XML 89 R10.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.8
EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENT
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENT  
EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENT

3. EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENT

        We owned 40% of ViaGen, Inc., or ViaGen, a licensee with in-house breeding services and expertise in advanced reproductive technologies for animal cloning. In accordance with the equity method of accounting, we recognized losses of $503,000 for our proportionate share of ViaGen's operating losses for the year ended December 31, 2011, which has been included in losses recognized under equity method investment in our consolidated statements of operations. No comparable amounts were recognized for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 because we suspended the equity method of accounting in June 2011 since our proportionate share of net losses exceeded the value of our investment and we had no commitments to provide financial support or obligations to perform services or other activities for ViaGen. Since we did not hold the majority of the equity and debt of ViaGen and did not maintain controlling financial interest over the company, including the power to direct the activities that most significantly impacted ViaGen's economic performance, we concluded that we were not the primary beneficiary of ViaGen and did not include ViaGen's financial information with our consolidated results.

        In September 2012, we cancelled our outstanding $1,500,000 loan to ViaGen and sold our entire equity interest in ViaGen to Trans Ova Genetics, L.C., or Trans Ova, in exchange for potential payments aggregating up to $2,400,000 upon reaching certain commercial milestones. We are also eligible to receive 40% of potential proceeds upon the sale by Trans Ova of a non-marketable equity investment held by ViaGen. These potential payments are subject to substantive contingencies and as such, we will recognize a gain only upon achievement of the milestones or sale, as applicable. Since we had no carrying value for our investment in ViaGen at the time of sale to Trans Ova and future payments from Trans Ova are subject to substantive contingencies, we did not recognize any loss or gain in connection with the sale of our equity interest in ViaGen.