Description of business and basis of presentation [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation — The Company is considered to be in the development stage as its primary activities since incorporation have been establishing its facilities, recruiting personnel, conducting research and development, business development, business and financial planning, and raising capital. It is costly to develop therapeutic products and conduct clinical trials for these products. Since its inception through September 30, 2012 the Company has reported accumulated net losses of $2.1 billion, which include a goodwill impairment charge of $151.4 million, and cumulative negative cash flow from operations of $1.6 billion. At September 30, 2012, the Company’s capital resources consisted of cash, cash equivalents, and a certificate of deposit of $2.1 million and $21.9 million of available borrowings under a revolving loan agreement with an entity controlled by the Company’s principal stockholder (see Note 11 — Related-party arrangements).

In October 2012, pursuant to a previously filed Form S-3 Registration Statement (“Shelf Registration”), which was declared effective by the SEC on September 24, 2012, the Company sold in an underwritten public offering 40,000,000 shares of its common stock, together with warrants to purchase up to 30,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. In addition, the Company sold pursuant to the full exercise of an over-allotment option granted to the underwriters, an additional 6,000,000 shares of common stock, together with warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 4,500,000 shares of common stock. Net proceeds from this offering were approximately $86.0 million (after deducting discounts and commissions to the underwriters and offering expenses), excluding any future proceeds from the exercise of the warrants. (see Note 14 — Subsequent Events).

Based upon the Company’s current expectations, management believes that the Company’s existing capital resources in combination with proceeds received in October 2012 from the underwritten public offering, will enable it to continue planned operations at least into the third quarter of 2013. However, the Company cannot provide assurances that its plans will not change or that changed circumstances will not result in the depletion of its capital resources more rapidly than it currently anticipates. The Company will need to raise additional capital, whether through the sale of equity or debt securities, a strategic business collaboration with a pharmaceutical company, the establishment of other funding facilities, licensing arrangements, assets sales or other means, or an increase in the borrowings available under the loan arrangement with its related party, in order to continue the development and commercialization of AFREZZA and other product candidates and to support its other ongoing activities. This raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Recently Issued Accounting Standards — In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05 (“ASU 2011-05”) for Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): “Presentation of Comprehensive Income”. This update improves the comparability, consistency and transparency of financial reporting and increases the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. This update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company has adopted all current required provisions of ASU 2011-05 on a retrospective basis.

Income taxes Recognition

As required by ASC 740 Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), management of the Company has evaluated the positive and negative evidence bearing upon the realizability of its deferred tax assets. Management has concluded, in accordance with the applicable accounting standards, that it is more likely than not that the Company may not realize the benefit of its deferred tax assets due to its history of operating losses. Accordingly, the net deferred tax assets have been fully reserved.

ASC 740-10-25 Income Taxes Recognition clarifies the accounting and disclosure for uncertainty in tax positions, as defined. This guidance seeks to reduce the diversity in practice associated with certain aspects of the recognition and measurement related to accounting for income taxes. The Company believes that its income tax filing positions and deductions will be sustained on audit and does not anticipate any adjustments that will result in a material change to its financial position. Therefore, no reserves for uncertain income tax positions have been recorded pursuant to this guidance. Tax years since 1993 remain subject to examination by the major tax jurisdictions in which the Company is subject to tax.