Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Dynavax Technologies Corporation (“we,” “our,” “us,” “Dynavax” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, discovers and develops novel products to prevent and treat infectious and inflammatory diseases. Our lead product candidate is HEPLISAV^TM, a Phase 3 investigational adult hepatitis B vaccine designed to provide higher and earlier protection with fewer doses than currently licensed vaccines. Our pipeline of product candidates includes: HEPLISAV, our autoimmune program partnered with GlaxoSmithKline (“GSK”), our therapy for asthma partnered with AstraZeneca AB (“AstraZeneca”), and clinical-stage programs for our Universal Flu vaccine and hepatitis B therapy. We compete with pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, academic institutions and research organizations in developing therapies to prevent or treat infectious and inflammatory diseases. Our product candidates are based on the use of immunostimulatory sequences (“ISS”) and immunoregulatory sequences. We were incorporated in California in August 1996 under the name Double Helix Corporation, and we changed our name to Dynavax Technologies Corporation in September 1996. We reincorporated in Delaware in 2000. Basis of Presentation Our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. In our opinion, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which we consider necessary to fairly state our financial position and the results of our operations and cash flows. Interim-period results are not necessarily indicative of results of operations or cash flows for a full-year period or any other interim-period. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2011 has been derived from audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and these notes should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Dynavax and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Rhein Biotech GmbH (“Rhein” or “Dynavax Europe”), Symphony Dynamo, Inc. (“SDI”) and Dynavax International, B.V. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. We operate in one business segment, which is the discovery and development of biopharmaceutical products. Liquidity and Financial Condition We have incurred significant operating losses and negative cash flows from operations since our inception. As of March 31, 2012, we had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $106.9 million. We currently estimate that we have sufficient cash resources to meet our anticipated cash needs through at least the next 12 months based on cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities on hand as of March 31, 2012 and anticipated revenues and funding from existing agreements. In order to continue development of our product candidates and if it is approved, to launch HEPLISAV, we will need to raise significant additional funds. This may occur through strategic alliance and licensing arrangements and/or future public or private financings. Sufficient additional funding may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. Additional equity financings, if completed, could result in significant dilution or otherwise adversely affect the rights of existing shareholders. If adequate funds are not available in the future, we would need to delay, reduce the scope of, or put on hold the HEPLISAV program or our other development programs while we seek strategic alternatives. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies We believe that there have been no significant changes in our critical accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared with those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. Below we describe our accounting policy related to revenue recognition. *Revenue Recognition* Our revenues are derived from collaborative and service agreements as well as grants. We enter into license and manufacturing agreements and collaborative research and development arrangements with pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners that may involve multiple deliverables. Our arrangements may include one or more of the following elements: upfront license payments, cost reimbursement for the performance of research and development activities, milestone payments, other contingent payments, contract manufacturing service fees, royalties and license fees. Each deliverable in the arrangement is evaluated to determine whether it meets the criteria to be accounted for as a separate unit of accounting or whether it should be combined with other deliverables. We recognize revenue when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. On January 1, 2011, we adopted on a prospective basis Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-13, Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, which amends the criteria related to identifying separate units of accounting and provides guidance on whether multiple deliverables exist, how an arrangement should be separated and the consideration allocated. Non-refundable upfront fees received for license and collaborative agreements entered into prior to January 1, 2011 and other payments under collaboration agreements where we have continuing performance obligations related to the payments are deferred and recognized over our expected performance period. Revenue is recognized on a ratable basis, unless we determine that another methodology is more appropriate, through the date at which our performance obligations are completed. Management makes its best estimate of the period over which we expect to fulfill our performance obligations, which may include clinical development activities. Given the uncertainties of research and development collaborations, significant judgment is required to determine the duration of the performance period. We recognize cost reimbursement revenue under collaborative agreements as the related research and development costs are incurred, as provided for under the terms of these agreements. On January 1, 2011, we elected to prospectively adopt the milestone method as described in FASB Issued ASU 2010-17, Milestone Method of Revenue Recognition. Under the milestone method, contingent consideration received from the achievement of a substantive milestone is recognized in its entirety in the period in which the milestone is achieved. A milestone is defined as an event having all of the following characteristics: (i) there is substantive uncertainty at the date the arrangement is entered into that the event will be achieved, (ii) the event can only be achieved based in whole or in part on either management’s performance or a specific outcome resulting from management’s performance and (iii) if achieved, the event would result in additional payments being due to management. Our license and collaboration agreements with our partners provide for payments to be paid to us upon the achievement of development milestones. Given the challenges inherent in developing biologic products, there is substantial uncertainty whether any such milestones would be achieved at the time we enter into these agreements. In addition, we evaluate whether the development milestones met the criteria to be considered substantive, when all of the conditions are met. The conditions include: (1) the development work is commensurate on either of the following: (a) the vendor’s performance to achieve the milestone and (b) the enhancement of the value of the deliverable item or items as a result of a specific outcome resulting from the vendor’s performance to achieve the milestone; (2) it relates solely to past performance and (3) it is reasonable relative to all the deliverable and payment terms within the arrangement. As a result of our analysis, we consider our development milestones to be substantive and, accordingly, we expect to recognize as revenue future payments received from such milestones as we achieve each milestone. Milestone payments that are contingent upon the achievement of substantive at-risk performance criteria are recognized in full upon achievement of those milestone events in accordance with the terms of the agreement and assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met. All revenue recognized to date under our collaborative agreements has been nonrefundable. Our license and collaboration agreements with certain partners also provide for contingent payments to be paid to us based solely upon the performance of our partner. For such contingent payments we expect to recognize the payments as revenue upon receipt, provided that collection is reasonably assured and the other revenue recognition criteria have been satisfied. Revenues from manufacturing services are recognized upon meeting the criteria for substantial performance and acceptance by the customer. Revenue from royalty payments is contingent on future sales activities by our licensees. As a result, we recognize royalty revenue when reported by our licensees and when collection is reasonably assured. Revenue from government and private agency grants are recognized as the related research expenses are incurred and to the extent that funding is approved. Additionally, we recognize revenue based on the facilities and administrative cost rate reimbursable per the terms of the grant awards. Recent Accounting Pronouncements *Accounting Standards Update 2011-04* In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS. This ASU is the result of joint efforts by the FASB and International Accounting Standards Board to develop a single, converged fair value framework. While this ASU is largely consistent with existing fair value measurement principles in GAAP, it expands Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement existing disclosure requirements for fair value measurements and makes other amendments. Many of these amendments were made to eliminate unnecessary wording differences between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards, which could change how fair value measurement guidance in ASC 820 is applied. We adopted the disclosure requirements in the quarter ended March 31, 2012 and included the required disclosure in Note 2 “Fair Value Measurements.” *Accounting Standards Update 2011-05* In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income. This ASU gives an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. ASU No. 2011-05 is effective on a retrospective basis for us on January 1, 2012. We adopted this presentation of comprehensive income in the quarter ended March 31, 2012.

1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Dynavax Technologies Corporation (“we,” “our,” “us,” “Dynavax” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, discovers and develops novel products to prevent and treat infectious and inflammatory diseases. Our lead product candidate is HEPLISAV^TM, a Phase 3 investigational adult hepatitis B vaccine designed to provide higher and earlier protection with fewer doses than currently licensed vaccines.

Our pipeline of product candidates includes: HEPLISAV, our autoimmune program partnered with GlaxoSmithKline (“GSK”), our therapy for asthma partnered with AstraZeneca AB (“AstraZeneca”), and clinical-stage programs for our Universal Flu vaccine and hepatitis B therapy. We compete with pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, academic institutions and research organizations in developing therapies to prevent or treat infectious and inflammatory diseases. Our product candidates are based on the use of immunostimulatory sequences (“ISS”) and immunoregulatory sequences. We were incorporated in California in August 1996 under the name Double Helix Corporation, and we changed our name to Dynavax Technologies Corporation in September 1996. We reincorporated in Delaware in 2000.

Basis of Presentation

Our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. In our opinion, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which we consider necessary to fairly state our financial position and the results of our operations and cash flows. Interim-period results are not necessarily indicative of results of operations or cash flows for a full-year period or any other interim-period. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2011 has been derived from audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and these notes should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Dynavax and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Rhein Biotech GmbH (“Rhein” or “Dynavax Europe”), Symphony Dynamo, Inc. (“SDI”) and Dynavax International, B.V. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. We operate in one business segment, which is the discovery and development of biopharmaceutical products.

Liquidity and Financial Condition

We have incurred significant operating losses and negative cash flows from operations since our inception. As of March 31, 2012, we had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $106.9 million. We currently estimate that we have sufficient cash resources to meet our anticipated cash needs through at least the next 12 months based on cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities on hand as of March 31, 2012 and anticipated revenues and funding from existing agreements.

In order to continue development of our product candidates and if it is approved, to launch HEPLISAV, we will need to raise significant additional funds. This may occur through strategic alliance and licensing arrangements and/or future public or private financings. Sufficient additional funding may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. Additional equity financings, if completed, could result in significant dilution or otherwise adversely affect the rights of existing shareholders. If adequate funds are not available in the future, we would need to delay, reduce the scope of, or put on hold the HEPLISAV program or our other development programs while we seek strategic alternatives.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

We believe that there have been no significant changes in our critical accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared with those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. Below we describe our accounting policy related to revenue recognition.

Revenue Recognition

Our revenues are derived from collaborative and service agreements as well as grants. We enter into license and manufacturing agreements and collaborative research and development arrangements with pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners that may involve multiple deliverables. Our arrangements may include one or more of the following elements: upfront license payments, cost reimbursement for the performance of research and development activities, milestone payments, other contingent payments, contract manufacturing service fees, royalties and license fees. Each deliverable in the arrangement is evaluated to determine whether it meets the criteria to be accounted for as a separate unit of accounting or whether it should be combined with other deliverables. We recognize revenue when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.

On January 1, 2011, we adopted on a prospective basis Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-13, Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, which amends the criteria related to identifying separate units of accounting and provides guidance on whether multiple deliverables exist, how an arrangement should be separated and the consideration allocated.

Non-refundable upfront fees received for license and collaborative agreements entered into prior to January 1, 2011 and other payments under collaboration agreements where we have continuing performance obligations related to the payments are deferred and recognized over our expected performance period. Revenue is recognized on a ratable basis, unless we determine that another methodology is more appropriate, through the date at which our performance obligations are completed. Management makes its best estimate of the period over which we expect to fulfill our performance obligations, which may include clinical development activities. Given the uncertainties of research and development collaborations, significant judgment is required to determine the duration of the performance period. We recognize cost reimbursement revenue under collaborative agreements as the related research and development costs are incurred, as provided for under the terms of these agreements.

On January 1, 2011, we elected to prospectively adopt the milestone method as described in FASB Issued ASU 2010-17, Milestone Method of Revenue Recognition. Under the milestone method, contingent consideration received from the achievement of a substantive milestone is recognized in its entirety in the period in which the milestone is achieved. A milestone is defined as an event having all of the following characteristics: (i) there is substantive uncertainty at the date the arrangement is entered into that the event will be achieved, (ii) the event can only be achieved based in whole or in part on either management’s performance or a specific outcome resulting from management’s performance and (iii) if achieved, the event would result in additional payments being due to management.

Our license and collaboration agreements with our partners provide for payments to be paid to us upon the achievement of development milestones. Given the challenges inherent in developing biologic products, there is substantial uncertainty whether any such milestones would be achieved at the time we enter into these agreements. In addition, we evaluate whether the development milestones met the criteria to be considered substantive, when all of the conditions are met. The conditions include: (1) the development work is commensurate on either of the following: (a) the vendor’s performance to achieve the milestone and (b) the enhancement of the value of the deliverable item or items as a result of a specific outcome resulting from the vendor’s performance to achieve the milestone; (2) it relates solely to past performance and (3) it is reasonable relative to all the deliverable and payment terms within the arrangement. As a result of our analysis, we consider our development milestones to be substantive and, accordingly, we expect to recognize as revenue future payments received from such milestones as we achieve each milestone.

Milestone payments that are contingent upon the achievement of substantive at-risk performance criteria are recognized in full upon achievement of those milestone events in accordance with the terms of the agreement and assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met. All revenue recognized to date under our collaborative agreements has been nonrefundable.

Our license and collaboration agreements with certain partners also provide for contingent payments to be paid to us based solely upon the performance of our partner. For such contingent payments we expect to recognize the payments as revenue upon receipt, provided that collection is reasonably assured and the other revenue recognition criteria have been satisfied.

Revenues from manufacturing services are recognized upon meeting the criteria for substantial performance and acceptance by the customer.

Revenue from royalty payments is contingent on future sales activities by our licensees. As a result, we recognize royalty revenue when reported by our licensees and when collection is reasonably assured.

Revenue from government and private agency grants are recognized as the related research expenses are incurred and to the extent that funding is approved. Additionally, we recognize revenue based on the facilities and administrative cost rate reimbursable per the terms of the grant awards.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Standards Update 2011-04

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS. This ASU is the result of joint efforts by the FASB and International Accounting Standards Board to develop a single, converged fair value framework. While this ASU is largely consistent with existing fair value measurement principles in GAAP, it expands Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement existing disclosure requirements for fair value measurements and makes other amendments. Many of these amendments were made to eliminate unnecessary wording differences between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards, which could change how fair value measurement guidance in ASC 820 is applied. We adopted the disclosure requirements in the quarter ended March 31, 2012 and included the required disclosure in Note 2 “Fair Value Measurements.”

Accounting Standards Update 2011-05

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income. This ASU gives an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. ASU No. 2011-05 is effective on a retrospective basis for us on January 1, 2012. We adopted this presentation of comprehensive income in the quarter ended March 31, 2012.