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Fair Value Measurements
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements

2. Fair Value Measurements

We measure fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The accounting standard describes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value which are the following:

 

Level 1—Observable inputs, such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

 

Level 2—Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and

 

Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities; therefore, requiring an entity to develop its own valuation techniques and assumptions.

Assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. We review the fair value hierarchy classification on a quarterly basis. Changes in the ability to observe valuation inputs may result in a reclassification of levels for certain assets or liabilities within the fair value hierarchy.

The carrying amounts of cash equivalents, accounts and other receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities are considered reasonable estimates of their respective fair value because of their short-term nature.

As of March 31, 2018, we measured the fair value of our $7.0 million payment to Merck Sharpe & Dohme Corp., which is due in the first quarter of 2020, based on Level 3 inputs due to the use of unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data. We estimated the fair value of the liability using a discounted cash flow technique using the effective interest rate on our term loan. The liability had a fair value of $5.8 million as of March 31, 2018.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The following table represents the fair value hierarchy for our financial assets (cash equivalents and marketable securities) measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

March 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market funds

$

25,923

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

25,923

 

U.S. treasuries

 

-

 

 

 

49,206

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

49,206

 

U.S. government agency securities

 

-

 

 

 

54,644

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

54,644

 

Corporate debt securities

 

-

 

 

 

119,099

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

119,099

 

Total

$

25,923

 

 

$

222,949

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

248,872

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

December 31, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market funds

$

22,543

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

22,543

 

U.S. treasuries

 

-

 

 

 

45,534

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

45,534

 

U.S. government agency securities

 

-

 

 

 

86,820

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

86,820

 

Corporate debt securities

 

-

 

 

 

32,916

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

32,916

 

Total

$

22,543

 

 

$

165,270

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

187,813

 

Money market funds are highly liquid investments and are actively traded. The pricing information on these investment instruments is readily available and can be independently validated as of the measurement date. This approach results in the classification of these securities as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

U.S. treasuries, U.S. government agency securities and corporate debt securities are measured at fair value using Level 2 inputs. We review trading activity and pricing for these investments as of each measurement date. When sufficient quoted pricing for identical securities is not available, we use market pricing and other observable market inputs for similar securities obtained from various third party data providers. These inputs represent quoted prices for similar assets in active markets or these inputs have been derived from observable market data. This approach results in the classification of these securities as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2018.