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Key Accounting Policies
6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Key Accounting Policies

2. Key Accounting Policies

Revenue recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when all of the following criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) shipment has occurred or delivery has occurred if the terms specify destination; (3) the sales price is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. When there are additional performance requirements, revenue is recognized when all such requirements have been satisfied. Under revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables, the Company recognizes each separable deliverable as it is earned.

The Company derives its revenue from three primary sources: (1) royalties and license fees from licensing its proprietary drug delivery and surface modification technologies and in vitro diagnostic formats to customers; (2) the sale of reagent chemicals to licensees and the sale of stabilization products, antigens, substrates and surface coatings to the diagnostic and biomedical research markets; and (3) research and development fees generated on customer projects.

Royalties and license fees. The Company licenses technology to third parties and collects royalties. Royalty revenue is generated when a customer sells products incorporating the Company’s licensed technologies. Royalty revenue is recognized as licensees report it to the Company, and payment is typically submitted concurrently with the report. For stand-alone license agreements, up-front license fees are recognized over the term of the related licensing agreement. Minimum royalty fees are recognized in the period earned.

Revenue related to a performance milestone is recognized upon the achievement of the milestone, as defined in the respective agreements and provided the following conditions have been met:

 

   

The milestone payment is non-refundable;

 

   

The milestone involved a significant degree of risk, and was not reasonably assured at the inception of the arrangement;

 

   

Accomplishment of the milestone involved substantial effort;

 

   

The amount of the milestone payment is commensurate with the related effort and risk; and

 

   

A reasonable amount of time passed between the initial license payment and the first and subsequent milestone payments.

If these conditions have not been met, the milestone payment is deferred and recognized over the term of the agreement.

Product sales. Product sales to third parties are recognized at the time of shipment, provided that an order has been received, the price is fixed or determinable, collectability of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured and returns can be reasonably estimated. The Company’s sales terms provide no right of return outside of the standard warranty policy. Payment terms are generally set at 30-45 days.

 

Research and development. The Company performs third party research and development activities, which are typically provided on a time and materials basis. Generally, revenue for research and development is recorded as performance progresses under the applicable contract.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued final guidance on reporting amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The guidance requires an entity to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in net income or to other balance sheet accounts as appropriate. The new guidance is effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. SurModics elected to early adopt the guidance in the second quarter of fiscal 2013. Since the new guidance only relates to presentation, its adoption did not impact the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. See Note 13 for further information.

No other new accounting pronouncement issued or effective has had, or is expected to have, a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.