Related Party Transactions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]

10. Related Party Transactions

From January 2, 2012 through September 30, 2012, Steve H. Kanzer was engaged as the Company’s Interim Director of its Biologics Division. In connection with his appointment, Mr. Kanzer entered into a six month employment agreement with the Company on a full time basis (the “Kanzer Employment Agreement”), which may be extended for an additional three months upon consent of the parties. Pursuant to the Kanzer Employment Agreement, Mr. Kanzer was entitled to a base salary of $90,000 for the term, healthcare coverage pursuant to the Company’s healthcare insurance plan, reimbursement for certain relocation expenses and rent expense. The Kanzer Employment Agreement also included confidentiality obligations and inventions assignments by Mr. Kanzer.  Mr. Kanzer was not entitled to severance pay upon termination of his employment. On October 1, 2012, the Kanzer Employment Agreement was amended (the “Amended Kanzer Employment Agreement”) and Mr. Kanzer was engaged as the Company Licensing Associate. In connection with this appointment, Mr. Kanzer entered into a two year agreement with the Company on a part time basis (2.5 days per week). Pursuant to the Amended Kanzer Employment Agreement, Mr. Kanzer was entitled to a base salary of $150,000 for the term and healthcare coverage pursuant to the Company’s healthcare insurance plans. Effective December 5, 2013, Mr. Kanzer was appointed CEO and President of the Company’s majority owned subsidiary, Synthetic Biomics, Inc. In connection with this appointment, Mr. Kanzer was entitled to an annual base salary of $195,000. On February 26, 2014, Mr. Kanzer resigned as CEO and President of Synthetic Biomics, Inc. and as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors.

In August 2012, the Company entered into a Second ECC with Intrexon and issued 3,552,210 shares of common stock as consideration, having a fair value of $7.8 million ($2.20 per share), based on the quoted closing trading price on October 5, 2012. In November 2011, the Company entered into an Initial ECC with Intrexon and issued 3,123,558 shares of common stock as consideration, having a fair value of $1.7 million ($0.54 per share), based on the quoted closing trading price. In connection with the November 2011 and August 2012 Exclusive Channel Agreements, the Company paid Intrexon approximately $2.9 million during 2012, including a prepayment of research and development expenses of $2.5 million for research and development goods and services to be provided in the future which has been recorded on the Company’s balance sheet in prepaid expense as described in Note 4. In October 2012, the Company consummated its October 2012 Private Placement and entered into a stock purchase agreement with several investors, including NRM VII Holdings I, LLC, an entity affiliated with Intrexon. Randal J. Kirk, directly and through certain affiliates, has voting and dispositive power over a majority of the outstanding capital of Intrexon Corporation, and controls NRM VII Holdings I, LLC. Mr. Kirk disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by Intrexon Corporation and NRM VII Holdings I, LLC, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein.