SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation.

The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 was derived from our audited balance sheet as of that date. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 are unaudited and reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and operating results for the interim periods. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2012 contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 14, 2013. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year.

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Transgenomic, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Risks and Uncertainties

Risks and Uncertainties.

Certain risks and uncertainties are inherent in our day-to-day operations and to the process of preparing our financial statements. The more significant of those risks are presented below and throughout the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates.

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting period. In addition, estimates and assumptions associated with the determination of the fair value of certain assets and related impairments require considerable judgment by management. Actual results could differ from the estimates and assumptions used in preparing these consolidated financial statements.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified in order to conform to the current year presentation regarding segment reporting.

Fair Value

Fair Value.

Unless otherwise specified, book value approximates fair market value. The common stock warrant liability is recorded at fair value.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents.

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and investments with original maturities at the date of acquisition of three months or less.

Concentration of Cash

Concentrations of Cash.

From time to time, we may maintain a cash position with financial institutions in amounts that exceed federally insured limits. We have not experienced any losses on such accounts as of March 31, 2013.

Accounts Receivable

While payment terms are generally 30 days, we have also provided extended payment terms in certain cases. In addition, we operate globally and the payment terms for some of our international customers may be greater than 90 days. Accounts receivable are carried at original invoice amount and shown net of allowance for doubtful accounts and contractual allowances. The estimate made for doubtful accounts is based on a review of all outstanding amounts on a quarterly basis. We determine the allowance for doubtful accounts and contractual allowances by regularly evaluating individual customer receivables and considering a customer’s financial condition, credit history and current economic conditions. Accounts receivable are written off when deemed uncollectible. Recoveries of accounts receivable previously written off are recorded when received.

Inventories

Inventories.

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market net of allowance for obsolete inventory. Cost is computed using standard costs for finished goods and average or latest actual cost for raw materials and work in process, which approximates the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.

Inventory Obsolescence

We determine the allowance for obsolescence by evaluating inventory quarterly for items deemed to be slow moving or obsolete.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment.

Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets

Goodwill

Goodwill.

Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over fair value of assets acquired and is not amortized. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually. We perform this impairment analysis during the fourth quarter of each year or when a significant event occurs that may impact goodwill. Impairment occurs when the carrying value is determined to be not recoverable thereby causing the carrying value of the goodwill to exceed its fair value. If impaired, the asset’s carrying value is reduced to its fair value. No events have transpired in the three months ended March 31, 2013 that would require an impairment analysis prior to our scheduled review.

Stock Based Compensation

Stock Based Compensation.

All stock options awarded to date have exercise prices equal to the market price of our common stock on the date of grant and have ten-year contractual terms. Unvested options as of March 31, 2013 had vesting periods of one or three years from the date of grant. None of the stock options outstanding at March 31, 2013 are subject to performance or market-based vesting conditions.

We measure and recognize compensation expense for all stock-based awards made to employees and directors, including stock options. Compensation expense is based on the calculated fair value of the awards as measured at the grant date and is expensed ratably over the service period of the awards (generally the vesting period).

Net Sales Recognition

Net Sales Recognition.

Revenue is realized and earned when all of the following criteria are met:

• Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists,

• Delivery has occurred or services have been rendered,

• The seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and

• Collectability is reasonably assured.

Net sales from our Laboratory Services segment are recognized on samples collected from patients of health care providers and individuals who take part in clinical trials. Revenue is recognized from patients of health care providers on an individual test basis and occurs when the test report is completed, reviewed and sent to the client. Sales are recorded at our list price less a provision for insurance and Medicare and Medicaid contractual adjustments. There are no deferred net sales associated with these tests. Adjustments to the allowances, based on actual receipts from third party payers, are recorded upon settlement. For clinical trials we perform services on a project by project basis and recognize revenue when services are delivered. These projects typically do not extend beyond one year. At March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, deferred revenue associated with clinical trials for which we have received payment in advance of performing services was $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, and was included in the balance sheet in deferred revenue.

Net sales of products in our Diagnostic Tools segment are recognized in accordance with the terms of the sales arrangement. Such recognition is based on receipt of an unconditional customer order and transfer of title and risk of ownership to the customer, typically upon shipment of the product under a purchase order. Our sales terms do not provide for the right of return unless the product is damaged or defective. Net sales from certain services associated with the analytical instruments, to be performed subsequent to shipment of the products, is deferred and recognized when the services are provided. Such services, mainly limited to installation and training services that are not essential to the functionality of the instruments, typically are performed in a timely manner subsequent to shipment of the instrument. We also enter into various service contracts that cover installed instruments. These contracts, for which payment is received at the time of execution, cover specific time periods and net sales associated with these contracts are deferred and recognized ratably over the service period. At March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, deferred net revenue associated with our service contracts was $1.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively, and is included in the balance sheet in deferred revenue.

Taxes collected from customers and remitted to government agencies for specific sales transactions are recorded net any sales tax collected with no effect on the income statement.

Common Stock Warrants

Common Stock Warrants.

Our issued and outstanding warrants to purchase common stock do not qualify to be treated as equity and, accordingly, are recorded as a liability ("Common Stock Warrant Liability"). The Common Stock Warrant Liability was initially recorded at fair value using a Monte Carlo simulation model. We are required to present these instruments at fair value at each reporting date and any changes in fair values are recorded as an adjustment to earnings. The Common Stock Warrant Liability is considered a Level Three financial instrument for purposes of fair value measurement.

Translation of Foreign Currency

Translation of Foreign Currency.

Our foreign subsidiary uses the local currency of the country in which it is located as its functional currency. Its assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date.

(Loss) Per Share

Loss Per Share.

Basic loss per share is calculated based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted loss per share includes shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options, warrants or conversion rights that have exercise or conversion prices below the market value of our common stock.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Recent accounting pronouncements.

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2013-2, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income , that required the presentation of significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, cross-reference to other disclosures that provide additional detail about these amounts is required. ASU 2013-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2012. The adoption of this new guidance had no impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In March 2013, the FASB released Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-05 ("ASU 2013-05"), Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830): Parent's Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force). ASU 2013-05 requires that when a reporting entity (parent) ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity, the parent is required to release any related cumulative translation adjustment into net income. The provisions of ASU 2013-05 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. When adopted, ASU 2013-05 is not expected to materially impact our condensed consolidated financial statements.