VICAL INC, 10-Q filed on 5/9/2016
Quarterly Report
Document and Entity Information
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Apr. 30, 2016
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
 
 
Document Type
10-Q 
 
Amendment Flag
false 
 
Document Period End Date
Mar. 31, 2016 
 
Document Fiscal Year Focus
2016 
 
Document Fiscal Period Focus
Q1 
 
Trading Symbol
VICL 
 
Entity Registrant Name
VICAL INC 
 
Entity Central Index Key
0000819050 
 
Current Fiscal Year End Date
--12-31 
 
Entity Filer Category
Accelerated Filer 
 
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding
 
92,019,505 
Balance Sheets (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 5,927 
$ 13,450 
Marketable securities, available-for-sale
28,938 
23,258 
Restricted cash
3,246 
3,246 
Receivables and other assets
4,161 
4,544 
Total current assets
42,272 
44,498 
Long-term investments
2,182 
2,052 
Property and equipment, net
1,681 
1,873 
Intangible assets, net
902 
1,300 
Other assets
191 
191 
Total assets
47,228 
49,914 
Current liabilities:
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
3,544 
3,912 
Deferred revenue
84 
250 
Total current liabilities
3,628 
4,162 
Long-term liabilities:
 
 
Deferred rent
225 
359 
Commitments and contingencies
   
   
Stockholders' equity:
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 5,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 160,000 shares authorized, 91,998 and 91,544 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, respectively
920 
915 
Additional paid-in capital
449,648 
449,343 
Accumulated deficit
(407,328)
(404,905)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
135 
40 
Total stockholders' equity
43,375 
45,393 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$ 47,228 
$ 49,914 
Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)
Mar. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
 
 
Preferred stock, par value
$ 0.01 
$ 0.01 
Preferred stock, shares authorized
5,000,000 
5,000,000 
Preferred stock, shares issued
Preferred stock, shares outstanding
Common stock, par value
$ 0.01 
$ 0.01 
Common stock, shares authorized
160,000,000 
160,000,000 
Common stock, shares issued
91,998,000 
91,544,000 
Common stock, shares outstanding
91,998,000 
91,544,000 
Statements of Operations (USD $)
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Mar. 31, 2015
Revenues:
 
 
Contract revenue
$ 4,088 
$ 4,274 
License and royalty revenue
516 
670 
Total revenues
4,604 
4,944 
Operating expenses:
 
 
Research and development
2,478 
3,637 
Manufacturing and production
2,846 
2,941 
General and administrative
1,790 
2,223 
Total operating expenses
7,114 
8,801 
Loss from operations
(2,510)
(3,857)
Other income:
 
 
Investment and other income, net
87 
36 
Net loss
$ (2,423)
$ (3,821)
Basic and diluted net loss per share
$ (0.03)
$ (0.04)
Weighted average shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share
92,166 
90,870 
Statements of Comprehensive Loss (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Mar. 31, 2015
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
 
 
Net loss
$ (2,423)
$ (3,821)
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale and long-term marketable securities:
 
 
Unrealized gain arising during holding period, net of tax benefit of $44 and $0, respectively
95 
79 
Other comprehensive gain
95 
79 
Total comprehensive loss
$ (2,328)
$ (3,742)
Statement of Comprehensive Loss (Parenthetical) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Mar. 31, 2015
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
 
 
Unrealized gain arising during holding period, tax
$ 44 
$ 0 
Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Mar. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
Net loss
$ (2,423)
$ (3,821)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
277 
301 
Write-off of abandoned patents
363 
46 
Compensation expense related to stock options and awards
313 
571 
Purchase of technology license with common stock
775 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
Receivables and other assets
383 
469 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
(315)
(1,117)
Deferred revenue
(166)
30 
Deferred rent
(119)
(103)
Net cash used in operating activities
(1,687)
(2,849)
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
Maturities of marketable securities
4,296 
4,023 
Purchases of marketable securities
(10,039)
(3,912)
Purchases of property and equipment
(91)
(23)
Patent expenditures
(30)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
(5,834)
58 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
Payment of withholding taxes for net settlement of restricted stock units
(7)
(16)
Net cash used in financing activities
(2)
(14)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(7,523)
(2,805)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
13,450 
20,471 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$ 5,927 
$ 17,666 
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation

1.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Vical Incorporated, or the Company, a Delaware corporation, was incorporated in April 1987 and has devoted substantially all of its resources since that time to its research and development programs. The Company researches and develops biopharmaceutical products, including those based on its patented DNA delivery technologies, for the prevention and treatment of serious or life-threatening diseases.

All of the Company’s potential products are in research and development phases. No revenues have been generated from the sale of any such products, nor are any such revenues expected for at least the next several years. The Company earns revenue from research and development agreements with pharmaceutical collaborators and from contract manufacturing agreements. Most of the Company’s product candidates will require significant additional research and development efforts, including extensive preclinical and clinical testing. All product candidates that advance to clinical testing will require regulatory approval prior to commercial use, and will require significant costs for commercialization. There can be no assurance that the Company’s research and development efforts, or those of its collaborators, will be successful. The Company expects to continue to incur substantial losses and not generate positive cash flows from operations for at least the next several years. No assurance can be given that the Company can generate sufficient product revenue to become profitable or generate positive cash flows from operations.

The unaudited financial statements at March 31, 2016, and for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, and with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States applicable to interim financial statements. These unaudited financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and include all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring accruals, which in the opinion of management are necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of the interim date and results of operations for the interim periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results expected for a full year or future periods. The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. These unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015, included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid securities with original maturities at the date of acquisition of ninety days or less and can be liquidated without prior notice or penalty. Investments with an original maturity of more than ninety days are considered marketable securities and have been classified by management as available-for-sale. These investments are classified as current assets, even though the stated maturity date may be one year or more beyond the current balance sheet date which reflects management’s intention to use the proceeds from sales of these securities to fund its operations, as necessary. Such investments are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses from the sale of available-for-sale securities or the amounts, net of tax, reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), if any, are determined on a specific identification basis.

Restricted Cash

The Company is required to maintain a letter of credit securing an amount equal to twelve months of the current monthly installment of base rent for the term of its primary facilities lease, which ends in August 2017. Under certain circumstances, the Company may be able to eliminate the need for the letter of credit. As of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, restricted cash of $3.2 million was pledged as collateral for this letter of credit.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when the four basic criteria of revenue recognition are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services rendered; (3) the fee is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. Certain portions of the Company’s revenue are generated through manufacturing contracts and stand-alone license agreements.

Multiple-element arrangements

The Company has entered into multiple-element arrangements. In order to account for the multiple-element arrangements, the Company identifies the deliverables included within the agreement and evaluates which deliverables represents separate units of accounting. Analyzing the arrangement to identify deliverables requires the use of judgment, and each deliverable may be an obligation to deliver services, a right or license to use an asset, or another performance obligation. The delivered item(s) must have value to the customer on a standalone basis and, if the arrangement includes a general right of return relative to the delivered item, delivery or performance of the undelivered item(s) is considered probable and substantially in the Company’s control.

A delivered item is considered a separate unit of accounting when the delivered item has value to the partner on a standalone basis based on the consideration of the relevant facts and circumstances for each arrangement. Factors considered in this determination include the research capabilities of the partner and the availability of research expertise in this field in the general marketplace. Arrangement consideration is allocated at the inception of the agreement to all identified units of accounting based on their relative selling price. The relative selling price for each deliverable is determined using vendor specific objective evidence, or VSOE, of selling price or third-party evidence of selling price if VSOE does not exist. If neither VSOE nor third-party evidence of selling price exists, the Company uses its best estimate of the selling price for the deliverable. The amount of allocable arrangement consideration is limited to amounts that are fixed or determinable. The consideration received is allocated among the separate units of accounting, and the applicable revenue recognition criteria are applied to each of the separate units. Changes in the allocation of the sales price between delivered and undelivered elements can impact revenue recognition but do not change the total revenue recognized under any agreement. If facts and circumstances dictate that the license has standalone value from the undelivered items, which generally include research and development services and the manufacture of drug products, the license is identified as a separate unit of accounting and the amounts allocated to the license are recognized upon the delivery of the license, assuming the other revenue recognition criteria have been met. However, if the amounts allocated to the license through the relative selling price allocation exceed the upfront license fee, the amount recognized upon the delivery of the license is limited to the upfront fee received. If facts and circumstances dictate that the license does not have standalone value, the transaction price, including any upfront license fee payments received, are allocated to the identified separate units of accounting and recognized as those items are delivered.

The terms of the Company’s partnership agreements provide for milestone payments upon achievement of certain regulatory and commercial events. Under the Milestone Method, the Company recognizes consideration that is contingent upon the achievement of a milestone in its entirety as revenue in the period in which the milestone is achieved only if the milestone is substantive in its entirety. A milestone is considered substantive when it meets all of the following criteria: 1) The consideration is commensurate with either the entity’s performance to achieve the milestone or the enhancement of the value of the delivered item(s) as a result of a specific outcome resulting from the entity’s performance to achieve the milestone, 2) The consideration relates solely to past performance, and 3) The consideration is reasonable relative to all of the deliverables and payment terms within the arrangement. A milestone is defined as an event (i) that can only be achieved based in whole or in part on either 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 Company.

Contract Services, Grant and Royalty Revenue

The Company recognizes revenues from contract services and federal government research grants during the period in which the related expenditures are incurred and related payments for those services are received or collection is reasonably assured. Royalties to be received based on sales of licensed products by the Company’s partners incorporating the Company’s licensed technology are recognized when received.

Manufacturing and Production Costs

Manufacturing and production costs include expenses related to manufacturing contracts and expenses for the production of plasmid DNA for use in the Company’s research and development efforts. Manufacturing expenses related to manufacturing contracts are deferred and expensed when the related revenue is recognized. Production expenses related to the Company’s research and development efforts are expensed as incurred.

Net Loss Per Share

Basic and diluted net loss per share has been computed using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. The weighted average number of shares used to compute diluted loss per share excludes any assumed exercise of stock options and any assumed issuance of common stock under restricted stock units as the effect would be antidilutive. Common stock equivalents of 4,764  and 0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, were excluded from the calculation because of their antidilutive effect.          

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company records its compensation expense associated with stock options and other forms of equity compensation based on their fair value at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model. Stock-based compensation includes amortization related to stock option awards based on the estimated grant date fair value. Stock-based compensation expense related to stock options includes an estimate for forfeitures and the portion that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized ratably over the vesting period of the option. In addition, the Company records expense related to RSUs granted based on the fair value of those awards on the grant date. The fair value related to the RSUs is amortized to expense over the vesting term of those awards. Stock-based compensation expense related to RSUs includes an estimate for forfeitures and the portion expected to vest is recognized ratably over the requisite service period. The expected forfeiture rate of all equity-based compensation is based on observed historical patterns of the Company’s employees and was estimated to be 8.75% annually for each of the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

Stock-based compensation expense for a stock-based award with a performance condition is recognized when the achievement of such performance condition is determined to be probable. If the outcome of such performance condition is not determined to be probable or is not met, no compensation expense is recognized and any previously recognized compensation expense is reversed.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance that outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The guidance provides that an entity recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. The guidance allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption and will become effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2017. The Company is evaluating the alternative transition methods and the potential effects of the adoption of this update on its financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance related to the evaluation of an entity to continue as a going concern. The amendment establishes management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern in connection with preparing financial statements for each annual and interim reporting period. The amendment also gives guidance to determine whether to disclose information about relevant conditions and events when there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The amended guidance is effective prospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The new guidance will not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In February 2016, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance related to the accounting for leasing transactions.  The new standard requires a lessee to record on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leases with lease terms of more than 12 months and will require both lessees and lessors to disclose certain key information about lease transactions.  The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company is evaluating the effect that the adoption of the new guidance will have on its financial statements.

 

Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-Based Compensation

2.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Total stock-based compensation expense was allocated to research and development, manufacturing and production and general and administrative expense as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Research and development

 

$

82

 

 

$

111

 

Manufacturing and production

 

 

33

 

 

 

34

 

General and administrative

 

 

198

 

 

 

426

 

Total stock-based compensation expense

 

$

313

 

 

$

571

 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company granted stock-based awards with a total estimated value of $0.5 million and $1.7 million, respectively. At March 31, 2016, total unrecognized estimated compensation expense related to unvested stock-based awards granted prior to that date was $1.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years. Stock-based awards granted during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, were equal to 3.1% and 2.9%, respectively, of the outstanding shares of common stock at the end of the applicable period.

Marketable Securities, Available for Sale
Marketable Securities, Available for Sale

3.

MARKETABLE SECURITIES, AVAILABLE FOR SALE

The following is a summary of available-for-sale marketable securities (in thousands):

 

March 31, 2016

 

Amortized

Cost

 

 

Unrealized

Gain

 

 

Unrealized

Loss

 

 

Market

Value

 

U.S. treasuries

 

$

16,062

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

 

 

$

16,063

 

Certificates of deposit

 

 

12,875

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,875

 

 

 

$

28,937

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

 

 

$

28,938

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

Amortized

Cost

 

 

Unrealized

Gain

 

 

Unrealized

Loss

 

 

Market

Value

 

U.S. treasuries

 

$

7,027

 

 

$

 

 

$

8

 

 

$

7,019

 

Corporate bonds

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,000

 

Certificates of deposit

 

 

15,239

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,239

 

 

 

$

23,266

 

 

$

 

 

$

8

 

 

$

23,258

 

 

At March 31, 2016,  none of these securities were scheduled to mature outside of one year. The Company did not realize any gains or losses on sales of available-for-sale securities for the three months ended March 31, 2016. As of March 31, 2016, none of the securities had been in a continuous material unrealized loss position longer than one year.

Other Balance Sheet Accounts
Other Balance Sheet Accounts

4.

OTHER BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS

Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Employee compensation

 

$

1,422

 

 

$

2,220

 

Clinical trial accruals

 

 

303

 

 

 

102

 

Accounts payable

 

 

942

 

 

 

733

 

Deferred rent

 

 

512

 

 

 

496

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

 

365

 

 

 

361

 

Total accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

$

3,544

 

 

$

3,912

 

 

Long-Term Investments
Long-Term Investments

5.

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS

As of March 31, 2016, the Company held an auction rate security with a par value of $2.5 million. This auction rate security has not experienced a successful auction since the liquidity issues experienced in the global credit and capital markets in 2008. As a result, the security is classified as a long-term investment as it is scheduled to mature in 2038. The security was rated A- by Standard and Poor’s as of March 31, 2016. The security continues to pay interest according to its stated terms.

The valuation of the Company’s auction rate security is subject to uncertainties that are difficult to predict. The fair value of the security is estimated utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis. The key drivers of the valuation model include the expected term, collateral underlying the security investment, the creditworthiness of the counterparty, the timing of expected future cash flows, discount rates, liquidity and the expected holding period. The security was also compared, when possible, to other observable market data for securities with similar characteristics. As of March 31, 2016, the inputs used in the Company’s discounted cash flow analysis assumed an interest rate of 1.21%, an estimated redemption period of five years and a discount rate of 1.00%. Based on the valuation of the security, the Company has recognized cumulative losses of $0.5 million as of March 31, 2016, none of which were realized during the three months ended March 31, 2016. The losses when recognized are included in investment and other income. The market value of the security has partially recovered. Included in other comprehensive income are unrealized gains of $86,000 and $63,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had recorded cumulative unrealized gains of $0.4 million. The resulting carrying value of the auction rate security at March 31, 2016, was $2.2 million. Any future decline in market value may result in additional losses being recognized.

Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Measurements

6.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company measures fair value as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. Fair value measurements are based on a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

 

·

Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;

 

·

Level 2: Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and

 

·

Level 3: Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.   

Cash equivalents, marketable securities and long-term investments measured at fair value are classified in the table below in one of the three categories described above (in thousands):

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

March 31, 2016

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

Certificates of deposit

 

$

12,875

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

12,875

 

Money market funds

 

 

4,588

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,588

 

U.S. treasuries

 

 

16,063

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,063

 

Auction rate securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,182

 

 

 

2,182

 

 

 

$

33,526

 

 

$

 

 

$

2,182

 

 

$

35,708

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

December 31, 2015

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

Certificates of deposit

 

$

15,239

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

15,239

 

U.S. treasuries

 

 

7,019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,019

 

Corporate bonds

 

 

 

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,000

 

Auction rate securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,052

 

 

 

2,052

 

 

 

$

22,258

 

 

$

1,000

 

 

$

2,052

 

 

$

25,310

 

 

The Company’s investments in U.S. treasury securities, certificates of deposit and money market funds are valued based on publicly available quoted market prices for identical securities as of March 31, 2016. The Company determines the fair value of corporate bonds and other government-sponsored enterprise related securities with the aid of valuations provided by third parties using proprietary valuation models and analytical tools. These valuation models and analytical tools use market pricing or similar instruments that are both objective and publicly available, including matrix pricing or reported trades, benchmark yields, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids and/or offers. The Company validates the valuations received from its primary pricing vendors for its level 2 securities by examining the inputs used in that vendor’s pricing process and determines whether they are reasonable and observable. The Company also compares those valuations to recent reported trades for those securities. The Company did not transfer any investments between level categories during the three months ended March 31, 2016. The valuation of the Company’s investments in auction rate securities, which includes significant unobservable inputs, is more fully described in Note 5.

Activity for assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is presented in the table below (in thousands):

 

Balance at December 31, 2015

 

$

2,052

 

Total unrealized gains, excluding tax impact, included in other comprehensive loss

 

 

130

 

Balance at March 31, 2016

 

$

2,182

 

Total gains or losses for the period included in net loss attributable to the change in

   unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at the reporting date

 

$

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies

7.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In late October and early November 2013, following the Company’s announcement of the results of its Phase 3 trial of Allovectin® and the subsequent decline of the price of the Company’s common stock, two putative securities class action complaints were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California against the Company and certain of its current and former officers. On February 26, 2014, the two cases were consolidated into one action and a lead plaintiff and lead counsel were appointed (“Consolidation Order”).  On May 12, 2014, the lead plaintiff filed a first amended consolidated complaint alleging that the defendants violated Section 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by making materially false and misleading statements regarding our business prospects and the prospects for Allovectin®, thereby artificially inflating the price of the Company’s common stock.  On June 9, 2014, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the first amended complaint and a motion to strike certain allegations in the amended complaint.  On March 9, 2015, the Court granted defendants’ motion to dismiss the first amended complaint and terminated as moot defendants’ motion to strike, or Order. The lead plaintiff was granted leave to amend his first amended complaint on or before March 25, 2015. The lead plaintiff chose not to amend his complaint and instead stipulated to an entry of judgment. On April 28, 2015, the Court entered final judgment dismissing the action, or Judgment. On May 28, 2015, the lead plaintiff appealed the Judgment to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. That same day, another group of the Company’s stockholders that had previously moved for appointment as lead plaintiff, or the Vical Investor Group, also appealed the Judgment, as well as the Consolidation Order, to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. On August 3, 2015, the Vical Investor Group voluntarily dismissed its appeal. On October 8, 2015, the lead plaintiff-appellant filed an opening brief in support of his appeal. Defendants filed an answering brief on December 9, 2015. On January 27, 2016, lead plaintiff-appellant filed a motion to dismiss his appeal with prejudice, which was joined by defendants. On February 1, 2016, the Ninth Circuit granted the joint motion and dismissed the appeal.

In the ordinary course of business, the Company may become a party to additional lawsuits involving various matters. The Company is unaware of any such lawsuits presently pending against it which, individually or in the aggregate, are deemed to be material to the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

The Company prosecutes its intellectual property vigorously to obtain the broadest valid scope for its patents. Due to uncertainty of the ultimate outcome of these matters, the impact on future operating results or the Company’s financial condition is not subject to reasonable estimates.

Astellas License Agreements

8.

ASTELLAS OUT-LICENSE AGREEMENTS

In July 2011, the Company entered into license agreements with Astellas Pharma Inc., or Astellas, granting Astellas  exclusive, worldwide, royalty-bearing licenses under certain of the Company's know-how and intellectual property to develop and commercialize certain products containing plasmids encoding certain forms of cytomegalovirus, glycoprotein B and/or phosphoprotein 65, including ASP0113 (TransVax™) but excluding CyMVectin™.

Under the terms of the agreements, the Company is performing research and development services and manufacturing services which are being paid for by Astellas. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized $3.8 million and $4.3 million, respectively, of revenue related to these contract services. The Company also recognized $0.5 million in license revenue under the Astellas agreements during each of the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

9.

ASTELLAS IN-LICENSE AGREEMENTS

In March 2015, the Company entered into license and stock purchase agreements with Astellas, granting Vical exclusive worldwide license to develop and commercialize a novel antifungal, VL-2397. As consideration for the rights under the license, the Company issued 861,216 shares of its common stock to Astellas and made an up-front payment of $250,000 in cash. The $250,000 cash payment and the fair value of the common stock issued of $775,094 were included in research and development expenses during the three months ending March 31, 2015.  Astellas is also eligible to receive up to $99.0 million in aggregate milestone payments, the vast majority of which are commercial and sales milestones, and single-digit royalties on net sales of commercial products.

Basis of Presentation (Policies)

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid securities with original maturities at the date of acquisition of ninety days or less and can be liquidated without prior notice or penalty. Investments with an original maturity of more than ninety days are considered marketable securities and have been classified by management as available-for-sale. These investments are classified as current assets, even though the stated maturity date may be one year or more beyond the current balance sheet date which reflects management’s intention to use the proceeds from sales of these securities to fund its operations, as necessary. Such investments are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses from the sale of available-for-sale securities or the amounts, net of tax, reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), if any, are determined on a specific identification basis.

Restricted Cash

The Company is required to maintain a letter of credit securing an amount equal to twelve months of the current monthly installment of base rent for the term of its primary facilities lease, which ends in August 2017. Under certain circumstances, the Company may be able to eliminate the need for the letter of credit. As of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, restricted cash of $3.2 million was pledged as collateral for this letter of credit.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when the four basic criteria of revenue recognition are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services rendered; (3) the fee is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. Certain portions of the Company’s revenue are generated through manufacturing contracts and stand-alone license agreements.

Multiple-element arrangements

The Company has entered into multiple-element arrangements. In order to account for the multiple-element arrangements, the Company identifies the deliverables included within the agreement and evaluates which deliverables represents separate units of accounting. Analyzing the arrangement to identify deliverables requires the use of judgment, and each deliverable may be an obligation to deliver services, a right or license to use an asset, or another performance obligation. The delivered item(s) must have value to the customer on a standalone basis and, if the arrangement includes a general right of return relative to the delivered item, delivery or performance of the undelivered item(s) is considered probable and substantially in the Company’s control.

A delivered item is considered a separate unit of accounting when the delivered item has value to the partner on a standalone basis based on the consideration of the relevant facts and circumstances for each arrangement. Factors considered in this determination include the research capabilities of the partner and the availability of research expertise in this field in the general marketplace. Arrangement consideration is allocated at the inception of the agreement to all identified units of accounting based on their relative selling price. The relative selling price for each deliverable is determined using vendor specific objective evidence, or VSOE, of selling price or third-party evidence of selling price if VSOE does not exist. If neither VSOE nor third-party evidence of selling price exists, the Company uses its best estimate of the selling price for the deliverable. The amount of allocable arrangement consideration is limited to amounts that are fixed or determinable. The consideration received is allocated among the separate units of accounting, and the applicable revenue recognition criteria are applied to each of the separate units. Changes in the allocation of the sales price between delivered and undelivered elements can impact revenue recognition but do not change the total revenue recognized under any agreement. If facts and circumstances dictate that the license has standalone value from the undelivered items, which generally include research and development services and the manufacture of drug products, the license is identified as a separate unit of accounting and the amounts allocated to the license are recognized upon the delivery of the license, assuming the other revenue recognition criteria have been met. However, if the amounts allocated to the license through the relative selling price allocation exceed the upfront license fee, the amount recognized upon the delivery of the license is limited to the upfront fee received. If facts and circumstances dictate that the license does not have standalone value, the transaction price, including any upfront license fee payments received, are allocated to the identified separate units of accounting and recognized as those items are delivered.

The terms of the Company’s partnership agreements provide for milestone payments upon achievement of certain regulatory and commercial events. Under the Milestone Method, the Company recognizes consideration that is contingent upon the achievement of a milestone in its entirety as revenue in the period in which the milestone is achieved only if the milestone is substantive in its entirety. A milestone is considered substantive when it meets all of the following criteria: 1) The consideration is commensurate with either the entity’s performance to achieve the milestone or the enhancement of the value of the delivered item(s) as a result of a specific outcome resulting from the entity’s performance to achieve the milestone, 2) The consideration relates solely to past performance, and 3) The consideration is reasonable relative to all of the deliverables and payment terms within the arrangement. A milestone is defined as an event (i) that can only be achieved based in whole or in part on either 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 Company.

Contract Services, Grant and Royalty Revenue

The Company recognizes revenues from contract services and federal government research grants during the period in which the related expenditures are incurred and related payments for those services are received or collection is reasonably assured. Royalties to be received based on sales of licensed products by the Company’s partners incorporating the Company’s licensed technology are recognized when received.

Manufacturing and Production Costs

Manufacturing and production costs include expenses related to manufacturing contracts and expenses for the production of plasmid DNA for use in the Company’s research and development efforts. Manufacturing expenses related to manufacturing contracts are deferred and expensed when the related revenue is recognized. Production expenses related to the Company’s research and development efforts are expensed as incurred.

Net Loss Per Share

Basic and diluted net loss per share has been computed using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. The weighted average number of shares used to compute diluted loss per share excludes any assumed exercise of stock options and any assumed issuance of common stock under restricted stock units as the effect would be antidilutive. Common stock equivalents of 4,764  and 0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, were excluded from the calculation because of their antidilutive effect.          

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company records its compensation expense associated with stock options and other forms of equity compensation based on their fair value at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model. Stock-based compensation includes amortization related to stock option awards based on the estimated grant date fair value. Stock-based compensation expense related to stock options includes an estimate for forfeitures and the portion that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized ratably over the vesting period of the option. In addition, the Company records expense related to RSUs granted based on the fair value of those awards on the grant date. The fair value related to the RSUs is amortized to expense over the vesting term of those awards. Stock-based compensation expense related to RSUs includes an estimate for forfeitures and the portion expected to vest is recognized ratably over the requisite service period. The expected forfeiture rate of all equity-based compensation is based on observed historical patterns of the Company’s employees and was estimated to be 8.75% annually for each of the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

Stock-based compensation expense for a stock-based award with a performance condition is recognized when the achievement of such performance condition is determined to be probable. If the outcome of such performance condition is not determined to be probable or is not met, no compensation expense is recognized and any previously recognized compensation expense is reversed.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance that outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The guidance provides that an entity recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. The guidance allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption and will become effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2017. The Company is evaluating the alternative transition methods and the potential effects of the adoption of this update on its financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance related to the evaluation of an entity to continue as a going concern. The amendment establishes management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern in connection with preparing financial statements for each annual and interim reporting period. The amendment also gives guidance to determine whether to disclose information about relevant conditions and events when there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The amended guidance is effective prospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The new guidance will not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In February 2016, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance related to the accounting for leasing transactions.  The new standard requires a lessee to record on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leases with lease terms of more than 12 months and will require both lessees and lessors to disclose certain key information about lease transactions.  The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company is evaluating the effect that the adoption of the new guidance will have on its financial statements.

 

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)
Summary of Total Stock-Based Compensation Expense

Total stock-based compensation expense was allocated to research and development, manufacturing and production and general and administrative expense as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Research and development

 

$

82

 

 

$

111

 

Manufacturing and production

 

 

33

 

 

 

34

 

General and administrative

 

 

198

 

 

 

426

 

Total stock-based compensation expense

 

$

313

 

 

$

571

 

 

Marketable Securities, Available for Sale (Tables)
Summary of Available-for-Sale Marketable Securities

The following is a summary of available-for-sale marketable securities (in thousands):

 

March 31, 2016

 

Amortized

Cost

 

 

Unrealized

Gain

 

 

Unrealized

Loss

 

 

Market

Value

 

U.S. treasuries

 

$

16,062

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

 

 

$

16,063

 

Certificates of deposit

 

 

12,875

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,875

 

 

 

$

28,937

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

 

 

$

28,938

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

Amortized

Cost

 

 

Unrealized

Gain

 

 

Unrealized

Loss

 

 

Market

Value

 

U.S. treasuries

 

$

7,027

 

 

$

 

 

$

8

 

 

$

7,019

 

Corporate bonds

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,000

 

Certificates of deposit

 

 

15,239

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,239

 

 

 

$

23,266

 

 

$

 

 

$

8

 

 

$

23,258

 

 

Other Balance Sheet Accounts (Tables)
Summary of Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Employee compensation

 

$

1,422

 

 

$

2,220

 

Clinical trial accruals

 

 

303

 

 

 

102

 

Accounts payable

 

 

942

 

 

 

733

 

Deferred rent

 

 

512

 

 

 

496

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

 

365

 

 

 

361

 

Total accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

$

3,544

 

 

$

3,912

 

 

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

Cash equivalents, marketable securities and long-term investments measured at fair value are classified in the table below in one of the three categories described above (in thousands):

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

March 31, 2016

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

Certificates of deposit

 

$

12,875

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

12,875

 

Money market funds

 

 

4,588

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,588

 

U.S. treasuries

 

 

16,063

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,063

 

Auction rate securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,182

 

 

 

2,182

 

 

 

$

33,526

 

 

$

 

 

$

2,182

 

 

$

35,708

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

December 31, 2015

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

Certificates of deposit

 

$

15,239

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

15,239

 

U.S. treasuries

 

 

7,019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,019

 

Corporate bonds

 

 

 

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,000

 

Auction rate securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,052

 

 

 

2,052

 

 

 

$

22,258

 

 

$

1,000

 

 

$

2,052

 

 

$

25,310

 

 

Activity for assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is presented in the table below (in thousands):

 

Balance at December 31, 2015

 

$

2,052

 

Total unrealized gains, excluding tax impact, included in other comprehensive loss

 

 

130

 

Balance at March 31, 2016

 

$

2,182

 

Total gains or losses for the period included in net loss attributable to the change in

   unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at the reporting date

 

$

 

 

Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2015
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
 
 
 
Maximum period for cash and highly liquid securities with original maturities
90 days or less 
 
 
Minimum period for marketable securities classified as available-for-sale with original maturities
More than 90 days 
 
 
Amount of letter of credit, description
The Company is required to maintain a letter of credit securing an amount equal to twelve months of the current monthly installment of base rent for the term of its primary facilities lease, which ends in August 2017. 
 
 
Restricted cash
$ 3,246 
 
$ 3,246 
Common stock equivalents excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share
4,764 
700,000 
 
Expected forfeiture rate of equity based compensation
8.75% 
8.75% 
 
Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Total Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Mar. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
 
 
Total stock-based compensation expense
$ 313 
$ 571 
Research and development [Member]
 
 
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
 
 
Total stock-based compensation expense
82 
111 
Manufacturing and production [Member]
 
 
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
 
 
Total stock-based compensation expense
33 
34 
General and administrative [Member]
 
 
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
 
 
Total stock-based compensation expense
$ 198 
$ 426 
Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
 
 
Estimated value of stock-based awards, granted
$ 0.5 
$ 1.7 
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested options
$ 1.3 
 
Unvested stock-based awards expected to be recognized, weighted-average period
1 year 4 months 24 days 
 
Portion of stock-based awards granted from outstanding common shares
3.10% 
2.90% 
Marketable Securities, Available for Sale - Summary of Available-for-Sale Marketable Securities (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
 
 
Amortized Cost
$ 28,937 
$ 23,266 
Unrealized Gain
Unrealized Loss
Market Value
28,938 
23,258 
U.S. treasuries [Member]
 
 
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
 
 
Amortized Cost
16,062 
7,027 
Unrealized Gain
Unrealized Loss
Market Value
16,063 
7,019 
Certificates of deposit [Member]
 
 
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
 
 
Amortized Cost
12,875 
15,239 
Unrealized Gain
Unrealized Loss
Market Value
12,875 
15,239 
Corporate bonds [Member]
 
 
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
 
 
Amortized Cost
 
1,000 
Unrealized Gain
 
Unrealized Loss
 
Market Value
 
$ 1,000 
Marketable Securities, Available for Sale - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]
 
Available-for-sale securities maturing outside of one year
$ 0 
Realized gains or losses on sales of available-for-sale securities
Available-for-sale securities in a continuous material unrealized loss position longer than one year
$ 0 
Other Balance Sheet Accounts - Summary of Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]
 
 
Employee compensation
$ 1,422 
$ 2,220 
Clinical trial accruals
303 
102 
Accounts payable
942 
733 
Deferred rent
512 
496 
Other accrued liabilities
365 
361 
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses
$ 3,544 
$ 3,912 
Long-Term Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2015
Investments Schedule [Abstract]
 
 
 
Auction rate securities held, at par value
$ 2,500,000 
 
 
Maturity of long-term investment
2038 
 
 
Recognized cumulative losses
500,000 
 
 
Unrealized gains on auction rate securities
86,000 
63,000 
 
Cumulative unrealized gains
400,000 
 
 
Carrying value of auction rate security
2,182,000 
 
2,052,000 
Assumed interest rate
1.21% 
 
 
Estimated redemption period
5 years 
 
 
Fair value input discount rate
1.00% 
 
 
Recognized cumulative losses realized
$ 0 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Long-Term Investments Measured at Fair Value (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
 
 
Fair Value
$ 35,708 
$ 25,310 
Certificates of deposit [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
 
 
Fair Value
12,875 
15,239 
Money market funds [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
 
 
Fair Value
4,588 
 
U.S. treasuries [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
 
 
Fair Value
16,063 
7,019 
Auction rate securities [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
 
 
Fair Value
2,182 
2,052 
Corporate bonds [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
 
 
Fair Value
 
1,000 
Level 1 [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
 
 
Fair Value
33,526 
22,258 
Level 1 [Member] |
Certificates of deposit [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
 
 
Fair Value
12,875 
15,239 
Level 1 [Member] |
Money market funds [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
 
 
Fair Value
4,588 
 
Level 1 [Member] |
U.S. treasuries [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
 
 
Fair Value
16,063 
7,019 
Level 1 [Member] |
Auction rate securities [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
 
 
Fair Value
Level 1 [Member] |
Corporate bonds [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
 
 
Fair Value
 
Level 2 [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
 
 
Fair Value
1,000 
Level 2 [Member] |
Certificates of deposit [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
 
 
Fair Value
Level 2 [Member] |
Money market funds [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
 
 
Fair Value
 
Level 2 [Member] |
U.S. treasuries [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
 
 
Fair Value
Level 2 [Member] |
Auction rate securities [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
 
 
Fair Value
Level 2 [Member] |
Corporate bonds [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
 
 
Fair Value
 
1,000 
Level 3 [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
 
 
Fair Value
2,182 
2,052 
Level 3 [Member] |
Certificates of deposit [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
 
 
Fair Value
Level 3 [Member] |
Money market funds [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
 
 
Fair Value
 
Level 3 [Member] |
U.S. treasuries [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
 
 
Fair Value
Level 3 [Member] |
Auction rate securities [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
 
 
Fair Value
2,182 
2,052 
Level 3 [Member] |
Corporate bonds [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
 
 
Fair Value
 
$ 0 
Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Activity for Assets Measured at Fair Value Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
 
Balance at December 31, 2015
$ 2,052 
Total unrealized gains, excluding tax impact, included in other comprehensive loss
130 
Balance at March 31, 2016
2,182 
Total gains or losses for the period included in net loss attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at the reporting date
$ 0 
Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)
0 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2013
Lawsuit
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
 
Number of putative, securities class action complaints filed in U.S District Court
Astellas Out-License Agreements - Additional Information (Detail) (Collaborative Arrangement [Member], Astellas Out-License Agreements [Member], USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Mar. 31, 2015
Collaborative Arrangement [Member] |
Astellas Out-License Agreements [Member]
 
 
Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
 
 
Revenue related to contract services
$ 3.8 
$ 4.3 
Recognized license revenue
$ 0.5 
$ 0.5 
Astellas In-License Agreements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
3 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2015
Astellas In-License Agreements [Member]
Collaborative Arrangement [Member]
Mar. 31, 2015
Astellas In-License Agreements [Member]
Collaborative Arrangement [Member]
Research and development [Member]
Mar. 31, 2015
Astellas In-License Agreements [Member]
Collaborative Arrangement [Member]
Research and development [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted stock issued, shares
 
 
861,216 
 
 
Cash payment for license agreement
 
 
 
$ 250,000 
 
Purchase of technology license with common stock
775,000 
 
 
775,094 
Potential future milestone payments
 
 
$ 99,000,000