Note 13 - Leases

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block]

13.

Leases

On October 9, 2015, Anika S.r.l. entered into a build-to-suit lease agreement with Consorzio Zona Industriale E Porto Fluviale di Padova (“ZIP”), as landlord, pursuant to which Anika S.r.l. will lease a new European headquarters facility, consisting of approximately 33,000 square feet of general office, research and development, training, and warehousing space located in Padova, Italy. The lease has an initial term of fifteen years, which is expected to commence during the fourth quarter of 2016 once construction of the facility is completed. The lease will automatically renew for up to three additional six-year terms, subject to certain terms and conditions. The Company has the ability to withdraw from this lease subject to certain financial penalties after six years and with no penalties after the ninth year. Beginning on the commencement date, the lease provides for an initial yearly rent of approximately $0.4 million.

Construction of the new facility began in the first quarter of 2016 and is expected to be completed in late 2016. During the period of construction the Company is considered the deemed owner of the facility. Accordingly, the landlord's costs of constructing the facility are required to be capitalized, as a non-cash transaction, offset by a corresponding facility lease obligation in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. As of March 31, 2016, the Company has recorded a construction-in-process asset of approximately $0.3 million. This included $0.1 million incurred by ZIP for the construction of the new facility, which was recorded as a facility lease obligation on the balance sheet.