NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a) Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or U.S. GAAP, and include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company operates in one business segment.

All tabular disclosures of dollar and share amounts are presented in thousands unless otherwise indicated. All per share amounts are presented at their actual amounts. The number of shares issuable under the Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Award Plan, or the Medivation Equity Incentive Plan, and the Medivation, Inc. 2013 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or ESPP, disclosed in Note 11, “Stockholders’ Equity,” are presented at their actual amounts unless otherwise indicated. Amounts presented herein may not calculate or sum precisely due to rounding.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. There was no effect on net income (loss) or stockholders’ equity related to these reclassifications.

(b) Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires that management make estimates and assumptions in certain circumstances 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. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Although management believes that these estimates are reasonable, actual future results could differ materially from those estimates. In addition, had different estimates and assumptions been used, the consolidated financial statements could have differed materially from what is presented.

Significant estimates and assumptions used by management principally relate to revenue recognition, including reliance on third-party information, estimating the performance periods of the Company’s deliverables under collaboration agreements, and estimating the various deductions from gross sales to calculate net sales of XTANDI. Additionally, significant estimates and assumptions used by management include those related to contingent purchase consideration, intangible assets, goodwill, the Convertible Notes, determining whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of any variable interest entities, leases, taxes, research and development and other accruals, share-based compensation, and the calculation of diluted net income per common share.

On June 15, 2015, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, effecting an increase in the total number of authorized shares of capital stock of the Company from 171,000,000 to 341,000,000 and an increase in the total number of authorized shares of common stock of the Company from 170,000,000 to 340,000,000.

On September 15, 2015, the Company effected a two-for-one forward stock split of its common stock in the form of a stock dividend. Stockholders of record as of August 13, 2015 received one additional share of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01, for each share they held as of the record date. The Company issued approximately 81.7 million shares of its common stock as a result of the stock dividend. The par value of the Company’s common stock remained unchanged at $0.01 per share.

During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company settled $258.8 million aggregate principal amount of its 2.625% convertible senior notes due April 1, 2017, or the Convertible Notes, through a combination of $259.9 million in cash and 5,638,576 shares of its common stock. Upon settlement, the Convertible Notes were no longer outstanding, interest ceased to accrue thereon, and all rights of the holders of the Convertible Notes ceased to exist.

Information regarding shares of common stock (except par value per share), par, additional paid-in capital, and net income (loss) per common share for all periods presented has been retroactively adjusted to reflect the effects of the stock split. The number of shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights and vesting of other stock-based awards was proportionally increased, and the exercise price per share thereof, as applicable, was proportionally decreased, in accordance with the terms of the Medivation Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, and the ESPP.

(d) Collaboration Agreement Payments

The Company accounts for the various payment flows under its collaboration agreement with Astellas, or the Astellas Collaboration Agreement, as follows:

Estimated Performance Periods

The Astellas Collaboration Agreement contains multiple elements and deliverables, and required evaluation pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 605-25, “Revenue Recognition—Multiple-Element Arrangements.” The Company concluded that it had multiple deliverables under the Astellas Collaboration Agreement, including deliverables relating to grants of technology licenses, and performance of manufacturing, regulatory and clinical development activities in the United States. The period in which the Company performed its deliverables began in the fourth quarter of 2009 and concluded in the third quarter of 2015 upon substantial completion of the Company’s remaining performance obligations. The Company also concluded that its deliverables under the Astellas Collaboration Agreement should be accounted for as a single unit under ASC 605-25.

Estimation of the performance periods of the Company’s deliverables requires the use of management’s judgment. Significant factors considered in management’s evaluation of the estimated performance periods include, but are not limited to, the Company’s experience, along with its collaboration partners’ experience, in conducting manufacturing, clinical development and regulatory activities. The Company reviews the estimated duration of its performance periods under its collaboration agreements on a quarterly basis and makes any appropriate adjustments on a prospective basis.

Upfront Payments

The Company received a non-refundable, upfront cash payment of $110.0 million under the Astellas Collaboration Agreement. The Company recognized the payment as collaboration revenue on a straight-line basis over the applicable estimated performance period. As of December 31, 2015, there was no deferred revenue related to payments received under the Astellas Collaboration Agreement.

Milestone Payments

The Company has been eligible to receive milestone payments under the Astellas Collaboration Agreement based on achievement of specified development, regulatory and commercial events. Management evaluated the nature of the events triggering these contingent payments, and concluded that these events fall into two categories: (a) events which involve the performance of the Company’s obligations under the Astellas Collaboration Agreement, and (b) events which do not involve the performance of the Company’s obligations under the Astellas Collaboration Agreement.

The former category of milestone payments consist of those triggered by development and regulatory activities in the United States and by the acceptance for review of marketing applications in Europe and Japan. Management concluded that each of these payments, with one exception, constitute substantive milestone payments. This conclusion was based primarily on the facts that (i) each triggering event represented a specific outcome that could be achieved only through successful performance by the Company of one or more of its deliverables, (ii) achievement of each triggering event was subject to inherent risk and uncertainty and would result in additional payments becoming due to the Company, (iii) each of the milestone payments was non-refundable, (iv) substantial effort was required to complete each milestone, (v) the amount of each milestone payment was reasonable in relation to the value created in achieving the milestone, (vi) a substantial amount of time was expected to pass between the upfront payment and the potential milestone payments, and (vii) the milestone payments related solely to past performance. Based on the foregoing, the Company recognized any revenue from these milestone payments in the period in which the underlying triggering event occurs. The one exception is the milestone payment for initiation of the Phase 3 PREVAIL trial, an event which management deemed to be reasonably assured at the inception of the Astellas collaboration. This milestone payment was triggered in the third quarter of 2010, and the Company recognized it as collaboration revenue on a straight-line basis over the estimated remaining performance period of the Astellas Collaboration Agreement.

The latter category of milestone payments consist of those triggered by potential marketing approvals in Europe and Japan, and commercial activities globally, all of which were areas in which the Company had no pertinent contractual responsibilities under the Astellas Collaboration Agreement. Management concluded that these payments constitute contingent revenues and thus recognized them as revenue in the period in which the contingency was met.

As of December 31, 2015, the Company has earned all development and sales milestone payments under the Astellas Collaboration Agreement.

Royalties and Profit (Loss) Sharing Payments

Under the Astellas Collaboration Agreement, the Company shares equally profits (losses) on sales of products in the United States and receives royalties on sales of products outside the United States. The Company recognizes revenue from these events based on the revenue recognition criteria set forth in ASC 605-10-25-1, “Revenue Recognition.” Based on those criteria, the Company considers these payments to be contingent revenues, and recognizes them as revenue in the period in which the applicable contingency is resolved.

Cost-Sharing Payments

Under the Astellas Collaboration Agreement, the Company and Astellas share certain development and commercialization costs in the United States, including cost of goods sold and the royalty on net sales payable to The Regents of the University of California, or UCLA, under the Company’s license agreement with UCLA. The Company and Astellas make quarterly cost-sharing payments to one another in amounts necessary to ensure that each party bears its contractual share of the overall shared U.S. development and commercialization costs incurred. The Company’s policy is to account for cost-sharing payments to its collaboration partners as increases in expense in its consolidated statements of operations, while cost-sharing payments from its collaboration partners to the Company are accounted for as reductions in expense. Cost-sharing payments related to development activities and commercialization activities are recorded in research and development expenses, or R&D expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses, or SG&A expenses, respectively.

Reliance on Third-Party Information

Under the Astellas Collaboration Agreement, Astellas records all XTANDI sales globally and has operational responsibility for certain development and commercialization activities in the United States for which the Company shares costs. Thus, Astellas has control over certain XTANDI-related financial information needed to prepare the Company’s financial statements and related disclosures, including information regarding gross sales, net sales, gross-to-net sales deductions, including estimates of potential future product returns, and shared U.S. development and commercialization costs incurred by Astellas. The Company is dependent on Astellas to provide it with such information in a timely and accurate manner for use in preparing the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures. Certain of this information provided by Astellas is subject to estimates, including estimates used in determining gross-to-net revenue deductions such as payor mix, discounts (including legally mandated discounts to government entities), returns, chargebacks, rebates, and participation levels in patient assistance programs, and estimates regarding accrued development and commercialization costs incurred by Astellas. Under the Astellas Collaboration Agreement, the deductions from gross sales used to derive net sales of XTANDI are determined in a manner consistent with GAAP, consistently applied. Should Astellas fail to provide the Company with any such financial information in a timely manner, or should any such financial information provided by Astellas, or any of the estimates upon which such financial information was based, prove to be inaccurate, the Company could be required to record adjustments in future periods.

(e) Research and Development Expenses and Accruals

R&D expenses are charged to expense as incurred unless there is an alternative future use in other research and development projects or otherwise. R&D expenses are comprised of costs incurred in performing research and development activities, including personnel-related costs, share-based compensation, and facilities-related overhead, outside contracted services including clinical trial costs, manufacturing and process development costs for both clinical and preclinical materials, research costs, upfront and development milestone payments under license agreements and other consulting services. Non-refundable advance payment for goods and services that will be used in future research and development activities are expensed when the activity has been performed or when the goods have been received rather than when the payment is made. In instances where the Company enters into agreements with third parties to provide research and development services, costs are expensed as services are performed. Amounts due under such arrangements may be either fixed fee or fee for service, and may include upfront payments, monthly payments, and payments upon the completion of milestones or receipt of deliverables.

The Company’s accruals for clinical trials and other research and development activities are based on estimates of the services received and efforts expended pursuant to contracts with numerous clinical trial centers, contract research organizations and clinical manufacturing organizations. In the normal course of business the Company contracts with third parties to perform various research and development activities in the on-going development of its product candidates, including, without limitation, third-party clinical trial centers and contract research organizations that perform and administer the Company’s clinical trials on its behalf and clinical manufacturing organizations that manufacture clinical trial materials. The financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation and vary from contract to contract and may result in uneven payment flows. Payments under these agreements depend on factors such as the achievement of certain events, the successful enrollment of patients, and the completion of portions of the clinical trial or similar conditions. The objective of the Company’s accrual policy is to match the recording of expenses in its consolidated financial statements to the actual services received and efforts expended. As such, expense accruals related to clinical trials and other research and development activities are recognized based on the Company’s estimate of the degree of completion of the event or events specified in the specific agreement.

The Company’s accrual estimates are dependent upon the timeliness and accuracy of data provided by third parties regarding the status and cost of studies, and may not match the actual services performed by the organizations. During the course of a clinical trial, the Company adjusts its rate of clinical trial expense recognition if actual results differ from its estimates. The Company makes estimates of its accrued clinical trial expenses as of each balance sheet date based on facts and circumstances known at that time. Although the Company does not expect its estimates to be materially different from amounts actually incurred, its understanding of the status and timing of services performed relative to the actual status and timing of services performed may vary and may result in the Company reporting amounts that are too high or too low for any particular period. This could result in adjustment to the Company’s R&D expense in future periods. The Company has had no significant adjustments to previously recorded research and development amounts.

(f) Promotional and Advertising Costs

Promotional and advertising costs are classified as SG&A expenses and are expensed as incurred. Promotional and advertising expenses consist primarily of the costs of designing, producing and distributing materials promoting the Company and its products, including its corporate website. Under the Astellas Collaboration Agreement, the Company and its collaboration partners share certain commercialization costs, including certain promotional and advertising costs, in the United States. See Note 3, “Collaboration Agreement,” for additional information regarding cost-sharing with its collaboration partners.

(g) Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has outstanding stock options, restricted stock units, and stock appreciation rights pursuant to the terms of the Medivation Equity Incentive Plan, and eligible employees may purchase shares pursuant to the ESPP. The Company accounts for stock-based compensation awards to employees and directors and ESPP shares in accordance with ASC 718, “Stock Compensation,” and stock-based compensation awards to consultants in accordance with ASC 505-50, “Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees.”

Stock-based compensation expense associated with stock options is based on the estimated grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes valuation model, which requires the use of subjective assumptions related to the expected stock price volatility, option term, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. The Company recognizes compensation expense over the vesting period of the awards that are ultimately expected to vest.

Stock-based compensation expense associated with restricted stock units is based on the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the grant date, which equals the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. For restricted stock units, the Company recognizes compensation expense over the vesting period of the awards that are ultimately expected to vest.

The fair value of stock-settled and cash-settled stock appreciation rights is initially measured on the grant date using the Black-Scholes valuation model, which requires the use of subjective assumptions related to the expected stock price volatility, term, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. Similar to stock options, compensation expense for stock-settled stock appreciation rights is recognized over the vesting period of the awards that are ultimately expected to vest based on the grant-date fair value. Cash-settled stock appreciation rights are liability-classified awards for which compensation expense and the liability are remeasured at each reporting date through the date of settlement based on the portion of the requisite service period rendered. Upon the conversion of cash-settled stock appreciation rights to stock-settled stock appreciation rights, the awards are remeasured using the then-current Black-Scholes assumptions and the remeasured liability is reclassified to additional paid-in capital.

The Company accounts for the ESPP as a compensatory plan. The fair value of each purchase under the Company’s ESPP is estimated on the date of the beginning of the offering period using the Black-Scholes valuation model, which requires the use of subjective assumptions related to the expected stock price volatility, term, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. The Company recognizes compensation expense over the vesting period of the awards that are ultimately expected to vest.

Equity awards to consultants are typically remeasured at fair value at each reporting date until the awards vest.

The Company applies a forfeiture rate when determining stock-based compensation expense to account for an estimate of the granted awards not expected to vest. If actual forfeitures differ from the expected rate, the Company may be required to make additional adjustments to compensation expense in future periods.

The Black-Scholes valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable, characteristics not present in the Company’s stock options, stock appreciation rights, or ESPP shares. If the model permitted consideration of the unique characteristics of employee stock options, stock appreciation rights, and ESPP shares, the resulting estimate of fair value of the stock options, stock appreciation rights, and ESPP shares could be different. In addition, if the Company had made different assumptions and estimates for use in the Black-Scholes valuation model, the amount of recognized and to be recognized stock-based compensation expense could have been different.

(h) Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair market value. Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on deposit with banks, money market funds, and all highly liquid investments with a remaining maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase.

(i) Short-Term Investments

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a remaining maturity at the time of acquisition of more than three months but no longer than 12 months to be short-term investments. The Company classifies its short-term investments as available-for-sale securities and reports them at fair value with related unrealized gains and losses included as a component of stockholders’ equity. The amortized cost of debt securities in this category is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity, which is included in other income (expense), net, on the consolidated statements of operations. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other-than-temporary, if any, on available-for-sale securities are included in other income (expense), net. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Interest and dividends on securities classified as available-for-sale are included in other income (expense), net.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, total realized gains and losses on sales of available-for-sale securities were not material. There were no realized gains or losses from sales of available-for-sale securities for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

(j) Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company is subject to credit risk from its portfolio of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. The goals of the Company’s investment policy, in order of priority, are (1) the safety and preservation of principal, (2) maintain liquidity sufficient to meet the requirements of the Company’s operations and strategic initiatives, and (3) deliver competitive after-tax returns relative to stated objectives and market conditions. The Company’s investment policy limits investments by credit rating, maturity, industry group, investment type and issuer, except for securities issued by the U.S. government. Given this investment policy, the Company does not believe its exposure to credit risk with respect to the issuers of the securities in which it invests is material. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are primarily invested in deposits and money market accounts with one major financial institution in the United States. Deposits in this financial institution may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits.

(k) Restricted Cash

Restricted cash represents certificates of deposit held in the Company’s name with a major financial institution to secure the Company’s contingent obligations under irrevocable letters of credit issued to certain of its lessors.

(l) Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed in the period incurred. Property and equipment is generally depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

Description		Estimated Useful Life
Furniture and fixtures		3-5 years
Computer equipment and software		3-5 years
Laboratory equipment		5 years

Leasehold improvements are amortized over their estimated useful life or the related lease term, whichever is shorter.

(m) Leases

At the inception of a lease, the Company evaluates the lease agreement to determine whether the lease is an operating, capital or build-to-suit lease using the criteria in ASC 840, “Leases.”

Certain lease agreements also require the Company to make additional payments for taxes, insurance, and other operating expenses incurred during the lease period, which are expensed as incurred.

Operating Leases

For operating leases, the Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term and records the difference between cash rent payments and the recognition of rent expense as a deferred liability. Where lease agreements contain rent escalation clauses, rent abatements and/or concessions, such as rent holidays and tenant improvement allowances, the Company applies them in the determination of straight-line expense over the lease term.

Capital Leases

Capital leases are recorded as an asset within property and equipment, net and as an obligation at an amount equal to the present value of the minimum lease payments during the lease term. The asset is generally amortized over its estimated useful life or the related lease term, whichever is shorter. Lease payments under capital leases are recognized as a reduction of the capital lease obligation and interest expense. The Company currently does not have any capital leases.

Build-to-Suit Leases

In certain lease arrangements, the Company is involved in the construction of the building. To the extent the Company is involved with the structural improvements of the construction project or takes construction risk prior to the commencement of a lease, ASC 840-40, “Leases – Sale-Leaseback Transactions (Subsection 05-5),” requires the Company to be considered the owner for accounting purposes of these types of projects during the construction period. Therefore, the Company records an asset in property and equipment, net on the consolidated balance sheets, including capitalized interest costs, for the replacement cost of the Company’s portion of the pre-existing building plus the amount of estimated structural construction costs incurred by the landlord and the Company as of the balance sheet date. The Company records a corresponding build-to-suit lease obligation on its consolidated balance sheets representing the amounts paid by the lessor.

Once construction is complete, the Company considers the requirements for sale-leaseback accounting treatment, including evaluating whether all risks of ownership have been transferred back to the landlord, as evidenced by a lack of continuing involvement in the leased property. If the arrangement does not qualify for sale-leaseback accounting treatment, the building asset remains on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at its historical cost, and such asset is depreciated over its estimated useful life. The Company bifurcates its lease payments into a portion allocated to the building and a portion allocated to the parcel of land on which the building has been built. The portion of the lease payments allocated to the land is treated for accounting purposes as operating lease payments, and therefore is recorded as rent expense in the consolidated statements of operations. The portion of the lease payments allocated to the building is further bifurcated into a portion allocated to interest expense and a portion allocated to reduce the build-to-suit lease obligation. The interest rate used for the build-to-suit lease obligation represents the Company’s estimated incremental borrowing rate at inception of the lease, adjusted to reduce any built in loss. The initial recording of these assets and liabilities is classified as non-cash investing and financing items, respectively, for purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows.

(n) Business Combinations

Business combinations are accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. The purchase price, including the fair value of any contingent consideration, is allocated between tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed from the acquired business based on their estimated fair values, with the residual of the purchase price recorded as goodwill. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.

Contingent Consideration

The Company determines the fair value of contingent consideration payable at the acquisition date using a probability-based income approach utilizing an appropriate discount rate. Each reporting period thereafter, the Company re-measures the contingent consideration and records increases or decreases in their fair value as non-cash adjustments in the consolidated statements of operations. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration payable can result from adjustments to the estimated probability and assumed timing of achieving the underlying milestones, as well as from changes to the discount rates and periods.

In-Process Research and Development

In-process research and development, or IPR&D, represents the fair value assigned to incomplete research projects that the Company acquires through business combinations which, at the time of acquisition, have not reached technological feasibility. The amounts are capitalized and accounted for as indefinite-lived intangible assets, subject to impairment testing until completion or abandonment of the projects. Upon successful completion of each project, the Company will make a determination as to the then useful life of the intangible asset, generally determined by the period in which the substantial majority of the cash flows are expected to be generated, and begin amortization over that period. The Company tests IPR&D for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if impairment indicators exist, by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the IPR&D is less than its carrying amount. If the Company concludes it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than the carrying amount, a quantitative test that compares the fair value of the IPR&D with its carrying value is performed. If the fair value is less than the carrying amount, a non-cash impairment change is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill is assigned to reporting units and tested at least annually for impairment or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable, on an enterprise level by assessing qualitative factors or performing a quantitative analysis in determining whether it is more likely than not that its fair value exceeds the carrying value. Examples of qualitative factors include the Company’s share price, its financial performance compared to budgets, long-term financial plans, macroeconomic, industry and market conditions as well as the substantial excess of fair value over the carrying value of net assets. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, the excess is recorded as a non-cash impairment charge in the consolidated statement of operations.

(o) Convertible Notes

The debt and equity components of the Company’s Convertible Notes were bifurcated and accounted for separately based on the authoritative guidance in ASC 470-20, “Debt with Conversion and Other Options.” The debt component of the Convertible Notes, which excluded the associated equity conversion feature, was recorded at fair value on the issuance date. The equity component, representing the difference between the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes and the fair value of the debt component, was recorded in additional paid-in capital on the consolidated balance sheet. The discounted carrying value of the Convertible Notes resulting from the bifurcation was subsequently accreted to its principal amount through the recognition of non-cash interest expense.

Costs related to the issuance of the Convertible Notes, consisting primarily of investment banking, legal and other professional fees were allocated to the debt and equity components of the Company’s Convertible Notes in proportion to the allocation of the principal. Amounts allocated to the debt component were capitalized and amortized as non-cash interest expense using the effective yield method over the five-year contract term of the Convertible Notes. Amounts allocated to the equity component were recorded against additional paid-in capital.

During the year ended December 31, 2015, all of the Company’s Convertible Notes were settled.

(p) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The estimated fair value of the Company’s cash equivalents is based on quoted market prices. The estimated fair value of contingent consideration is determined utilizing a model that considers the probability of achieving each milestone and an appropriate discount rate. The estimated fair value of the Company’s Convertible Notes was determined using recent trading prices of the Convertible Notes. Other financial instruments, including bank deposits, receivable from collaboration partner, accounts payable, accrued expenses, borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, and other current liabilities are carried at cost, which the Company believes approximates fair value because of the short-term maturities of these instruments.

(q) Litigation

The Company is party to legal proceedings, investigations, and claims in the ordinary course of its business. The Company records accruals for outstanding legal matters when it believes that it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of such liability can be reasonably estimated. The Company evaluates, on a quarterly basis, developments in significant legal matters that could affect the amount of any accrual and developments that would make a loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. To the extent new information is obtained and the Company’s views on the probable outcomes of claims, suits, assessments, investigations or legal proceedings change, changes in the Company’s accrued liabilities would be recorded in the period in which such determination is made. In addition, in accordance with the relevant authoritative guidance, for matters for which the likelihood of material loss is at least reasonably possible, the Company provides disclosure of the possible loss or range of loss; however, if a reasonable estimate cannot be made, the Company will provide disclosure to that effect. Gain contingencies, if any, are recorded when they are realized.

(r) Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach in accordance with the guidance provided by ASC 740-10, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” ASC 740-10 requires the recognition of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the consolidated financial statements or tax returns. The measurement of current and deferred tax assets and liabilities is based on provisions of the enacted tax law; the effects of future changes in tax laws or rates are not anticipated. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced, if necessary, by the amount of any tax benefits that, based on available evidence, is not expected to be realized.

The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to reflect the net amount that it believes is more likely than not to be realized. Realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income, the amount and timing of which are uncertain. Based upon the weight of available evidence at December 31, 2014, the Company determined that it was more likely than not that a portion of its deferred tax assets would be realizable and consequently released the valuation allowance against Federal and certain state net deferred tax assets and recorded a discrete tax benefit of $33.4 million during the fourth quarter of 2014. The decision to reverse a portion of the valuation allowance was made after management considered all available evidence, both positive and negative, including but not limited to the Company’s historical operating results, income or loss in recent periods, cumulative income in recent years, forecasted earnings, forecasted future taxable income, and significant risk and uncertainty related to forecasts. The release of the valuation allowance resulted in the recognition of certain deferred tax assets and a decrease to income tax expense.

Significant judgment in required in evaluating the Company’s uncertain income tax positions based on the guidance in ASC 740-10-25, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.” The Company recognizes a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. The tax benefit recognized in the financial statements on a particular tax position is measured on the largest benefit that is more likely than not to be realized. The Company evaluates uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis and adjusts the liability for changes in facts and circumstances, such as new regulations or interpretations by the taxing authorities, new information obtained during a tax examination, significant amendment to an existing tax law, or resolution of an examination. To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the income tax provision in the period in which such determination is made. The resolution of the Company’s uncertain income tax positions is dependent on uncontrollable factors such as law changes, new case law, and the willingness of the income tax authorities to settle, including the timing thereof and other factors. Although The Company does not anticipate significant changes to its uncertain income tax positions in the next twelve months, items outside of the Company’s control could cause the uncertain income tax positions to change in the future, which would be recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. Interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters are recognized as a component of income tax expense as incurred.

(s) New Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2015-17, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes.” ASU 2015-17 requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. The amended guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period, and may be applied either prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented. Earlier application is permitted for all entities as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The Company adopted the amended guidance prospectively as of October 1, 2015. Prior periods were not retrospectively adjusted. The adoption of ASU 2015-17 resulted in a reclassification of current deferred tax assets to non-current on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015. See Note 13, “Income Taxes,” for additional information regarding the adoption of ASU 2015-17.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments.” ASU 2015-16 requires that the acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined and record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The amended guidance eliminates the requirement to retrospectively account for adjustments made to provisional amounts during the measurement period. The amended guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within that reporting period, and should be applied prospectively to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date. The Company does not currently expect that the adoption of ASU 2015-16 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, “Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line of Credit Arrangements.” The amended guidance, which became effective immediately upon issuance, clarifies that entities are permitted to defer and present such debt issuance costs as an asset to be amortized ratably over the term of the line of credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line of credit arrangement. The adoption of ASU 2015-15 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs,” which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The ASU requires retrospective adoption and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not currently expect that the adoption of ASU 2015-03 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 820): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis.” The amended guidance provides a revised consolidation model for all reporting entities to use in evaluating whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. All legal entities will be subject to reevaluation under this revised consolidation model. The revised consolidation model, among other things, (i) modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are voting interest entities, (ii) eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, and (iii) modifies the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with voting interest entities through fee arrangements and related party relationships. The amended guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company does not currently expect that the adoption of ASU 2015-02 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606), a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard that will supersede the existing revenue recognition guidance. The new accounting guidance creates a framework by which an entity will allocate the transaction price to separate performance obligations and recognize revenue when (or as) each performance obligation is satisfied. Under the new standard, entities will be required to use judgment and make estimates, including identifying performance obligations in a contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price, allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation and determining when an entity satisfies its performance obligations. The standard allows for either “full retrospective” adoption, meaning that the standard is applied to all of the periods presented with a cumulative catch-up as of the earliest period presented, or “modified retrospective” adoption, meaning the standard is applied only to the most current period presented in the financial statements with a cumulative catch-up as of the current period. In August 2015, the effective date of the new revenue standard was delayed by one year to December 15, 2017 for annual reporting periods beginning after that date. The FASB also agreed to permit early adoption of the standard, but not before the original effective date of December 15, 2016. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

(t) Out-of-Period Adjustment

In the first quarter of 2013, the Company recorded an out-of-period correcting adjustment that increased operating expenses and net loss by $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Management concluded that the adjustment is not material to the full year 2013 results or any previously reported financial statements.