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Fair Value Measurement | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] |
Fair Value Measurement | Fair Value Measurement We measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined using assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. We establish 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 the Company to develop its own assumptions The following table provides a summary of the assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands):
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
December 31, 2020 |  |  | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets |  | Significant Other Observable Inputs |  | Significant Unobservable Inputs
| Total |  | (Level 1) |  | (Level 2) |  | (Level 3)
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Short-term investments (1) | $ | 324,478 |  |  | $ | 3,438 |  |  | $ | 320,647 |  |  | $ | 393 |
Investment in Viking common stock | 32,763 |  |  | 32,763 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Investment in Viking warrants (2) | 6,326 |  |  | 6,326 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Total assets | $ | 363,567 |  |  | $ | 42,527 |  |  | $ | 320,647 |  |  | $ | 393 |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contingent liabilities - Crystal (3) | $ | 800 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 800 |
Contingent liabilities - Cydex | 508 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 508 |
Contingent liabilities - Metabasis (4) | 3,821 |  |  | — |  |  | 3,821 |  |  | — |
Contingent liabilities - Icagen (5) | 6,404 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 6,404 |
Contingent liabilities - Pfenex (6) | 37,600 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 37,600 |
Liability for amounts owed to a former licensor | 60 |  |  | 60 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Total liabilities | $ | 49,193 |  |  | $ | 60 |  |  | $ | 3,821 |  |  | $ | 45,312 |
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
December 31, 2019 |  |  | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets |  | Significant Other Observable Inputs |  | Significant Unobservable Inputs
| Total |  | (Level 1) |  | (Level 2) |  | (Level 3)
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Short-term investments (1) | $ | 939,989 |  |  | $ | 3,073 |  |  | $ | 936,791 |  |  | $ | 125 |
Investment in Viking common stock | 48,425 |  |  | 48,425 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Investment in Viking warrants (2) | 9,910 |  |  | 9,910 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Total assets | $ | 998,324 |  |  | $ | 61,408 |  |  | $ | 936,791 |  |  | $ | 125 |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contingent liabilities - Crystal (3) | $ | 2,659 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 2,659 |
Contingent liabilities - Cydex | 348 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 348 |
Contingent liabilities - Metabasis (4) | 5,935 |  |  | — |  |  | 5,935 |  |  | — |
Liability for amounts owed to a former licensor | 75 |  |  | 75 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Total liabilities | $ | 9,017 |  |  | $ | 75 |  |  | $ | 5,935 |  |  | $ | 3,007 |
(1) Excluding our investment in Viking, our short-term investments in marketable debt and equity securities are classified as available-for-sale securities based on management's intentions and are at level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, as these investment securities are valued based upon quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market. Short-term investments in mutual funds are valued at their net asset value (NAV) on the last day of the period. We have classified marketable securities with original maturities of greater than one year as short-term investments based upon our ability and intent to use any and all of those marketable securities to satisfy the liquidity needs of our current operations. In addition, we have investment in warrants resulting from Seelos Therapeutics Inc. milestone payments that were settled in shares during the first quarter of 2019 and are at level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, based on Black Scholes value estimated by management on the last day of the period. (2) Investment in Viking warrants, which we received as a result of Viking’s partial repayment of the Viking note receivable and our purchase of Viking common stock and warrants in April 2016, is classified as level 1 as the fair value is determined using quoted market prices in active markets for the same securities. The change of the fair value is recorded in “gain (loss) from short-term investments” in our consolidated statement of operations. See further discussion in “Note (3), Short-term Investments: Investment in Viking.” (3) The fair value of Crystal contingent liabilities was determined using a probability weighted income approach. Most of the contingent payments are based on development or regulatory milestones as defined in the merger agreement with Crystal. The fair value is subjective and is affected by changes in inputs to the valuation model including management’s estimates regarding the timing and probability of achievement of certain developmental and regulatory milestones. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, we paid $1.8 million contingent liability on development milestones to former Crystal shareholders. (4) In connection with our acquisition of Metabasis in January 2010, we issued Metabasis stockholders four tradable CVRs, one CVR from each of four respective series of CVR, for each Metabasis share. The CVRs entitle Metabasis stockholders to cash payments as frequently as every six months as cash is received by us from proceeds from the sale or partnering of any of the Metabasis drug development programs, among other triggering events. The liability for the CVRs is determined using quoted prices in a market that is not active for the underlying CVR. The carrying amount of the liability may fluctuate significantly based upon quoted market prices and actual amounts paid under the agreements may be materially differ than the carrying amount of the liability. Several of the Metabasis drug development programs have been outlicensed to Viking, including VK2809. VK2809 is a novel selective TR-β agonist with potential in multiple indications, including hypercholesterolemia, dyslipidemia, NASH, and X-ALD. Under the terms of the agreement with Viking, we may be entitled to up to $375.0 million of development, regulatory and commercial milestones and tiered royalties on potential future sales including a $10.0 million payment upon initiation of a Phase 3 clinical trial. (5) The fair value of Icagen contingent liabilities was determined using a probability weighted income approach. Most of the contingent payments are based on certain revenue milestones as defined in the asset purchase agreement with Icagen. The fair value is subjective and is affected by changes in inputs to the valuation model including management’s estimates regarding the timing and probability of achievement of certain developmental and regulatory milestones. Changes in these estimates may materially affect the fair value. During the third quarter of 2020, we paid a $0.5 million contingent liability based on revenue milestones to Icagen. (6) The fair value of the CVR liability was determined using a probability adjusted income approach. These cash flows were then discounted to present value using a discount rate based on the market participants' cost of debt reflective of the Company. A reconciliation of the level 3 financial instruments as of December 31, 2020 is as follows (in thousands):
Liabilities |
Fair value of level 3 financial instruments as of December 31, 2019 | $ | 3,007 |
Payments to CVR holders and other contingency payments | (2,325) |
Fair value adjustments to contingent liabilities | 2,830 |
Contingent liabilities due to acquisitions | 41,800 |
Fair value of level 3 financial instruments as of December 31, 2020 | $ | 45,312 |
Assets Measured on a Non-Recurring Basis We apply fair value techniques on a non-recurring basis associated with valuing potential impairment losses related to our goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets, and long-lived assets. We evaluate goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets annually for impairment and whenever circumstances occur indicating that goodwill might be impaired. We determine the fair value of our reporting unit based on a combination of inputs, including the market capitalization of Ligand, as well as Level 3 inputs such as discounted cash flows, which are not observable from the market, directly or indirectly. We determine the fair value of our indefinite-lived intangible assets using the income approach based on Level 3 inputs. Other than a reduction in goodwill resulting from the sale of Vernalis R&D disclosed in “Note (2),Sale of Vernalis R&D and Promacta License”, there were no impairment of our goodwill, indefinite-lived assets, or long-lived assets recorded during the twelve months ended December 31, 2020. Fair Value of Financial Instruments In August 2014 and May 2018, we issued the 2019 Notes and 2023 Notes, respectively. We use quoted market rates in an inactive market, which are classified as a Level 2 input, to estimate the fair value of our 2019 and 2023 Notes. The carrying value of the notes does not reflect the market rate. See “Note (7), Convertible Senior Notes” for additional information related to the fair value.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for financial instruments. This disclosure includes, but is not limited to, fair value measurements of short and long term marketable securities, international currencies forward contracts, and auction rate securities. Financial instruments may include hedging and non-hedging currency exchange instruments, derivatives, securitizations and securities available for sale at fair value. Also included are investment results, realized and unrealized gains and losses as well as impairments and risk management disclosures. + References No definition available. + Details
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