Basis of Presentation (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include Ligand and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Ligand JVR, Allergan Ligand Retinoid Therapeutics, Seragen, Inc. ("Seragen"), Pharmacopeia, Neurogen, CyDex, Metabasis, and Nexus VI LLC ("Nexus"). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Basis of Presentation

The Company’s accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements as of March 31, 2013 and for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for annual financial statements. The Company’s consolidated condensed balance sheet at December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations of the Company, and its subsidiaries have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes therein included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, including disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The Company’s critical accounting policies are those that are both most important to the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and require the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments on the part of management in their application, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Because of the uncertainty of factors surrounding the estimates or judgments used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements, actual results may materially vary from these estimates.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the previously issued statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 for comparability purposes. This reclassification had no effect on the reported net income, stockholders' equity, and operating cash flows as previously reported.

Income (Loss) Per Share

(Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income or loss by the weighted average number of common shares and vested restricted stock units outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income or loss by the weighted average number of common shares and vested restricted stock units outstanding and the weighted average number of dilutive common stock equivalents, including stock options and non-vested restricted stock units. Common stock equivalents are only included in the diluted earnings per share calculation when their effect is dilutive.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid securities with maturities at the date of acquisition of three months or less. Non-restricted equity and debt securities with a maturity of more than three months are considered short-term investments.

Restricted Cash and Investments

Restricted cash and investments consist of certificates of deposit held with a financial institution as collateral under a facility lease including third-party service provider arrangements and available-for-sale securities received by the Company as a result of milestone payments from a licensee. The fair value of the Company’s available-for-sale securities are determined using quoted market prices in active markets and are discounted based on trading restrictions.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents and investments and accounts receivable.

The Company invests its excess cash principally in United States government debt securities, investment grade corporate debt securities and certificates of deposit. The Company has established guidelines relative to diversification and maturities that maintain safety and liquidity. These guidelines are periodically reviewed and modified to take advantage of trends in yields and interest rates. The Company has not experienced any significant losses on its cash equivalents, short-term investments or restricted investments for the periods ending March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, cash deposits held at financial institutions in excess of FDIC insured amounts of $250,000 were approximately $4.4 million and $11.9 million, respectively.

Accounts receivable from two customers was 64% and 28% of total accounts receivable at March 31, 2013. Accounts receivable from two customers was 53% and 35% of total accounts receivable at December 31, 2012.

The Company currently obtains Captisol from a sole-source supplier. If this supplier was not able to supply the requested amounts of Captisol, the Company would be unable to continue to derive revenues from the sale of Captisol until it obtained an alternative source, which might take a considerable length of time.

Inventory

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market. The Company determines cost using the first-in, first-out method. The Company analyzes its inventory levels periodically and writes down inventory to its net realizable value if it has become obsolete, has a cost basis in excess of its expected net realizable value or is in excess of expected requirements.

Property and Equipment

Depreciation of equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from three to ten years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives or their related lease term, whichever is shorter.

Goodwill and Other Identifiable Intangible Assets

The Company accounts for goodwill in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 350-Intangibles-Goodwill and Other ("ASC 350") which, among other things, establishes standards for goodwill acquired in a business combination, eliminates the amortization of goodwill and requires the carrying value of goodwill and certain non-amortizing intangibles to be evaluated for impairment on an annual basis. The Company considers its market capitalization and the carrying value of its assets and liabilities, including goodwill, when performing its goodwill impairment test. If the carrying value of the assets and liabilities, including goodwill, were to exceed the Company’s estimation of the fair value, the Company would record an impairment charge in an amount equal to the excess of the carrying value of goodwill over the implied fair value of the goodwill. The Company performs an evaluation of goodwill as of December 31 of each year, absent any indicators of earlier impairment, to ensure that impairment charges, if applicable, are reflected in our financial results before December 31 of each year. When it is determined that impairment has occurred, a charge to operations is recorded. Goodwill and other intangible asset balances are included in the identifiable assets of the business segment to which they have been assigned. Any goodwill impairment, as well as the amortization of other purchased intangible assets, is charged against the respective business segments' operating income. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there have been no impairment of goodwill for continuing operations.

Amortization of definite lived intangible assets is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset of 20 years.

Acquired In-Process Research and Development

Intangible assets related to IPR&D are considered to be indefinite-lived until the completion or abandonment of the associated research and development efforts. During the period the assets are considered to be indefinite-lived, they will not be amortized but will be tested for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests if the Company becomes aware of any events occurring or changes in circumstances that would indicate a reduction in the fair value of the IPR&D projects below their respective carrying amounts. If and when development is complete, which generally occurs if and when regulatory approval to market a product is obtained, the associated assets would be deemed finite-lived and would then be amortized based on their respective estimated useful lives at that point in time.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Management reviews long-lived assets for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Fair value for the Company’s long-lived assets is determined using the expected cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. As of March 31, 2013, management does not believe there have been any events or circumstances indicating that the carrying amount of its long-lived assets may not be recoverable.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value is defined as the exit price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability. Fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined using assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The Company establishes a three-level hierarchy to prioritize the inputs used in measuring fair value. The levels are described in the below with Level 1 having the highest priority and Level 3 having the lowest:

Level 1 - Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets

Level 2 - Inputs other than the quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require us to develop our own assumptions

The Company’s long-term investments include investments in equity securities which are subject to trading restrictions. The fair value of the investments is determined using quoted market prices in active markets and discounted for the restrictive effect. The Metabasis CVR liability is marked-to-market at each reporting period based upon the quoted market prices of the underlying CVR. The fair value of the CyDex contingent liabilities are determined at each reporting period based upon an income valuation model.

Revenue Recognition

Royalties on sales of products commercialized by the Company’s partners are recognized in the quarter reported by the respective partner.

Revenue from material sales is recognized upon transfer of title, which normally passes upon shipment to the customer. The Company’s credit and exchange policy includes provisions for the return of product between 30 to 90 days, depending on the specific terms of the individual agreement, when that product (1) does not meet specifications, (2) is damaged in shipment (in limited circumstances where title does not transfer until delivery), or (3) is exchanged for an alternative grade of Captisol.

Nonrefundable, up-front license fees and milestone payments with standalone value that are not dependent on any future performance by us under our collaboration agreements are recognized as revenue upon the earlier of when payments are received or collection is assured, but are deferred if the Company has continuing performance obligations. Amounts received under multiple-element arrangements requiring ongoing services or performance by the Company are recognized over the period of such services or performance. The Company occasionally has sub-license obligations related to arrangements for which it receives license fees, milestones and royalties. The Company evaluates the determination of gross versus net reporting based on each individual agreement.

The Company analyzes its revenue arrangements and other agreements to determine whether there are multiple elements that should be separated and accounted for individually or as a single unit of accounting. For multiple element contracts, arrangement consideration is allocated at the inception of the arrangement to all deliverables on the basis of relative selling price, using a hierarchy to determine selling price. Management first considers vendor-specific objective evidence ("VSOE"), then third-party evidence ("TPE") and if neither VSOE nor TPE exist, the Company uses its best estimate of selling price.

Many of the Company's revenue arrangements involve the bundling of a license with the option to purchase manufactured product. Licenses are granted to pharmaceutical companies for the use of Captisol in the development of pharmaceutical compounds. The licenses may be granted for the use of the Captisol product for all phases of clinical trials and through commercial availability of the host drug or may be limited to certain phases of the clinical trial process. The Company believes that its licenses have stand-alone value at the outset of an arrangement because the customer obtains the right to use Captisol in its formulations without any additional input by the Company, and in a hypothetical stand-alone transaction, the customer would be able to procure inventory from another manufacturer in the absence of contractual provisions for exclusive supply by the Company.

Revenue from milestones is recognized when earned, as evidenced by written acknowledgement from the collaborator, provided that (i) the milestone event is substantive, its achievability was not reasonably assured at the inception of the agreement, and the Company has no further performance obligations relating to that event, and (ii) collectability is reasonably assured. If these criteria are not met, the milestone payment is recognized over the remaining period of the Company’s performance obligations under the arrangement.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts based on the best estimate of the amount of probable losses in the Company’s existing accounts receivable. Accounts receivable that are outstanding longer than their contractual payment terms, ranging from 30 to 90 days, are considered past due. When determining the allowance for doubtful accounts, several factors are taken into consideration, including historical write-off experience and review of specific customer accounts for collectability. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after collection efforts have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. There was no allowance for doubtful accounts included in the balance sheets at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

Accounting for Share-Based Compensation

Share-based compensation expense for awards to employees and non-employee directors is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period until the last tranche vests. Compensation cost for consultant awards is recognized over each separate tranche’s vesting period. The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense recorded as components of research and development expenses and general and administrative expenses for the periods indicated (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2013		2012
Share-based compensation expense as a component of:
Research and development expenses	$	386	$	425
General and administrative expenses	738		284
	$	1,124	$	709

The fair-value for options that were awarded to employees and directors was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model with the following weighted-average assumptions:



	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2013	2012
Risk-free interest rate	1.1%	1.1%
Dividend yield	—	—
Expected volatility	70%	68%
Expected term	6.3	6.0
Forfeiture rate	9.8%	11.2%

The expected term of the employee and non-employee director options is the estimated weighted-average period until exercise or cancellation of vested options (forfeited unvested options are not considered) based on historical experience. The expected term for consultant awards is the remaining period to contractual expiration.

Volatility is a measure of the expected amount of variability in the stock price over the expected life of an option expressed as a standard deviation. In selecting this assumption, management used the historical volatility of the Company's stock price over a period approximating the expected term

Preclinical Study and Clinical Trial Accruals

Substantial portions of the Company’s preclinical studies and all of the Company's clinical trials have been performed by third-party laboratories, contract research organizations, or other vendors (collectively "CROs"). Some CROs bill monthly for services performed, while others bill based upon milestone achievement. The Company accrues for each of the significant agreements it has with CROs on a monthly basis. For preclinical studies, accruals are estimated based upon the percentage of work completed and the contract milestones achieved. For clinical studies, accruals are estimated based upon a percentage of work completed, the number of patients enrolled and the duration of the study. The Company monitors patient enrollment, the progress of clinical studies and related activities to the extent possible through internal reviews of data reported to it by the CROs, correspondence with the CROs and clinical site visits. The Company's estimates are dependent upon the timelines and accuracy of the data provided by its CROs regarding the status of each program and total program spending. The Company periodically evaluates its estimates to determine if adjustments are necessary or appropriate based on information it receives concerning changing circumstances, and conditions or events that may affect such estimates. No material adjustments to preclinical study and clinical trial accrued expenses have been recognized to date.

Sale of Royalty Rights

The Company previously sold to third parties the rights to future royalties of certain of its products. As part of the underlying royalty agreements, the partners have the right to offset a portion of any future royalty payments owed to the Company to the extent of previous milestone payments. Accordingly, the Company deferred a portion of the revenue associated with each tranche of royalty right sold, equal to the pro-rata share of the potential royalty offset. Such amounts associated with the offset rights against future royalty payments will be recognized as revenue upon receipt of future royalties from the respective partners.

Product Returns

In connection with the sale of the Avinza and Oncology product lines, the Company retained the obligation for returns of product that were shipped to wholesalers prior to the close of the transactions. The accruals for product returns, which were recorded as part of the accounting for the sales transactions, are based on historical experience. Any subsequent changes to the Company’s estimate of product returns are accounted for as a component of discontinued operations.

Costs and Expenses

Collaborative research and development expense consists of labor, material, equipment and allocated facility cost of the Company’s scientific staff who are working pursuant to the Company’s collaborative agreements. From time to time, collaborative research and development expense includes costs related to research efforts in excess of those required under certain collaborative agreements. Management has the discretion to set the scope of such excess efforts and may increase or decrease the level of such efforts depending on the Company’s strategic priorities.

Proprietary research and development expense consists of intellectual property in-licensing costs, labor, materials, contracted services, and allocated facility costs that are incurred in connection with internally funded drug discovery and development programs.

Segment Reporting

Under ASC 280, Segment Reporting, ("ASC 280"), operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is regularly evaluated by the entity’s chief operating decision maker, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company has evaluated this Codification and has identified two reportable segments: the development and commercialization of drugs using Captisol technology by CyDex and the biopharmaceutical company with a business model that is based upon the concept of developing or acquiring royalty revenue generating assets and coupling them to a lean corporate cost structure of Ligand.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) represents net income (loss) adjusted for the change during the periods presented in unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities less reclassification adjustments for realized gains or losses included in net income (loss). The unrealized gains or losses are reported on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.