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Litigation
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Litigation
Litigation

The Company records an estimate of a loss when the loss is considered probable and estimable. Where a liability is probable and there is a range of estimated loss and no amount in the range is more likely than any other number in the range, the Company records the minimum estimated liability related to the claim in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 450 Contingencies. As additional information becomes available, the Company assesses the potential liability related to its pending litigation and revises its estimates. Revisions in the Company's estimates of potential liability could materially impact its results of operations.

Securities Litigation

In 2012, a federal securities class action and shareholder derivative lawsuit was filed in Pennsylvania alleging that the Company and its Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") assisted various breaches of fiduciary duties based on the Company’s purchase of a licensing interest in a development-stage pharmaceutical program from the Genaera Liquidating Trust in 2010 and the Company’s subsequent sale of half of its interest in the transaction to Biotechnology Value Fund, Inc.  Plaintiff filed a second amended complaint in February 2015, which the Company moved to dismiss in March 2015.  The district court granted the motion to dismiss on November 11, 2015.  The plaintiff has appealed that ruling to the Third Circuit.  The Company intends to continue to vigorously defend against the claims against the Company and its CEO.  The outcome of the matter is not presently determinable.

Class Action Lawsuit

In November 2016, a putative shareholder class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California against the Company, its chief executive officer and chief financial officer. The complaint alleges violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, and seeks unspecified compensatory damages and other relief on behalf of a purported class of purchasers of the Company’s securities between November 9, 2015 and November 14, 2016, inclusive. The complaint’s allegations relate generally to the Company’s November 2016 restatement of certain prior period financial statements. In March 2017, the Court appointed a lead plaintiff and lead counsel for lead plaintiff and the class. The lead plaintiff’s amended complaint, or election to designate the previously filed complaint as the operative complaint, is due May 15, 2017, and the Company’s response to the complaint is due thereafter. No trial date has been set. The Company believes that the lawsuit is without merit and intends to vigorously defend against the lawsuit.