Cerevel Therapeutics 10-Q 13 Jan 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014	Jan. 08, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document End Date	30-Nov-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Registrant Name	Ceres, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	767884
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-23
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		48,261,466

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Nov. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$4,254	$3,423
Marketable securities	17,343	24,579
Prepaid expenses	606	633
Accounts receivable	321	370
Inventories	790	84
Other current assets	375	240
Total current assets	23,689	29,329
Property and equipment, net	2,767	2,996
Other assets	102	99
Total assets	26,558	32,424
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	3,743	4,278
Other current liabilities	464	374
Current portion of long-term debt	55	70
Total current liabilities	4,262	4,722
Other non-current liabilities	70	75
Long-term debt, net of current portion		18
Total liabilities	4,332	4,815
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock and additional paid in capital, $0.01 par value; 240,000,000 shares authorized; 48,261,466 shares issued and outstanding at November 30, 2014; 48,192,883 shares issued and outstanding at August 31, 2014	332,725	332,109
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-621	-595
Accumulated deficit	-309,878	-303,905
Total stockholders' equity	22,226	27,609
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$26,558	$32,424

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Nov. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Common Stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common Stock, shares authorized	240,000,000	240,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued	48,261,466	48,192,883
Common Stock, shares outstanding	48,261,466	48,192,883

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013
Revenues:
Product sales		$20
Collaborative research and government grants	400	743
Total revenues	400	763
Cost and operating expenses:
Cost of product sales	442	1,309
Research and development	2,504	4,414
Selling, general and administrative	3,441	3,260
Total cost and operating expenses	6,387	8,983
Loss from operations	-5,987	-8,220
Interest expense	-3
Interest income	18	16
Loss before income taxes	-5,972	-8,204
Income tax expense	-1	-1
Net Loss	($5,973)	($8,205)
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders	($0.12)	($0.33)
Weighted average outstanding common shares used for net loss per share :
Basic and diluted	48,256,820	25,106,690

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss [Abstract]
Net loss	($5,973)	($8,205)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-30	104
Net unrealized gains on marketable securities	4	5
Total comprehensive loss	($5,999)	($8,096)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	($5,973)	($8,205)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Net gain on disposal of assets	-23	-54
Depreciation	189	414
Amortization of premiums on marketable securities	63	84
Non-cash interest income	-75	-99
Stock compensation	615	922
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses	57	66
Accounts receivable	47	57
Inventories	-749	21
Other assets	-200	20
Accounts payables and accrued expenses	-351	904
Other liabilities	85	57
Other	22	137
Net cash used in operating activities	-6,293	-5,676
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	-149	-406
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	23	54
Purchases of marketable securities	-720	-5,698
Maturities of marketable securities	7,950	10,090
Net cash provided by investing activities	7,104	4,040
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of debt	-23	-46
Net cash used in financing activities	-23	-46
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash	43	115
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	831	-1,567
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	3,423	8,881
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$4,254	$7,314

The_Company

The Company	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
The Company [Abstract]
The Company	1) The Company
	Ceres, Inc. (Company) is an agricultural biotechnology company that develops and markets seeds to produce crops for bioenergy and other markets that utilize plant biomass. The Company uses a combination of advanced plant breeding and biotechnology to develop seed products. These technology platforms, which can increase crop productivity, improve quality, reduce crop inputs and improve cultivation on marginal land, have broad application across multiple crops, including food, feed, fiber and fuel crops.
	In January 2010, the Company formed a subsidiary, Ceres Sementes do Brasil Ltda. The Company's ownership in this subsidiary is 99.9% and the Company's Chief Executive Officer owns the remaining interest. In May 2014, the Company formed a wholly owned subsidiary, Ceres Agrotechnologies Intl LLC. In May 2014, the Company also formed a subsidiary, CS Semillas de Mexico, S.de L. de C.V. The Company's ownership in this subsidiary is 99.9% and Ceres Agrotechnologies Intl LLC owns the remaining interest.
	The Company has incurred substantial net losses from operations since its inception and its accumulated deficit as of November 30, 2014 was $309,878. The Company expects to incur additional losses related to the continued development and expansion of its business, including research and development, seed production and operations, and sales and marketing.
	During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, management commenced the implementation of a plan (Plan) intended to further align expenditures with the Company's near-term commercial opportunity in Brazil, shift Northern Hemisphere sorghum breeding activities from College Station, Texas to a more appropriate location, de-emphasize research and development for U.S. cellulosic feedstocks, reduce costs and conserve cash. The actions taken under the Plan, which included, among others, a workforce reduction that impacted 16 positions in the U.S, were completed at August 31, 2014.
	On March 10, 2014, the Company completed a registered public offering of 23,000,000 shares of its common stock (including 3,000,000 shares purchased by the underwriter upon the exercise in full of their right to purchase up to an additional 3,000,000 shares to cover over-allotments) at a price to the public of $1.00 per share. The Company received approximately $20.8 million of proceeds from the offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses.
	The Company plans to finance its operations for the next 12 months with cash and marketable securities on hand, and with cash inflows from collaboration and grant funding and from product sales. The Company intends to seek additional funds through collaborations, licensing arrangements, public or private debt or equity financings or government programs, and may also seek to reduce expenses related to our operations. The Company cannot assure you that such additional funds from collaborations, licensing arrangements, public or private debt or equity financings or government programs will be available or that the terms would be acceptable to the Company. There is also no assurance that the Company will achieve profitable operations, or if achieved, that it can sustain them on a continued basis.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required for complete financial statements. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on November 20, 2014.
	The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures are unaudited, have been prepared on the same basis as the annual consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for the periods presented. The condensed consolidated results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or for any other future year or interim period.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The condensed consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Use of Estimates
	In preparing the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the valuation of property and equipment, common stock and stock options. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the condensed consolidated financial statements are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Hierarchical levels that are directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to the valuation of these assets or liabilities are as follows:
		•	Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
		•	Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
		•	Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
	The following tables present the Company's financial assets that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of November 30, 2014 and August 31, 2014 by level within the fair value hierarchy:
			30-Nov-14
			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
	Financial Assets
	Money Market Funds		$	67		$	—		$	—		$	67
	Certificates of Deposit—available for sale			—			3,762			—			3,762
	Corporate Bonds—available for sale			—			13,641			—			13,641
	Total		$	67		$	17,403		$	—		$	17,470
	All of the money market funds and $60 of the certificates of deposit are included in cash and cash equivalents on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
			31-Aug-14
			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
	Financial Assets
	Money Market Funds		$	2,114		$	—		$	—		$	2,114
	Certificates of Deposit—available for sale			—			4,240			—			4,240
	Commercial Paper—available for sale			—			5,249			—			5,249
	Corporate Bonds—available for sale			—			15,150			—			15,150
	Total		$	2,114		$	24,639		$	—		$	26,753
	All of the money market funds and $60 of the certificates of deposit are included in cash and cash equivalents on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	Accounts Receivable
	Accounts receivable represents amounts owed to the Company from product sales and collaborative research and government grants. The Company had no amounts reserved for doubtful accounts at November 30, 2014 and August 31, 2014 as the Company expects full collection of the accounts receivable balances.
	Inventories
	At November 30, 2014, inventory consisted of finished seed inventory and unharvested biomass in Brazil. The costs for finished seed inventory are related to sorghum seeds. The costs for unharvested biomass are related to the Company's biomass contracts. At August 31, 2014, seed inventory consisted of work–in–process costs and finished goods for costs related to the Company's sorghum seeds in Brazil.
	When inventory costs exceed expected market value due to obsolescence or lack of demand, inventory write-downs are recorded for the difference between the cost and the market value in the period based on the Company's evaluation of such inventory.
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful lives or the remaining life of the lease. Depreciation periods for the Company's property and equipment are as follows:
	Automobiles and trucks		3-5 years
	Office, laboratory, farm and warehouse equipment and furniture		3-5 years
	Leasehold improvements		3-10 years
	Buildings		14-39 years
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. To the extent that an impairment indicator has occurred, recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. For the reporting periods presented herein there was no impairment.
	Foreign Currency Translation
	The Brazilian Real is the functional currency of the Company's subsidiary in Brazil. Accordingly, assets and liabilities of those operations are translated into United States dollars using the current exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date and equity accounts are translated into United States dollars using historical rates. Revenues and expenses are translated at the weighted average rate of exchange during the reporting period. Gains and losses from foreign currency translation adjustments are represented as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss within the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	The Company's unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities and foreign currency translation adjustments represents the components of comprehensive loss and have been disclosed in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	The following summarizes the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss during the three months ended November 30, 2014:
									Accumulated
			Foreign			Unrealized			Other
			Currency			Gains (Losses)			Comprehensive
			Translation			on Securities			Loss
	Balance at August 31, 2014		$	(584	)	$	(11	)	$	(595	)
	Comprehensive income (loss)			(30	)		4			(26	)
	Balance at November 30, 2014		$	(614	)	$	(7	)	$	(621	)
	Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share
	Basic net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential common share equivalents then outstanding, to the extent they are dilutive. Potential common shares consist of shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants (using the treasury stock method). Dilutive net loss per share is the same as basic net loss per share for all periods presented because the effects of potentially dilutive items were anti-dilutive.
	The following potentially dilutive, common share equivalents were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per common share because their effect was antidilutive for each of the periods presented:
			November 30,
			2014			2013
	Options to purchase common stock			3,364,077			3,378,818
	Warrants to purchase common stock			2,562,045			2,082,045
	Total			5,926,122			5,460,863

Marketable_Securities

Marketable Securities	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Marketable Securities [Abstract]
Marketable Securities	(3) Marketable Securities
	Marketable securities classified as available for sale consisted of the following:
		30-Nov-14
	Available for sale securities	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Fair Value
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized
				Gain		Loss
	Certificates of Deposit	$	3,764	$	—	$	(2	)	$	3,762
	Corporate Bonds		13,645		—		(4	)		13,641
	Total	$	17,409	$	—	$	(6	)	$	17,403
		31-Aug-14
	Available for sale securities	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Fair Value
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized
				Gain		Loss
	Certificates of Deposit	$	4,244	$	—	$	(4	)	$	4,240
	Commercial Paper		5,249		—		—			5,249
	Corporate Bonds		15,157		—		(7	)		15,150
	Total	$	24,650	$	—	$	(11	)	$	24,639
	At November 30, 2014 and August 31, 2014, $60 of the certificates of deposits included above are recorded as cash and cash equivalents on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	All marketable securities at November 30, 2014 and August 31, 2014 are due to mature in one year or less.

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Inventories [Abstract]
Inventories	(4) Inventories
	Inventories consisted of the following:
		November 30,		August 31,
		2014		2014
	Seed - work in process	$	-	$	20
	Seed inventory		53		64
	Unharvested biomass		737		-
	Total inventories	$	790	$	84

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Property and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	(5) Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are summarized as follows:
		November 30,			August 31,
		2014			2014
	Land	$	43		$	43
	Automobiles and trucks		1,037			1,113
	Buildings		1,215			1,215
	Office, laboratory, farm and warehouse equipment and furniture		12,683			12,718
	Leasehold improvements		5,659			5,659
			20,637			20,748
	Less accumulated depreciation		(17,870	)		(17,752	)
	Property and equipment, net	$	2,767		$	2,996

Accounts_Payable_and_Accrued_E

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses [Abstract]
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses		-6	Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following:
			November 30,		August 31,
			2014		2014
	Accounts payable		$	1,899	$	1,406
	Accrued payroll and related expenses			1,353		2,303
	Research and development contracts			164		123
	Accrued grower commitments			-		54
	Other			327		392
			$	3,743	$	4,278

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	-7	Long-Term Debt
	Long-term debt is summarized as follows:
			November 30,			August 31,
			2014			2014
	Capital leases		$	55		$	88
	Less current portion			(55	)		(70	)
	Long term debt (capital leases)		$	-		$	18

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	-8	Stock-Based Compensation
	Stock Option and Stock Issuance Plans
	The Company has established three equity plans: the Ceres, Inc. 2000 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan (2000 Plan), the Ceres, Inc. 2010 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan (2010 Plan) and the Amended and Restated Ceres, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (2011 Plan, and collectively with the 2000 Plan and the 2010 Plan, Equity Plans). The Equity Plans provide for grants of Incentive Stock Options (ISOs) to employees and Nonqualified Stock Options (NSOs), stock and restricted stock to employees, directors, and consultants. In addition, the 2011 Plan provides for the grant of other equity based awards such as restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights and deferred stock to employees, directors and consultants. The option term, as determined by the Company's Board of Directors, may not exceed ten years. Vesting, also determined by the Company's Board of Directors, generally occurs ratably over four to five years. ISOs and NSOs may be granted at a price per share not less than the fair market value at the date of grant.
	Stock-based compensation expense included in operating expenses are as follows:
			Three months ended
			November 30,
			2014			2013
	Stock-based compensation expense		$	619		$	913
	Fair value changes of collaboration warrants			(4	)		9
			$	615		$	922
	There were no stock options exercised during the three months ended November 30, 2014 and 2013.
	Stock Option Activity
	The following table summarizes the stock option transactions under the Equity Plans during the three months ended November 30, 2014:
			Shares			Weighted
						Average
						Exercise Price
	Options outstanding at August 31, 2014			3,172,948		$	5.83
	Options granted			241,416			0.53
	Options forfeited			(50,287	)		6.58
	Options outstanding at November 30, 2014			3,364,077		$	5.44
	No tax benefits have been recorded on compensation costs recognized for options exercised. As of November 30, 2014, there was $2,481 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average of 1.94 years. The Company's policy is to issue new shares for options exercised.
	Restricted Stock Activity
	The following summarizes the restricted stock transactions under the Equity Plans during the three months ended November 30, 2014:
			Shares			Weighted
						Average
						Grant Date
						Fair Value
	Restricted stock outstanding and unvested at August 31, 2014			302,751		$	4.07
	Restricted stock granted			73,000			0.53
	Restricted stock vested			(56,433	)		5.64
	Restricted stock forfeited			(4,417	)		1.25
	Restricted stock outstanding and unvested at November 30, 2014			314,901		$	3.01
	As of November 30, 2014, there was $379 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock awards. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average of 1.14 years.
	Stock Activity
	There were no stock grants during the three months ended November 30, 2014. During the fiscal year 2014, the Company granted 18,300 shares of common stock under the 2011 Plan with a fair market value of $0.91 per share. The Company recorded $16.7 of expense related to this stock grant.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	(9) Stockholders' Equity
	Common Stock
	On March 7, 2014, the Company held its 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Annual Meeting). At the Annual Meeting, the stockholders approved an amendment to the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation which decreased the total number of shares of common stock of the Company from 490,000,000 to 240,000,000. Holders of the Company's common stock are entitled to dividends as and when declared by the Board of Directors, subject to rights and holders of all classes of stock outstanding having priority rights to dividends. There have been no dividends declared to date. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote.
	Preferred Stock
	Pursuant to the Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the Company is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The Board of Directors has the authority, without action by the Company's stockholders, to designate and issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof.
	Warrants issued in connection with Noble Agreement
	In May 2006, the Company entered into a collaboration agreement with The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. (Noble) (Noble Agreement) to establish a research program (see Note (12)). In connection with this collaboration, the Company granted Noble a warrant to purchase 133,333 shares of the Company's common stock for an exercise price of $30.00 per share. The original terms were as follows: the warrant vests in equal installments of 33,333 shares on May 19, 2009, May 19, 2011, May 19, 2013, and May 19, 2015, respectively, and shall remain exercisable for a period of two years from the respective vesting dates. These warrants are accounted for at fair value and remeasured until vested. The fair value, including the resulting change in value as a result of remeasurement is being recognized as research and development expense. The inception to date expense recognized with respect to this warrant totals $624.4 as of November 30, 2014. At November 30, 2014, 99,999 warrants had vested under this arrangement. The fair value of the warrants not yet vested at November 30, 2014, was $0 using a risk-free rate of 0.68% based on the respective exercise periods of each installment, expected volatility of 68.9%, expected term of 2.47 years based on the respective exercise periods of each installment, which is also the remaining contractual term, and 0% dividend yield.
	In June 2011, the Company and Noble agreed to modify the warrants issued to Noble as follows: the warrant vests in equal installments of 33,333 shares on May 19, 2013 and May 19, 2015, respectively and shall remain exercisable until the earliest of a period of five years from the respective vesting dates and May 18, 2017.
	Warrants issued in connection with TAMU Agreement
	In August 2007, the Company entered into a sponsored research and intellectual property rights agreement with The Texas A&M University System (TAMU) to establish a research program (see Note (12)). In connection with this collaboration, the Company granted TAMU a warrant to purchase 66,666 shares of the Company's common stock for an exercise price of $30.00 per share. The warrant vests based on certain research and commercialization milestones being met and shall remain exercisable until August 28, 2017. This warrant is accounted for at fair value and remeasured until the vesting targets are met. The fair value, including the resulting change in value as a result of remeasurement is being recognized as research and development expense. The inception to date expense recognized with respect to this warrant totals $0 as of November 30, 2014. The fair value of the warrants at November 30, 2014 was $0, using a risk-free rate of 0.88%, expected volatility of 68.8%, expected term of 2.74 years and 0% dividend yield. No warrants have vested under this arrangement as of November 30, 2014.
	In December 2011, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Intellectual Property Rights Agreement (IP Rights Agreement) (see Note (12)), the Company issued warrants to TAMU to purchase 66,666 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $14.30 per share. The warrants expire on September 24, 2026 and, subject to certain conditions, vest in equal installments on the fifth, tenth and fifteenth anniversary of the IP Rights Agreement. The inception to date expense recognized with respect to this warrant totals $3.1 as of November 30, 2014. The fair value of the warrants at November 30, 2014, was $8.2, using a risk-free rate of 2.18%, expected volatility of 84.1%, expected term of 11.81 years and 0% dividend yield. No warrants have vested under this arrangement as of November 30, 2014.
	Warrants issued in connection with March 10, 2014 registered public offering
	On March 10, 2014 the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 480,000 shares of common stock to certain affiliated designees of the underwriter as part of the underwriter's compensation related to the registered public offering. The warrants are exercisable at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, beginning on March 4, 2015 and expire on March 4, 2019. The exercise price is $1.50 per share of common stock. The fair value of these warrants upon issuance was $305 using a risk free rate of 1.64%, expected volatility 84.2%, expected term of 5 years and 0% dividend yield and was treated as an issuance cost of the common stock.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Taxes	(10) Income Taxes
	No provision for U.S. income taxes has been made, net of the valuation allowance, with the exception of minimum statutory amounts, because the Company has incurred losses since its inception. The Company has deferred tax assets consisting primarily of net operating loss carryforwards that have been fully offset by a valuation allowance.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	(11) Commitments and Contingencies
	The Company leases certain of its facilities and equipment under various noncancelable operating leases expiring through 2023. The leases on the facilities contains provisions for future rent increases. The Company records monthly rent expense equal to the total of the payments due over the lease term, divided by the number of months of the lease term. The difference between rent expense recorded and the amount paid is credited or charged to deferred rent, which is included in other current liabilities and other non-current liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of November 30, 2014, and August 31, 2014.
	In connection with one of its facilities leases, the Company received a reimbursement for leasehold improvements of $270. This reimbursement is a lease incentive which has been recognized as a liability in deferred rent and is being amortized to rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Total rental expense recognized was $134 and $66 for the three months ended November 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Future minimum payments under noncancelable operating leases as of November 30, 2014 are as follows:
		Operating
		Leases
	Remaining nine months of fiscal year 2015	$	537
	2016		680
	2017		627
	2018		576
	2019		624
	Total minimum lease payments	$	3,044

Research_Collaboration_Agreeme

Research Collaboration Agreements	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Research Collaboration Agreements [Abstract]
Research Collaboration Agreements	(12) Research Collaboration Agreements
	The Company has a number of research agreements with academic collaborators, including among others, TAMU, Noble, and the Institute of Crop Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. In connection with these agreements, the Company receives certain exclusive options or licensing rights to technology and intellectual property developed under these agreements. The Company expenses amounts under these agreements to research and development expense in the period in which the services are rendered. The Company also licenses technology from third parties. Initial payments under these license agreements are capitalized and expensed on a straight-line basis over the license term.
	Noble Agreement
	In May 2006, the Company entered into a collaboration agreement with Noble to establish a research program. Under the Noble Agreement, the Company agreed to fund certain research activities undertaken by Noble in an amount up to $3,800 through July 31, 2012 and granted Noble a warrant to purchase 133,333 shares of the Company's common stock for an exercise price of $30.00 per share (see Note (9)). Additional projects may be added under the agreement, if agreed to by both parties.
	Under the collaboration agreement, in August 2012 the Company agreed to fund certain research activities undertaken by Noble through July 31, 2013 and 2014 of $82.7 and $85.3 per year, respectively.
	TAMU Agreement
	In August 2007, the Company entered into a Sponsored Research and Intellectual Property Rights agreement with TAMU to establish a research program. Under the agreement, the Company agreed to fund certain research activities undertaken by TAMU in an amount up to $5,100 through 2012 and granted TAMU a warrant to purchase 66,666 shares of the Company's common stock for an exercise price of $30.00 per share (see Note (9)).
	On September 24, 2011, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Sponsored Research Agreement and the IP Rights Agreement with TAMU which both expire on September 23, 2026. The specific research projects and budgets undertaken pursuant to such agreement will be determined by an Executive Committee comprised of two members from each of TAMU and the Company as set forth in the Amended and Restated Sponsored Research Agreement. In December 2011, pursuant to the IP Rights Agreement, the Company issued warrants to TAMU to purchase 66,666 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $14.30 per share (see Note (9)).
	Future minimum payments under the Company's research collaboration agreements as of November 30, 2014 are as follows:
	Remaining nine months of fiscal year 2015	$	623
	2016		544
	2017		88
		$	1,255

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	(13) Subsequent Events
	On December 12, 2014, the Company's Board of Directors adopted a resolution approving a proposal to be presented to the shareholders at the next annual meeting to effect a reverse split of all of the Company's outstanding shares of common stock by a ratio in the range of 1-for-8 and 1-for-11 with the exact range to be determined by the Board. The proposal provides that the Company's Board of Directors shall have sole discretion pursuant to Section 242(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law to elect, as it determines to be in the Company's best interest, whether or not to effect the reverse stock split before April 27, 2015, such date as the Company is required to comply with the minimum bid price requirements of NASDAQ Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) or to abandon it. If the Company's Board determines that effecting the reverse stock split is in the Company's best interest, the reverse stock split will become effective upon filing of an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required for complete financial statements. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on November 20, 2014.
	The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures are unaudited, have been prepared on the same basis as the annual consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for the periods presented. The condensed consolidated results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or for any other future year or interim period.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation
	The condensed consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	In preparing the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the valuation of property and equipment, common stock and stock options. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the condensed consolidated financial statements are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Hierarchical levels that are directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to the valuation of these assets or liabilities are as follows:
		•	Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
		•	Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
		•	Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
	The following tables present the Company's financial assets that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of November 30, 2014 and August 31, 2014 by level within the fair value hierarchy:
			30-Nov-14
			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
	Financial Assets
	Money Market Funds		$	67		$	—		$	—		$	67
	Certificates of Deposit—available for sale			—			3,762			—			3,762
	Corporate Bonds—available for sale			—			13,641			—			13,641
	Total		$	67		$	17,403		$	—		$	17,470
	All of the money market funds and $60 of the certificates of deposit are included in cash and cash equivalents on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
			31-Aug-14
			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
	Financial Assets
	Money Market Funds		$	2,114		$	—		$	—		$	2,114
	Certificates of Deposit—available for sale			—			4,240			—			4,240
	Commercial Paper—available for sale			—			5,249			—			5,249
	Corporate Bonds—available for sale			—			15,150			—			15,150
	Total		$	2,114		$	24,639		$	—		$	26,753
	All of the money market funds and $60 of the certificates of deposit are included in cash and cash equivalents on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable
	Accounts receivable represents amounts owed to the Company from product sales and collaborative research and government grants. The Company had no amounts reserved for doubtful accounts at November 30, 2014 and August 31, 2014 as the Company expects full collection of the accounts receivable balances.
Inventories	Inventories
	At November 30, 2014, inventory consisted of finished seed inventory and unharvested biomass in Brazil. The costs for finished seed inventory are related to sorghum seeds. The costs for unharvested biomass are related to the Company's biomass contracts. At August 31, 2014, seed inventory consisted of work–in–process costs and finished goods for costs related to the Company's sorghum seeds in Brazil.
	When inventory costs exceed expected market value due to obsolescence or lack of demand, inventory write-downs are recorded for the difference between the cost and the market value in the period based on the Company's evaluation of such inventory.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful lives or the remaining life of the lease. Depreciation periods for the Company's property and equipment are as follows:
	Automobiles and trucks		3-5 years
	Office, laboratory, farm and warehouse equipment and furniture		3-5 years
	Leasehold improvements		3-10 years
	Buildings		14-39 years
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. To the extent that an impairment indicator has occurred, recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. For the reporting periods presented herein there was no impairment.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation
	The Brazilian Real is the functional currency of the Company's subsidiary in Brazil. Accordingly, assets and liabilities of those operations are translated into United States dollars using the current exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date and equity accounts are translated into United States dollars using historical rates. Revenues and expenses are translated at the weighted average rate of exchange during the reporting period. Gains and losses from foreign currency translation adjustments are represented as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss within the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	The Company's unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities and foreign currency translation adjustments represents the components of comprehensive loss and have been disclosed in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	The following summarizes the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss during the three months ended November 30, 2014:
									Accumulated
			Foreign			Unrealized			Other
			Currency			Gains (Losses)			Comprehensive
			Translation			on Securities			Loss
	Balance at August 31, 2014		$	(584	)	$	(11	)	$	(595	)
	Comprehensive income (loss)			(30	)		4			(26	)
	Balance at November 30, 2014		$	(614	)	$	(7	)	$	(621	)
Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share	Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share
	Basic net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential common share equivalents then outstanding, to the extent they are dilutive. Potential common shares consist of shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants (using the treasury stock method). Dilutive net loss per share is the same as basic net loss per share for all periods presented because the effects of potentially dilutive items were anti-dilutive.
	The following potentially dilutive, common share equivalents were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per common share because their effect was antidilutive for each of the periods presented:
			November 30,
			2014			2013
	Options to purchase common stock			3,364,077			3,378,818
	Warrants to purchase common stock			2,562,045			2,082,045
	Total			5,926,122			5,460,863

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	The following tables present the Company's financial assets that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of November 30, 2014 and August 31, 2014 by level within the fair value hierarchy:
		30-Nov-14
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
	Financial Assets
	Money Market Funds	$	67		$	—		$	—		$	67
	Certificates of Deposit—available for sale		—			3,762			—			3,762
	Corporate Bonds—available for sale		—			13,641			—			13,641
	Total	$	67		$	17,403		$	—		$	17,470
	All of the money market funds and $60 of the certificates of deposit are included in cash and cash equivalents on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
		31-Aug-14
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
	Financial Assets
	Money Market Funds	$	2,114		$	—		$	—		$	2,114
	Certificates of Deposit—available for sale		—			4,240			—			4,240
	Commercial Paper—available for sale		—			5,249			—			5,249
	Corporate Bonds—available for sale		—			15,150			—			15,150
	Total	$	2,114		$	24,639		$	—		$	26,753
	All of the money market funds and $60 of the certificates of deposit are included in cash and cash equivalents on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Schedule of Depreciation Period for Property and Equipment	Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful lives or the remaining life of the lease. Depreciation periods for the Company's property and equipment are as follows:
	Automobiles and trucks	3-5 years
	Office, laboratory, farm and warehouse equipment and furniture	3-5 years
	Leasehold improvements	3-10 years
	Buildings	14-39 years
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	The following summarizes the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss during the three months ended November 30, 2014:
								Accumulated
		Foreign			Unrealized			Other
		Currency			Gains (Losses)			Comprehensive
		Translation			on Securities			Loss
	Balance at August 31, 2014	$	(584	)	$	(11	)	$	(595	)
	Comprehensive income (loss)		(30	)		4			(26	)
	Balance at November 30, 2014	$	(614	)	$	(7	)	$	(621	)
Schedule of Potentially Dilutive, Common Share Equivalents Excluded from Calculation of Diluted Net Loss Per Common Share	The following potentially dilutive, common share equivalents were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per common share because their effect was antidilutive for each of the periods presented:
		November 30,
		2014			2013
	Options to purchase common stock		3,364,077			3,378,818
	Warrants to purchase common stock		2,562,045			2,082,045
	Total		5,926,122			5,460,863

Marketable_Securities_Tables

Marketable Securities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Marketable Securities [Abstract]
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities	Marketable securities classified as available for sale consisted of the following:
		30-Nov-14
	Available for sale securities	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Fair Value
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized
				Gain		Loss
	Certificates of Deposit	$	3,764	$	—	$	(2	)	$	3,762
	Corporate Bonds		13,645		—		(4	)		13,641
	Total	$	17,409	$	—	$	(6	)	$	17,403
		31-Aug-14
	Available for sale securities	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Fair Value
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized
				Gain		Loss
	Certificates of Deposit	$	4,244	$	—	$	(4	)	$	4,240
	Commercial Paper		5,249		—		—			5,249
	Corporate Bonds		15,157		—		(7	)		15,150
	Total	$	24,650	$	—	$	(11	)	$	24,639

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Inventories [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventories	Inventories consisted of the following:
		November 30,		August 31,
		2014		2014
	Seed - work in process	$	-	$	20
	Seed inventory		53		64
	Unharvested biomass		737		-
	Total inventories	$	790	$	84

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Property and Equipment [Abstract]
Summary of Property and Equipment	Property and equipment are summarized as follows:
		November 30,			August 31,
		2014			2014
	Land	$	43		$	43
	Automobiles and trucks		1,037			1,113
	Buildings		1,215			1,215
	Office, laboratory, farm and warehouse equipment and furniture		12,683			12,718
	Leasehold improvements		5,659			5,659
			20,637			20,748
	Less accumulated depreciation		(17,870	)		(17,752	)
	Property and equipment, net	$	2,767		$	2,996

Accounts_Payable_and_Accrued_E1

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses [Abstract]
Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses	Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following:
		November 30,		August 31,
		2014		2014
	Accounts payable	$	1,899	$	1,406
	Accrued payroll and related expenses		1,353		2,303
	Research and development contracts		164		123
	Accrued grower commitments		-		54
	Other		327		392
		$	3,743	$	4,278

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]
Summary of Long-Term Debt	Long-term debt is summarized as follows:
		November 30,			August 31,
		2014			2014
	Capital leases	$	55		$	88
	Less current portion		(55	)		(70	)
	Long term debt (capital leases)	$	-		$	18

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Costs Included in Operating Expenses and Total Intrinsic Value of Options Exercised	Stock-based compensation expense included in operating expenses are as follows:
		Three months ended
		November 30,
		2014			2013
	Stock-based compensation expense	$	619		$	913
	Fair value changes of collaboration warrants		(4	)		9
		$	615		$	922
Summary of Stock Option Transactions under Option Plans	The following table summarizes the stock option transactions under the Equity Plans during the three months ended November 30, 2014:
		Shares			Weighted
					Average
					Exercise Price
	Options outstanding at August 31, 2014		3,172,948		$	5.83
	Options granted		241,416			0.53
	Options forfeited		(50,287	)		6.58
	Options outstanding at November 30, 2014		3,364,077		$	5.44
Summary of Restricted Stock Transactions under Option Plans	The following summarizes the restricted stock transactions under the Equity Plans during the three months ended November 30, 2014:
		Shares			Weighted
					Average
					Grant Date
					Fair Value
	Restricted stock outstanding and unvested at August 31, 2014		302,751		$	4.07
	Restricted stock granted		73,000			0.53
	Restricted stock vested		(56,433	)		5.64
	Restricted stock forfeited		(4,417	)		1.25
	Restricted stock outstanding and unvested at November 30, 2014		314,901		$	3.01

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Payments under Noncancelable Operating Leases	Future minimum payments under noncancelable operating leases as of November 30, 2014 are as follows:
		Operating
		Leases
	Remaining nine months of fiscal year 2015	$	537
	2016		680
	2017		627
	2018		576
	2019		624
	Total minimum lease payments	$	3,044

Research_Collaboration_Agreeme1

Research Collaboration Agreements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Research Collaboration Agreements [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Payments under Company's Research Collaboration	Future minimum payments under the Company's research collaboration agreements as of November 30, 2014 are as follows:
	Remaining nine months of fiscal year 2015	$	623
	2016		544
	2017		88
		$	1,255

The_Company_Details

The Company (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 10, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014	Nov. 30, 2014
		positions
Organization [Line Items]
Accumulated deficit		($303,905,000)	-309,878,000
Workforce reduction, number of positions impacted		16
Shares issued at public offering, shares	23,000,000
Underwriters exercise of public offering over-allotment, shares	3,000,000
Shares issued at public offering, price per share	$1
Proceeds from public offering	$20,800,000
Ceres Sementes do Brasil Ltda [Member]
Organization [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership			99.90%
CS Semillas de Mexico, S.de L. de C.V. [Member]
Organization [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership			99.90%

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule of Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)	Nov. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financial Instruments Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for sale	$17,403	$24,639
Cash and cash equivalents [Member]
Financial Instruments Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Certificates of deposit	60	60
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial Instruments Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	17,470	26,753
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Money market funds [Member]
Financial Instruments Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Money market funds	67	2,114
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Financial Instruments Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for sale	3,762	4,240
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]
Financial Instruments Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for sale		5,249
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member]
Financial Instruments Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for sale	13,641	15,150
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Financial Instruments Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	67	2,114
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Money market funds [Member]
Financial Instruments Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Money market funds	67	2,114
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Financial Instruments Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for sale
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]
Financial Instruments Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for sale
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member]
Financial Instruments Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for sale
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Financial Instruments Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	17,403	24,639
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Money market funds [Member]
Financial Instruments Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Money market funds
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Financial Instruments Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for sale	3,762	4,240
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]
Financial Instruments Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for sale		5,249
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member]
Financial Instruments Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for sale	13,641	15,150
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Financial Instruments Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Money market funds [Member]
Financial Instruments Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Money market funds
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Financial Instruments Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for sale
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]
Financial Instruments Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for sale
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member]
Financial Instruments Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for sale

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule of Depreciation Periods for Property and Equipment) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Automobiles and Trucks [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment useful life	3 years
Automobiles and Trucks [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment useful life	5 years
Office, Laboratory, Farm and Warehouse Equipment and Furniture [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment useful life	3 years
Office, Laboratory, Farm and Warehouse Equipment and Furniture [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment useful life	5 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment useful life	3 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment useful life	10 years
Buildings [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment useful life	14 years
Buildings [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment useful life	39 years

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance at August 31, 2014	($595)
Comprehensive income (loss)	-26
Balance at November 30, 2014	-621
Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance at August 31, 2014	-584
Comprehensive income (loss)	-30
Balance at November 30, 2014	-614
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance at August 31, 2014	-11
Comprehensive income (loss)	4
Balance at November 30, 2014	($7)

Summary_of_Significant_Account6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule of Potentially Dilutive, Common Share Equivalents Excluded from Calculation of Diluted Net Loss Per Common Share) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Potentially dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	5,926,122	5,460,863
Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Potentially dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	3,364,077	3,378,818
Warrants [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Potentially dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	2,562,045	2,082,045

Marketable_Securities_Details

Marketable Securities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$17,409	$24,650
Gross Unrealized Gain
Gross Unrealized Loss	-6	-11
Fair Value	17,403	24,639
Cash and cash equivalents [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Certificates of deposit	60	60
Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	3,764	4,244
Gross Unrealized Gain
Gross Unrealized Loss	-2	-4
Fair Value	3,762	4,240
Commercial Paper [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		5,249
Gross Unrealized Gain
Gross Unrealized Loss
Fair Value		5,249
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	13,645	15,157
Gross Unrealized Gain
Gross Unrealized Loss	-4	-7
Fair Value	$13,641	$15,150

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Nov. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventories [Abstract]
Seed - work in process		$20
Seed inventory	53	64
Unharvested biomass	737
Total inventories	$790	$84

Property_and_Equipment_Details

Property and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	Nov. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment gross	$20,637	$20,748
Less accumulated depreciation	-17,870	-17,752
Property and equipment, net	2,767	2,996
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment gross	43	43
Automobiles and Trucks [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment gross	1,037	1,113
Buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment gross	1,215	1,215
Office, Laboratory, Farm and Warehouse Equipment and Furniture [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment gross	12,683	12,718
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment gross	$5,659	$5,659

Accounts_Payable_and_Accrued_E2

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses (Details) (USD $)	Nov. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses [Abstract]
Accounts payable	$1,899	$1,406
Accrued payroll and related expenses	1,353	2,303
Research and development contracts	164	123
Accrued grower commitments		54
Other	327	392
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$3,743	$4,278

LongTerm_Debt_Details

Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Nov. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Less current portion	($55)	($70)
Long-term debt, net of current portion		18
Capital Leases [Member]
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$55	$88

StockBased_Compensation_Narrat

Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013
Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized stock compensation expense	$2,481,000
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, weighted average period of recognition	1 year 11 months 8 days
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized stock compensation expense	379,000
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, weighted average period of recognition	1 year 1 month 20 days
Ceres, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock granted during period		18,300
Weighted average grant date fair value of common stock			$0.91
Stock grant expense		$16,700

StockBased_Compensation_StockB

Stock-Based Compensation (Stock-Based Compensation Costs Included in Operating Expenses and Total Intrinsic Value of Options Exercised) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation costs	$615	$922
Employee Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation costs	619	913
Collaboration warrants [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation costs	($4)	$9

StockBased_Compensation_Summar

Stock-Based Compensation (Summary of Stock Option Transactions under Option Plans) (Details) (Options [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Options [Member]
Shares
Options outstanding at August 31, 2014	3,172,948
Options granted	241,416
Options forfeited	-50,287
Options outstanding at November 30, 2014	3,364,077
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Options outstanding at August 31, 2014	$5.83
Options granted	$0.53
Options forfeited	$6.58
Options outstanding at November 30, 2014	$5.44

StockBased_Compensation_Summar1

Stock-Based Compensation (Summary of Restricted Stock Transactions under Option Plans) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Shares
Restricted stock outstanding and unvested at August 31, 2014	302,751
Restricted stock granted	73,000
Restricted stock vested	-56,433
Restricted stock forfeited	-4,417
Restricted stock outstanding and unvested at November 30, 2014	314,901
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted stock outstanding and unvested at August 31, 2014	$4.07
Restricted stock granted	$0.53
Restricted stock vested	$5.64
Restricted stock forfeited	$1.25
Restricted stock outstanding and unvested at November 30, 2014	$3.01

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended				0 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2011	31-May-06	Aug. 31, 2007	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 10, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014	Mar. 07, 2014	Mar. 06, 2014
Stockholders Equity Note Disclosure [Line Items]
Common Stock, shares authorized	240,000,000							240,000,000	240,000,000	490,000,000
Preferred stock, shares authorized									10,000,000
Change in value of warrants recognized as research and development expense	$2,504,000	$4,414,000
Noble Agreement Warrants [Member]
Stockholders Equity Note Disclosure [Line Items]
Warrant issued to purchase stock				133,333
Exercise price of warrants issued				$30
Warrant issued, number of shares vesting in equal installments			33,333	33,333
Warrant issued, earliest exercisable period			5 years	2 years
Change in value of warrants recognized as research and development expense	624,400
Warrant issued, vested	99,999
Estimated fair value of warrants	0
Estimated fair value of warrants, risk free rate	0.68%
Estimated fair value of warrants, volatility rate	68.90%
Estimated fair value of warrants, expected term	2 years 5 months 19 days
Estimated fair value of warrants, dividend yield rate	0.00%
Warrant issued, expiration date			18-May-17
Noble Agreement Warrants [Member] | Period 1 [Member]
Stockholders Equity Note Disclosure [Line Items]
Class of warrant or right number of shares vesting in equal installments, date			19-May-13	19-May-09
Noble Agreement Warrants [Member] | Period 2 [Member]
Stockholders Equity Note Disclosure [Line Items]
Class of warrant or right number of shares vesting in equal installments, date			19-May-15	19-May-11
Noble Agreement Warrants [Member] | Period 3 [Member]
Stockholders Equity Note Disclosure [Line Items]
Class of warrant or right number of shares vesting in equal installments, date				19-May-13
Noble Agreement Warrants [Member] | Period 4 [Member]
Stockholders Equity Note Disclosure [Line Items]
Class of warrant or right number of shares vesting in equal installments, date				19-May-15
Texas A and M University System Agreement Warrants [Member] | Sponsored Research and Intellectual Property Rights Agreement [Member]
Stockholders Equity Note Disclosure [Line Items]
Warrant issued to purchase stock					66,666
Exercise price of warrants issued					$30
Change in value of warrants recognized as research and development expense	0
Estimated fair value of warrants	0
Estimated fair value of warrants, risk free rate	0.88%
Estimated fair value of warrants, volatility rate	68.80%
Estimated fair value of warrants, expected term	2 years 8 months 26 days
Estimated fair value of warrants, dividend yield rate	0.00%
Warrant issued, expiration date					28-Aug-17
Texas A and M University System Agreement Warrants [Member] | Ip Rights Agreement [Member]
Stockholders Equity Note Disclosure [Line Items]
Warrant issued to purchase stock						66,666
Exercise price of warrants issued						$14.30
Change in value of warrants recognized as research and development expense	3,100
Estimated fair value of warrants	8,200
Estimated fair value of warrants, risk free rate	2.18%
Estimated fair value of warrants, volatility rate	84.10%
Estimated fair value of warrants, expected term	11 years 9 months 22 days
Estimated fair value of warrants, dividend yield rate	0.00%
Warrant issued, expiration date						24-Sep-26
2014 Public Offering Warrants [Member]
Stockholders Equity Note Disclosure [Line Items]
Warrant issued to purchase stock							480,000
Exercise price of warrants issued							$1.50
Estimated fair value of warrants							$305,000
Estimated fair value of warrants, risk free rate							1.64%
Estimated fair value of warrants, volatility rate							84.20%
Estimated fair value of warrants, expected term							5 years
Estimated fair value of warrants, dividend yield rate							0.00%
Warrant issued, date from which warrants are exercisable							15-Mar-15
Warrant issued, expiration date							4-Mar-19

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Operating lease expiration period	2023
Reimbursement for leasehold improvement	$270
Rental expense	$134	$66

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies (Summary of Future Minimum Payments under Noncancelable Operating Leases) (Details) (USD $)	Nov. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Operating leases
Remaining nine months of fiscal year 2015	$537
2016	680
2017	627
2018	576
2019	624
Total minimum lease payments	$3,044

Research_Collaboration_Agreeme2

Research Collaboration Agreements (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended
	31-May-06	Sep. 24, 2011	Aug. 31, 2007	Dec. 31, 2011
Noble Agreement Warrants [Member]
Collaboration Agreements [Line Items]
Warrant issued to purchase stock	133,333
Exercise price of warrants issued	$30
Noble Research Program Agreement [Member]
Collaboration Agreements [Line Items]
Funding of research expenses	$3,800,000
Collaboration agreement date	31-Jul-12
Noble Research Program Agreement [Member] | Collaboration Agreement July Thirty One Twenty Thirteen [Member]
Collaboration Agreements [Line Items]
Funding of research expenses	82,700
Collaboration agreement date	31-Jul-13
Noble Research Program Agreement [Member] | Collaboration Agreement July Thirty One Twenty Fourteen [Member]
Collaboration Agreements [Line Items]
Funding of research expenses	85,300
Collaboration agreement date	31-Jul-14
Sponsored Research and Intellectual Property Rights Agreement [Member]
Collaboration Agreements [Line Items]
Funding of research expenses			$5,100,000
Agreement expiry date		23-Sep-26
Sponsored Research and Intellectual Property Rights Agreement [Member] | Texas A and M University System Agreement Warrants [Member]
Collaboration Agreements [Line Items]
Warrant issued to purchase stock			66,666
Exercise price of warrants issued			$30
Ip Rights Agreement [Member]
Collaboration Agreements [Line Items]
Agreement expiry date		23-Sep-26
Ip Rights Agreement [Member] | Texas A and M University System Agreement Warrants [Member]
Collaboration Agreements [Line Items]
Warrant issued to purchase stock				66,666
Exercise price of warrants issued				$14.30

Research_Collaboration_Agreeme3

Research Collaboration Agreements (Summary of Future Minimum Payments under Company's Research Collaboration) (Details) (Research Collaboration Agreements [Member], USD $)	Nov. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Research Collaboration Agreements [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Remaining nine months of fiscal year 2015	$623
2016	544
2017	88
Contractual Obligation, Total	$1,255