SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

        The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect the operations of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company operates in one segment, which is the business of development, manufacturing and commercialization of novel therapeutics for human health care.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

        The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) requires management to make estimates and use assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

        The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity date of 90 days or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist principally of money market funds and debt securities.

Marketable Securities

Marketable Securities

        The Company invests its excess cash balances in marketable securities including municipal bond securities, U.S. government agency securities, and high-grade corporate bonds. The Company classifies all of its marketable securities as current assets on the consolidated balance sheets because they are available-for-sale and available to fund current operations. Marketable securities are stated at fair value with their unrealized gains and losses included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which is a separate component of stockholders' equity, until such gains and losses are realized. If a decline in the fair value is considered other-than-temporary, based on available evidence, the unrealized loss is transferred from other comprehensive income (loss) to the consolidated statements of operations. Realized gains and losses are determined on the specific identification method and are included in investment and other income, net.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk

        Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk primarily consist of cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and accounts receivable. The Company invests its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities in debt instruments and interest bearing accounts at major financial institutions in excess of insured limits. The Company mitigates credit risk by limiting the investment type and maturity to securities that preserve capital, maintain liquidity and have a high credit quality. The Company has not historically experienced credit losses from its accounts receivable and therefore has not established an allowance for doubtful accounts.

        Revenue from Glaxo and Pfizer represented 96% and none for the year ended December 31, 2012, 98% and none for the year ended December 31, 2011 and 14% and 85% for the year ended December 31, 2010 of total Company revenue, respectively.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

        The Company has certain assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value in the financial statements. The Company seeks to maximize the use of observable inputs (market data obtained from sources independent from the Company) and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs (the Company's assumptions about how market participants would price assets and liabilities) when measuring the fair value of its assets and liabilities. These assets and liabilities are classified into one of three levels of the following fair value hierarchy as defined by U.S. GAAP:

•         Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. An active market for an asset or liability is a market in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

          Level 2: Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities and quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.

          Level 3: Unobservable inputs based on the Company's assessment of the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

        Property and equipment is stated at cost and depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the related assets using the straight-line method. Laboratory equipment and office furniture and equipment are depreciated over five years and computer equipment is depreciated over three years. Manufacturing equipment is amortized over seven to ten years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the non-cancelable term of the related lease, including any renewals that are reasonably assured of occurring. Property and equipment under construction is classified as construction in progress and is depreciated or amortized only after the asset is placed in service. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense whereas the costs of significant improvements which extend the life of the underlying asset are capitalized. Upon retirement or sale, the cost of assets disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation are eliminated and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.

        The treatment of costs to construct property and equipment depends on the nature of the costs and the stage of construction. Costs incurred in the project planning, design, construction and installation phases are capitalized as part of the cost of the asset. The Company stops capitalizing these costs when the asset is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. For manufacturing property and equipment, the Company also capitalizes the cost of validating these assets for the underlying manufacturing process. The Company completes the capitalization of validation costs when the asset is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Costs capitalized include incremental labor and fringe benefits, and direct consultancy services.

Business Combinations

Business Combinations

        The Company records the fair value of the consideration transferred to acquire a business to the tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed on the basis of their fair values at the date of acquisition. The Company assesses the fair value of assets, including intangible assets such as in-process research and development (IPR&D), using a variety of methods including present value models. Each asset is measured at fair value from the perspective of a market participant. The method used to estimate the fair values of IPR&D assets incorporates significant assumptions regarding the estimates a market participant would make in order to evaluate an asset, including a market participant's assumptions regarding the probability of completing IPR&D projects, which would require obtaining regulatory approval for marketing of the associated drug candidate; a market participant's estimates regarding the timing of and the expected costs to complete IPR&D projects; a market participant's estimates of future cash flows from potential product sales; and the appropriate discount rates for a market participant. Transaction costs and restructuring costs associated with the transaction are expensed as incurred.

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets

        IPR&D assets acquired in a business combination initially are recorded at fair value and accounted for as indefinite-lived intangible assets. These assets are maintained on the Company's consolidated balance sheets until either the project underlying them is completed or the assets become impaired. If a project is completed, the carrying value of the related intangible asset is amortized over the remaining estimated life of the asset beginning in the period in which the project is completed. If a project becomes impaired or is abandoned, the carrying value of the related intangible asset is written down to its fair value and an impairment charge is taken in the period in which the impairment occurs. IPR&D assets will be tested for impairment on an annual basis during the third quarter, or earlier if impairment indicators are present. The Company performed an annual impairment test of the IPR&D assets as of July 1, 2012 and concluded that the IPR&D assets were not impaired.

        Intangible assets acquired in a business combination with a finite life are recorded at fair value and amortized over the greater of economic consumption or on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life.

Goodwill

Goodwill

        The difference between the purchase price and the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination is allocated to goodwill. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment on an annual basis during the third quarter, or earlier if impairment indicators are present. In January 2012, the Company adopted a new U.S. GAAP accounting standard which amended the guidance on the annual testing of goodwill for impairment. The amended guidance allows companies to assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that goodwill might be impaired and whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test required under U.S. GAAP. The Company's adoption of this new standard did not have a material effect on its operating results or financial position. As part of its annual impairment test of the goodwill asset as of July 1, 2012, the Company bypassed the qualitative assessment and performed the two-step impairment test. The Company concluded that the goodwill asset was not impaired.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

        The Company evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets, including property and equipment, and intangible assets when circumstances indicate that an event of impairment may have occurred. Determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. In the event that such cash flows are not expected to be sufficient to recover the carrying amount of the assets, the assets are written-down to their estimated fair values.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

        The Company recognizes revenue 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.

        The Company has entered into and in the future may enter into biopharmaceutical product development agreements with collaborative partners for the research and development of therapeutic drug products. The terms of the agreements may include nonrefundable signing and licensing fees, funding for research, development and manufacturing, milestone payments and royalties on any product sales derived from collaborations. These multiple element arrangements are analyzed to determine whether the deliverables can be separated or whether they must be accounted for as a single unit of accounting. In accounting for these transactions, the Company allocates revenue to the various elements based on their fair value. The fair value of a revenue generating element can be based on current selling prices offered by the Company or another party for current products or the Company's best estimate of a selling price for future products. Revenue allocated to an individual element is recognized when all other revenue recognition criteria are met for that element.

        These collaborative and other agreements may contain milestone payments. Revenues from milestones, if they are considered substantive, are recognized upon successful accomplishment of the milestones. Determining whether a milestone is substantive involves judgment, including an assessment of the Company's involvement in achieving the milestones and whether the amount of the payment is commensurate to the Company's performance. If not considered substantive, milestones are initially deferred and recognized over the remaining performance obligation.

        Payments received to fund certain research activities are recognized as revenue in the period in which the research activities are performed. Revenue from contracts and grants is recognized as the services are performed and recorded as effort is expended on the contracted work and billed to the government or the Company's contractual partner. Payments received in advance that are related to future performance are deferred and recognized as revenue when the research projects are performed.

        Product royalty revenue consists of payments received from licensees for a portion of sales proceeds from products that utilize the Company's licensed technologies and are recognized when the amount of and basis for such royalty payments are reported to the Company in accurate and appropriate form and in accordance with the related license agreement.

Other Income

Other Income

        Under the Company's agreement with TopoTarget, the Company received $3.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2010 in connection with TopoTarget's co-development and commercialization agreement for Belinostat with Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company recorded this cash receipt to other income because the Company's agreement with TopoTarget was not part of the Company's on-going operations. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company recorded $1.7 million to other income related to IRS Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Grants because the grant arrangement was not part of the Company's on-going operations.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and Development Expenses

        Research and development costs, including internal and contract research costs, are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenses consist mainly of clinical trial costs, manufacturing of clinical material, toxicology and other studies, personnel costs, depreciation, license fees and funding of outside research.

        Clinical trial expenses include expenses associated with clinical research organizations (CRO). The invoicing from CROs for services rendered can lag several months. We accrue the cost of services rendered in connection with CRO activities based on our estimate of site management, monitoring costs, and project management costs. We maintain regular communication with our CROs to gauge the reasonableness of our estimates. Differences between actual clinical trial expenses and estimated clinical trial expenses recorded have not been material and are adjusted for in the period in which they become known.

Patent Costs

Patent Costs

        Patent costs are expensed as incurred. Certain patent costs are reimbursed by the Company's product development and licensing partners. Any reimbursed patent costs are recorded as product development and licensing agreement revenues in the Company's financial statements.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

        The Company records stock-based compensation expense for all stock-based awards made to employees and directors based on the estimated fair values of the stock-based awards expected to vest at the grant date and is adjusted, if necessary, to reflect actual forfeitures. Compensation expense for all stock-based awards to employees and directors is recognized using the straight-line method over the term of vesting or performance.

        The Company records stock-based compensation expense for stock options granted to non-employees based on the fair value of the stock options which is re-measured over the vesting term resulting in periodic adjustments to stock-based compensation expense.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

        Net unrealized gains and losses resulting from foreign currency translation are included in other comprehensive income (loss). At December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, accumulated other comprehensive income includes a net unrealized gain related to foreign currency translation of $2.6 million. In 2011, the Company's foreign subsidiary voluntarily liquidated in order to consolidate the Company's foreign operations into Celldex Therapeutics, Inc.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

        The Company uses the asset and liability method to account for income taxes, including the recognition of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities for the anticipated future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement amounts and their respective tax basis. Quarterly, the Company reviews its deferred tax assets for recovery. A valuation allowance is established when the Company believes that it is more likely than not that its deferred tax assets will not be realized. Changes in valuation allowances from period to period are included in the Company's tax provision in the period of change.

        The Company records uncertain tax positions in the financial statements only if it is more likely than not that the uncertain tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities. The Company records interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.

Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive Loss

        Comprehensive loss is comprised of net loss and certain changes in stockholders' equity that are excluded from net loss. The Company includes foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities in other comprehensive loss. The consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss reflect total comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. There were no significant reclasses to income during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Net Loss Per Share

Net Loss Per Share

        Basic net loss per common share is based upon the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding restricted stock that has been issued but is not yet vested. Diluted net loss per common share is based upon the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus additional weighted-average potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period when the effect is dilutive. The potentially dilutive common shares that have not been included in the net loss per common share calculations because the effect would have been anti-dilutive are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
Stock options		5,349,810		4,459,034		4,019,982
Convertible Subordinated Debt		—		—		353,563
Restricted stock		6,000		6,000		9,338
		5,355,810		4,465,034		4,382,883

        In connection with the acquisition of CuraGen Corporation ("CuraGen") in October 2009, the Company assumed CuraGen's $12.5 million in 4% convertible subordinated debt due February 15, 2011 (the "Convertible Subordinated Debt"). The Convertible Subordinated Debt was convertible into 353,563 shares of the Company's common stock at the rate of 28.27823 shares of the Company's common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, or $35.36 per share. Interest expense on the Convertible Subordinated Debt was $0.2 million and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. In February 2011, the Company paid $12.8 million and satisfied all the outstanding principal and accrued interest related to the Convertible Subordinated Debt.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

        From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) or other standard setting bodies that are adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the Company believes that the impact of recently issued standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations upon adoption.

        In July 2012, the FASB issued amended guidance applicable to annual impairment tests of indefinite-lived intangible assets. The FASB added an optional qualitative assessment for determining whether an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. Prior to this guidance, companies were required to perform an annual impairment test that included a calculation of the fair value of the asset and a comparison of that fair value with its carrying value. If the carrying value exceeded the fair value, an impairment was recorded. The amended guidance allows a company the option to perform a qualitative assessment, considering both negative and positive evidence, regarding the potential impairment of the indefinite-lived intangible asset. If, based on the qualitative analysis, the company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of such an asset exceeds its carrying value, the company would be permitted to conclude that the indefinite-lived intangible asset was not impaired without a quantitative calculation of the fair value of the asset. Otherwise, the company would perform the quantitative calculation of the fair value and the comparison with the carrying value. This amended guidance will be effective for annual impairment tests performed by the Company for fiscal years beginning on January 1, 2013. The Company does not expect the adoption of this new standard to have a material effect on its operating results or financial position.