XML 35 R17.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.6.0.2
Genzyme Co-promotion Agreement
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Genzyme Co-promotion Agreement  
Genzyme Co-promotion Agreement
Genzyme Co-Promotion Agreement

In January 2012, the Company and Genzyme Corporation ("Genzyme") executed a co-promotion agreement for the co-exclusive rights and license to promote and market the Company's Afirma thyroid diagnostic solution in the United States and in 40 named countries. In exchange, the Company received a $10.0 million upfront co-promotion fee from Genzyme in February 2012. Under the terms of the agreement, Genzyme received a percentage of U.S. cash receipts that the Company has received related to Afirma as co-promotion fees. The percentage was 50% in 2012, 40% from January 2013 through February 2014, and 32% beginning in February 2014.

In November 2014, the Company signed an Amended and Restated U.S. Co-Promotion Agreement ("Amended Agreement") with Genzyme. Under the Amended Agreement, the co-promotion fees Genzyme receives as a percentage of U.S. cash receipts were reduced from 32% to 15% beginning January 1, 2015. Through August 11, 2014, the Company amortized the $10.0 million upfront co-promotion fee on a straight-line basis over a four-year period, which was management's estimate of the life of the agreement, in part because after that period either party could have terminated the agreement without penalty. Effective August 12, 2014, the Company extended the amortization period from January 2016 to June 2016, the modified earliest period either party could terminate the agreement without penalty. The Company accounted for the change in accounting estimate prospectively. The agreement was terminable by either party with six months prior notice, however, under the Amended Agreement, neither party could terminate the agreement for convenience prior to June 30, 2016. The agreement with Genzyme was to expire in 2027. On March 9, 2016, the Company gave Genzyme notice of termination of the Amended Agreement effective September 9, 2016 and the amortization of the upfront co-promotion fee was further extended to that date. The extension of the amortization period had no impact on the Company's 2016 financial statements on an annual basis.

In February 2015, the Company entered into an Ex-U.S. Co-promotion Agreement with Genzyme for the promotion of the Afirma GEC test with exclusivity in five countries outside the United States initially and in other countries agreed to from time to time. The agreement commenced on January 1, 2015 and continues until December 31, 2019, with extension of the agreement possible upon agreement of the parties. Country-specific terms have been established under this agreement for Brazil and Singapore and a right of first negotiation has been established for Canada, the Netherlands and Italy. The Company pays Genzyme 25% of net revenue from the sale of the Afirma GEC test in Brazil and Singapore over a five-year period commencing January 1, 2015. These payments have been immaterial for all periods presented. Beginning in the fourth year of the agreement, if the Company terminates the agreement for convenience, the Company may be required to pay a termination fee contingent on the number of GEC billable results generated during the 12 months immediately prior to the notice of termination.

The Company incurred $6.1 million, $7.3 million and $12.0 million in co-promotion expense, excluding the amortization of the upfront co-promotion fee, in the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which is included in selling and marketing expenses in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The Company had no obligation to Genzyme at December 31, 2016 compared to $2.1 million at December 31, 2015, which is included in accrued liabilities on the Company's balance sheets.

The Company amortized $0.9 million, $1.9 million and $2.3 million of the $10.0 million upfront co-promotion fee in the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which is reflected as a reduction to selling and marketing expenses in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss.