Summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

(a) Principles of consolidation:

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cardiome Pharma Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries from their respective dates of acquisition of control. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated on consolidation.

Use Of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

(b) Use of estimates:

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements. Significant areas requiring the use of accounting judgments and estimates include accounting for amounts recorded in connection with recoverability of inventories, carrying value of intangible assets, revenue recognition, bad debt and doubtful accounts, income taxes, stock-based compensation expense, and commitments and contingencies. The reported amounts and note disclosure are determined using management’s best estimates based on assumptions that reflect the most probable set of economic conditions and planned course of action. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]

(c) Foreign currency translation:

The net assets of foreign subsidiaries where the local currencies have been determined to be the functional currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates at the balance sheet dates. Equity is translated at historical rates and revenue and expenses are translated at exchange rates prevailing during the period. The foreign exchange gains and losses arising from translation are recorded in the foreign currency translation account, which is included in other comprehensive loss and reflected as a separate component of equity. For those subsidiaries where the U.S. dollar has been determined to be the functional currency, non-monetary foreign currency assets and liabilities are translated using historical rates, while monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the period-end exchange rates. Revenues and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated at exchange rates in effect at the time of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses are recorded in net loss for the period.

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

(d) Fair value measurements of financial instruments:

Fair value measurements of financial instruments are determined by using a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques into three levels according to the relative reliability of the inputs used to estimate the fair values.

The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical financial instruments;

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the financial instrument either directly or indirectly; and

Level 3 - Inputs that are not based on observable market data.

In determining fair value measurements, the most observable inputs are used when available. The fair value hierarchy level at which a financial instrument is categorized is determined on the basis of the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

(e) Cash and cash equivalents:

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short-term deposits with original maturities of 90 days or less. Short-term deposits are valued at amortized cost. The carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.

Receivables, Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Policy [Policy Text Block]

(f) Allowance for doubtful accounts:

The Company maintains an allowance for accounts for estimated losses that may result from our customers’ inability to pay. The Company estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts primarily based on the credit worthiness of customers, aging of receivable balances and general economic conditions. Amounts later determined and specifically identified to be uncollectible are charged against this allowance.

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

(g) Inventories:

Inventories consist of finished goods, unfinished product (work in process) and raw materials and are valued at the lower of cost or estimated net realizable value, determined on a first-in-first-out basis. Cost is defined as all costs that relate to bringing the inventory to its present condition and location under normal operating conditions. Estimated net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated costs of completion and selling expenses.

The components of inventory and inventory purchase commitments are reviewed on a regular basis for excess and obsolete inventory based on estimated future usage and sales, demand from drug distributors and hospitals and economic conditions. Management believes that the estimates used in calculating the inventory provision are reasonable and properly reflect the risk of excess and obsolete inventory.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

(h) Property and equipment:

Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is provided using the straight-line method over the following terms:

Asset	Rate
Laboratory equipment	5 years
Production equipment	7 years
Computer equipment	3-5 years
Software	3-5 years
Furniture and office equipment	5-7 years

Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lesser of their estimated useful life or the initial lease term. 

Intangible Assets, Finite-Lived, Policy [Policy Text Block]

(i) Intangible assets:

Intangible assets are comprised of patent costs, trade name, marketing rights and licenses. Patent costs which are associated with the preparation, filing, and obtaining of patents are capitalized. Maintenance costs of patents are expensed as incurred.

The estimated useful life of an intangible asset with a definite life is the period over which the asset is expected to contribute to future cash flows. When determining the useful life, the Company considers the expected use of the asset, useful life of a related intangible asset, any legal, regulatory or contractual provisions that limit the useful life, any legal, regulatory, or contractual renewal or extension provisions without substantial costs or modifications to the existing terms and conditions, the effects of obsolescence, demand, competition and other economic factors, and the expected level of maintenance expenditures relative to the cost of the asset required to obtain future cash flows from the asset.

Amortization is provided using the straight-line method over the following terms:

Asset	Rate
Patents	over the patent life
Trade name	10 years
Marketing rights	10 years
Licenses	10 years

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]

(j) Goodwill:

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of an acquired enterprise over the fair value assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Goodwill is allocated as of the date of the business combination to the reporting units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the business combination. Goodwill is not amortized, but reviewed for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. Qualitative factors are first assessed to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If the qualitative assessment indicates that the reporting unit may be impaired, a two-step impairment test which considers, among other things, the fair value of reporting units based on discounted estimated future cash flows, is performed. This review involves significant estimation uncertainty, which could affect the Company’s future results if the current estimates of future performance and fair values change.

Impairment Of Long Lived Assets [Policy Text Block]

(k) Impairment of long-lived assets:

Long-lived assets, including property and equipment, and intangible assets other than goodwill, are assessed for potential impairment when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recovered. The Company determines whether the carrying value of a long-lived depreciable asset or asset group is recoverable based on its estimates of future asset utilization and undiscounted expected future cash flows the assets are expected to generate. If the total of the expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss is recognized for the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the asset.

Revenue Recognition, Deferred Revenue [Policy Text Block]

(l) Deferred revenue:

Deferred revenue is recorded when upfront payments on distribution agreements are received. The deferred revenue is amortized into income over the applicable earnings period.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

(m) Revenue recognition:

Product and royalty revenue

Revenue from sales of products is recognized upon the later of transfer of title or upon shipment of the product to the customer, so long as persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collection is reasonably assured. Provisions for chargebacks, rebates, sales incentives and returns are provided for in the same period the related sales are recorded. Sales taxes collected from customers in various European markets that must be remitted back to the relevant government authorities are excluded from revenues. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales.

Royalty revenue is recognized on an accrual basis when earned in accordance with the agreement terms, when royalties from the collaborative partner are determinable and collection is reasonably assured, such as upon the receipt of a royalty statement from the collaborative partner.

Licensing and other fees

The Company earns revenue from collaboration and license agreements from the commercial sale of approved products. Royalties payable under license agreements are included in cost of sales.

Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]

(n) Research and development costs:

Research and development costs are expensed in the period incurred. These expenses include the costs of the Company’s proprietary R&D efforts, as well as costs incurred in connection with certain licensing arrangements. Before a drug product receives regulatory approval, upfront and milestone payments made to third parties under licensing arrangements are recorded as an expense. Upfront payments are recorded when incurred, and milestone payments are recorded when the specific milestone has been achieved. Once a drug product receives regulatory approval, any subsequent milestone payments made are recorded in intangible assets and, unless the asset is determined to have an indefinite life, the payments are amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining agreement term or the expected product life cycle, whichever is shorter. As of December 31, 2016, no amounts have been recorded in intangible assets.

Clinical Trial Expenses [Policy Text Block]

(o) Clinical trial expenses:

Clinical trial expenses are a component of research and development costs and include fees paid to contract research organizations, investigators and other vendors who conduct certain product development activities on the Company’s behalf. The amount of clinical trial expenses recognized in a period related to service agreements are based on estimates of the work performed using an accrual basis of accounting. These estimates are based on patient enrollment, services provided and goods delivered, contractual terms and experience with similar contracts. The Company monitors these factors to the extent possible and adjusts its estimates accordingly. Prepaid expenses or accrued liabilities are adjusted if payments to service providers differ from estimates of the amount of service completed in a given period.

Stock-based compensation and other stock-based payments [Policy Text Block]

(p) Stock-based compensation and other stock-based payments:

Stock options and restricted share units granted to the Company’s directors, executive officers and employees are accounted for using the fair-value based method. Under this method, compensation expense for stock options is measured at fair value at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model and is expensed over the award’s vesting period on a graded basis. Stock options granted to consultants and to foreign employees with Canadian dollar denominated stock options are subject to variable accounting treatment and are re-valued at fair value at each balance sheet date until exercise, expiry or forfeiture. Compensation expense for restricted share units is measured at fair value at the date of grant, which is the market price of the underlying security, and is expensed over the award’s vesting period on a straight-line basis.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

(q) Income taxes:

The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method of tax allocation. Deferred income taxes are recognized for the deferred income tax consequences attributable to differences between the carrying values of assets and liabilities and their respective income tax bases. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted income tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is included in income when a change in tax rates is enacted. Deferred income tax assets are evaluated periodically and if realization is not considered more likely than not, a valuation allowance is provided. Income tax credits, such as investment tax credits, are included as part of the provision for income taxes.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

(r) Earnings (loss) per share:

Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net earnings (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the treasury stock method. When the effect of options and other securities convertible into common shares is anti-dilutive, including when the Company has incurred a loss for the period, basic and diluted loss per share are the same.

Diluted earnings (loss) per share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, adjusted to include the number of incremental common shares that would have been outstanding if all dilutive potential common shares had been issued. Under the treasury stock method, the number of dilutive shares, if any, is determined by dividing the average market price of shares for the period into the net proceeds of in-the-money options.

Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]

(t) Comparative figures:

Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform with the financial statement presentation adopted for the current year.