Other Assets

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Investments All Other Investments [Abstract]

Other Assets

7. Other Assets

Other assets consist of the following:

	March 31,		September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2019		2018
ViaCyte, Inc.	$	479	$	479
Other noncurrent assets		1,602		967
Other assets, net	$	2,081	$	1,446

The Company has invested a total of $5.3 million in ViaCyte, Inc. (“ViaCyte”), a privately-held California-based biotechnology firm that is developing a unique treatment for diabetes using coated islet cells, the cells that produce insulin in the human body. The balance of the investment of $0.5 million, which is net of previously recorded other-than-temporary impairments of $4.8 million, is accounted for under the cost method and represents less than a 1% ownership interest. The Company does not exert significant influence over ViaCyte’s operating or financial activities.

The carrying value of each cost method investment is reviewed quarterly for changes in circumstances or the occurrence of events that suggest the Company’s investment may not be recoverable. The fair value of cost method investments is not adjusted if there are no identified events or changes in circumstances that may have a material effect on the fair value of the investment.