Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Accounting estimates are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates and judgments and methodologies, including those related to revenue recognition and related allowances, clinical trial expenses, the valuation of inventory, impairment and amortization of intangibles, share-based compensation, income taxes including the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, valuation of investments and derivative instruments. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

The Company sells Vascepa principally to a limited number of major wholesalers, as well as selected regional wholesalers and specialty pharmacy providers, or collectively, its Distributors, that in turn resell Vascepa to retail pharmacies for subsequent resale to patients and health care providers. Patients are required to have a prescription in order to purchase Vascepa. The Company recognizes net product revenues from sales of Vascepa as long as (i) there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists between the Company and the Distributor, (ii) delivery has occurred, (iii) collectability is reasonably assured and (iv) the price is fixed or determinable.

The Company commenced its commercial launch in the U.S on January 28, 2013. Prior to 2013, the Company recognized no revenue from Vascepa sales. Until the Company achieves sufficient history with respect to Vascepa sales such that it can reliably estimate returns based on sales to its Distributors, the Company has determined that sale of product to Distributors does not meet the criteria for revenue recognition at the time of shipment to its Distributors due to limited returns history which impedes the Company’s ability to estimate such returns. Consistent with industry practice, once the Company achieves sufficient history such that it can reliably estimate returns based on sales to its Distributors, the Company anticipates that its revenues will be recognized based on sales to its Distributors. The Company currently defers Vascepa revenue recognition until the earlier of the product being resold by the Distributors for purposes of fulfilling patient prescriptions; or the expiration of the right of return (twelve months after the expiration date of the product). The Company also defers the related cost of product sales and records such amounts as finished goods inventory held by others until revenue related to such product sales is recognized.

The Company has written contracts with its Distributors and delivery occurs when a Distributor receives Vascepa. The Company evaluates the creditworthiness of each of its Distributors to determine whether revenues can be recognized upon delivery, subject to satisfaction of the other requirements, or whether recognition is required to be delayed until receipt of payment. In order to conclude that the price is fixed or determinable, the Company must be able to (i) calculate its gross product revenues from the sales to Distributors and (ii) reasonably estimate its net product revenues. The Company calculates gross product revenues based on the wholesale acquisition cost that the Company charges its Distributors for Vascepa. The Company estimates its net product revenues by deducting from its gross product revenues (a) trade allowances, such as invoice discounts for prompt payment and distributor fees, (b) estimated government and private payor rebates, chargebacks and discounts, such as Medicaid reimbursements, (c) reserves for expected product returns and (d) estimated costs of incentives offered to certain indirect customers, including patients.

Trade Allowances: The Company generally provides invoice discounts on Vascepa sales to its Distributors for prompt payment and pays fees for distribution services, such as fees for certain data that Distributors provide to the Company. The payment terms for sales to Distributors generally include a 2% discount for payment within 30 days. Based on the Company’s judgment and industry experience, the Company expects its Distributors to earn these discounts and fees, and deducts the full amount of these discounts and fees from its gross product revenues and accounts receivable at the time such revenues are recognized.

Rebates, Chargebacks and Discounts: The Company contracts with Medicaid, other government agencies and various private organizations, or collectively, its Third-party Payors, so that Vascepa will be eligible for purchase by, or partial or full reimbursement from, such Third-party Payors. The Company estimates the rebates, chargebacks and discounts it will provide to Third-party Payors and deducts these estimated amounts from its gross product revenues at the time the revenues are recognized. The Company estimates the rebates, chargebacks and discounts that it will provide to Third-party Payors based upon (i) the Company’s contracts with these Third-party Payors, (ii) the government-mandated discounts applicable to government-funded programs and (iii) information obtained from the Company’s Distributors and other third parties regarding the payor mix for Vascepa.

Product Returns: The Company estimates the amount of Vascepa that will be returned and deducts these estimated amounts from its gross revenues at the time that revenues are recognized. The Company’s Distributors have the right to return unopened unprescribed Vascepa during the 18-month period beginning six months prior to the labeled expiration date and ending twelve months after the labeled expiration date. The expiration date for Vascepa is three years after it has been converted into capsule form, which is the last step in the manufacturing process for Vascepa and generally occurs within a few months before Vascepa is delivered to Distributors. As of March 31, 2013, the Company had not received any product returns. During the three months ended, March 31, 2013, the first quarter in which the Company began selling Vascepa, the Company was not able to reasonably estimate product returns for all product sold to Distributors but the Company was able to reasonably estimate product returns for certain sales of Vascepa based on resale of product by its Distributors for purposes of fulfilling patient prescriptions. In making this assessment, the Company used (i) data provided to the Company by its Distributors (including weekly reporting of Distributors’ sales and inventory held by Distributors that provided the Company with visibility into the distribution channel in order to determine what quantities were sold to retail pharmacies and other providers), (ii) information provided to the Company from retail pharmacies, (iii) data provided to the Company by other third parties, (iv) historical industry information regarding return rates for similar pharmaceutical products, (v) the estimated remaining shelf life of Vascepa previously shipped and currently being shipped to Distributors and (vi) contractual agreements intended to limit the amount of inventory maintained by the Company’s Distributors.

Other Incentives: Other incentives that the Company offers to indirect customers include co-pay mitigation rebates provided by the Company to commercially insured patients who have coverage for Vascepa and who reside in states that permit co-pay mitigation programs. The Company’s co-pay mitigation program is intended to reduce each participating patient’s portion of the financial responsibility for Vascepa’s purchase price to a specified dollar amount. Based upon the terms of the program and information regarding programs provided for similar specialty pharmaceutical products, the Company estimates the average co-pay mitigation amounts and the percentage of patients that it expects to participate in the program in order to establish its accruals for co-pay mitigation rebates and deducts these estimated amounts from its gross product revenues at the time the revenues are recognized. The Company’s co-pay mitigation rebates offered to date will expire on December 31, 2013. The Company adjusts its accruals for co-pay mitigation rebates based on its estimates regarding the portion of issued rebates that it estimates will not be redeemed. In addition, as is customary prior to the launch of new drugs, the Company provided certain of its Distributors with financial incentives to begin stocking Vascepa prior to the Company’s commercial launch of Vascepa in order to ensure that Vascepa was readily available to fill patient prescriptions upon launch. The Company anticipates that these incentives will only be required for initial launch quantities of Vascepa stocked by Distributors in January 2013. The amount of these financial incentives is recorded by the Company as a reduction to revenues on a pro-rata basis for each of the bottles subject to such financial incentives.

The following table summarizes activity in each of the product revenue allowance and reserve categories described above for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 (in thousands):


	Trade Allowances			Rebates, Chargebacks and Discounts			Product Returns		Other Incentives			Total
Balance at January 28, 2013	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—
Provision related to current period and deferred sales		1,073			259			72		830			2,234
Credits/payments made for current period and deferred sales		(566	)		(3	)		—		(209	)		(779	)

Balance at March 31, 2013	$	507		$	256		$	72	$	620		$	1,455

The following table summarizes revenue recognized and deferred during the quarter ended March 31, 2013 (in thousands):


	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012
Revenue recognized	$	2,341	$	—
Deferred revenue		2,865		—

	$	5,206	$	—

In conjunction with the Company’s recognition and deferral of revenues, the Company expensed and capitalized the associated cost of goods, as follows, during the quarter ended March 31, 2013 (in thousands):


	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012
Cost of goods sold expensed	$	1,287	$	—
Finished goods inventory held by others		1,422		—

	$	2,709	$	—

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash, deposits held at call with banks and short term highly liquid instruments with remaining maturities at the date of purchase of 90 days or less. Restricted cash represents cash and cash equivalents pledged to guarantee repayment of certain expenses which may be incurred for business travel under corporate credit cards held by employees.

Inventory

Inventory

The Company states inventories at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined based on actual cost using the average cost method. An allowance is established when management determines that certain inventories may not be saleable. If inventory cost exceeds expected market value due to obsolescence, damage or quantities in excess of expected demand, the Company will record a reserve for the difference between cost and market value. The Company received FDA approval on July 26, 2012 and after that date began capitalizing inventory purchases of saleable product from approved suppliers.

Intangible Asset, net

Intangible Asset, net

Intangible assets consist of a milestone payment paid to the former shareholders of Laxdale Limited related to the 2004 acquisition of our rights to Vascepa, which is the result of Vascepa receiving marketing approval for the first indication and is amortized over its estimated useful life on a straight-line basis. The Company concluded that use of the straight-line method was appropriate as the majority of cash flows are expected to be generated ratably over the estimated useful life and no degradation of the cash flows over time is currently anticipated. See footnote 7 (commitments and contingencies) for further information regarding other obligations related to the acquisition of Laxdale Limited.

Deferred Revenue

Deferred Revenue

Deferred revenue represents product shipments to Distributors for which we have invoiced the Distributors but not recognized revenue because the product was not reported to us as having been resold by the Distributors on or before March 31, 2013.

Research and Development Costs

Research and Development Costs

The Company charges research and development costs to operations as incurred. Research and development expenses are comprised of costs incurred by the Company in performing research and development activities, including salary and benefits; stock-based compensation expense; laboratory supplies and other direct expenses; contractual services, including clinical trial and pharmaceutical development costs; commercial supply investment in its drug candidates; and infrastructure costs, including facilities costs and depreciation expense. In addition, research and development costs include the costs of product supply received from suppliers when such receipt by the Company is prior to regulatory approval of the supplier.

Selling, General and Administrative Costs

Selling, General and Administrative Costs

The Company charges sales, general and administrative costs to operations as incurred. Sales, general and administrative costs include costs of salaries, programs and infrastructure necessary for the general conduct of the Company’s business, including the 2013 commercial launch of Vascepa in the United States for the MARINE indication. Included as part of sales, general and administrative costs is warrant-related expense from non-cash changes in fair value of the derivative liability associated with warrants issued in October 2009 to former officers of Amarin which is recorded as compensation income (expense).

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences of differences between the carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities and operating loss carry-forwards and other attributes using enacted rates expected to be in effect when those differences reverse. Valuation allowances are provided against deferred tax assets that are not more likely than not to be realized.

The Company provides reserves for potential payments of tax to various tax authorities or does not recognize tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions and other issues. Tax benefits for uncertain tax positions are based on a determination of whether a tax benefit taken by the Company in its tax filings or positions is more likely than not to be realized, assuming that the matter in question will be decided based on its technical merits. The Company’s policy is to record interest and penalties in the provision for income taxes.

Derivative Instruments

Derivative Instruments

Derivative financial liabilities are recorded at fair value, with gains and losses arising for changes in fair value recognized in the statement of operations at each period end while such instruments are outstanding. If the Company issues shares to discharge the liability, the derivative financial liability is derecognized and common stock and additional paid-in capital are recognized on the issuance of those shares. The warrants are valued using a Black-Scholes option pricing model due to the nature of instrument. The long term debt redemption feature is valued using a probability-weighted model incorporating management estimates for potential change in control, and by determining the fair value of the debt with and without the change in control provision included.

If the terms of warrants that initially require the warrant to be classified as a derivative financial liabilities lapse, the derivative financial liability is reclassified out of financial liabilities into equity at its fair value on that date. At the applicable settlement date, if the instruments are settled in shares the carrying value of the warrants are derecognized and transferred to equity at their fair value at that date. The cash proceeds received from exercises of warrants are recorded in common stock and additional paid-in capital.

Loss per Share

Loss per Share

Basic net loss per share is determined by dividing net loss by the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share is determined by dividing net loss by diluted weighted average shares outstanding. Diluted weighted average shares reflects the dilutive effect, if any, of potentially dilutive common shares, such as common stock options and warrants calculated using the treasury stock method and convertible notes using the “if-converted” method. In periods with reported net operating losses, all common stock options and warrants are deemed anti-dilutive such that basic net loss per share and diluted net loss per share are equal.

Debt Instruments

Debt Instruments

Debt instruments are initially recorded at fair value, with coupon interest and amortization of debt issuance discounts recognized in the statement of operations as interest expense at each period end while such instruments are outstanding. If the Company issues shares to discharge the liability, the debt obligation is derecognized and common stock and additional paid-in capital are recognized on the issuance of those shares.

The Company’s exchangeable notes contain a conversion option which is classified as equity. The fair value of the liability component of the debt instrument was deducted from the initial proceeds to determine the proceeds to be allocated to the conversion option. The embedded conversion option is indexed to the Company’s stock and treated as equity on the balance sheet. The conversion option is evaluated on a quarterly basis to determine if it still meets the criteria to be equity classified. The excess principal amount of the debt over the carrying value of the liability is amortized to interest expense over the term of the debt.

The Company’s December 2012 debt financing agreement contains a redemption feature triggered upon a change of control, which has been classified as an embedded derivative. The fair value of the derivative was recorded as a reduction to the fair value of the note payable. The fair value of this warrant derivative liability is remeasured at each reporting period, with changes in fair value recognized in the statement of operations. The discount recorded to the note payable is being amortized to interest expense over the term of the note payable.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company provides disclosure of financial assets and financial liabilities that are carried at fair value based on the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value measurements may be classified based on the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair valuation of these assets and liabilities using the following three levels:

Level 1—Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2—Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (i.e., interest rates, yield curves, etc.) and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs).

Level 3—Unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s estimates of the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The Company develops these inputs based on the best information available, including its own data.

The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques the Company utilized to determine such fair value:


	March 31, 2013
*In millions*	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Asset:
Cash equivalents—money markets	$	41.4	$	41.4	$	—	$	—

Liabilities:
Warrant derivative liability	$	49.0	$	—	$	—	$	49.0
Long term debt redemption feature	$	15.6	$	—	$	—	$	15.6
Foreign currency contracts	$	0.7	$	—	$	—	$	0.7


	December 31, 2012
*In millions*	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Asset:
Cash equivalents—money markets	$	64.1	$	64.1	$	—	$	—

Liability:
Warrant derivative liability	$	54.9	$	—	$	—	$	54.9
Long term debt redemption feature	$	14.6	$	—	$	—	$	14.6

The carrying amounts of cash, cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value because of their short-term nature.

Long Term Debt Redemption Feature

Long Term Debt Redemption Feature

The Company’s December 2012 financing agreement contains a redemption feature whereby, upon a change of control, the Company would be required to pay $140 million, less any previously repaid amount, if the change of control occurs on or before December 31, 2013, or required to repay $150 million, less any previously repaid amount, if the change of control event occurs after December 31, 2013. The Company determined this redemption feature to be an embedded derivative, which is carried at fair value and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy due to the use of significant unobservable inputs. The fair value of the embedded derivative was calculated using a probability-weighted model incorporating management estimates for potential change in control, and by determining the fair value of the debt with and without the change in control provision included. The difference between the two fair values of the debt was determined to be the fair value of the embedded derivative. The fair value of the derivative liability was calculated at both December 31, 2012 and at March 31, 2013. At December 31, 2012, the fair value of the derivative was determined to be $14.6 million, and the debt was valued by comparing debt issues of similar companies with (i) terms of between 4.8 and 8.0 years, (ii) coupon rates of between 3.0% and 11.5% and (iii) market yields of between 10.7% and 27.7%. At March 31, 2013, the fair value of the derivative was determined to be $15.6 million, and the debt was valued by comparing debt issues of similar companies with (i) remaining terms of between 4.0 and 7.4 years, (ii) coupon rates of between 9.9% and 11.9% and (iii) market yields of between 12.3% and 25.6%. The Company recognized a $1.0 million loss on change in fair value of derivative liability at March 31, 2013.

Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency

All subsidiaries use the United States dollar as the functional currency. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are remeasured into United States dollars at year-end exchange rates. Non-monetary assets and liabilities carried in a foreign currency are remeasured into United States dollars using rates of exchange prevailing when such assets or liabilities were obtained or incurred, and expenses are generally remeasured using rates of exchange prevailing when such expenses are incurred. Gains and losses from the remeasurement are included in other (expense) income, net in the consolidated financial statements of operations. For transactions settled during the applicable period, gains and losses are included in other (expense) income, net in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company uses foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge against changes in exchange rates for inventory purchase denominated in foreign currency. As of March 31, 2013 the Company held foreign exchange forward contracts with notional amounts totaling $15.0 million. As of March 31, 2013, the outstanding foreign exchange forward contract derivative liability had a net fair value of $0.7 million. The Company included this $0.7 million as a component of change in fair value of derivative liabilities and in Other Current Liabilities at March 31, 2013.

Segment and Geographical Information

Segment and Geographical Information

For the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company has reported its business as a single reporting segment. The Company’s chief decision maker, who is the Chief Executive Officer, regularly evaluates the Company on a consolidated basis.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, and are adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date. The Company believes that the impact of other recently issued but not yet adopted accounting pronouncements will not have a material impact on consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows, or do not apply to the Company’s operations.

Warrant

Derivative Instruments

Warrant Derivative Liability

At December 31, 2012, the fair value of the warrant derivative liability was determined to be $54.9 million using the Black-Scholes option valuation model applying the following assumptions: (i) risk-free rate of 0.25%, (ii) remaining term of 1.8 years, (iii) no dividend yield, (iv) volatility of 95% and (v) the stock price on the date of measurement.

At March 31, 2013, the fair value of the warrant derivative liability was determined to be $49.0 million using the Black-Scholes option valuation model applying the following assumptions: (i) risk-free rate of 0.2%, (ii) remaining term of 1.5 years, (iii) no dividend yield, (iv) volatility of 94%, and (v) the stock price on the date of measurement. The $5.9 million decrease in the fair value of the warrant liability during the three months ended March 31, 2013 was recognized as: (i) a $5.4 million gain on change in fair value of the remaining derivative liability and (ii) $0.5 million in compensation income for change in fair value of warrants issued to former employees. Both amounts are included in the consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The change in the fair value of the warrant derivative liability is as follows (in thousands):


	October 2009 Warrants			Debt Redemption Feature		Foreign Exchange Contracts		Totals
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	123,125		$	—	$	—	$	123,125

Loss on change in fair value of derivative liability		66,209			—		—		66,209
Compensation expense for change in fair value of warrants issued to former employees		2,374							2,374
Transfers to equity		(321	)		—		—		(321	)
Balance at March 31, 2012	$	191,387		$	—	$	—	$	191,387


	October 2009 Warrants			Debt Redemption Feature		Foreign Exchange Contracts		Totals
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	54,854		$	14,576	$	—	$	69,430

(Gain) loss on change in fair value of derivative liabilities		(5,392	)		1,024		748		(3,620	)
Compensation income for change in fair value of warrants issued to former employees		(451	)						(451	)
Transfers to equity		—			—		—		—

Balance at March 31, 2013	$	49,011		$	15,600	$	748	$	65,359

The fair value of this warrant liability is determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation model and is therefore sensitive to changes in the market price and volatility of our common stock among other factors. In the event of a hypothetical 10% increase in the market price of our common shares ($8.15 based on the $7.41 market price of our stock at March 28, 2013) on which the March 31, 2013 valuation was based, the value of the derivative liability would have increased by $5.9 million. Such increase would have been reflected as additional loss on change in fair value of the warrant derivative liability in our statement of operations. Significant increases (decreases) in this input in isolation would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value asset measurement.