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Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2017
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract] |
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Note 1 — Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Organization We are a research-based biopharmaceutical company headquartered in San Francisco, California and incorporated in Delaware. We are developing a pipeline of drug candidates that utilize our advanced polymer conjugate technology platforms, which are designed to enable the development of new molecular entities that target known mechanisms of action. Our research and development pipeline of new investigational drugs includes treatments for cancer, autoimmune disease and chronic pain. Our research and development activities have required significant ongoing investment to date and are expected to continue to require significant investment. As a result, we expect to continue to incur substantial losses and negative cash flows from operations in the future. We have financed our operations primarily through cash generated from licensing, collaboration and manufacturing agreements and financing transactions. At December 31, 2017, we had approximately $353.2 million in cash and investments in marketable securities and had debt of $250.0 million in principal of senior secured notes due in October 2020. Basis of Presentation, Principles of Consolidation and Use of Estimates Our consolidated financial statements include the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of our wholly-owned subsidiaries: Nektar Therapeutics (India) Private Limited and Nektar Therapeutics UK Limited. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Our Consolidated Financial Statements are denominated in U.S. dollars. Accordingly, changes in exchange rates between the applicable foreign currency and the U.S. dollar will affect the translation of each foreign subsidiary’s financial results into U.S. dollars for purposes of reporting our consolidated financial results. Translation gains and losses are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the stockholders’ equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. To date, such cumulative translation adjustments have not been significant to our consolidated financial position. Aggregate gross foreign currency transaction gains (losses) recorded in operations for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 were not significant. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and 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. Accounting estimates and assumptions are inherently uncertain. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates and assumptions. Our estimates include those related to estimated selling prices of deliverables in collaboration agreements, estimated periods of performance, the net realizable value of inventory, the impairment of investments, the impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets, contingencies, accrued clinical trial expenses, estimated non-cash royalty revenue and non-cash interest expense from our liability related to our sale of future royalties, stock-based compensation, and ongoing litigation, among other estimates. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that management believes are reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities when these values are not readily apparent from other sources. As appropriate, estimates are assessed each period and updated to reflect current information and any changes in estimates will generally be reflected in the period first identified. Reclassifications Certain items previously reported in specific financial statement captions have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation, including as a result of the adoption of new accounting guidance related to the classification of deferred tax assets described below. Such reclassifications do not materially impact previously reported revenue, operating loss, net loss, total assets, liabilities or stockholders’ equity. Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Investments, and Fair Value of Financial Instruments We consider all investments in marketable securities with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Investments in securities with remaining maturities of less than one year, or where our intent is to use the investments to fund current operations or to make them available for current operations, are classified as short-term investments. Investments in securities with remaining maturities of over one year are classified as long-term investments. Investments are designated as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported in stockholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The disclosed fair value related to our cash equivalents and investments is based on market prices from a variety of industry standard data providers and generally represent quoted prices for similar assets in active markets or have been derived from observable market data. Interest and dividends on securities classified as available-for-sale, as well as amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity, are included in interest income. Realized gains and losses and declines in value of available-for-sale securities judged to be other-than-temporary, if any, are included in other income (expense). The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Our cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investments are exposed to credit risk in the event of default by the third parties that hold or issue such assets. Our cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investments are held by financial institutions that management believes are of high credit quality. Our investment policy limits investments to fixed income securities denominated and payable in U.S. dollars such as U.S. government obligations, money market instruments and funds, and corporate bonds and places restrictions on maturities and concentrations by type and issuer. Accounts Receivable and Significant Customer Concentrations Our customers are primarily pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies that are located in the U.S. and Europe and with whom we have multi-year arrangements. Our accounts receivable balance contains billed and unbilled trade receivables from product sales, milestones, other contingent payments and royalties, as well as time and materials based billings from collaborative research and development agreements. When appropriate, we provide for an allowance for doubtful accounts by reserving for specifically identified doubtful accounts. We generally do not require collateral from our customers. We perform a regular review of our customers’ credit risk and payment histories, including payments made subsequent to year-end. We have not experienced significant credit losses from our accounts receivable. At December 31, 2017, four different customers represented 43%, 20%, 19% and 14%, respectively, of our accounts receivable. At December 31, 2016, three different customers represented 39%, 32%, and 13%, respectively, of our accounts receivable. Inventory and Significant Supplier Concentrations Inventory is generally manufactured upon receipt of firm purchase orders from our collaboration partners. Inventory includes direct materials, direct labor, and manufacturing overhead and cost is determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value and defective or excess inventory is written down to net realizable value based on historical experience or projected usage. Inventory related to our research and development activities is expensed when purchased. We are dependent on our suppliers and contract manufacturers to provide raw materials, drugs and devices of appropriate quality and reliability and to meet applicable contract and regulatory requirements. In certain cases, we rely on single sources of supply of one or more critical materials. Consequently, in the event that supplies are delayed or interrupted for any reason, our ability to develop and produce our drug candidates or our ability to meet our supply obligations could be significantly impaired, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Long-Lived Assets Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Major improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are expensed when incurred. Manufacturing, laboratory and other equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method generally over estimated useful lives of three to ten years. Buildings are depreciated using the straight-line method generally over the estimated useful life of twenty years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the remaining term of the lease. Goodwill represents the excess of the price paid for another entity over the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. We are organized in one reporting unit and evaluate the goodwill for the Company as a whole. Goodwill has an indefinite useful life and is not amortized, but instead tested for impairment at least annually in the fourth quarter of each year using an October 1 measurement date. We assess the impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be fully recoverable. When such events occur, we determine whether there has been an impairment in value by comparing the carrying value of the asset with its fair value, as measured by the anticipated undiscounted net cash flows associated with the asset. In the case of goodwill impairment, market capitalization is generally used as the measure of fair value. If an impairment in value exists, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value. Revenue Recognition Our revenue is derived from our arrangements with pharmaceutical and biotechnology collaboration partners and may result from one or more of the following: upfront and license fees, payments for contract research and development, milestone and other contingent payments, manufacturing and supply payments, and royalties. Our performance obligations under our collaborations may include licensing our intellectual property, manufacturing and supply obligations, and research and development obligations. In order to account for the multiple-element arrangements, we identify the deliverables included within the arrangement and evaluate which deliverables represent separate units of accounting. Analyzing the arrangement to identify deliverables requires the use of judgment, and each deliverable may be an obligation to deliver goods or services, a right or license to use an asset, or another performance obligation. Revenue is recognized separately for each identified unit of accounting when the basic revenue recognition criteria are met: there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed or determinable, and collection is reasonably assured. At the inception of each new multiple-element arrangement or the material modification of an existing multiple-element arrangement, we allocate all consideration received under multiple-element arrangements to all units of accounting based on the relative selling price method, generally based on our best estimate of selling price (ESP). The objective of ESP is to determine the price at which we would transact a sale if the product or service was sold on a stand-alone basis. We determine ESP for the elements in our collaboration arrangements by considering multiple factors including, but not limited to, technical complexity of the performance obligation and similarity of elements to those performed under previous arrangements. Since we apply significant judgment in arriving at the ESPs, any material change in our estimates would significantly affect the allocation of the total consideration to the different elements of a multiple element arrangement. Product sales Product sales are primarily derived from fixed price manufacturing and supply agreements with our collaboration partners. Our products are tested for adherence to technical specifications prior to shipment, accordingly, we have not experienced any significant returns from our customers. Royalty revenue Generally, we are entitled to royalties from our collaboration partners based on the net sales of their approved drugs that are marketed and sold in one or more countries where we hold royalty rights. We recognize royalty revenue when the cash is received or when the royalty amount to be received is estimable and collection is reasonably assured. With respect to the non-cash royalties related to our sale of future royalties described in Note 7, revenue is recognized when estimable, otherwise, revenue is recognized during the period in which the related royalty report is received, which generally occurs in the quarter after the applicable product sales are made. License, collaboration and other revenue The amount of upfront fees and other payments received by us in license and collaboration arrangements that are allocated to continuing performance obligations, such as manufacturing and supply obligations, is deferred and generally recognized ratably over our expected performance period under each respective arrangement. We make our best estimate of the period over which we expect to fulfill our performance obligations, which may include technology transfer assistance, research activities, clinical development activities, and manufacturing activities from research and development through the commercialization of the product. Given the uncertainties of these collaboration arrangements, significant judgment is required to determine the duration of the performance period and this estimate is periodically re-evaluated. Upon the termination of each of our license and collaboration arrangements and if no additional services are required to be performed by us, all non-refundable, non-creditable amounts previously deferred from the arrangement are recognized as revenue. Contingent consideration received from the achievement of a substantive milestone is recognized in its entirety in the period in which the milestone is achieved, which we believe is consistent with the substance of our performance under our various license and collaboration agreements. A milestone is defined as an event (i) that can only be achieved based in whole or in part either on the entity’s performance or on the occurrence of a specific outcome resulting from the entity’s performance, (ii) for which there is substantive uncertainty at the date the arrangement is entered into that the event will be achieved, and (iii) that would result in additional payments being due to the entity. A milestone is substantive if the consideration earned from the achievement of the milestone is consistent with our performance required to achieve the milestone or the increase in value to the collaboration resulting from our performance, relates solely to our past performance, and is reasonable relative to all of the other deliverables and payments within the arrangement. Our license and collaboration agreements with our partners provide for payments to us upon the achievement of development milestones, such as the completion of clinical trials or regulatory submissions, approvals by regulatory authorities, and commercial launches of drugs. Given the challenges inherent in developing and obtaining regulatory approval for drug products and in achieving commercial launches, there was substantial uncertainty whether any such milestones would be achieved at the time of execution of these licensing and collaboration agreements. In addition, we evaluated whether the development milestones met the remaining criteria to be considered substantive. As a result of our analysis, we consider our remaining development milestones under all of our license and collaboration agreements to be substantive and, accordingly, we recognize as revenue payments received from each milestone only if and as such milestone is achieved. Our license and collaboration agreements with certain partners also provide for contingent payments to us based solely upon the performance of the respective partner. For such contingent amounts, we recognize the payments as revenue when earned under the applicable contract, which is generally upon completion of performance by the respective partner, provided that collection is reasonably assured. Our license and collaboration agreements with our partners also provide for payments to us upon the achievement of specified sales volumes of approved drugs. We consider these payments to be similar to royalty payments and we recognize such sales-based payments upon achievement of such sales volumes, provided that collection is reasonably assured. Shipping and Handling Costs We recognize costs related to shipping and handling of product to customers in cost of goods sold. Research and Development Expense Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and include salaries, benefits and other operating costs such as outside services, supplies and allocated overhead costs. We perform research and development for our proprietary drug candidates and technology development and for certain third parties under collaboration agreements. For our proprietary drug candidates and our internal technology development programs, we invest our own funds without reimbursement from a third party. Where we perform research and development activities under a clinical joint development collaboration, such as our collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb, we record the cost reimbursement from our partner as a reduction to research and development expense when reimbursement amounts are due to us under the agreement. We record accruals for the estimated costs of our clinical trial activities performed by third parties. The financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation, vary from contract to contract and may result in uneven payment flows to our vendors. Payments under the contracts depend on factors such as the achievement of certain events, successful enrollment of patients, and completion of certain clinical trial activities. We generally accrue costs associated with the start-up and reporting phases of the clinical trials ratably over the estimated duration of the start-up and reporting phases. We generally accrue costs associated with the treatment phase of clinical trials based on the total estimated cost of the treatment phase on a per patient basis and we expense the per patient cost ratably over the estimated patient treatment period based on patient enrollment in the trials. In specific circumstances, such as for certain time-based costs, we recognize clinical trial expenses using a methodology that we consider to be more reflective of the timing of costs incurred. Advance payments for goods or services that will be used or rendered for future research and development activities are capitalized as prepaid expenses and recognized as expense as the related goods are delivered or the related services are performed. We base our estimates on the best information available at the time. However, additional information may become available to us which may allow us to make a more accurate estimate in future periods. In this event, we may be required to record adjustments to research and development expenses in future periods when the actual level of activity becomes more certain. Such increases or decreases in cost are generally considered to be changes in estimates and will be reflected in research and development expenses in the period identified. Stock-Based Compensation Stock-based compensation arrangements include stock option grants and restricted stock unit (RSU) awards under our equity incentive plans, as well as shares issued under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), through which employees may purchase our common stock at a discount to the market price. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model for the respective grant to determine the estimated fair value of the option on the date of grant (grant date fair value) and the estimated fair value of common stock purchased under the ESPP. The Black-Scholes option pricing model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions. These variables include, but are not limited to, our stock price volatility over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. Because our employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management’s opinion, the existing models may not provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of our employee stock options or common stock purchased under the ESPP. The fair value of an RSU is equal to the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. Management will continue to assess the assumptions and methodologies used to calculate the estimated fair value of stock-based compensation. Circumstances may change and additional data may become available over time, which could result in changes to these assumptions and methodologies, and which could materially impact our fair value determination. We expense the value of the portion of the option or award on a straight line basis over the requisite service periods in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and recognize forfeitures of options and awards as they occur. For options and awards that vest upon the achievement of performance milestones, we estimate the vesting period based on our evaluation of the probability of achievement of each respective milestone and the related estimated date of achievement. Stock-based compensation expense for purchases under the ESPP is recognized over the respective six-month purchase period. Expense amounts are recorded in cost of goods sold, research and development expense, and general and administrative expense based on the function of the applicable employee. Stock-based compensation charges are non-cash charges and as such have no impact on our reported cash flows. Net Loss Per Share Basic net loss per share is calculated based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented. For all periods presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, basic and diluted net loss per share are the same due to our net losses and the requirement to exclude potentially dilutive securities which would have an anti-dilutive effect on net loss per share. During 2017, 2016 and 2015, potentially dilutive securities consisted of common shares underlying outstanding stock options and RSUs. There were weighted average outstanding stock options and RSUs of 20.6 million, 19.9 million and 21.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Income Taxes We account for income taxes under the liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax reporting bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon future earnings, the timing and amount of which are uncertain. We record a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets to reduce their carrying value to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized. When we establish or reduce the valuation allowance related to the deferred tax assets, our provision for income taxes will increase or decrease, respectively, in the period such determination is made. We utilize a two-step approach to recognize and measure uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon tax authority examination, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount of benefit, determined on a cumulative probability basis, that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Comprehensive loss Comprehensive loss is the change in stockholders’ equity from transactions and other events and circumstances other than those resulting from investments by stockholders and distributions to stockholders. Our other comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net loss, gains and losses from the foreign currency translation of the assets and liabilities of our India and UK subsidiaries, and unrealized gains and losses on investments in available-for-sale securities. Adoption of New Accounting Principle In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance to simplify several aspects of employee share-based payment accounting, including forfeitures, income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. This guidance was effective for our interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2017. As a result of the adoption of this guidance, as of January 1, 2017, we recorded a $0.2 million charge to our accumulated deficit in our Consolidated Balance Sheet related to our election to recognize forfeitures of awards as they occur. In addition, prior to adoption of this guidance, tax attributes related to stock option windfall deductions were not recorded until they resulted in a reduction of cash tax payable. As of December 31, 2016, the excluded windfall deductions for federal and state purposes were $20.6 million and $9.8 million, respectively. Upon adoption, we recognized the excluded windfall deductions as a deferred tax asset on a tax-effected basis with a corresponding increase in the valuation allowance. In November 2015, the FASB issued guidance to require that deferred tax assets and liabilities be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. Previous guidance required deferred tax assets and liabilities to be separated into current and noncurrent amounts on the balance sheet. Accordingly, as of January 1, 2017, we reclassified $0.3 million from other current assets to our other assets balance. This reclassification was applied retrospectively to these balances in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2016. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance codified in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 606, Revenue Recognition — Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which supersedes the guidance in ASC 605, Revenue Recognition, and is effective for public companies for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The FASB has issued numerous updates that provide clarification on a number of specific issues as well as requiring additional disclosures. We plan to adopt the standard in the first quarter of 2018 using the modified retrospective method. The new guidance requires the application of a five-step model to determine the amount and timing of revenue to be recognized and requires that we recognize revenue in a manner that reasonably reflects the delivery of our goods or services to customers in return for expected consideration. To achieve this core principle, the guidance provides the following steps: (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. Under ASC 606, companies may need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under ASC 605 in the application of this five-step process. We are continuing to assess the impact of the new guidance on our accounting policies and procedures and are evaluating the new requirements as applied to existing collaboration agreements, both in terms of the cumulative adjustment to opening accumulated deficit and our subsequent recognition of revenue. Since each collaboration agreement is unique, we will separately assess each agreement (see Note 10 for a discussion of our existing collaboration agreements) under the new standard. We anticipate that the adoption of ASC 606 will have the following impact to our revenue recognition for a collaboration agreement: (i) Changes in revenue recognition for distinct licenses of functional intellectual property may result in a timing difference of revenue recognition between the current literature and ASC 606. For certain of our arrangements, the value associated with the licenses and certain other deliverables have been assessed as one unit of accounting and recognized over a period of time in which services are rendered or made available to our customer pursuant to revenue recognition guidance in effect for such arrangements at the time such arrangements commenced. For certain other arrangements, under current ASC 605 guidance, we identified the value of the license as a separate unit of accounting and recognize revenue upon issuance of the license. Under ASC 606, we may continue to recognize revenue for such licenses upon delivery of the license. (ii) For other consideration, including milestone payments or contingent payments from our collaboration partners, under our current accounting policy, we recognize such payments as revenue in the period that the payment-triggering event occurred or is achieved. The new revenue standard, however, may require us to recognize these payments before the payment-triggering event is completely achieved, subject to management’s assessment of whether it is probable that the triggering event will be achieved and that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. (iii) We will recognize revenue for sales-based royalties and commercial sales-based milestones in the period of the related sale based on estimates, rather than recording them as reported by the customer. We currently estimate that, upon adoption on January 1, 2018, we will record an adjustment to decrease our accumulated deficit by approximately $11.0 million to $13.0 million for amounts that would be recognized as of December 31, 2017 under ASC 606, but are not recognized under the current ASC 605 guidance. This estimated adjustment primarily consists of approximately $11.0 million for the accrual of royalties due to us related to net sales in the three months ended December 31, 2017 that we would have recognized in 2018 under current guidance. The estimated adjustment also includes up to approximately $2.0 million related to the recognition of the unamortized portion of upfront payment amounts under ASC 606 that are required to be deferred as of December 31, 2017 under current guidance. We will finalize our assessments in the first quarter of 2018 as we adopt ASC 606. In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance to amend a number of aspects of lease accounting, including requiring lessees to recognize almost all leases with a term greater than one year as a right-of-use asset and corresponding liability, measured at the present value of the lease payments. The guidance will become effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2019 and is required to be adopted using a modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for the organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure, and significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. May be provided in more than one note to the financial statements, as long as users are provided with an understanding of (1) the significant judgments and assumptions made by an enterprise in determining whether it must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about its involvement with a VIE, (2) the nature of restrictions on a consolidated VIE's assets reported by an enterprise in its statement of financial position, including the carrying amounts of such assets, (3) the nature of, and changes in, the risks associated with an enterprise's involvement with the VIE, and (4) how an enterprise's involvement with the VIE affects the enterprise's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. Describes procedure if disclosures are provided in more than one note to the financial statements. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 205 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2122149 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2197479 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2122369 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 275 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2134479 + Details
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