Senomyx (SNMX) 10-Q 6 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'SENOMYX INC	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	43,355,388
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001123979	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'

Balance_Sheets_Unaudited

Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$4,278	$11,201	[1]
Short-term investments available-for-sale	18,291	18,962	[1]
Accounts receivable	2,308	2,126	[1]
Other current assets	2,443	873	[1]
Total current assets	27,320	33,162	[1]
Long-term investments available-for-sale	8,475	2,799	[1]
Property and equipment, net	4,253	5,653	[1]
Total assets	40,048	41,614	[1]
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities	4,668	7,119	[1]
Deferred rent	332	267	[1]
Leasehold incentive obligation	987	987	[1]
Deferred revenues	6,120	9,178	[1]
Total current liabilities	12,107	17,551	[1]
Deferred rent	610	871	[1]
Leasehold incentive obligation	1,399	2,139	[1]
Deferred revenues	1,014	1,375	[1]
Commitments	'	'
Stockholders’ equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, $.001 par value; 7,500,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding at September 30, 2014 (unaudited) and December 31, 2013	0	0	[1]
Common stock, $.001 par value; 120,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2014 (unaudited) and December 31, 2013; 43,321,179 and 41,095,917 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 (unaudited) and December 31, 2013, respectively.	43	41	[1]
Additional paid-in capital	276,620	262,317	[1]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-3	7	[1]
Accumulated deficit	-251,742	-242,687	[1]
Total stockholders’ equity	24,918	19,678	[1]
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$40,048	$41,614	[1]
[1]	The balance sheet at December 31, 2013 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.]

Balance_Sheets_Unaudited_Paren

Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Preferred stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	7,500,000	7,500,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	120,000,000	120,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	43,321,179	41,095,917
Common stock, shares outstanding	43,321,179	41,095,917

Statements_of_Operations_and_C

Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Development revenues	$4,477	$5,862	$17,174	$18,085
Commercial revenues	1,381	867	4,231	3,793
Total revenues	5,858	6,729	21,405	21,878
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of commercial revenues	205	61	444	266
Research, development and patents	6,686	7,053	20,302	21,401
Selling, general and administrative	3,384	3,098	9,741	9,051
Total operating expenses	10,275	10,212	30,487	30,718
Loss from operations	-4,417	-3,483	-9,082	-8,840
Other income	11	8	27	28
Net loss	-4,406	-3,475	-9,055	-8,812
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	'	26	-10	5
Comprehensive loss	($4,406)	($3,449)	($9,065)	($8,807)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted (in Dollars per share)	($0.10)	($0.09)	($0.21)	($0.22)
Shares used in calculating net loss per share, basic and diluted (in Shares)	43,006,240	40,673,885	42,359,031	40,588,656

Statements_of_Cash_Flows_Unaud

Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Operating activities	'		'
Net loss	($9,055)		($8,812)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:	'		'
Depreciation	1,694		2,179
Accretion of premium on available-for-sale securities	171		191
Amortization of leasehold incentive obligation	-740		-740
Stock-based compensation for employees and non-employee directors	4,575		2,884
Stock-based compensation for non-employees	35		15
Change in operating assets and liabilities:	'		'
Accounts receivable	-182		1,550
Other current assets	-1,677		-127
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities	-2,451		-970
Deferred revenues	-3,419		-2,427
Deferred rent	-196		-133
Net cash used in operating activities	-11,245		-6,390
Investing activities	'		'
Purchases of property and equipment	-294		-523
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	-16,655		-20,887
Maturities of available-for-sale securities	11,490		23,295
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-5,459		1,885
Financing activities	'		'
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	9,781		801
Net cash provided by financing activities	9,781		801
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-6,923		-3,704
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	11,201	[1]	15,427
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	4,278		11,723
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:	'		'
Purchases of property and equipment included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities at period end	'		$73
[1]	The balance sheet at December 31, 2013 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.]

Note_1_Organization_and_Summar

Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	'
	1	Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Organization and Business
	Senomyx, Inc. (“we”, “us” or “our”) was incorporated in Delaware in September 1998 and commenced operations in January 1999. We use proprietary taste receptor technologies to discover, develop and commercialize innovative flavor ingredients for the packaged food, beverage and ingredient supply industries to improve the nutritional profile of their products and generate cost of goods savings while maintaining or improving taste. Our current programs focus on the development and commercialization of sweet, savory and salt flavor ingredients, bitter blockers and cooling agents.
	We currently have product discovery, development and commercialization collaborations with four of the world’s leading packaged food, beverage and ingredient companies: Ajinomoto Co., Inc., Firmenich SA, Nestlé SA and PepsiCo, Inc. Our collaboration agreements generally provide for license fees, research and development funding, reimbursement of certain costs, development milestone payments based upon our achievement of research or development goals and, in the event of commercialization, commercial milestone payments, minimum periodic royalties and royalties on sales of products incorporating our flavor ingredients. We also sell certain flavor ingredients directly to flavor companies for inclusion in a flavor system for re-sale to food and beverage companies.
	Basis of Presentation
	The financial statements at September 30, 2014 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are unaudited. The unaudited financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to state fairly the financial information therein. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be reported for the year ending December 31, 2014. For more complete financial information, these financial statements, and the notes thereto, should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013, including the notes thereto, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	We consider all highly liquid investments with a remaining maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are recorded at cost, which approximates market value.
	Investments Available-for-Sale
	Our surplus cash is invested in United States Treasuries, United States government agency bonds and corporate notes with maturity dates of two years or less from the settlement date. The amortized cost of debt securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity with all amortization and accretion included in interest income. Our investments are classified as available-for-sale and carried at estimated fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other-than-temporary, if any, on available-for-sale securities are included in interest income. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Interest on securities classified as available-for-sale is included in interest income.
	Fair Value of Financial Instrumentsother than Investments Available-for-Sale
	The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses are considered to be representative of their respective fair value because of the short-term nature of those items.
	Revenue Recognition
	Our revenue recognition policies are in compliance with the Revenue Recognition Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). Some of our agreements contain multiple elements, including technological and territorial licenses and research and development services. In accordance with these agreements, we may be eligible for upfront fees, research and development funding, cost reimbursements, development milestone payments, commercial milestone payments, minimum periodic royalty payments and royalty payments. Development revenues include revenues from license fees, research and development funding, the achievement of development milestones and cost reimbursements. Commercial revenues include royalties on sales made by our collaborators of products incorporating our flavor ingredients, minimum periodic royalty payments, revenues from the achievement of commercial milestones and direct sales of our flavor ingredients to flavor companies.
	Pursuant to the Revenue Recognition – Multiple-Element Arrangements Topic of the FASB ASC, each required deliverable is evaluated to determine if it qualifies as a separate unit of accounting. For us, this determination is generally based on whether the deliverable has “stand-alone value” to the customer. The arrangement’s consideration is then allocated to each separate unit of accounting based on the relative selling price of each deliverable. The estimated selling price of each deliverable is determined using the following hierarchy of values: (i) vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value; (ii) third-party evidence of selling price; and (iii) best estimate of selling price (“BESP”). The BESP reflects our best estimate of what the selling price would be if the deliverable was regularly sold by us on a stand-alone basis. We expect, in general, to use the BESP for allocating consideration to each deliverable. In general, the consideration allocated to each unit of accounting is then recognized as the related goods or services are delivered, limited to the consideration that is not contingent upon future deliverables. For multiple-element arrangements entered into prior to January 1, 2011 and not materially modified thereafter, we continue to apply our prior accounting policy with respect to such arrangements.
	Non-refundable license fees, if not associated with our future performance, are recognized when received. Non-refundable license fees, if associated with our future performance obligations, are attributed to a specific program or collaboration and recognized over the period of service for that specific program or collaboration. Amounts received for research funding are recognized as revenue as the services are performed. Revenue is deferred for fees received before earned. Revenues from the achievement of development milestones are accounted for in accordance with the Revenue Recognition – Milestone Method Topic of the FASB ASC. Milestones are recognized when earned, as evidenced by written acknowledgment from the collaborator or other persuasive evidence that the milestone has been achieved, provided that the milestone event is substantive. A milestone event is considered to be substantive if its achievability was not reasonably assured at the inception of the agreement and our efforts led to the achievement of the milestone or the milestone was due upon the occurrence of a specific outcome resulting from our performance. If both of these criteria are not met, the milestone payment is recognized over the remaining minimum period of our performance obligations under the agreement, if any. We assess whether a milestone is substantive at the inception of each agreement. Revenues from cost reimbursement are recognized when earned, as evidenced by written acknowledgment from the collaborator or other persuasive evidence.
	Revenues from the achievement of commercial milestones are recognized when earned, as evidenced by written acknowledgment from the collaborator or other persuasive evidence that the milestone has been achieved, as these milestone payments do not require our efforts, but result from the efforts of the collaborator. Royalties on sales made by our collaborators of products incorporating our flavor ingredients are recognized when a royalty report or other persuasive evidence is received, which is generally one quarter in arrears. Non-refundable minimum periodic royalty payments are recognized as revenues over the related royalty periods. Royalty terms are specific to each collaboration and collaborator and can vary from year to year. These terms vary based on factors such as the characteristics of the flavor ingredient and the product categories and geographies licensed by the collaborator. Periodically, as contractually specified, our collaborators are required to provide a report detailing all sales of products containing our flavor ingredients. To the extent that calculated royalties on sales of such products exceed the minimum periodic royalty payments made to date, the collaborators are required to remit to us the difference between royalties calculated and minimum periodic royalty payments made to date. We recognize this difference as royalties on product sales at the time the report is received. To the extent that minimum periodic royalty payments through the end of any applicable period exceed calculated royalties, we are not required to refund the difference. Although we currently do not have any collaborations that include refundable minimum periodic royalty payments, in such a case, revenue would be deferred for refundable minimum periodic royalty payments received before earned.
	In May 2014, a Revenue Recognition – Revenue from Contracts with Customers Topic of the FASB ASC was issued. This new Topic amends guidance in the Revenue Recognition Topic of the FASB ASC and is effective beginning January 1, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of the new Topic.
	Cost of Commercial Revenues
	Cost of commercial revenues represents royalties payable under our third-party licensing agreements and cost of goods sold related to direct sales.
	Research, Development and Patents
	Research and development costs, including those incurred in relation to our collaborative agreements, are expensed in the period incurred. Research and development costs primarily consist of salaries and related expenses for personnel, facilities and depreciation, research and development supplies, licenses and outside services. Such research and development costs totaled $6.3 million and $6.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $18.9 million and $20.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Costs related to filing and pursuing patent applications are expensed as incurred, as recoverability of such expenditures is uncertain. We include all external costs related to the filing of patents as a component of research, development and patents on our Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. Such patent-related expenses totaled $370,000 and $468,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $1.4 million and $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	Total stock-based compensation expenses recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was comprised as follows (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Research, development and patents		$	701		$	417		$	1,973		$	1,188
	Selling, general and administrative			1,001			607			2,637			1,711
	Total stock-based compensation expenses		$	1,702		$	1,024		$	4,610		$	2,899
	At September 30, 2014, total unrecognized estimated compensation expenses related to non-vested stock options granted prior to that date was $10.6 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years.
	Net Loss Per Share
	We calculated net loss per share in accordance with the Earnings Per Share Topic of the FASB ASC. Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, without consideration for common stock equivalents. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing the net income or loss by the weighted average number of common share equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury-stock method. Dilutive common share equivalents include the dilutive effect of in-the-money shares, which is calculated based on the average share price for each period using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, the exercise price of a share, the amount of compensation cost, if any, for future service that we have not yet recognized, and the amount of estimated tax benefits that would be recorded in paid-in capital, if any, when the share is exercised are assumed to be used to repurchase shares in the current period. For purposes of this calculation, common stock subject to repurchase by us, convertible preferred stock, options, and warrants are considered to be common stock equivalents and are only included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share when their effect is dilutive.
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share for the respective periods.
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Numerator:
	Net loss (in thousands)		$	(4,406	)	$	(3,475	)	$	(9,055	)	$	(8,812	)
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares			43,006,240			40,673,885			42,359,031			40,588,656
	Basic and diluted net loss per share		$	(0.10	)	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.21	)	$	(0.22	)
	Outstanding antidilutive securities not included in diluted net loss per share calculation:
	Options to purchase common stock			11,476,902			11,932,170			11,476,902			11,932,170
	Comprehensive Loss
	The Comprehensive Income Topic of the FASB ASC requires that all components of comprehensive income (loss), including net income (loss), be reported in the financial statements in the period in which they are recognized. Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Our accumulated other comprehensive income as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consisted of unrealized gains or losses on investments available-for-sale and is reported in stockholders’ equity.

Note_2_Balance_Sheet_Details

Note 2 - Balance Sheet Details	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Balance Sheet Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	2	Balance Sheet Details
	Investments Available-for-Sale
	The following is a summary of investments available-for-sale at September 30, 2014 (in thousands):
			Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Estimated
			Cost		Gain		Loss			Fair Value
	United States Treasuries		$	1,501	$	—	$	—		$	1,501
	United States government agency securities			18,283		4		(2	)		18,285
	Corporate notes			6,985		—		(5	)		6,980
	Total		$	26,769	$	4	$	(7	)	$	26,766
	The following is a summary of investments available-for-sale at December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
			Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Estimated
			Cost		Gain		Loss			Fair Value
	United States Treasuries		$	7,505	$	3	$	—		$	7,508
	United States government agency securities			14,249		4		—			14,253
	Total		$	21,754	$	7	$	—		$	21,761
	Investments we consider to be temporarily impaired at September 30, 2014 were as follows (in thousands, except for number of investments):
					Less than 12 Months
					of Temporary Impairment
	Description		Number of		Estimated Fair		Unrealized
			investments		Value		Losses
	United States government agency securities			5	$	6,974	$	(2	)
	Corporate notes			6		6,980		(5	)
	Total temporarily impaired securities			11	$	13,954	$	(7	)
	We believe that the decline in value of these securities is temporary and primarily related to the change in market interest rates since purchase and that it is more likely than not that we will be able to hold these securities to maturity. Therefore we anticipate full recovery of their amortized cost basis at maturity.
	Gross realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities were immaterial during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. As of September 30, 2014, we held $18.3 million of available-for-sale securities with maturity dates within one year and $8.5 million with maturity dates over one year and less than two years.

Note_3_Fair_Value_Disclosures

Note 3 - Fair Value Disclosures	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	3	Fair Value Disclosures
	The following table presents information about our financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2014, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by us to determine such fair value. In general, fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access. We classify money market funds and United States Treasuries as Level 1 assets.
	Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals. We obtain the fair value of Level 2 financial instruments from a third-party professional pricing service using quoted market prices for identical or comparable instruments. Our professional pricing service gathers market prices from a variety of industry standard data providers, security master files from large financial institutions and other third-party sources. The service uses these multiple prices as inputs into a distribution-curve based algorithm to determine a fair value. We then validate the quoted fair values provided by the professional pricing service by comparing the service’s assessment of the fair values of our Level 2 investment portfolio balance against the fair values of our Level 2 investment portfolio balance provided by our investment managers. We classify United States government agency securities and corporate note holdings as Level 2 assets. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 or 2013.
	Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. We do not hold any Level 3 assets.
	Assets that have recurring measurements are shown below (in thousands):
					Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using
	Description		Balance as of		Quoted Prices		Significant Other		Significant
			September 30,		in Active		Observable Inputs		Unobservable
			2014		Markets		(Level 2)		Inputs
					for Identical				(Level 3)
					Assets (Level 1)
	Financial instruments owned:
	Money market funds		$	4,088	$	4,088	$	—	$	—
	United States Treasuries			1,501		1,501		—		—
	United States government agency securities			18,285		—		18,285		—
	Corporate notes			6,980		—		6,980
	Total financial instruments owned		$	30,854	$	5,589	$	25,265	$	—

Note_4_Product_Discovery_Devel

Note 4 - Product Discovery, Development and Commercialization Collaborations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Collaborative Arrangement Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	4	Product Discovery, Development and Commercialization Collaborations
	In May 2014, PepsiCo, Inc. exercised its option to extend the collaboration agreement dated August 16, 2010 related to our sweet taste program for an additional two years, through August 2016. The collaboration will continue to be focused on the discovery and development of new flavor ingredients and new natural high-potency sweeteners. We are entitled to $17.6 million in committed research funding to be paid in quarterly installments over the additional two-year period.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we earned two substantive development milestones totaling $1.3 million related to our sweet taste program and one substantive development milestone of $500,000 related to our cooling taste program. No substantive milestones were earned during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Accounting_Policies_by_Policy_

Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	Total stock-based compensation expenses recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was comprised as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Research, development and patents	$	701		$	417		$	1,973		$	1,188
	Selling, general and administrative		1,001			607			2,637			1,711
	Total stock-based compensation expenses	$	1,702		$	1,024		$	4,610		$	2,899
	At September 30, 2014, total unrecognized estimated compensation expenses related to non-vested stock options granted prior to that date was $10.6 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Net Loss Per Share
	We calculated net loss per share in accordance with the Earnings Per Share Topic of the FASB ASC. Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, without consideration for common stock equivalents. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing the net income or loss by the weighted average number of common share equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury-stock method. Dilutive common share equivalents include the dilutive effect of in-the-money shares, which is calculated based on the average share price for each period using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, the exercise price of a share, the amount of compensation cost, if any, for future service that we have not yet recognized, and the amount of estimated tax benefits that would be recorded in paid-in capital, if any, when the share is exercised are assumed to be used to repurchase shares in the current period. For purposes of this calculation, common stock subject to repurchase by us, convertible preferred stock, options, and warrants are considered to be common stock equivalents and are only included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share when their effect is dilutive.
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share for the respective periods.
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Numerator:
	Net loss (in thousands)	$	(4,406	)	$	(3,475	)	$	(9,055	)	$	(8,812	)
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares		43,006,240			40,673,885			42,359,031			40,588,656
	Basic and diluted net loss per share	$	(0.10	)	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.21	)	$	(0.22	)
	Outstanding antidilutive securities not included in diluted net loss per share calculation:
	Options to purchase common stock		11,476,902			11,932,170			11,476,902			11,932,170
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The financial statements at September 30, 2014 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are unaudited. The unaudited financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to state fairly the financial information therein. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be reported for the year ending December 31, 2014. For more complete financial information, these financial statements, and the notes thereto, should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013, including the notes thereto, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	We consider all highly liquid investments with a remaining maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are recorded at cost, which approximates market value.
Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Investments Available-for-Sale
	Our surplus cash is invested in United States Treasuries, United States government agency bonds and corporate notes with maturity dates of two years or less from the settlement date. The amortized cost of debt securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity with all amortization and accretion included in interest income. Our investments are classified as available-for-sale and carried at estimated fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other-than-temporary, if any, on available-for-sale securities are included in interest income. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Interest on securities classified as available-for-sale is included in interest income.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instrumentsother than Investments Available-for-Sale
	The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses are considered to be representative of their respective fair value because of the short-term nature of those items.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Revenue Recognition
	Our revenue recognition policies are in compliance with the Revenue Recognition Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). Some of our agreements contain multiple elements, including technological and territorial licenses and research and development services. In accordance with these agreements, we may be eligible for upfront fees, research and development funding, cost reimbursements, development milestone payments, commercial milestone payments, minimum periodic royalty payments and royalty payments. Development revenues include revenues from license fees, research and development funding, the achievement of development milestones and cost reimbursements. Commercial revenues include royalties on sales made by our collaborators of products incorporating our flavor ingredients, minimum periodic royalty payments, revenues from the achievement of commercial milestones and direct sales of our flavor ingredients to flavor companies.
	Pursuant to the Revenue Recognition – Multiple-Element Arrangements Topic of the FASB ASC, each required deliverable is evaluated to determine if it qualifies as a separate unit of accounting. For us, this determination is generally based on whether the deliverable has “stand-alone value” to the customer. The arrangement’s consideration is then allocated to each separate unit of accounting based on the relative selling price of each deliverable. The estimated selling price of each deliverable is determined using the following hierarchy of values: (i) vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value; (ii) third-party evidence of selling price; and (iii) best estimate of selling price (“BESP”). The BESP reflects our best estimate of what the selling price would be if the deliverable was regularly sold by us on a stand-alone basis. We expect, in general, to use the BESP for allocating consideration to each deliverable. In general, the consideration allocated to each unit of accounting is then recognized as the related goods or services are delivered, limited to the consideration that is not contingent upon future deliverables. For multiple-element arrangements entered into prior to January 1, 2011 and not materially modified thereafter, we continue to apply our prior accounting policy with respect to such arrangements.
	Non-refundable license fees, if not associated with our future performance, are recognized when received. Non-refundable license fees, if associated with our future performance obligations, are attributed to a specific program or collaboration and recognized over the period of service for that specific program or collaboration. Amounts received for research funding are recognized as revenue as the services are performed. Revenue is deferred for fees received before earned. Revenues from the achievement of development milestones are accounted for in accordance with the Revenue Recognition – Milestone Method Topic of the FASB ASC. Milestones are recognized when earned, as evidenced by written acknowledgment from the collaborator or other persuasive evidence that the milestone has been achieved, provided that the milestone event is substantive. A milestone event is considered to be substantive if its achievability was not reasonably assured at the inception of the agreement and our efforts led to the achievement of the milestone or the milestone was due upon the occurrence of a specific outcome resulting from our performance. If both of these criteria are not met, the milestone payment is recognized over the remaining minimum period of our performance obligations under the agreement, if any. We assess whether a milestone is substantive at the inception of each agreement. Revenues from cost reimbursement are recognized when earned, as evidenced by written acknowledgment from the collaborator or other persuasive evidence.
	Revenues from the achievement of commercial milestones are recognized when earned, as evidenced by written acknowledgment from the collaborator or other persuasive evidence that the milestone has been achieved, as these milestone payments do not require our efforts, but result from the efforts of the collaborator. Royalties on sales made by our collaborators of products incorporating our flavor ingredients are recognized when a royalty report or other persuasive evidence is received, which is generally one quarter in arrears. Non-refundable minimum periodic royalty payments are recognized as revenues over the related royalty periods. Royalty terms are specific to each collaboration and collaborator and can vary from year to year. These terms vary based on factors such as the characteristics of the flavor ingredient and the product categories and geographies licensed by the collaborator. Periodically, as contractually specified, our collaborators are required to provide a report detailing all sales of products containing our flavor ingredients. To the extent that calculated royalties on sales of such products exceed the minimum periodic royalty payments made to date, the collaborators are required to remit to us the difference between royalties calculated and minimum periodic royalty payments made to date. We recognize this difference as royalties on product sales at the time the report is received. To the extent that minimum periodic royalty payments through the end of any applicable period exceed calculated royalties, we are not required to refund the difference. Although we currently do not have any collaborations that include refundable minimum periodic royalty payments, in such a case, revenue would be deferred for refundable minimum periodic royalty payments received before earned.
	In May 2014, a Revenue Recognition – Revenue from Contracts with Customers Topic of the FASB ASC was issued. This new Topic amends guidance in the Revenue Recognition Topic of the FASB ASC and is effective beginning January 1, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of the new Topic.
Cost of Sales, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Cost of Commercial Revenues
	Cost of commercial revenues represents royalties payable under our third-party licensing agreements and cost of goods sold related to direct sales.
Research, Development, and Patents Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'Research, Development and PatentsResearch and development costs, including those incurred in relation to our collaborative agreements, are expensed in the period incurred. Research and development costs primarily consist of salaries and related expenses for personnel, facilities and depreciation, research and development supplies, licenses and outside services. Such research and development costs totaled $6.3 million and $6.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $18.9 million and $20.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.Costs related to filing and pursuing patent applications are expensed as incurred, as recoverability of such expenditures is uncertain. We include all external costs related to the filing of patents as a component of research, development and patents on our Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. Such patent-related expenses totaled $370,000 and $468,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $1.4 million and $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Comprehensive Loss
	The Comprehensive Income Topic of the FASB ASC requires that all components of comprehensive income (loss), including net income (loss), be reported in the financial statements in the period in which they are recognized. Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Our accumulated other comprehensive income as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consisted of unrealized gains or losses on investments available-for-sale and is reported in stockholders’ equity.

Note_1_Organization_and_Summar1

Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Research, development and patents	$	701		$	417		$	1,973		$	1,188
	Selling, general and administrative		1,001			607			2,637			1,711
	Total stock-based compensation expenses	$	1,702		$	1,024		$	4,610		$	2,899
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Numerator:
	Net loss (in thousands)	$	(4,406	)	$	(3,475	)	$	(9,055	)	$	(8,812	)
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares		43,006,240			40,673,885			42,359,031			40,588,656
	Basic and diluted net loss per share	$	(0.10	)	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.21	)	$	(0.22	)
	Outstanding antidilutive securities not included in diluted net loss per share calculation:
	Options to purchase common stock		11,476,902			11,932,170			11,476,902			11,932,170

Note_2_Balance_Sheet_Details_T

Note 2 - Balance Sheet Details (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Table Text Block]	'
		Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Estimated
		Cost		Gain		Loss			Fair Value
	United States Treasuries	$	1,501	$	—	$	—		$	1,501
	United States government agency securities		18,283		4		(2	)		18,285
	Corporate notes		6,985		—		(5	)		6,980
	Total	$	26,769	$	4	$	(7	)	$	26,766
		Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Estimated
		Cost		Gain		Loss			Fair Value
	United States Treasuries	$	7,505	$	3	$	—		$	7,508
	United States government agency securities		14,249		4		—			14,253
	Total	$	21,754	$	7	$	—		$	21,761
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block]	'
				Less than 12 Months
				of Temporary Impairment
	Description	Number of		Estimated Fair		Unrealized
		investments		Value		Losses
	United States government agency securities		5	$	6,974	$	(2	)
	Corporate notes		6		6,980		(5	)
	Total temporarily impaired securities		11	$	13,954	$	(7	)

Note_3_Fair_Value_Disclosures_

Note 3 - Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	'
				Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using
	Description	Balance as of		Quoted Prices		Significant Other		Significant
		September 30,		in Active		Observable Inputs		Unobservable
		2014		Markets		(Level 2)		Inputs
				for Identical				(Level 3)
				Assets (Level 1)
	Financial instruments owned:
	Money market funds	$	4,088	$	4,088	$	—	$	—
	United States Treasuries		1,501		1,501		—		—
	United States government agency securities		18,285		—		18,285		—
	Corporate notes		6,980		—		6,980
	Total financial instruments owned	$	30,854	$	5,589	$	25,265	$	—

Note_1_Organization_and_Summar2

Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Collaborative Arrangements, Number Of Collaborators	4	'	4	'
Revenue Recognition, Period Of Sales, Royalty, Number of Quarters in Arrears	'	'	1	'
Research and Development Expense	$6,300,000	$6,600,000	$18,900,000	$20,300,000
Patent Expense	370,000	468,000	1,400,000	1,100,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Stock Options	$10,600,000	'	$10,600,000	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	'	'	'1 year 328 days	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities, Maturity Term	'	'	'2 years	'

Note_1_Organization_and_Summar3

Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Summary of Stock-Based Compensation (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-Based Compensation Expenses	$1,702	$1,024	$4,610	$2,899
Research, Development, and Patent Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-Based Compensation Expenses	701	417	1,973	1,188
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-Based Compensation Expenses	$1,001	$607	$2,637	$1,711

Note_1_Organization_and_Summar4

Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Numerator:	'	'	'	'
Net loss (in thousands) (in Dollars)	($4,406)	($3,475)	($9,055)	($8,812)
Denominator:	'	'	'	'
Weighted average common shares	43,006,240	40,673,885	42,359,031	40,588,656
Basic and diluted net loss per share (in Dollars per share)	($0.10)	($0.09)	($0.21)	($0.22)
Employee, Director, and Consultant Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'	'
Outstanding antidilutive securities not included in diluted net loss per share calculation:	'	'	'	'
Options to purchase common stock	11,476,902	11,932,170	11,476,902	11,932,170

Note_2_Balance_Sheet_Details_D

Note 2 - Balance Sheet Details (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Next Rolling Twelve Months, Fair Value	$18.30
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Rolling Year Two, Fair Value	$8.50

Note_2_Balance_Sheet_Details_D1

Note 2 - Balance Sheet Details (Details) - Summary of Investments Available-for-Sale (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	$26,769	$21,754
Unrealized Gain	4	7
Unrealized Loss	-7	'
Estimated Fair Value	26,766	21,761
US Treasury Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	1,501	7,505
Unrealized Gain	'	3
Estimated Fair Value	1,501	7,508
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	18,283	14,249
Unrealized Gain	4	4
Unrealized Loss	-2	'
Estimated Fair Value	18,285	14,253
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	6,985	'
Unrealized Loss	-5	'
Estimated Fair Value	$6,980	'

Note_2_Balance_Sheet_Details_D2

Note 2 - Balance Sheet Details (Details) - Summary of Temporarily Impaired Investments (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Note 2 - Balance Sheet Details (Details) - Summary of Temporarily Impaired Investments [Line Items]	'
Number of Investments	11
Estimated Fair Value	$13,954
Unrealized Losses	-7
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member]	'
Note 2 - Balance Sheet Details (Details) - Summary of Temporarily Impaired Investments [Line Items]	'
Number of Investments	5
Estimated Fair Value	6,974
Unrealized Losses	-2
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]	'
Note 2 - Balance Sheet Details (Details) - Summary of Temporarily Impaired Investments [Line Items]	'
Number of Investments	6
Estimated Fair Value	6,980
Unrealized Losses	($5)

Note_3_Fair_Value_Disclosures_1

Note 3 - Fair Value Disclosures (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Note 3 - Fair Value Disclosures (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets, Level 1 to Level 2 Transfers, Amount	$0	$0
Fair Value, Assets, Level 2 to Level 1 Transfers, Amount	0	0
Fair Value, Liabilities, Level 1 to Level 2 Transfers, Amount	0	0
Fair Value, Liabilities, Level 2 to Level 1 Transfers, Amount	$0	$0

Note_3_Fair_Value_Disclosures_2

Note 3 - Fair Value Disclosures (Details) - Summary of Assets Measured On a Recurring Basis (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financial instruments owned:	'	'
Fair Value of Securities	$26,766	$21,761
US Treasury Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments owned:	'	'
Fair Value of Securities	1,501	'
US Treasury Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments owned:	'	'
Fair Value of Securities	1,501	'
US Treasury Securities [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments owned:	'	'
Fair Value of Securities	1,501	7,508
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments owned:	'	'
Fair Value of Securities	18,285	'
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments owned:	'	'
Fair Value of Securities	18,285	'
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments owned:	'	'
Fair Value of Securities	18,285	14,253
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments owned:	'	'
Fair Value of Securities	6,980	'
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments owned:	'	'
Fair Value of Securities	6,980	'
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments owned:	'	'
Fair Value of Securities	6,980	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments owned:	'	'
Money market funds	4,088	'
Total financial instruments owned	5,589	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments owned:	'	'
Total financial instruments owned	25,265	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments owned:	'	'
Money market funds	4,088	'
Total financial instruments owned	$30,854	'

Note_4_Product_Discovery_Devel1

Note 4 - Product Discovery, Development and Commercialization Collaborations (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	31-May-14	Sep. 30, 2013	31-May-14	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
			Pepsi Co Inc [Member]	Collaborative Arrangement, Sweet Taste Program [Member]	Collaborative Arrangement, Cooling Taste Program [Member]
Note 4 - Product Discovery, Development and Commercialization Collaborations (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Collaborative Arrangements, Term of Extension, Research Programs	'	'	'2 years	'	'
Collaborative Arrangements, Aggregate Committed Payments, Extension Period	$17,600,000	'	'	'	'
Collaborative Arrangements, Number of Milestones Achieved	'	0	'	2	1
Revenue Recognition, Milestone Method, Revenue Recognized	'	'	'	$1,300,000	$500,000