Nature of Business and Accounting Policies

Business

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (“Vertex” or the “Company”) is in the business of discovering, developing, manufacturing and commercializing medicines for serious diseases. The Company uses precision medicine approaches with the goal of creating transformative medicines for patients in specialty markets. The Company is focused on developing and commercializing therapies for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (“CF”) and advancing its research and development programs. The Company has marketed KALYDECO (ivacaftor) since it was approved in 2012 for the treatment of certain patients with CF. The Company began marketing ORKAMBI (lumacaftor in combination with ivacaftor) in the United States in 2015. In November 2015, the European Commission approved ORKAMBI, and the Company is seeking country-by-country reimbursement for ORKAMBI in Europe.

The Company’s net loss attributable to Vertex for 2015 was $556.3 million, or $2.31 per share. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $1.04 billion. The Company expects that cash flows from the sales of its products, together with the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, will be sufficient to fund its operations for at least the next twelve months.

Vertex is subject to risks common to companies in its industry including, but not limited to, the dependence on revenues from ORKAMBI and KALYDECO, competition, uncertainty about clinical trial outcomes and regulatory approvals, uncertainties relating to pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement, rapid technological change, uncertain protection of proprietary technology, the need to comply with government regulations, share price volatility, dependence on collaborative relationships and potential product liability.

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements reflect the operations of (i) the Company, (ii) its wholly-owned subsidiaries and (iii) consolidated variable interest entities (VIEs). In addition, the consolidated financial statements reflect the operations of Alios BioPharma, Inc. (“Alios”), as well as direct expenses Vertex incurred as a result of the Alios Agreement, as discontinued operations. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The Company operates in one segment, pharmaceuticals. Please refer to Note T, “Segment Information,” for enterprise-wide disclosures regarding the Company’s revenues, major customers and long-lived assets by geographic area.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make certain 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, and the amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Significant estimates in these consolidated financial statements have been made in connection with the calculation of revenues, inventories, research and development expenses, stock-based compensation expense, restructuring expense, the fair value of intangible assets, goodwill, contingent consideration, noncontrolling interest, the consolidation of VIEs and deconsolidation of a VIE, leases, the fair value of cash flow hedges and the provision for or benefit from income taxes. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions, including in certain circumstances future projections, that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Changes in estimates are reflected in reported results in the period in which they become known.

Revenue Recognition

Product Revenues, Net

The Company sells its products principally to a limited number of specialty pharmacy providers and selected regional wholesalers in North America as well as government-owned and supported customers in international markets (collectively, its “Customers”). The Company’s Customers in North America subsequently resell the products to patients and health care providers. The Company recognizes net revenues from product sales upon delivery as long as (i) there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists between the Company and the Customer, (ii) collectibility is reasonably assured and (iii) the price is fixed or determinable.

In order to conclude that the price is fixed or determinable, the Company must be able to (i) calculate its gross product revenues from sales to Customers and (ii) reasonably estimate its net product revenues upon delivery to its Customer’s locations. The Company calculates gross product revenues based on the price that the Company charges its Customers. The Company estimates its net product revenues by deducting from its gross product revenues (a) trade allowances, such as invoice discounts for prompt payment and Customer fees, (b) estimated government and private payor rebates, chargebacks and discounts, (c) estimated reserves for expected product returns and (d) estimated costs of incentives offered to certain indirect customers, including patients.

The Company makes significant estimates and judgments that materially affect the Company’s recognition of net product revenues. In certain instances, the Company may be unable to reasonably conclude that the price is fixed or determinable at the time of delivery, in which case it defers the recognition of revenues. Once the Company is able to determine that the price is fixed or determinable, it recognizes the revenues associated with the units in which revenue recognition was deferred.

Trade Allowances: The Company generally provides invoice discounts on product sales to its Customers for prompt payment and pays fees for distribution services, such as fees for certain data that Customers provide to the Company. The payment terms for sales to Customers in the United States generally include a discount for payment within 30 days. The Company expects that, based on its experience, its Customers will earn these discounts and fees, and deducts the full amount of these discounts and fees from its gross product revenues and accounts receivable at the time such revenues are recognized.

Rebates, Chargebacks and Discounts: The Company contracts with government agencies and various private organizations (collectively, its “Third-party Payors”) so that products will be eligible for purchase by, or partial or full reimbursement from, such Third-party Payors. The Company estimates the rebates, chargebacks and discounts it will provide to Third-party Payors and deducts these estimated amounts from its gross product revenues at the time the revenues are recognized. For each product, the Company estimates the aggregate rebates, chargebacks and discounts that it will provide to Third-party Payors based upon (i) the Company’s contracts with these Third-party Payors, (ii) the government-mandated discounts applicable to government-funded programs, (iii) information obtained from the Company’s Customers and other third-party data regarding the payor mix for such product and (iv) historical experience.

Product Returns: The Company estimates the amount of each product that will be returned and deducts these estimated amounts from its gross revenues at the time the revenues are recognized. The Company’s Customers have the right to return unopened unprescribed packages, subject to contractual limitations. To date product returns have been minimal and, based on inventory levels held by its Customers and its distribution model, the Company believes that returns of its products will continue to be minimal.

Other Incentives: Other incentives that the Company offers include co-pay mitigation rebates provided by the Company to commercially insured patients who have coverage and who reside in states that permit co-pay mitigation programs. The Company’s co-pay mitigation programs are intended to reduce each participating patient’s portion of the financial responsibility for a product’s purchase price to a specified dollar amount. Based upon the terms of the Company’s co-pay mitigation programs, the Company estimates average co-pay mitigation amounts for each of its products in order to establish its accruals for co-pay mitigation rebates and deducts these estimated amounts from its gross product revenues at the later of the date (i) the revenues are recognized or (ii) the incentive is offered. The Company’s co-pay mitigation rebates are subject to expiration.

The following table summarizes activity in each of the product revenue allowance and reserve categories for the three years ended December 31, 2015:



	Trade Allowances			Rebates, Chargebacks and Discounts			Product Returns			Other Incentives			Total
	(in thousands)
2015
Beginning Balance	$	1,463		$	29,102		$	4,713		$	745		$	36,023
Provision related to current period sales	10,890			65,781			779			3,755			81,205
Adjustments related to prior period sales	(214		)	(19,410		)	(993		)	(235		)	(20,852		)
Credits/payments made	(10,050		)	(30,804		)	(3,271		)	(2,955		)	(47,080		)
Ending Balance	$	2,089		$	44,669		$	1,228		$	1,310		$	49,296

2014
Beginning Balance	$	1,535		$	68,244		$	15,799		$	1,555		$	87,133
Provision related to current period sales	8,468			35,713			2,478			1,347			48,006
Adjustments related to prior period sales	(43		)	329			3,056			(72		)	3,270
Credits/payments made	(8,497		)	(75,184		)	(16,620		)	(2,085		)	(102,386		)
Ending Balance	$	1,463		$	29,102		$	4,713		$	745		$	36,023

2013
Beginning Balance	$	5,416		$	63,560		$	2,852		$	3,565		$	75,393
Provision related to current period sales	31,395			204,459			5,795			9,295			250,944
Adjustments related to prior period sales	343			4,474			15,149			(228		)	19,738
Credits/payments made	(35,619		)	(204,249		)	(7,997		)	(11,077		)	(258,942		)
Ending Balance	$	1,535		$	68,244		$	15,799		$	1,555		$	87,133

The Company adjusts its estimated rebates, chargebacks and discounts based on new information, including information regarding actual rebates, chargebacks and discounts for its products, as it becomes available. Claims by third-party payors for rebates, chargebacks and discounts frequently are submitted to the Company significantly after the related sales, potentially resulting in adjustments in the period in which the new information becomes known. In each of the periods presented, the Company’s adjustments relating to prior period sales principally related to the Company’s estimates for INCIVEK. During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company withdrew INCIVEK from the market in the United States. At December 31, 2015 the Company maintains an accrual of less than $1 million for government rebates for INCIVEK.

Royalty Revenues

The Company’s royalty revenues on commercial sales of INCIVO (telaprevir) by Janssen NV were based on net sales of licensed products in licensed territories as provided by Janssen NV. The Company recognizes royalty revenues in the period the sales occur.

The Company has sold its rights to receive certain royalties on sales of an HIV protease inhibitor (fosamprenavir) and recognizes the revenues related to this sale as royalty revenues. In the circumstance where the Company has sold its rights to future royalties under a license agreement and also maintains continuing involvement in the royalty arrangement (but not significant continuing involvement in the generation of the cash flows payable to the purchaser of the future royalty rights), the Company defers recognition of the proceeds it receives for the royalty stream and recognizes these deferred revenues over the life of the license agreement pursuant to the units-of-revenue method. The Company’s estimates regarding the estimated remaining royalty payments due to the purchaser have changed in the past and may change in the future.

Collaborative Revenues

The Company recognizes revenues generated through collaborative research, development and/or commercialization agreements. The terms of these agreements typically include payment to the Company of one or more of the following: nonrefundable, up-front license fees; development and commercial milestone payments; funding of research and/or development activities; payments for services the Company provides through its third-party manufacturing network; and royalties on net sales of licensed products. Each of these types of payments results in collaborative revenues, except for revenues from royalties on net sales of licensed products, which are classified as royalty revenues.

For each collaborative research, development and/or commercialization agreement that result in revenues, the Company determines (i) whether multiple deliverables exist, (ii) whether the undelivered elements have value to the customer on a stand-alone basis, (iii) how the deliverables should be separated and (iv) how the consideration should be allocated to the deliverables. For arrangements entered into or materially modified after January 1, 2011, the Company allocates consideration in an arrangement using the relative selling price method based on management’s best estimate of selling price of deliverables if it does not have vendor-specific objective evidence or third-party evidence. As part of the accounting for these agreements, the Company must develop assumptions that require judgment to determine the best estimate of selling price. Key assumptions utilized by the Company to determine the best estimate of selling price may include forecasted revenues, patient enrollment requirements from regulatory authorities, development timelines, reimbursement rates for personnel costs, discount rates, and estimated third-party development costs.

The Company evaluates amendments to its existing arrangements to determine whether they have been materially modified. In making its determination that an arrangement has been materially modified, the Company considers whether there have been significant changes to the consideration under the arrangement, the deliverables under the arrangement, the timing of deliverables and the period of the arrangement. If the arrangement is determined to have been materially modified, the Company allocates fixed consideration under the arrangement using its best estimate of selling price to the remaining undelivered elements at the date of material modification. Any consideration remaining after the allocation is recognized as revenue.

Collaborative research, development and/or commercialization agreements entered into prior to January 1, 2011 that contained multiple elements of revenue were divided into separate units of accounting if certain criteria were met, including whether the delivered element had stand-alone value to the collaborator and whether there was objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of the undelivered obligation(s). The Company allocated consideration it received among the separate units either on the basis of each unit’s fair value or using the residual method, and applied the revenue recognition criteria to each of the separate units.

Up-front License Fees: If the license to the Company’s intellectual property was determined to have stand-alone value from the other deliverables identified in the arrangement, the Company recognized revenues from nonrefundable, up-front license fees upon delivery. If these licenses did not have stand-alone value, the Company recognized revenues from nonrefundable, up-front license fees on a straight-line basis over the contracted or estimated period of performance. The Company evaluates the period of performance each reporting period and adjusts the period of performance on a prospective basis if there are changes to be made.

Milestone Payments: At the inception of each agreement that included research and development milestone payments, the Company evaluated whether each milestone was substantive. The Company recognized revenues related to substantive milestones in full in the period in which the substantive milestone is achieved if payment is reasonably assured. If a milestone is not considered substantive, the Company recognized the applicable milestone payment over the period of performance.

Research and Development Activities/Manufacturing Services: If the Company was entitled to reimbursement from its collaborators for specified research and development expenses and/or was entitled to payments for specified manufacturing services that the Company provided through its third-party manufacturing network, the Company determines whether the research and development funding would result in collaborative revenues or an offset to research and development expenses in accordance with the provisions of gross or net revenue presentation.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist principally of money market funds and marketable securities. The Company places these investments with highly rated financial institutions, and, by policy, limits the amounts of credit exposure to any one financial institution. These amounts at times may exceed federally insured limits. The Company also maintains a foreign currency hedging program that includes foreign currency forward contracts with several counterparties. The Company has not experienced any credit losses related to these financial instruments and does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk related to these instruments.

The Company also is subject to credit risk from its accounts receivable related to its product sales and collaborators. The Company evaluates the creditworthiness of each of its customers and has determined that all of its material customers are creditworthy. To date, the Company has not experienced significant losses with respect to the collection of its accounts receivable. The Company’s receivables from Greece, Italy and Spain were not material at December 31, 2015, and the Company had no receivables from Portugal in 2015. The Company believes that its allowance for doubtful accounts was adequate at December 31, 2015. Please refer to Note T, “Segment Information,” for further information.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

Marketable Securities

The Company’s marketable securities consist of investments in government-sponsored enterprise securities, corporate debt securities and commercial paper that are classified as available-for-sale. The Company classifies marketable securities available to fund current operations as current assets on its consolidated balance sheets. Marketable securities are classified as long-term assets on the consolidated balance sheets if (i) they have been in an unrealized loss position for longer than one year and (ii) the Company has the ability and intent to hold them (a) until the carrying value is recovered and (b) such holding period may be longer than one year. The Company’s 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 shareholders’ equity, until such gains and losses are realized. The fair value of these securities is based on quoted prices for identical or similar assets.

The Company reviews investments in marketable securities for other-than-temporary impairment whenever the fair value of an investment is less than the amortized cost and evidence indicates that an investment’s carrying amount is not recoverable within a reasonable period of time. To determine whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, the Company considers whether it has an intent to sell, or whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell, the investment before recovery of the investment’s amortized cost basis. Evidence considered in this assessment includes reasons for the impairment, compliance with the Company’s investment policy, the severity and the duration of the impairment and changes in value subsequent to year-end. 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 using the specific identification method and are included in other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations.

Accounts Receivable

The Company deducts trade allowances for prompt payment and fees for distribution services from its accounts receivable based on its experience that the Company’s Customers will earn these discounts and fees. The Company’s estimates for its allowance for doubtful accounts, which have not been significant to date, are determined based on existing contractual payment terms and historical payment patterns.

Stock-based Compensation Expense

The Company expenses the fair value of employee stock options and other forms of stock-based employee compensation over the associated employee service period on a straight-line basis. Stock-based compensation expense is determined based on the fair value of the award at the grant date, net of estimated forfeitures, and is adjusted each period to reflect actual forfeitures and the outcomes of certain performance conditions.

For awards with performance conditions that accelerate vesting of the award, the Company estimates the likelihood of satisfaction of the performance conditions, which affects the period over which the expense is recognized, and recognizes the expense using the accelerated attribution model. For awards with performance conditions in which the award does not vest unless the performance condition is met, the Company recognizes expense only if the Company estimates that achievement of the performance condition is probable. If the Company concludes that vesting is probable, it recognizes expense from the date it reaches this conclusion through the estimated vesting date.

Effective for equity awards granted on or after February 5, 2014, the Company provides to employees who have rendered a certain number of years’ to the Company and meet certain age requirements, partial or full acceleration of vesting of these equity awards, subject to certain conditions including a notification period, upon a termination of employment other than for cause. Less than 5% of the Company’s employees were eligible for partial or full acceleration of any of their equity awards as of December 31, 2015. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense related to these awards over a service period reflecting qualified employees eligibility for partial or full acceleration of vesting.

Research and Development Expenses

The Company expenses as incurred all research and development expenses, including amounts funded by research and development collaborations. The Company capitalizes nonrefundable advance payments made by the Company for research and development activities and expenses the payments as the related goods are delivered or the related services are performed.

Research and development expenses are comprised of costs incurred by the Company in performing research and development activities, including salary and benefits; stock-based compensation expense; laboratory supplies and other direct expenses; outsourced services, including clinical trial and pharmaceutical development costs; expenses associated with drug supplies that are not being capitalized; and infrastructure costs, including facilities costs and depreciation expense.

Advertising Expenses

The Company expenses the costs of advertising, including promotional expenses, as incurred. Advertising expenses, recorded in sales, general and administrative expenses, were $24.5 million, $16.2 million and $19.6 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Inventories

The Company values its inventories at the lower-of-cost or market. The Company determines the cost of its inventories, which includes amounts related to materials and manufacturing overhead, on a first-in, first-out basis. The Company performs an assessment of the recoverability of capitalized inventory during each reporting period, and writes down any excess and obsolete inventories to their realizable value in the period in which the impairment is first identified. Shipping and handling costs incurred for inventory purchases are capitalized and recorded upon sale in cost of product revenues in the consolidated statements of operations. Shipping and handling costs incurred for product shipments are recorded as incurred in cost of product revenues in the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company capitalizes inventories produced in preparation for initiating sales of a drug candidate when the related drug candidate is considered to have a high likelihood of regulatory approval and the related costs are expected to be recoverable through sales of the inventories. In determining whether or not to capitalize such inventories, the Company evaluates, among other factors, information regarding the drug candidate’s safety and efficacy, the status of regulatory submissions and communications with regulatory authorities and the outlook for commercial sales, including the existence of current or anticipated competitive drugs and the availability of reimbursement. In addition, the Company evaluates risks associated with manufacturing the drug candidate and the remaining shelf-life of the inventories.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation expense is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the related asset, generally seven to ten years for furniture and equipment, three to five years for computers and software, 40 years for buildings and for leasehold improvements, the shorter of the useful life of the improvements or the estimated remaining life of the associated lease. Amortization expense of assets acquired under capital leases is included in depreciation expense. Maintenance and repairs to an asset that do not improve or extend its life are charged to operations. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the assets and related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Company performs an assessment of the fair value of the assets if indicators of impairment are identified during a reporting period and records the assets at the lower of the net book value or the fair value of the assets.

The Company capitalizes internal costs incurred to develop software for internal use during the application development stage. The Company expenses costs related to the planning and post-implementation phases of development of software for internal use as these costs are incurred. Maintenance and enhancement costs (including costs in the post-implementation stages) are expensed as incurred, unless such costs relate to substantial upgrades and enhancements to the software resulting in added functionality, in which case the costs are capitalized. Amortization of capitalized internally developed software costs is recorded in depreciation expense over the useful life of the related asset.

The Company records certain construction costs incurred by a landlord as an asset and a corresponding financing obligation on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets when the Company is determined to be the owner of the buildings during construction for accounting purposes. Upon completion of the project, the Company performs a sale-leaseback analysis to determine if the Company can remove the assets from its consolidated balance sheet.

Capital Leases

The assets and liabilities associated with capital lease agreements are recorded at the present value of the minimum lease payments at the inception of the lease agreement. The assets are depreciated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the useful life of the related asset or the remaining life of the associated lease. Amortization of assets that the Company leases pursuant to a capital lease is included in depreciation expense. The Company performs an assessment of the fair value of the assets if indicators of impairment are identified during a reporting period and records the assets at the lower of the net book value or the fair value of the assets. Assets recorded under capital leases are recorded within “Property and equipment, net” and liabilities related to those assets are recorded within “Capital lease obligations, current portion” and “Capital lease obligations, excluding current portion” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the income tax bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is applied against any net deferred tax asset if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company records liabilities related to uncertain tax positions by prescribing a minimum recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company does not believe any such uncertain tax positions currently pending will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial statements.

Variable Interest Entities

The Company reviews each collaboration agreement pursuant to which the Company licenses assets owned by a collaborator in order to determine whether or not the collaborator is a VIE. If the collaborator is a VIE, the Company assesses whether or not the Company is the primary beneficiary of that VIE based on a number of factors, including (i) which party has the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the VIE’s economic performance, (ii) the parties’ contractual rights and responsibilities pursuant to the collaboration agreement and (iii) which party has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE. If the Company determines it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the onset of the collaboration agreement, the collaboration is treated as a business combination and the Company consolidates the financial statements of the VIE into the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company evaluates whether it continues to be the primary beneficiary of any consolidated VIEs on a quarterly basis. If the Company determines that it is no longer the primary beneficiary of a consolidated VIE, or no longer has a variable interest in the VIE, it deconsolidates the VIE in the period that the determination is made.

Assets recorded as a result of consolidating VIEs’ financial condition into the Company’s consolidated balance sheet do not represent additional assets that could be used to satisfy claims against the Company’s general assets. The Company records the cash and cash equivalents of consolidated VIEs as restricted cash because the Company does not have control over the VIEs’ cash and cash equivalents. The Company also has recorded the liabilities of its consolidated VIEs for which creditors do not have recourse to the Company’s general assets outside of the VIE.

Business Combinations

The Company assigns the value of consideration, including contingent consideration, transferred in business combinations to the appropriate accounts on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet based on their fair value as of the effective date of the transaction. If a collaboration has been treated as a business combination and there are contingent payments, changes in the fair value of the contingent payments pursuant to collaborations accounted for as business combinations result in an increase or decrease in net income attributable to Vertex (or an increase or decrease in net loss attributable to Vertex) on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Transaction costs and any restructuring costs associated with these transactions are expensed as incurred.

Fair Value of In-process Research and Development Assets and Contingent Payments in Business Combinations

The present-value models used to estimate the fair values of research and development assets and contingent payments pursuant to collaborations incorporate significant assumptions, including: assumptions regarding the probability of obtaining marketing approval and/or achieving relevant development milestones for a drug candidate; estimates regarding the timing of and the expected costs to develop a drug candidate; estimates of future cash flows from potential product sales and/or the potential to achieve certain commercial milestones with respect to a drug candidate; and the appropriate discount and tax rates.

In-process Research and Development Assets

The Company records the fair value of in-process research and development assets as of the transaction date of a business combination. Each of these assets is accounted for as an indefinite-lived intangible asset and is maintained on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet until either the project underlying it is completed or the asset becomes impaired. If the asset 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 recorded in the period in which the impairment occurs. If a project is completed, the carrying value of the related intangible asset is amortized as a part of cost of product revenues over the remaining estimated life of the asset beginning in the period in which the project is completed. In-process research and development assets are tested for impairment on an annual basis as of October 1, and more frequently if indicators are present or changes in circumstances suggest that impairment may exist.

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 as of October 1, and more frequently if indicators are present or changes in circumstances suggest that impairment may exist.

Noncontrolling Interest

The Company records noncontrolling interest, which has historically related to consolidated VIEs, on its consolidated balance sheets. Noncontrolling interest is reflected on two separate lines if the consolidated VIE has both common shareholders and preferred shareholders that are entitled to redemption rights in certain circumstances. The Company records net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest on its consolidated statements of operations, reflecting the VIEs’ net loss (income) for the reporting period, adjusted for changes in the fair value of contingent milestone payments and royalties payable by the Company to the consolidated VIEs, which is evaluated each reporting period.

Deconsolidation and Discontinued Operations

Upon the occurrence of certain events and on a regular basis, the Company evaluates whether it no longer has a controlling financial interest in its subsidiaries, including deemed subsidiaries such as consolidated VIEs. If the Company determines it no longer has a controlling interest, the subsidiary is deconsolidated. The Company records a gain or loss on deconsolidation based on the difference on the deconsolidation date between (i) the aggregate of (a) the fair value of any consideration received, (b) the fair value of any retained noncontrolling investment in the former subsidiary and (c) the carrying amount of any noncontrolling interest in the subsidiary being deconsolidated, less (ii) the carrying amount of the former subsidiary’s assets and liabilities.

The Company assesses whether a deconsolidation is required to be presented as discontinued operations in its consolidated financial statements on the deconsolidation date. This assessment is based on whether or not the deconsolidation represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on the Company’s operations or financial results. If the Company determines that a deconsolidation requires presentation as a discontinued operation on the deconsolidation date, or at any point during the one year period following such date, it will present the former subsidiary as a discontinued operation in current and comparative period financial statements.

Derivative Instruments, Embedded Derivatives and Hedging Activities

The Company has entered into financial transactions involving free-standing derivative instruments and embedded derivatives in the past. Embedded derivatives are required to be bifurcated from the host instruments if the derivatives are not clearly and closely related to the host instruments. The Company determines the fair value of each derivative instrument or embedded derivative that is identified on the date of issuance and at the end of each quarterly period. The estimates of the fair value of the derivatives include significant assumptions regarding the estimates market participants would make in order to evaluate these derivatives.

The Company recognizes the fair value of hedging instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments pursuant to GAAP, primarily foreign currency forward contracts, as either assets or liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the fair value of hedging instruments are recorded each period in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as unrealized gains and losses until the forecasted underlying transaction occurs. Unrealized gains and losses on these foreign currency forward contracts are included in (i) “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” and (ii) “Other liabilities, current portion,” respectively, on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Realized gains and losses for the effective portion of such contracts are recognized in “Product revenues, net” in the consolidated statement of operations when the contract is settled with the counterparty. The Company classifies the cash flows from hedging instruments in the same category as the cash flows from the hedged items.

Certain of the Company’s hedging instruments are subject to master netting arrangements to reduce the risk arising from such transactions with its counterparties. The Company presents unrealized gains and losses on its foreign currency forward contracts on a gross basis within its consolidated balance sheets.

The Company assesses, both at inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the foreign currency forward contracts used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting the changes in cash flows of the hedged items. The Company also assesses hedge ineffectiveness quarterly and, if determined to be ineffective, records the gain or loss related to the ineffective portion to earnings in “Other income (expense), net” in its consolidated statements of operations.

Restructuring Expenses

The Company records costs and liabilities associated with exit and disposal activities based on estimates of fair value in the period the liabilities are incurred. In periods subsequent to the initial measurement, the Company measures changes to the liability using the credit-adjusted risk-free discount rate applied in the initial period. The Company evaluates and adjusts these liabilities as appropriate for changes in circumstances at least on a quarterly basis.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss), which includes foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts and certain marketable securities. For purposes of comprehensive income (loss) disclosures, the Company does not record tax provisions or benefits related to the cumulative translation adjustment, as the Company intends to permanently reinvest undistributed earnings in its foreign subsidiaries.

Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions

The Company primarily operates with entities that have the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. Non-U.S. dollar functional currency subsidiaries have assets and liabilities translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange in effect at the end of the year. Revenue and expense amounts are translated using the average exchange rates for the period. Net unrealized gains and losses resulting from foreign currency translation are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which is a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are net unrealized losses related to foreign currency translation of $2.1 million, $1.0 million and $0.3 million at December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Net foreign currency exchange transaction gains or losses are included in “net loss” on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. Net transaction losses were $6.8 million and $6.4 million for 2015 and 2014, respectively, and net transaction gains were $5.1 million in 2013.

Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Vertex Common Shareholders

Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to Vertex common shareholders are presented in conformity with the two-class method required for participating securities. Under the two-class method, earnings are allocated to (i) Vertex common shares, excluding unvested restricted stock, and (ii) participating securities, based on their respective weighted-average shares outstanding for the period. Shares of unvested restricted stock granted under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2006 Stock and Option Plan have the non-forfeitable right to receive dividends on an equal basis with other outstanding common stock. As a result, these unvested shares of restricted stock are considered participating securities under the two-class method. Potentially dilutive shares result from the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options (the proceeds of which are then assumed to have been used to repurchase outstanding stock using the treasury stock method) and the assumed conversion of convertible notes.

Basic net loss per share attributable to Vertex common shareholders 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 share attributable to Vertex common shareholders is based upon the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus additional weighted-average common equivalent shares outstanding during the period when the effect is dilutive.

The Company utilizes income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Vertex to determine whether potentially outstanding stock options and the assumed conversion of convertible notes are dilutive.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued amended guidance applicable to revenue recognition that will be effective for the year ending December 31, 2018. Early adoption is permitted for the year-ending December 31, 2017. The new guidance applies a more principle based approach to recognizing revenue. The new guidance must be adopted using either a full retrospective approach for all periods presented or a modified retrospective approach. The Company is in the process of evaluating the new guidance and determining the expected effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on management’s responsibility in evaluating whether or not there is substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the date the financial statements are issued each reporting period. This new accounting guidance is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company expects the new guidance will only effect the disclosures in its consolidated financial statements.

In 2014, the FASB issued amended guidance applicable to the presentation of financial statements and property, plant, and equipment. The amendment provides guidance for the recognition and disclosure of discontinued operations. The amendment is effective for the current fiscal year. The adoption of amended guidance did not have an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In 2015, the FASB issued amended guidance applicable to the presentation of income taxes. The amended guidance requires that all deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with any related valuation allowance, be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet rather than being separated into current and noncurrent. This amendment represents a change in accounting principle and is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim period within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company early adopted the amendment on a prospective basis and did not retrospectively adjust prior periods. As a result, all of the Company’s deferred taxes are presented as long-term in the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2015.