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The Business
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
The Business [Abstract]  
Nature of Operations [Text Block]
The Business
 
Overview
     
NeoStem, Inc. (“we,” “NeoStem” or the “Company”) is a leader in the emerging cellular therapy industry. We are pursuing the preservation and enhancement of human health globally through the development of cell based therapeutics that prevent, treat or cure disease by repairing and replacing damaged or aged tissue, cells and organs and restoring their normal function. We believe that cell therapy will play a large role in changing the natural history of diseases as more breakthrough therapies are developed, ultimately lessening the overall burden of disease on patients and their families as well as the economic burden that these diseases impose upon modern society.

Our business includes the development of novel proprietary cell therapy products as well as a revenue generating contract development and manufacturing service business that we not only leverage for the development of our therapeutics but anticipate will benefit from the advancement in the regenerative medicine industry. The combination of our own therapeutic development business and a revenue-generating service provider business provides the Company with unique capabilities for cost effective in-house product development and immediate revenue and cash flow generation.
We are developing therapies to address ischemia through our CD34 Cell Program. Ischemia occurs when the supply of oxygenated blood in the body is restricted. We seek to reverse this restriction through the development and formation of new blood vessels. AMR-001 is our most clinically advanced product candidate in our CD34 Cell Program and is being developed to treat damaged heart muscle following an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) ("AMI"). In December 2013, the Company completed enrollment in its PreSERVE AMI study. PreSERVE AMI is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial testing AMR-001, an autologous (donor and recipient are the same) adult stem cell product for the treatment of patients with left ventricular dysfunction following acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). With infusion of the target population of 160 patients complete, the last patient primary endpoint follow-up for this study is expected in June 2014 followed by data lock and analysis with a submission for a possible presentation of the study at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions to be held November 15-19, 2014. If approved by Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA ") and/or other worldwide regulatory agencies following successful completion of further trials, AMR-001 would address a significant medical need for which there is currently no effective treatment, potentially improving longevity and quality of life for those suffering a STEMI, and positioning the Company to capture a meaningful share of this worldwide market. We also expect to initiate a Phase 2 clinical trial for chronic heart failure in Europe in 2014 and are conducting preclinical studies in traumatic brain injury for which we expect data in the second half of 2014.
Another platform technology we are developing utilizes T Regulatory Cells ("Tregs") to treat diseases caused by imbalances in the immune system. In collaborating with Becton-Dickinson and the University of California, San Francisco, we are utilizing this technology platform of our majority-owned subsidiary, Athelos Corporation ("Athelos"), to restore immune balance by enhancing Treg cell number and function. Tregs are a natural part of the human immune system and regulate the activity of T effector cells, the cells that are responsible for protecting the body from viruses and other foreign antigen exposure. When Tregs function properly, only foreign materials are attacked by T effector cells. In autoimmune disease it is thought that deficient Treg activity permits the T effector cells to attack the body's own tissues. We plan to initiate a Phase 2 study of Treg based therapeutics to treat type 1 diabetes in 2014. We also plan to initiate a Phase 1 study in Canada of Treg based therapeutics in support of a steroid resistant asthma indication in 2014.

Pre-clinical assets include our VSEL TM (Very Small Embryonic Like) Technology regenerative medicine platform. Regenerative medicine holds the promise of improving clinical outcomes and reducing overall  healthcare costs.  We are working on a Department of Defense funded study of VSELsTM for the treatment of chronic wounds. Other preclinical work with VSELsTM includes exploring macular degeneration as a target indication.

Progenitor Cell Therapy, LLC ("PCT") is a contract manufacturer that generates revenue. This wholly owned subsidiary, which we acquired in 2011, is an industry leader in providing high quality manufacturing capabilities and support to developers of cell-based therapies to enable them to improve efficiencies and profitability and reduce capital investment for their own development activities. Since its inception more than 15 years ago, PCT has provided pre-clinical and clinical current Good Manufacturing Practice (“cGMP”) development and manufacturing services to more than 100 clients. PCT has experience advancing regenerative medicine product candidates from product inception through rigorous quality standards all the way through to human testing, Biologic License Application ("BLA") filing and FDA product approval. PCT's core competencies in the cellular therapy industry include manufacturing of cell therapy-based products, engineering and innovation services, product and process development, cell and tissue processing, regulatory support, storage, distribution and delivery and consulting services. PCT has two cGMP, state-of-the art cell therapy research, development, and manufacturing facilities in New Jersey and California, serving the cell therapy community with integrated and regulatory compliant distribution capabilities. The Company is pursuing commercial expansion of our manufacturing operations both in the U.S. and internationally.
    
Effective March 31, 2012, we no longer operated in the former Regenerative Medicine – China segment, which is now reported in discontinued operations (see Note 15). On November 13, 2012, we completed the sale of our 51% interest in Suzhou Erye, which represented the operations in our former Pharmaceutical Manufacturing - China segment, and is also reported in discontinued operations (see Note 15). As a result, we currently operate in a single reporting segment - Cell Therapy, which will focus on contract development and manufacturing and cell therapy development programs.

We believe that NeoStem is ideally positioned to lead the cell therapy industry.

Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“generally accepted accounting principles”) and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned and partially owned subsidiaries, the operations of our former Regenerative Medicine - China segment through the deconsolidation date on March 31, 2012 (see Note 15), and the operations of our former Pharmaceutical Manufacturing - China segment through November 13, 2012, the date on which the segment was sold (see Note 15). These former segments are reported in discontinued operations. In the opinion of management, the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, include all normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary to present fairly the Company's financial position as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended.
 
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America 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 consolidated financial statements. Estimates also affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Examples of estimates include the fair value of goodwill and/or potential goodwill impairments for our reporting units, useful lives of our tangible and intangible assets, allowances for doubtful accounts, and stock-based compensation forfeiture rates. An example of an assumption includes the potential outcome of future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.
 
Reclassifications
 
Certain reclassifications have been made to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 to conform to the presentation for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Principles of Consolidation
 
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of NeoStem, Inc. and its wholly owned and partially owned subsidiaries and affiliates as listed below, as well as the operations of our former Regenerative Medicine - China segment through the deconsolidation date on March 31, 2012 (see Note 15), and the operations of our former Pharmaceutical Manufacturing - China segment through November 13, 2012, representing the date which the segment was sold (see Note 15). These former segments are reported in discontinued operations.
 
Entity
 
Percentage of Ownership
 
Location
NeoStem, Inc.
 
Parent  Company
 
United States of America
NeoStem Therapies, Inc.
 
100%
 
United States of America
Stem Cell Technologies, Inc.
 
100%
 
United States of America
Amorcyte, LLC
 
100%
 
United States of America
Progenitor Cell Therapy, LLC (PCT)
 
100%
 
United States of America
NeoStem Family Storage, LLC
 
100%
 
United States of America
Athelos Corporation (1)
 
88.5%
 
United States of America
PCT Allendale, LLC
 
100%
 
United States of America


(1) Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement signed in March 2011, our initial ownership in Athelos was 80.1%, and Becton Dickinson's ("BD") initial minority ownership was 19.9%. Per the Agreement, BD will be diluted based on new investment in Athelos by us (subject to certain anti-dilution provisions). As of December 31, 2013, BD's ownership interest in Athelos was decreased to 11.5%, and our ownership increased to 88.5%. As a result in the change in ownership, approximately $0.3 million was transferred from additional paid in capital to non-controlling interests.