OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Our consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly-owned subsidiaries and majority-owned subsidiaries since their respective dates of acquisitions. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Where our ownership of a subsidiary is less than 100%, the non-controlling interest is reported on our consolidated balance sheets. The non-controlling interest in our consolidated net income is reported as "Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest" on our consolidated statements of operations. Our consolidated financial statements are stated in United States dollars and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP").

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates are required when establishing the allowance for doubtful accounts and the provision for excess/obsolete inventory, in determining the period over which our obligations are fulfilled under agreements to license product rights and/or technology rights, evaluating long-lived and intangible assets for impairment, determining the allocation of purchase price under purchase accounting, estimating the expense associated with the granting of stock options and in determining the need for, and the amount of, a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable are recorded at net realizable value. From time to time, our customers are unable to meet their payment obligations. We continuously monitor our customers' credit worthiness and use our judgment in establishing a provision for estimated credit losses based upon our historical experience and any specific customer collection issues that we have identified. While such credit losses have historically been within our expectations and the provisions established, there is no assurance that we will continue to experience the same credit loss rates that we have in the past. A significant change in the liquidity or financial position of our customers could have a material adverse impact on the collectability of accounts receivable and our future operating results.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates market value, and include short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of less than three months.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term trade receivables and payables and the Company's revolving line of credit. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents and short-term trade receivables and payables approximate fair value. The fair value of our line of credit balance is estimated based on current rates available for similar debt with similar maturities and collateral, and at December 31, 2014 and 2015, approximates the carrying value due primarily to the floating rate of interest on such debt instruments.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value using the first-in, first-out method. Inventory we manufacture includes the cost of material, labor and overhead. If the cost of inventories exceeds estimated fair value, provisions are made to reduce the carrying value to estimated fair value.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. The costs of additions and improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. When an item is sold or retired, the cost and related accumulated depreciation is relieved, and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is recognized in the consolidated statements of income.

We capitalize certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining software designated for internal use based on three distinct stages of development. Qualifying costs incurred during the application development stage, which consist primarily of internal payroll and direct fringe benefits and external director project costs, including labor and travel, are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset. Costs incurred during the preliminary project and post and post-implementation and operation phases are expensed as incurred. These costs are general and administrative in nature and related primarily to the determination of performance requirements, data conversion and training.

Goodwill, Intangible and Other Long-Lived Assets

We assess goodwill for impairment annually, at the reporting unit level, in the fourth quarter and whenever events or circumstances indicate impairment may exist. In evaluating goodwill for impairment, we have the option to first assess the qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. The more-likely-than-not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of more than 50 percent. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, we determine that is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting is less than its carrying amount, we would then perform step one of the two-step impairment test; otherwise, no further impairment test would be required. In contrast, we can opt to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to step one of the two-step impairment test. Doing so does not preclude us from performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period.

In the fourth quarter of 2015, we performed a qualitative assessment of the goodwill residing within the assets of our CCA segment and determined that no indications of impairment existed.

Intangible assets are valued based on estimates of future cash flows and amortized over their estimated useful lives. We continually evaluate whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate the remaining estimated useful life of intangible assets as well as other long-lived assets may warrant revision, or that the remaining balance of these assets may not be recoverable. When deemed necessary, we complete this evaluation by comparing the carrying amount of the assets with the estimated undiscounted future cash flows associated with them. If such evaluations indicate that the future undiscounted cash flows of amortizable long-lived assets are not sufficient to recover the carrying value of such assets, the assets are adjusted to their estimated fair values.

The estimation of useful lives and expected cash flows requires us to make significant judgments regarding future periods that are subject to some factors outside of our control. Changes in these estimates can result in significant revisions to our carrying value of these assets and may result in material charges to our results of operations.

Revenue Recognition

We generate our revenue through the sale of products, as well as through licensing of technology product rights, royalties and sponsored research and development. Our policy is to recognize revenue when the applicable revenue recognition criteria have been met, which generally include the following:


•	Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;


•	Delivery has occurred or services rendered;


•	Price is fixed or determinable; and


•	Collectability is reasonably assured.

Revenue from the sale of products is recognized after both the goods are shipped to the customer and acceptance has been received, if required, with an appropriate provision for estimated returns and allowances. We do not permit general returns of products sold. Certain of our products have expiration dates. Our policy is to exchange certain outdated, expired product with the same product. We record an accrual for the estimated cost of replacing the expired product expected to be returned in the future, based on our historical experience, adjusted for any known factors that reasonably could be expected to change historical patterns, such as regulatory actions which allow us to extend the shelf lives of our products. Revenue from both direct sales to veterinarians and sales to independent third-party distributors are generally recognized when goods are shipped. Our products are shipped complete and ready to use by the customer. The terms of the customer arrangements generally pass title and risk of ownership to the customer at the time of shipment. Certain customer arrangements provide for acceptance provisions. Revenue for these arrangements is not recognized until the acceptance has been received or the acceptance period has lapsed. We reduce our revenue by the estimated cost of any rebates, allowances or similar programs, which are used as promotional programs.

Recording revenue from the sale of products involves the use of estimates and management judgment. We must make a determination at the time of sale whether the customer has the ability to make payments in accordance with arrangements. While we do utilize past payment history, and, to the extent available for new customers, public credit information in making our assessment, the determination of whether collectability is reasonably assured is ultimately a judgment decision that must be made by management. We must also make estimates regarding our future obligation relating to returns, rebates, allowances and similar other programs.

License revenue under arrangements to sell or license product rights or technology rights is recognized as obligations under the agreement are satisfied, which generally occurs over a period of time. Generally, licensing revenue is deferred and recognized over the estimated life of the related agreements, products, patents or technology. Nonrefundable licensing fees, marketing rights and milestone payments received under contractual arrangements are deferred and recognized over the remaining contractual term using the straight-line method.

Recording revenue from license arrangements involves the use of estimates. The primary estimate made by management is determining the useful life of the related agreement, product, patent or technology. We evaluate all of our licensing arrangements by estimating the useful life of either the product or the technology, the length of the agreement or the legal patent life and defer the revenue for recognition over the appropriate period.

We may enter into arrangements that include multiple elements. Such arrangements may include agreements allowing for the usage of an instrument and a given level of consumables for one monthly payment. In these situations we must determine whether the various elements meet the criteria to be accounted for as separate elements. If the elements cannot be separated, revenue is recognized once revenue recognition criteria for the entire arrangement have been met or over the period that the Company's obligations to the customer are fulfilled, as appropriate. If the elements are determined to be separable, the revenue is allocated to the separate elements based on relative fair value and recognized separately for each element when the applicable revenue recognition criteria have been met. In accounting for these multiple element arrangements, we must make determinations about whether elements can be accounted for separately and make estimates regarding their relative fair values.

In addition to our direct sales force, we utilize distributors to sell our products. Distributors purchase goods from us, take title to those goods and resell them to their customers in the distributors' territory.

Upfront payments we receive under arrangements for product, patent or technology rights in which we retain an interest in the underlying product, patent or technology are initially deferred, and revenue is subsequently recognized over the estimated life of the agreement, product, patent or technology. Similarly, upfront payments we receive under agreements where we are obligated to maintain a product or technology sold to a third party and/or transfer know-how or technology to a third party are initially deferred and revenue is subsequently recognized over the estimated life of the agreement. Milestone payments related to an improvement in a product in which we retain an interest in the product are initially deferred and recognized over the estimated life of the agreement or product. We received upfront and milestone payments totaling $7.0 million and $3.0 million in 2013 and 2014, respectively. We did not receive any such payments in 2015. Revenue from royalties is recognized once we are informed of sales on which we are entitled to royalties.

Stock-Based Compensation

Accounting for stock-based compensation requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors based on estimated fair values. We estimate the fair value of all stock options and awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton pricing model, which is affected by our stock price, as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include our expected stock price volatility over the estimated term of the awards, the estimated term of the awards, which is dependent in part on employee option exercise behaviors, risk free interest rates and expected dividends. Our expected volatility assumption is based on the historical closing prices of our stock over a period equivalent to the expected life of the options.

Advertising Costs

We expense advertising costs as incurred and are included in sales and marketing expenses.

Income Taxes

In the course of doing business we collect various taxes from customers including, but not limited to, sales taxes. It is our policy to record revenue net of taxes collected from customers in our consolidated statements of operations.

The Company records a current provision for income taxes based on estimated amounts payable or refundable on tax returns filed or to be filed each year. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates, in each tax jurisdiction, expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in operations in the period that includes the enactment date. The overall change in deferred tax assets and liabilities for the period measures the deferred tax expense or benefit for the period. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance based on a judgmental assessment of available evidence if the Company is unable to conclude that it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized.

Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currency of our Swiss subsidiary is the Swiss Franc. Assets and liabilities of our Swiss subsidiary are translated using the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenue and expense accounts and cash flows are translated using an average of exchange rates in effect during the period. Cumulative translation gains and losses are shown in the consolidated balance sheets as a separate component of stockholders' equity. Exchange gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in foreign currencies (i.e., transaction gains and losses) are recognized as a component of other income (expense) in current operations, as are exchange gains and losses on intercompany transactions expected to be settled in the near term.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling are recorded in sales. Shipping and handling costs incurred by us for the delivery of products to customers are included in cost of sales.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 "Leases," which supersedes ASC 840 "Leases" and creates a new topic, ASC 842 "Leases." This update requires lessees to recognize a lease liability and a lease asset for all leases, including operating leases, with a term greater than 12 months on its balance sheet. The update also expands the required quantitative and qualitative disclosures surrounding leases. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with earlier application permitted. This update will be applied using a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. We are currently evaluating the effect of this update on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. The amendments in this update simplify the presentation of deferred income taxes and require that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. This update applies to all entities that present a classified statement of financial position. These amendments may be applied either prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented. If the guidance is applied prospectively, disclosure is made in the first interim and first annual period of change, the nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle and a statement that prior periods were not retrospectively adjusted. If the guidance is applied retrospectively, disclosure is made in the first interim and first annual period of change, the nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle and quantitative information about the effects of the accounting change on prior periods. The amendments are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Earlier application is permitted for all entities as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. We have decided to early-adopt ASU 2015-17, which resulted in a retrospective adjustment of amounts disclosed in our consolidated balance sheet for the year ended December 31, 2014.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). Upon the effective date, the ASU replaces almost all existing revenue recognition guidance, including industry specific guidance, in generally accepted accounting principles. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date. The amendments in this update deferred the effective date for implementation of ASU 2014-09 by one year and are now effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early application is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 including interim reporting periods within that period. We are currently assessing the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures upon implementation.