotope, a regenerative medicine company and Leonardo, a multistage drug delivery company. Liquidity Arrowhead has historically financed its operations through the sale of securities of Arrowhead and its Subsidiaries. Development activities at our Subsidiaries has required significant capital investment since the Company's inception and we expect our current portfolio companies to continue to require cash investment in fiscal 2012 and beyond to continue development. At September 30, 2011, the Company had $7.5 million in cash to fund operations. During the year ended September 30, 2011, the Company's cash position increased by $0.7 million, primarily due to the issuance of Common Stock on September 30, 2011. This financing generated $6.0 million of which $4.4 million was received in fiscal 2011, while the balance is to be received in fiscal 2012. This inflow was mostly offset by operational spending at Arrowhead, Calando and Ablaris during fiscal 2011. In January 2011, Arrowhead sold its ownership interest in Unidym; therefore the cash burn associated with Unidym ceased in January 2011. As a result of the sale of Unidym, the Company received $2.5 million in stock of the acquirer, Wisepower Co. Ltd. ("Wisepower") and a $2.5 million convertible bond from Wisepower, of which approximately $200,000 is owed to a third party, who was a minority investor in Unidym. As of September 30, 2011, the Company sold approximately 60% of the stock for approximately $1.5 million. The remaining shares were sold in October 2011, generating proceeds of $0.5 million. The convertible bond with a face value of $2.5 million, is convertible into Wisepower common stock beginning on January 17, 2012 at a price of $2.00 per share, and can be redeemed on January 17, 2013, and at which time would represent an additional source of liquidity for the company. In October 2011, the Company raised an additional $3.9 million through the issuance of preferred stock and Common Stock. The Company also entered into a facility whereby it has the ability to draw capital up to $15 million, and may do so depending on cash needs and market conditions. On October 21, 2011, Arrowhead completed the acquisition of certain RNAi assets from Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. and F Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., including intellectual property and a research and development facility based in Madison, Wisconsin. At the time of the acquisition, the facility had 41 employees. Due to the costs associated with the facility, including personnel costs, rent, research and development expenses, and other costs, it is expected that cash expenses will increase significantly in 2012 and beyond as the Company accelerates its preclinical and clinical development efforts. Based upon the Company's cash on hand, other sources of liquidity, as described above, and based upon the Company's operating plan, the Company's management anticipates that the Company will be able to satisfy the cash requirements of its operations through at least the next twelve months. The Company anticipates that further equity financings, and/or asset sales and license agreements will be necessary to continue to fund operations in the future. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Principles of Consolidation—The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Arrowhead and its Subsidiaries, Calando, Ablaris, Tego, Agonn, and until its disposition in January 2011, Unidym. Prior to April 2008, Arrowhead's Subsidiaries included Insert Therapeutics, Inc. ("Insert"), which was merged with Calando in April 2008. The merged entity is majority-owned by Arrowhead and continues to operate under the name of Calando. On January 17, 2011, Arrowhead sold its interests in Unidym to Wisepower, and on December 23, 2009, Tego completed a sale of its assets to Luna Innovations, Inc. Unidym and Tego results are included in the Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations. Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations also includes Aonex Technologies, Inc. ("Aonex"), sold in May 2008 and Nanotechnica, Inc. ("Nanotechnica"), dissolved in June 2005. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation, and noncontrolling interests are accounted for in the Company's financial statements. Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the accompanying financial statements. Significant estimates made in preparing these financial statements include valuing the stock of the Subsidiaries, assumptions to calculate stock-based compensation expense, allowance for doubtful accounts, deferred tax asset valuation allowance, derivative assets and liabilities, noncontrolling interest and useful lives for depreciable and amortizable assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Additionally, certain reclassifications have been made to prior period financial statements to conform to the current period presentation. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, including normal recurring accruals considered necessary for a fair presentation, have been included. Cash and Cash Equivalents—The Company considers all liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Concentration of Credit Risk—The Company maintains checking accounts for Arrowhead and separate accounts for each Subsidiary at any of three financial institutions. These accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) for up to $250,000 per account. The Company has two wealth management accounts at the same financial institutions that invest in higher yield money market accounts and in government securities. Management believes the Company is not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial position of the depository institution in which these deposits are held. Property and Equipment—Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation of property and equipment is recorded using the straight-line method over the respective useful lives of the assets ranging from three to seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the expected useful life or the remaining lease term. Intellectual Property—At September 30, 2011, intellectual property consisted of patents and patent applications licensed or purchased in the gross amount of $3,349,563. The accumulated amortization of patents totaled $1,618,352 at September 30, 2011. Patents are amortized over three years to twenty years. The weighted average original amortization period is twelve years. The weighted average remaining amortization period is seven years. Amortization is expected to be $241,808 for fiscal years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, and $522,174 thereafter. Long-lived assets, such as property, equipment and intangible assets subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable. In reviewing for impairment, we compare the carrying value of such assets to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. When the estimated undiscounted future cash flows are less than their carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the difference between the assets' fair value and their carrying value. Equity Investments—Arrowhead has a non-controlling equity investment in Nanotope, a privately held biotechnology company, which is recorded in Other Assets. This investment is carried at cost less Arrowhead's proportionate share of Nanotope's operating loss for the period since investment. Arrowhead utilizes the equity method of accounting as it owns more than 20% of the voting equity and has the ability to exercise significant influence over this company. This investment is risky as the technologies and markets for Nanotope's products are still in the development stage, commercially viable products may never be developed, and markets for such products may never be significant. Arrowhead could lose its entire investment in Nanotope. Arrowhead monitors this investment for impairment and makes appropriate reductions in carrying value when necessary. Minority Equity Investments—The Company's minority equity investment in Leonardo, a privately held biotechnology company, is recorded in Other Assets. This investment is accounted for under the cost method of accounting as Arrowhead owns less than 20% of the voting equity and only has the ability to exercise nominal, not significant, influence over this company. This investment is risky as the technologies and markets for Leonardo's products are still in the development stage, commercially viable products may never be developed, and markets for such products may never be significant. Arrowhead could lose its entire investment in Leonardo. Arrowhead monitors this investment for impairment and makes appropriate reductions in carrying value when necessary. Noncontrolling Interests in Majority-Owned Subsidiaries—Operating losses applicable to majority-owned Calando, Ablaris and Unidym have periodically exceeded the noncontrolling interests in the equity capital of either Subsidiary. Such excess losses applicable to the noncontrolling interests have been and are borne by the Company as there is no obligation of the noncontrolling interests to fund any losses in excess of their original investment. There is also no obligation or commitment on the part of the Company to fund operating losses of any Subsidiary whether wholly-owned or majority-owned. The Company allocates the noncontrolling interest's share of net loss in excess of the noncontrolling interest's initial investment in accordance with FASB ASC 810-10, which was effective for the Company on October 1, 2009. When there is a change in the Company's proportionate share of a development-stage Subsidiary resulting from additional equity transactions in a Subsidiary, the change is accounted for as an equity transaction in consolidation. To the extent that the increase in the calculated value of the Company's interest in the equity of the Subsidiary exceeds the Company's investment in the offering, that increase in value is referred to as the Company's "increase in its proportionate share of the Subsidiary's equity" and the amount is recorded as an increase in the Company's Additional Paid-in Capital. Revenue Recognition—Revenue from product sales are recorded when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, title has passed and delivery has occurred, a price is fixed and determinable, and collection is reasonably assured. We may generate revenue from product sales, technology licenses, collaborative research and development arrangements, and research grants. Revenue under technology licenses and collaborative agreements typically consists of nonrefundable and/or guaranteed technology license fees, collaborative research funding and various milestone and future product royalty or profit-sharing payments. Revenue associated with research and development funding payments, under collaborative agreements, is recognized ratably over the relevant periods specified in the agreement, generally the research and development period. Revenue from up-front license fees and milestones and product royalties are recognized as earned based on the completion of the milestones and product sales, as defined in the respective agreements. Payments received in advance of recognition as revenue are recorded as deferred revenue. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts—The Company accrues an allowance for doubtful accounts based on estimates of uncollectible revenues by analyzing historical collections, accounts receivable aging and other factors. Accounts receivable are written off when all collection attempts have failed. Research and Development—Costs and expenses that can be clearly identified as research and development are charged to expense as incurred in accordance with FASB ASC 730-10. Earnings (Loss) per Share—Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share are computed using the weighted-average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive potential common shares primarily consist of stock options issued to employees and consultants and warrants to purchase Common Stock of the Company. Stock-Based Compensation—The Company accounts for share-based compensation arrangements in accordance with FASB ASC 718, which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards to be based on estimated fair values. We use the Black-Scholes option valuation model to estimate the fair value of our stock options at the date of grant. The Black-Scholes option valuation model requires the input of subjective assumptions to calculate the value of stock options. We use historical data among other information to estimate the expected price volatility and the expected forfeiture rate. Income Taxes—The Company accounts for income taxes under the liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each period end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred income tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. The provision for income taxes, if any, represents the tax payable for the period and the change in deferred income tax assets and liabilities during the period. Recently Issued Accounting Standards In June 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-17, Revenue Recognition—Milestone Method (Topic 605): Milestone Method of Revenue Recognition. This ASU codifies the consensus reached in EITF Issue No. 08-9, "Milestone Method of Revenue Recognition." The amendments to the Codification provide guidance on defining a milestone and determining when it may be appropriate to apply the milestone method of revenue recognition for research or development transactions. Consideration that is contingent on achievement of a milestone in its entirety may be recognized as revenue in the period in which the milestone is achieved only if the milestone is judged to meet certain criteria to be considered substantive. Milestones should be considered substantive in their entirety and may not be bifurcated. An arrangement may contain both substantive and nonsubstantive milestones, and each milestone should be evaluated individually to determine if it is substantive. This guidance was adopted effective October 1, 2010. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ASU No. 2010-06, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) – Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements". This guidance requires new disclosures related to recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. The guidance requires disclosure of transfers of assets and liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value measurement hierarchy, including the reasons and the timing of the transfers and information on purchases, sales, issuance, and settlements on a gross basis in the reconciliation of the assets and liabilities measured under Level 3 of the fair value measurement hierarchy. The adoption of this guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009. We have adopted this guidance in the financial statements presented herein, which did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13, which amends ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. This new accounting guidance relates to the revenue recognition of multiple element arrangements. The new guidance states that, if vendor specific objective evidence or third party evidence for deliverables in an arrangement cannot be determined, companies will be required to develop a best estimate of the selling price for separate deliverables and allocate arrangement consideration using the relative selling price method. We adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2010 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In October 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance on multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements, ASC 605-25. This guidance amends the existing criteria for separating consideration received in multiple-deliverable arrangements and requires that arrangement consideration be allocated at the inception of the arrangement to all deliverables based on their relative selling price. The guidance establishes a hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable which is based on vendor-specific objective evidence, third-party evidence, or management estimates. Expanded disclosures related to multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements are also required. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning fiscal year 2011. We have adopted this guidance in the financial statements presented herein, which did not impact our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for the organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure, and significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. May be provided in more than one note to the financial statements, as long as users are provided with an understanding of (1) the significant judgments and assumptions made by an enterprise in determining whether it must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about its involvement with a VIE, (2) the nature of restrictions on a consolidated VIE's assets reported by an enterprise in its statement of financial position, including the carrying amounts of such assets, (3) the nature of, and changes in, the risks associated with an enterprise's involvement with the VIE, and (4) how an enterprise's involvement with the VIE affects the enterprise's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. Describes procedure if disclosures are provided in more than one note to the financial statements. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 22 -Paragraph 8 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Publisher AICPA -Number 94-6 -Paragraph 10 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Publisher FASB -Number 46R -Paragraph 4, 14, 15 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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