NanoString (NSTG) 10-Q 10 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 06, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'NSTG	'
Entity Registrant Name	'NANOSTRING TECHNOLOGIES INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001401708	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Non-accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	18,202,475

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$18,826	$9,941
Short-term investments	48,674	32,715
Accounts receivable, net	15,266	8,331
Inventory	5,790	6,750
Prepaid expenses and other	4,353	2,999
Total current assets	92,909	60,736
Restricted cash	143	201
Deferred offering costs	0	29
Property and equipment, net	5,746	3,065
Other assets	735	341
Total assets	99,533	64,372
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	2,166	3,354
Accrued liabilities	7,755	7,088
Deferred revenue, current portion	4,425	1,462
Deferred rent, current portion	807	590
Long-term debt, current portion	251	6,136
Total current liabilities	15,404	18,630
Deferred revenue, net of current portion	7,168	803
Deferred rent, net of current portion	784	1,313
Long-term debt, net of current portion	20,497	12,157
Total liabilities	43,853	32,903
Commitment and contingencies	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 15,000 shares authorized; none issued	0	0
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 150,000 shares authorized; 18,201 and 14,620 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	2	1
Additional paid-in-capital	220,190	158,278
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-21	22
Accumulated deficit	-164,491	-126,832
Total stockholders' equity	55,680	31,469
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$99,533	$64,372

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Preferred stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	15,000	15,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	150,000	150,000
Common stock, shares issued	18,201	14,620
Common stock, shares outstanding	18,201	14,620

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenue:	'	'	'	'
Product and service	$11,264	$8,389	$30,278	$21,283
Collaboration	1,079	0	1,697	0
Total revenue	12,343	8,389	31,975	21,283
Costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of product and service revenue	5,271	3,784	14,456	10,188
Research and development	5,961	3,784	15,967	10,469
Selling, general and administrative	12,515	7,988	36,069	20,822
Total costs and expenses	23,747	15,556	66,492	41,479
Loss from operations	-11,404	-7,167	-34,517	-20,196
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'
Interest income	65	22	204	28
Interest expense	-697	-538	-3,248	-1,412
Other expense	-112	-17	-97	-30
Revaluation of preferred stock warrant liability	0	0	0	1,156
Total other income (expense)	-744	-533	-3,141	-258
Net loss	-12,148	-7,700	-37,658	-20,454
Accretion of mandatorily redeemable convertible preferred stock	0	0	0	-4,653
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	($12,148)	($7,700)	($37,658)	($25,107)
Net loss per share - basic and diluted	($0.67)	($0.53)	($2.13)	($4.74)
Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share	18,134	14,616	17,711	5,292

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net loss	($12,148)	($7,700)	($37,658)	($20,454)
Unrealized gain (loss) on short-term investments	-28	5	-43	5
Comprehensive loss	($12,176)	($7,695)	($37,701)	($20,449)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Operating activities	'	'
Net loss	($37,658)	($20,454)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	1,115	1,360
Stock-based compensation	3,604	766
Net amortization of premium on short-term investments	127	89
Amortization of debt discount	51	162
Revaluation of preferred stock warrant liability	0	-1,156
Loss on extinguishment of debt	581	0
Interest accrued on long-term notes	-348	182
Accrued interest converted to principal balance of term loan	179	0
Loss on disposal of property and equipment	0	1
Gain on sale of investments	-5	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	'	'
Accounts receivable	-6,935	-3,470
Inventory	-1,198	-336
Prepaid expenses and other	-1,218	-1,500
Other assets	120	-275
Accounts payable	-1,210	1,121
Accrued liabilities	667	2,038
Deferred revenue	9,328	556
Deferred rent	-382	-567
Net cash used in operating activities	-33,182	-21,483
Investing activities	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-1,284	-500
Decrease in restricted cash	59	0
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments	4,500	0
Proceeds from maturity of short-term investments	26,675	0
Purchase of short-term investments	-47,271	-33,006
Net cash used in investing activities	-17,321	-33,506
Financing activities	'	'
Borrowings under long-term debt agreements	20,000	5,000
Deferred costs related to long-term debt agreement	-770	0
Repayment of long-term debt	-18,151	-163
Net proceeds from public offering	57,015	47,374
Proceeds from exercise of common stock warrants	230	0
Repurchase of shares related to common stock warrant exercise	-94	0
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	988	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	170	378
Net cash provided by financing activities	59,388	52,589
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	8,885	-2,400
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'
Beginning of period	9,941	21,692
End of period	$18,826	$19,292

Description_of_Business

Description of Business	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Description of Business	'
	1	Description of Business
	NanoString Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in the state of Delaware on June 20, 2003. The Company’s headquarters are located in Seattle, Washington. The Company’s technology enables direct detection, identification and quantification of individual target molecules in a biological sample by attaching a unique color coded fluorescent reporter to each target molecule of interest. The Company markets its proprietary nCounter Analysis System, consisting of instruments and consumables, including its Prosigna Breast Cancer Assay, to academic, government, biopharmaceutical and clinical laboratory customers.
	The Company has incurred losses to date and expects to incur additional losses in the foreseeable future. The Company continues to devote the majority of its resources to the growth of its business in accordance with its business plan. The Company’s activities have been financed primarily through the sale of equity securities, incurrence of indebtedness and, to a lesser extent, capital leases and other borrowings.
	Public Equity Offering
	In January 2014, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 2,972,972 shares of common stock for total gross proceeds of $55.0 million. In February 2014, the underwriters partially exercised an overallotment option, purchasing 345,945 additional shares from the Company for additional gross proceeds of $6.4 million. After underwriters’ fees and commissions and other expenses of the offering, the Company’s aggregate net proceeds were approximately $57.0 million.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	2	Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, NanoString Technologies International, Inc., NanoString Technologies Asia Pacific Limited, NanoString Technologies Singapore Pte. Limited, NanoString Technologies Europe Limited, NanoString Technologies Germany GmbH and NanoString Technologies SAS. The unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2013 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for annual financial statements. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and U.S. GAAP for unaudited condensed consolidated financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments consisting of normal recurring adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position and results of its operations, as of and for the periods presented.
	Unless indicated otherwise, all amounts presented in financial tables are presented in thousands, except for per share and par value amounts.
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of the Company’s operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or for any other period.
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company recognizes revenue when (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (3) the price to the customer is fixed or determinable and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. The Company generates the majority of its revenue from the sale of products and services. The Company’s products consist of its proprietary nCounter Analysis System and related consumables. Services consist of extended warranties and service fees for assay processing. A delivered product or service is considered to be a separate unit of accounting when it has value to the customer on a stand-alone basis. Products or services have value on a stand-alone basis if they are sold separately by any vendor or the customer could resell the delivered product.
	Instruments, consumables and in vitro diagnostic kits are considered to be separate units of accounting as they are sold separately and revenue is recognized upon transfer of ownership, which is generally upon shipment. Instrument revenue related to installation and calibration services is recognized when services are rendered. For instruments sold for use primarily to run Prosigna assays, training must be provided prior to instrument revenue recognition.
	Service revenue is recognized when earned, which is generally upon the rendering of the related services. Service agreements and service fees for assay processing are each considered separate units of accounting as they are sold separately. The Company offers service agreements on its nCounter Analysis System for periods ranging from 12 to 36 months after the end of the standard 12-month warranty period. Service agreements are generally separately priced. Revenue from service agreements is deferred and recognized in income on a straight-line basis over the service period.
	For arrangements with multiple deliverables, the Company allocates the agreement consideration at the inception of the agreement to the deliverables based upon their relative selling prices. To date, selling prices have been established by reference to vendor specific objective evidence based on stand-alone sales transactions for each deliverable. Vendor specific objective evidence is considered to have been established when a substantial majority of individual sales transactions within the previous 12 month period fall within a reasonably narrow range, which the Company has defined to be plus or minus 15% of the median sales price of actual stand-alone sales transactions. The Company uses its best estimate of selling price for individual deliverables when vendor specific objective evidence or third-party evidence is unavailable. Allocated revenue is only recognized for each deliverable when the revenue recognition criteria have been met.
	The Company enters into collaborative agreements that may generate upfront fees with subsequent milestone payments that may be earned upon completion of development-related milestones. The Company is able to estimate the total cost of services under the arrangements and recognizes collaboration revenue using a proportional performance model. Costs incurred to date compared to total expected costs are used to determine proportional performance, as this is considered to be representative of the delivery of outputs under the arrangements. Revenue recognized at any point in time is limited to cash received and amounts contractually due. Changes in estimates of total expected costs are accounted for prospectively as a change in estimate. From period to period, collaboration revenue can fluctuate substantially based on the achievement of development-related milestones.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	As an “emerging growth company,” the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act allows the Company to delay adoption of new or revised accounting pronouncements applicable to public companies until such pronouncements are made applicable to private companies.
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standards update entitled “ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The standard requires entities to recognize revenue through the application of a five step model, which includes identification of the contract, identification of the performance obligations, determination of the transaction price, allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations, and recognition of revenue as the entity satisfies the performance obligations. The standard will become effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the guidance to determine the potential impact on its consolidated results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, and financial statement disclosures.
	In June 2014, FASB issued an accounting standards update entitled “ASU 2014-12, Compensation – Stock Compensation.” The standard requires entities that grant their employees share-based payments in which the terms of the award provide that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. The standard will become effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the guidance to determine the potential impact on its consolidated results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, and financial statement disclosures.
	In August 2014, FASB issued an accounting standards update entitled “ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern.” The standard requires entities to evaluate for each annual and interim reporting period, whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or within one year after the date that the financial statements are available to be issued when applicable). The standard will become effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2017.

Net_Loss_Per_Share

Net Loss Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Net Loss Per Share	'
	3	Net Loss Per Share
	Net loss attributable to common stockholders per share is computed by dividing the net loss allocable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Outstanding stock options, warrants and preferred stock have not been included in the calculation of the diluted net loss attributable to common stockholders per share because to do so would be anti-dilutive. Accordingly, the numerator and the denominator used in computing both basic and diluted net loss per share for each period are the same.
	The following outstanding options, warrants and preferred stock were excluded from the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share for the periods presented because their effect would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
			2014		2013		2014		2013
	Options to purchase common stock			3,317		1,874		3,317		1,874
	Convertible preferred stock (as converted)			—		—		—		—
	Convertible preferred stock warrants (as converted)			—		—		—		—
	Common stock warrants			580		618		580		618

Concentration_of_Risks

Concentration of Risks	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]	'
Concentration of Risks	'
	4	Concentration of Risks
	Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and accounts receivable. Cash is invested in accordance with the Company’s investment policy, which includes guidelines intended to minimize and diversify credit risk. Most of the Company’s investments are not federally insured. The Company has credit risk related to the collectability of its accounts receivable. The Company performs initial and ongoing evaluations of its customers’ credit history or financial position and generally extends credit on account without collateral. The Company has not experienced any significant credit losses to date as a result of credit risk concentration.
	The Company had no customers that individually represented more than 10% of total revenue during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had a balance of $5.0 million in accounts receivable from its collaborator, Celgene Corporation. The Company had no other customers or collaborators that represented more than 10% of total accounts receivable as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	The Company is also subject to supply chain risks related to the outsourcing of the manufacturing and production of its instruments to sole suppliers. Although there are a limited number of manufacturers for instruments of this type, the Company believes that other suppliers could provide similar products on comparable terms. Similarly, the Company sources certain raw materials used in the manufacture of consumables from certain sole suppliers. A change in suppliers could cause a delay in manufacturing and a possible loss of sales, which would adversely affect operating results.

Shortterm_Investments

Short-term Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Short-term Investments	'
	5	Short-term Investments
	Short-term investments consisted of available-for-sale securities as follows (in thousands):
	Type of security as of September 30, 2014		Amortized		Gross		Gross			Fair value
			cost		unrealized		unrealized
					gains		losses
	U.S. government-related debt securities		$	1,518	$	1	$	—		$	1,519
	Corporate debt securities			43,877		7		(27	)		43,857
	Asset-backed securities			3,300		—		(2	)		3,298
	Total available-for-sale securities		$	48,695	$	8	$	(29	)	$	48,674
	Type of security as of December 31, 2013		Amortized		Gross		Gross			Fair value
			cost		unrealized		unrealized
					gains		losses
	U.S. government-related debt securities		$	1,565	$	1	$	—		$	1,566
	Corporate debt securities			31,128		24		(3	)		31,149
	Total available-for-sale securities		$	32,693	$	25	$	(3	)	$	32,715
	The fair values of available-for-sale securities by contractual maturity were as follows (in thousands):
	Contractual maturity		September 30,		December 31,
			2014		2013
	Maturing in one year or less		$	42,872	$	26,725
	Maturing in one to three years			5,802		5,990
	Total available-for-sale securities		$	48,674	$	32,715
	Realized gains and losses are determined based on the specific identification method and are reported in other income in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Gross realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities were $3,000 and $5,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. There were no gross realized gains for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and no realized losses on sales of available-for-sale securities for any of the periods presented.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	6	Fair Value Measurements
	The Company establishes the fair value of its assets and liabilities using the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a financial liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A fair value hierarchy is used to measure fair value. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
	Level 1		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
	Level 2		Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.
	Level 3		Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs and significant value drivers are unobservable.
	The recorded amounts of certain financial instruments, including cash, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximate fair value due to their relatively short-term maturities. The recorded amount of the Company’s long-term debt approximates fair value because the related interest rates approximate rates currently available to the Company.
	The Company’s available-for-sale securities by level within the fair value hierarchy were as follows (in thousands):
	As of September 30, 2014		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market fund		$	17,667	$	—	$	—	$	17,667
	Short-term investments:
	U.S. government-related debt securities			—		1,519		—		1,519
	Corporate debt securities			—		43,857		—		43,857
	Asset-backed securities			—		3,298		—		3,298
	Total		$	17,667	$	48,674	$	—	$	66,341
	As of December 31, 2013		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market fund		$	8,454	$	—	$	—	$	8,454
	Short-term investments:
	U.S. government-related debt securities			—		1,566		—		1,566
	Corporate debt securities			—		31,149		—		31,149
	Total		$	8,454	$	32,715	$	—	$	41,169

Inventory

Inventory	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventory	'
	7	Inventory
	Inventory consisted of the following as of the date indicated (in thousands):
			September 30,		December 31,
			2014		2013
	Raw materials		$	1,201	$	2,164
	Work in process			1,995		2,198
	Finished goods			2,594		2,388
			$	5,790	$	6,750

Reserve_for_Product_Warranties

Reserve for Product Warranties	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Reserve for Product Warranties	'
	8	Reserve for Product Warranties
	The Company generally provides a one-year warranty on its nCounter Analysis Systems and establishes an accrual based on historical product repair rates and actual warranty costs incurred. Warranty expense is recorded as a component of cost of product and service revenue in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
	The following information reconciles changes in the Company’s warranty reserve and related costs (in thousands):
	Warranty reserve, December 31, 2013		$	358
	Cost of warranty claims			(28	)
	Warranty accrual			80
	Warranty reserve, March 31, 2014			410
	Cost of warranty claims			(32	)
	Warranty accrual			100
	Warranty reserve, June 30, 2014			478
	Cost of warranty claims			(85	)
	Warranty accrual			145
	Warranty reserve, September 30, 2014		$	538

Longterm_Debt_and_Obligations

Long-term Debt and Obligations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-term Debt and Obligations	'
	9	Long-term Debt and Obligations
	In April 2014, the Company entered into a term loan agreement under which it may borrow up to $45.0 million, or up to an aggregate of approximately $52.0 million if the Company elects to exercise in full an option to defer payment of a portion of the interest that would accrue on the borrowing under the term loan agreement. Upon initial closing, the Company borrowed $20.0 million, the proceeds of which were primarily used to repay the outstanding balance under its former credit facility plus a related $1.0 million end of term payment, a $0.3 million make-whole premium, and interest accrued. The Company incurred and recorded a total charge to interest expense of $1.4 million related to the repayment of the former credit facility including a loss on extinguishment of debt of $0.6 million. The Company has committed to borrow an additional $10.0 million under the term loan agreement no later than October 2014. Up to an additional $15.0 million, in increments of $5.0 million, may be borrowed under the agreement no later than May 2015, subject to a revenue requirement. All borrowings under the new term loan agreement will accrue interest at 12.5% annually, payable quarterly, of which 3.5% can be deferred during the first four years of the term at the Company’s option and paid together with the principal. In September 2014, the Company exercised its option to defer payment of the 3.5% accrued interest for the three months ended September 30, 2014. The Company is required to pay only interest for the first five years of the term. Principal payments are due in four equal installments during the sixth year of the term. The Company has the option to prepay the term loans, in whole or in part, at any time subject to payment of a redemption fee of up to 4%, which declines over the term. The term loan agreement contains customary conditions to borrowings, events of default and negative covenants, including covenants that could limit the Company’s ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, liens or other encumbrances, make dividends or other distributions; buy, sell or transfer assets; engage in any new line of business; and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. The new term loan agreement also includes liquidity and revenue-based financial covenants. The Company must also satisfy certain minimum annual revenue requirements, which shall initially be $40.0 million for 2014 with annual increases of $15.0 million for each subsequent fiscal year thereafter. If the Company’s actual revenues are below the minimum annual revenue requirement for any given year, the Company may avoid a related default by generating proceeds from an equity or subordinated debt issuance equal to the shortfall between its actual revenues and the minimum revenue requirement. The Company was in compliance with its covenants as of September 30, 2014. The Company’s obligations under the new term loan agreement are collateralized by substantially all of its assets.
	Borrowings, including current portion, consisted of the following (in thousands):
			September 30,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Landlord payable		$	—		$	49
	Capital leases			569			410
	Term loans payable			20,179			18,348
				20,748			18,807
	Less: Unamortized debt discount			—			(514	)
	Current portion			(251	)		(6,136	)
	Non-current portion		$	20,497		$	12,157
	Scheduled future principal payments under outstanding debt obligations were as follows at September 30, 2014 (in thousands):
	2014		$	63
	2015			251
	2016			207
	2017			48
	2018 and thereafter			20,179
			$	20,748

Collaboration_Agreement

Collaboration Agreement	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Collaboration Agreement	'
	10	Collaboration Agreement
	In March 2014, the Company entered into a collaboration agreement with Celgene Corporation (“Celgene”) to develop, seek regulatory approval for, and commercialize a companion diagnostic assay for use in screening patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma. The Company received an upfront payment of $5.8 million upon its delivery of certain information to Celgene, and is eligible to receive up to $17.0 million in success-based milestone payments related to development and regulatory milestones. The Company will retain all commercial rights to the diagnostic test developed under this collaboration. Assuming success in the clinical trial process, and subject to regulatory approval, the Company will market and sell the diagnostic assay and Celgene has agreed to make certain potential commercial payments to the Company in the event sales of the assay do not exceed certain pre-specified minimum annual revenues during the first three years following regulatory approval.
	The Company achieved certain milestones totaling $5.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014, which was recorded as accounts receivable at September 30, 2014. The process of successfully developing a product candidate, obtaining regulatory approval and ultimately commercializing a product candidate is highly uncertain and the attainment of any additional milestones is therefore uncertain and difficult to predict. In addition, certain milestones are outside the Company’s control and are dependent on the performance of Celgene and the outcome of a clinical trial and related regulatory processes. Accordingly, the Company is not able to reasonably estimate when, if at all, any additional milestone payments may be payable to the Company by Celgene.
	The Company uses a proportional performance model to recognize revenue over the Company’s performance period for the related agreement. Costs incurred to date compared to total expected costs are used to determine proportional performance, as this is considered to be representative of the delivery of outputs under the arrangement. Revenue recognized at any point in time is limited to cash received and amounts contractually due, such as the $5.0 million of milestone payments receivable at September 30, 2014, which resulted in $0.8 million of incremental revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2014. Changes in estimates of total expected costs are accounted for prospectively as a change in estimate. All amounts received or due are classified as collaboration revenue as they are earned.
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recognized collaboration revenue of $1.1 million and $1.7 million, respectively. No such amounts were recognized in 2013. At September 30, 2014, the Company had recorded $9.1 million of deferred revenue related to the collaboration, of which $2.6 million is estimated to be recognized as revenue within one year.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	11	Commitments and Contingencies
	From time to time, the Company may become involved in litigation relating to claims arising from the ordinary course of business. Management believes that there are no claims or actions pending against the Company currently, the ultimate disposition of which would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operation, financial condition or cash flows.

Information_about_Geographic_A

Information about Geographic Areas	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Information about Geographic Areas	'
	12	Information about Geographic Areas
	The Company operates as a single reportable segment and primarily enables customers to perform both research and clinical testing on its nCounter Analysis System. The Company has one sales force that sells these systems to both research and clinical testing labs, and has launched its first product, nCounter Elements reagents, that can be used for both research and diagnostic testing. In addition, the Company’s Prosigna Breast Cancer Assay is marketed to clinical laboratories. The Company has also entered into a companion diagnostic collaboration with Celgene.
	The following table of total revenue is based on the geographic location of the Company’s customers, distributors and collaborator. For sales to distributors, their geographic location may be different from the geographic locations of the ultimate end user. Total revenue by geography was as follows (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
			2014		2013		2014		2013
	North America		$	8,049	$	5,333	$	21,425	$	15,028
	Europe, Middle East & Africa			2,385		1,592		6,278		3,702
	Asia Pacific			1,909		1,464		4,272		2,553
	Total revenue		$	12,343	$	8,389	$	31,975	$	21,283
	Total revenue in the United States was $7.0 million, $5.0 million, $19.2 million and $13.0 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Substantially all of the Company’s assets, including long-lived assets, are located in the United States.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	13	Subsequent Events
	On October 30, 2014, the Company borrowed an additional $10 million on its term loan as required under the terms of the agreement.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ1

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, NanoString Technologies International, Inc., NanoString Technologies Asia Pacific Limited, NanoString Technologies Singapore Pte. Limited, NanoString Technologies Europe Limited, NanoString Technologies Germany GmbH and NanoString Technologies SAS. The unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2013 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for annual financial statements. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and U.S. GAAP for unaudited condensed consolidated financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments consisting of normal recurring adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position and results of its operations, as of and for the periods presented.
	Unless indicated otherwise, all amounts presented in financial tables are presented in thousands, except for per share and par value amounts.
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of the Company’s operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or for any other period.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company recognizes revenue when (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (3) the price to the customer is fixed or determinable and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. The Company generates the majority of its revenue from the sale of products and services. The Company’s products consist of its proprietary nCounter Analysis System and related consumables. Services consist of extended warranties and service fees for assay processing. A delivered product or service is considered to be a separate unit of accounting when it has value to the customer on a stand-alone basis. Products or services have value on a stand-alone basis if they are sold separately by any vendor or the customer could resell the delivered product.
	Instruments, consumables and in vitro diagnostic kits are considered to be separate units of accounting as they are sold separately and revenue is recognized upon transfer of ownership, which is generally upon shipment. Instrument revenue related to installation and calibration services is recognized when services are rendered. For instruments sold for use primarily to run Prosigna assays, training must be provided prior to instrument revenue recognition.
	Service revenue is recognized when earned, which is generally upon the rendering of the related services. Service agreements and service fees for assay processing are each considered separate units of accounting as they are sold separately. The Company offers service agreements on its nCounter Analysis System for periods ranging from 12 to 36 months after the end of the standard 12-month warranty period. Service agreements are generally separately priced. Revenue from service agreements is deferred and recognized in income on a straight-line basis over the service period.
	For arrangements with multiple deliverables, the Company allocates the agreement consideration at the inception of the agreement to the deliverables based upon their relative selling prices. To date, selling prices have been established by reference to vendor specific objective evidence based on stand-alone sales transactions for each deliverable. Vendor specific objective evidence is considered to have been established when a substantial majority of individual sales transactions within the previous 12 month period fall within a reasonably narrow range, which the Company has defined to be plus or minus 15% of the median sales price of actual stand-alone sales transactions. The Company uses its best estimate of selling price for individual deliverables when vendor specific objective evidence or third-party evidence is unavailable. Allocated revenue is only recognized for each deliverable when the revenue recognition criteria have been met.
	The Company enters into collaborative agreements that may generate upfront fees with subsequent milestone payments that may be earned upon completion of development-related milestones. The Company is able to estimate the total cost of services under the arrangements and recognizes collaboration revenue using a proportional performance model. Costs incurred to date compared to total expected costs are used to determine proportional performance, as this is considered to be representative of the delivery of outputs under the arrangements. Revenue recognized at any point in time is limited to cash received and amounts contractually due. Changes in estimates of total expected costs are accounted for prospectively as a change in estimate. From period to period, collaboration revenue can fluctuate substantially based on the achievement of development-related milestones.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	As an “emerging growth company,” the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act allows the Company to delay adoption of new or revised accounting pronouncements applicable to public companies until such pronouncements are made applicable to private companies.
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standards update entitled “ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The standard requires entities to recognize revenue through the application of a five step model, which includes identification of the contract, identification of the performance obligations, determination of the transaction price, allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations, and recognition of revenue as the entity satisfies the performance obligations. The standard will become effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the guidance to determine the potential impact on its consolidated results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, and financial statement disclosures.
	In June 2014, FASB issued an accounting standards update entitled “ASU 2014-12, Compensation – Stock Compensation.” The standard requires entities that grant their employees share-based payments in which the terms of the award provide that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. The standard will become effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the guidance to determine the potential impact on its consolidated results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, and financial statement disclosures.
	In August 2014, FASB issued an accounting standards update entitled “ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern.” The standard requires entities to evaluate for each annual and interim reporting period, whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or within one year after the date that the financial statements are available to be issued when applicable). The standard will become effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2017.
Net Loss Per Share	'
	Net loss attributable to common stockholders per share is computed by dividing the net loss allocable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Outstanding stock options, warrants and preferred stock have not been included in the calculation of the diluted net loss attributable to common stockholders per share because to do so would be anti-dilutive. Accordingly, the numerator and the denominator used in computing both basic and diluted net loss per share for each period are the same.
Fair Value Measurements	'
	The Company establishes the fair value of its assets and liabilities using the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a financial liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A fair value hierarchy is used to measure fair value. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
	Level 1	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
	Level 2	Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.
	Level 3	Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs and significant value drivers are unobservable.
	The recorded amounts of certain financial instruments, including cash, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximate fair value due to their relatively short-term maturities. The recorded amount of the Company’s long-term debt approximates fair value because the related interest rates approximate rates currently available to the Company.
	The Company’s available-for-sale securities by level within the fair value hierarchy were as follows (in thousands):
	As of September 30, 2014	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market fund	$	17,667	$	—	$	—	$	17,667
	Short-term investments:
	U.S. government-related debt securities		—		1,519		—		1,519
	Corporate debt securities		—		43,857		—		43,857
	Asset-backed securities		—		3,298		—		3,298
	Total	$	17,667	$	48,674	$	—	$	66,341
	As of December 31, 2013	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market fund	$	8,454	$	—	$	—	$	8,454
	Short-term investments:
	U.S. government-related debt securities		—		1,566		—		1,566
	Corporate debt securities		—		31,149		—		31,149
	Total	$	8,454	$	32,715	$	—	$	41,169

Net_Loss_Per_Share_Tables

Net Loss Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Outstanding Options, Warrants and Preferred Stock Excluded from Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share	'
	The following outstanding options, warrants and preferred stock were excluded from the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share for the periods presented because their effect would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Options to purchase common stock		3,317		1,874		3,317		1,874
	Convertible preferred stock (as converted)		—		—		—		—
	Convertible preferred stock warrants (as converted)		—		—		—		—
	Common stock warrants		580		618		580		618

Shortterm_Investments_Tables

Short-term Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Short-Term Investments Available-for-Sale Securities	'
	Short-term investments consisted of available-for-sale securities as follows (in thousands):
	Type of security as of September 30, 2014	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Fair value
		cost		unrealized		unrealized
				gains		losses
	U.S. government-related debt securities	$	1,518	$	1	$	—		$	1,519
	Corporate debt securities		43,877		7		(27	)		43,857
	Asset-backed securities		3,300		—		(2	)		3,298
	Total available-for-sale securities	$	48,695	$	8	$	(29	)	$	48,674
	Type of security as of December 31, 2013	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Fair value
		cost		unrealized		unrealized
				gains		losses
	U.S. government-related debt securities	$	1,565	$	1	$	—		$	1,566
	Corporate debt securities		31,128		24		(3	)		31,149
	Total available-for-sale securities	$	32,693	$	25	$	(3	)	$	32,715
Fair Values of Available-for-Sale Securities by Contractual Maturity	'
	The fair values of available-for-sale securities by contractual maturity were as follows (in thousands):
	Contractual maturity	September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Maturing in one year or less	$	42,872	$	26,725
	Maturing in one to three years		5,802		5,990
	Total available-for-sale securities	$	48,674	$	32,715

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Company's Available-for-Sale Securities by Level within Fair Value Hierarchy	'
	The Company’s available-for-sale securities by level within the fair value hierarchy were as follows (in thousands):
	As of September 30, 2014	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market fund	$	17,667	$	—	$	—	$	17,667
	Short-term investments:
	U.S. government-related debt securities		—		1,519		—		1,519
	Corporate debt securities		—		43,857		—		43,857
	Asset-backed securities		—		3,298		—		3,298
	Total	$	17,667	$	48,674	$	—	$	66,341
	As of December 31, 2013	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market fund	$	8,454	$	—	$	—	$	8,454
	Short-term investments:
	U.S. government-related debt securities		—		1,566		—		1,566
	Corporate debt securities		—		31,149		—		31,149
	Total	$	8,454	$	32,715	$	—	$	41,169

Inventory_Tables

Inventory (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Inventory	'
	Inventory consisted of the following as of the date indicated (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Raw materials	$	1,201	$	2,164
	Work in process		1,995		2,198
	Finished goods		2,594		2,388
		$	5,790	$	6,750

Reserve_for_Product_Warranties1

Reserve for Product Warranties (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Changes in Company's Warranty Reserve and Related Costs	'
	The following information reconciles changes in the Company’s warranty reserve and related costs (in thousands):
	Warranty reserve, December 31, 2013	$	358
	Cost of warranty claims		(28	)
	Warranty accrual		80
	Warranty reserve, March 31, 2014		410
	Cost of warranty claims		(32	)
	Warranty accrual		100
	Warranty reserve, June 30, 2014		478
	Cost of warranty claims		(85	)
	Warranty accrual		145
	Warranty reserve, September 30, 2014	$	538

Longterm_Debt_and_Obligations_

Long-term Debt and Obligations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of Borrowings, Including Current Portion	'
	Borrowings, including current portion, consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Landlord payable	$	—		$	49
	Capital leases		569			410
	Term loans payable		20,179			18,348
			20,748			18,807
	Less: Unamortized debt discount		—			(514	)
	Current portion		(251	)		(6,136	)
	Non-current portion	$	20,497		$	12,157
Scheduled Future Principal Payments under Outstanding Debt Obligations	'
	Scheduled future principal payments under outstanding debt obligations were as follows at September 30, 2014 (in thousands):
	2014	$	63
	2015		251
	2016		207
	2017		48
	2018 and thereafter		20,179
		$	20,748

Information_about_Geographic_A1

Information about Geographic Areas (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Classification of Revenue by Geography	'
	The following table of total revenue is based on the geographic location of the Company’s customers, distributors and collaborator. For sales to distributors, their geographic location may be different from the geographic locations of the ultimate end user. Total revenue by geography was as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	North America	$	8,049	$	5,333	$	21,425	$	15,028
	Europe, Middle East & Africa		2,385		1,592		6,278		3,702
	Asia Pacific		1,909		1,464		4,272		2,553
	Total revenue	$	12,343	$	8,389	$	31,975	$	21,283

Description_of_Business_Additi

Description of Business - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Underwriters partially exercised an overallotment option, shares	'	2,972,972	'	'
Proceeds from underwritten public offering	'	$55,000,000	'	'
Underwriters partially exercised an overallotment option, additional gross proceeds	6,400,000	'	170,000	378,000
Proceeds from underwritten public offering after fees and commissions	$57,000,000	'	'	'
Over-Allotment Option [Member]	'	'	'	'
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Underwriters partially exercised an overallotment option, shares	345,945	'	'	'

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ2

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Extended warranties description	'The Company offers service agreements on its nCounter Analysis System for periods ranging from 12 to 36 months after the end of the standard 12-month warranty period.
Standard warranty period	'12 months
Percentage used to determine discount for stand-alone sales	15.00%
Minimum [Member]	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Extended warranty period	'12 months
Maximum [Member]	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Extended warranty period	'36 months

Net_Loss_Per_Share_Outstanding

Net Loss Per Share - Outstanding Options, Warrants and Preferred Stock Excluded from Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Convertible preferred stock (as converted) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	0	0	0	0
Options to purchase common stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	3,317	1,874	3,317	1,874
Warrants [Member] | Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	580	618	580	618
Warrants [Member] | Convertible preferred stock (as converted) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	0	0	0	0

Concentration_of_Risks_Additio

Concentration of Risks - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Celgene [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk [Member]

Credit Concentration Risk [Member]

Credit Concentration Risk [Member]

Credit Concentration Risk [Member]

Credit Concentration Risk [Member]

Total revenue [Member]

Total revenue [Member]

Total revenue [Member]

Total revenue [Member]

Total revenue [Member]

Total revenue [Member]

Total revenue [Member]

Total revenue [Member]

Total accounts receivable [Member]

Total accounts receivable [Member]

Total accounts receivable [Member]

Total accounts receivable [Member]

Customer

Customer

Customer

Customer

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Customer

Customer

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Concentration Risk [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Concentration risk, percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.00%

10.00%

10.00%

10.00%

'

'

10.00%

10.00%

Number of customer that individually represented more than 10% of total revenue and accounts receivable

'

'

'

0

0

0

0

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

'

Accounts receivable from collaborator

$15,266

$8,331

$5,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

ShortTerm_Investments_ShortTer

Short-Term Investments - Short-Term Investments Available-for-Sale Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	$48,695	$32,693
Gross unrealized gains	8	25
Gross unrealized losses	-29	-3
Fair value	48,674	32,715
U.S. government-related debt securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	1,518	1,565
Gross unrealized gains	1	1
Gross unrealized losses	0	0
Fair value	1,519	1,566
Corporate debt securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	43,877	31,128
Gross unrealized gains	7	24
Gross unrealized losses	-27	-3
Fair value	43,857	31,149
Asset-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	3,300	'
Gross unrealized gains	0	'
Gross unrealized losses	-2	'
Fair value	$3,298	'

ShortTerm_Investments_Fair_Val

Short-Term Investments - Fair Values of Available-for-Sale Securities by Contractual Maturity (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Maturing in one year or less	$42,872	$26,725
Maturing in one to three years	5,802	5,990
Total available-for-sale securities	$48,674	$32,715

ShortTerm_Investments_Addition

Short-Term Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Gross realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities	$3,000	$0	$5,000	$0
Realized losses on sales of available-for-sale securities	$0	$0	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Compan

Fair Value Measurements - Company's Available-for-Sale Securities by Level within Fair Value Hierarchy (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term investments	$48,674	$32,715
Total	66,341	41,169
Money market fund [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash equivalents	17,667	8,454
U.S. government-related debt securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term investments	1,519	1,566
Corporate debt securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term investments	43,857	31,149
Asset-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term investments	3,298	'
Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total	17,667	8,454
Level 1 [Member] | Money market fund [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash equivalents	17,667	8,454
Level 1 [Member] | U.S. government-related debt securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term investments	0	0
Level 1 [Member] | Corporate debt securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term investments	0	0
Level 1 [Member] | Asset-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term investments	0	'
Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total	48,674	32,715
Level 2 [Member] | Money market fund [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash equivalents	0	0
Level 2 [Member] | U.S. government-related debt securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term investments	1,519	1,566
Level 2 [Member] | Corporate debt securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term investments	43,857	31,149
Level 2 [Member] | Asset-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term investments	3,298	'
Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | Money market fund [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash equivalents	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | U.S. government-related debt securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term investments	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | Corporate debt securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term investments	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | Asset-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term investments	$0	'

Inventory_Schedule_of_Inventor

Inventory - Schedule of Inventory (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials	$1,201	$2,164
Work in process	1,995	2,198
Finished goods	2,594	2,388
Inventory, net	$5,790	$6,750

Reserve_for_Product_Warranties2

Reserve for Product Warranties - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Product warranty accrual period	'1 year

Reserve_for_Product_Warranties3

Reserve for Product Warranties - Schedule of Changes in Company's Warranty Reserve and Related Costs (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'	'	'
Warranty reserve, Beginning balance	$478	$410	$358
Cost of warranty claims	-85	-32	-28
Warranty accrual	145	100	80
Warranty reserve, Ending balance	$538	$478	$410

Longterm_Debt_and_Obligations_1

Long-term Debt and Obligations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014
			Term loan facility [Member]	Term loan facility [Member]	Term loan facility [Member]	Term loan facility [Member]
					October 2014 [Member]	May 2015 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Credit facility, borrowing capacity	'	'	$45,000,000	'	'	'
Credit facility, borrowing capacity	'	'	52,000,000	'	'	'
Credit facility, Outstanding	'	'	20,000,000	'	'	'
End of term payment	'	'	1,000,000	'	'	'
Amount of make-whole premium payment	'	'	300,000	'	'	'
Total incurred and recorded repayment	'	'	1,400,000	'	'	'
Percentage of accrue interest	'	'	12.50%	'	'	'
Percentage of deferred payment	'	'	3.50%	3.50%	'	'
End of deferred payment term	'	'	'	'First four years term	'	'
Loss on extinguishment of debt	-581,000	0	600,000	'	'	'
Credit facility, additional borrowing capacity	'	'	15,000,000	'	10,000,000	5,000,000
Interest payment period	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of redemption fee	4.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Number of installments	'4	'	'	'	'	'
Annual revenue recognized	40,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Increase in annual revenue in fiscal years	$15,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Annual revenue recognize description	'The Company must also satisfy certain minimum annual revenue requirements, which shall initially be $40.0 million for 2014 with annual increases of $15.0 million for each subsequent fiscal year thereafter.	'	'	'	'	'

Longterm_Debt_and_Obligations_2

Long-term Debt and Obligations - Components of Borrowings, Including Current Portion (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Landlord payable	$0	$49
Capital leases	569	410
Term loans payable	20,179	18,348
Long-term debt	20,748	18,807
Less: Unamortized debt discount	0	-514
Current portion	-251	-6,136
Non-current portion	20,497	12,157
Long-term debt	$20,748	$18,807

Longterm_Debt_and_Obligations_3

Long-term Debt and Obligations - Scheduled Future Principal Payments under Outstanding Debt Obligations (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
2014	$63	'
2015	251	'
2016	207	'
2017	48	'
2018 and thereafter	20,179	'
Long-term debt	$20,748	$18,807

Collaboration_Agreement_Additi

Collaboration Agreement - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2014

Collaborative Arrangement [Member]

Collaborative Arrangement [Member]

Collaborative Arrangement [Member]

Collaborative Arrangement [Member]

Upfront Payment Arrangement [Member]

Scenario, Forecast [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Collaborative Arrangement [Member]

Collaborative Arrangement [Member]

Scenario, Forecast [Member]

Collaborative Arrangement [Member]

Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Collaboration agreement upfront payment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$5,800,000

'

'

Amount of certain milestones achieved

'

'

40,000,000

'

'

800,000

'

'

'

'

'

17,000,000

Amount of certain milestones achieved in account receivable

15,266,000

'

15,266,000

'

8,331,000

5,000,000

'

5,000,000

'

'

'

'

Revenue recognized under collaboration agreement

1,079,000

0

1,697,000

0

'

1,100,000

0

1,700,000

0

'

2,600,000

'

Deferred revenue recorded under collaboration agreement

'

'

'

'

'

$9,100,000

'

$9,100,000

'

'

'

'

Information_about_Geographic_A2

Information about Geographic Areas - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
			Segment
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of reportable segment	'	'	1	'
Total revenue	$12,343	$8,389	$31,975	$21,283
United States [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenue	$7,000	$5,000	$19,200	$13,000

Information_about_Geographic_A3

Information about Geographic Areas - Classification of Revenue by Geography (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenue	$12,343	$8,389	$31,975	$21,283
North America [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenue	8,049	5,333	21,425	15,028
Europe, Middle East & Africa [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenue	2,385	1,592	6,278	3,702
Asia Pacific [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenue	$1,909	$1,464	$4,272	$2,553

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (Subsequent Events [Member], Term loan facility [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Member] | Term loan facility [Member]	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Additional borrowing on term loan	$10