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Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 16, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	METABOLIX, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001121702
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2014
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Public Float			$ 21,285,791
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		135,353,764
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 20,046	$ 7,698
Short-term investments	0	11,511
Accounts receivable	45	997
Due from related parties	112	51
Unbilled receivables	420	187
Inventory	586	1,921
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	756	713
Assets of disposal group classified as held for sale	0	2,153
Total current assets	21,965	25,231
Restricted cash	619	619
Property and equipment, net	456	793
Other assets	95	95
Total assets	23,135	26,738
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	333	579
Accrued expenses	3,709	4,892
Current portion of deferred rent	0	55
Short-term deferred revenue	147	669
Total current liabilities	4,189	6,195
Other long-term liabilities	150	145
Total liabilities	4,339	6,340
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock ($0.01 par value per share); 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding	0	0
Common stock ($0.01 par value per share); 250,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2014, 135,182,140 and 34,581,449 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively	1,352	346
Additional paid-in capital	319,580	292,661
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(64)	(71)
Accumulated deficit	(302,072)	(272,538)
Total stockholders' equity	18,796	20,398
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 23,135	$ 26,738

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	250,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	135,182,140	34,581,449
Common stock, shares outstanding	135,182,140	34,581,449

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenue:
Revenue from termination of ADM collaboration	$ 0	$ 0	$ 38,885
Product revenue	546	461	276
Grant revenue	1,807	2,480	1,971
Research and development revenue	0	618	0
License fee and royalty revenue	447	219	249
Total revenue	2,800	3,778	41,381
Costs and expenses:
Cost of product revenue	1,482	1,908	1,030
Research and development	17,342	18,802	23,177
Selling, general, and administrative	10,805	11,608	13,245
Total costs and expenses	29,629	32,318	37,452
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(26,829)	(28,540)	3,929
Other income (expense), net:
Interest income, net	7	51	124
Gain on sale of property and equipment	43	0	0
Other income (expense), net	11	(55)	(97)
Total other income (expense), net	61	(4)	27
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(26,768)	(28,544)	3,956
Discontinued operations
Loss from discontinued operations	(1,878)	(1,962)	(326)
Loss from write down of assets held for sale	(888)	0	0
Total loss from discontinued operations	(2,766)	(1,962)	(326)
Net income (loss)	$ (29,534)	$ (30,506)	$ 3,630
Basic net loss per share:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.44)	$ (0.83)	$ 0.12
Net loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.04)	(0.05)	(0.01)
Net income (loss) per share, Basic (in dollars per share)	(0.48)	(0.88)	0.11
Diluted net income (loss) per share
Net income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(0.44)	(0.83)	0.12
Net loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.04)	(0.05)	(0.01)
Net income (loss) per share, Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.48)	$ (0.88)	$ 0.11
Number of shares used in per share calculations:
Basic (in shares)	61,455,063	34,471,301	34,217,298
Diluted (in shares)	61,455,063	34,471,301	34,279,779

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (29,534)	$ (30,506)	$ 3,630
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in unrealized (loss) on investments	(1)	(12)	(3)
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	(157)	(38)	(6)
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net loss	165	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	7	(50)	(9)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (29,527)	$ (30,556)	$ 3,621

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ (29,534)	$ (30,506)	$ 3,630
Loss from discontinued operations	(2,766)	(1,962)	(326)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(26,768)	(28,544)	3,956
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation	507	928	1,298
Charge for 401(k) company common stock match	374	397	408
Stock-based compensation	2,276	3,122	3,779
Inventory impairment	873	746	138
Gain on sale of property and equipment	(43)	0	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	952	(158)	(693)
Due from related parties	(61)	24	236
Unbilled receivable	(223)	185	(68)
Inventory	462	(516)	(2,288)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(43)	(21)	108
Accounts payable	(246)	(654)	721
Accrued expenses	(1,179)	1,383	(34)
Deferred rent and long-term liabilities	(50)	(151)	(154)
Deferred revenue	(522)	(398)	(37,791)
Net cash used by continuing operations for operating activities	(23,691)	(23,657)	(30,384)
Net cash used by discontinued operations for operating activities	(845)	(2,991)	(1,352)
Net cash used in operating activities	(24,536)	(26,648)	(31,736)
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property and equipment	(172)	(373)	(392)
Proceeds from sale of equipment	43	0	12
Change in restricted cash	0	(25)	28
Purchase of investments	(1,508)	(16,635)	(58,933)
Proceeds from sale and maturity of short-term investments	13,017	36,821	84,303
Net cash provided by continuing operations for investing activities	11,380	19,788	25,018
Net cash provided by discontinued operations for investing activities	292	0	0
Net cash provided by investing activities	11,672	19,788	25,018
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from options exercised	300	14	19
Proceeds from private placement offering, net of issuance costs	24,914	0	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	25,214	14	19
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(2)	(28)	(6)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	12,348	(6,874)	(6,705)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	7,698	14,572	21,277
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	20,046	7,698	14,572
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash information:
Preferred stock conversion to common stock	$ 12,500	$ 0	$ 0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated other Comprehensive Income (loss)	Accumulated Deficit	Series B Preferred Stock Preferred Stock
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 39,463	$ 341	$ 284,796	$ (12)	$ (245,662)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		34,115,798
Increase (decrease) in stockholders' equity
Exercise of common stock options	19		19
Exercise of common stock options (in shares)		11,436
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	3,807		3,807
Issuance of common stock for 401k match	$ 430	$ 2	428
Issuance of common stock for 401k match (in shares)	179,336	179,336
Change in unrealized (loss) on investments	$ (3)			(3)
Effect of foreign currency translation	(6)			(6)
Net income (loss)	3,630				3,630
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	47,340	$ 343	289,050	(21)	(242,032)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		34,306,570
Increase (decrease) in stockholders' equity
Exercise of common stock options	14		14
Exercise of common stock options (in shares)		7,550
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	3,193		3,193
Issuance of common stock for 401k match	$ 407	$ 3	404
Issuance of common stock for 401k match (in shares)	267,329	267,329
Change in unrealized (loss) on investments	$ (12)			(12)
Effect of foreign currency translation	(38)			(38)
Net income (loss)	(30,506)				(30,506)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 20,398	$ 346	292,661	(71)	(272,538)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	34,581,449	34,581,449
Increase (decrease) in stockholders' equity
Exercise of common stock options	$ 300	$ 2	298
Exercise of common stock options (in shares)		250,000
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	2,335		2,335
Issuance of common stock for 401k match	$ 376	$ 4	372
Issuance of common stock for 401k match (in shares)	350,691	350,691
Issuance of stock in connection with private placement, net offering costs of $86	$ 24,914	$ 500	24,413			$ 1
Issuance of stock in connection with private placement (in shares)		50,000,000				50,000
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of preferred stock	0	$ 500	(499)			$ (1)
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of preferred stock		50,000,000				(50,000)
Change in unrealized (loss) on investments	(1)			(1)
Effect of foreign currency translation	8			8
Net income (loss)	(29,534)				(29,534)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 18,796	$ 1,352	$ 319,580	$ (64)	$ (302,072)	$ 0
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	135,182,140	135,182,140				0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Issuance of common stock upon private offering, offering costs	$ 86

Nature of Business	12 Months Ended
Nature of Business	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Nature of Business	Nature of Business Metabolix is an advanced biomaterials company focused on delivering sustainable solutions to the plastics industry. We have core capabilities in microbial genetics, fermentation process engineering, chemical engineering, polymer science, plant genetics and botanical science, and we have assembled these capabilities in a way that has allowed us to integrate our biotechnology research with real world chemical engineering and industrial practice. In addition, we have created an extensive intellectual property portfolio to protect our innovations which, together with our technology, serves as a valuable foundation for our business and future industry collaborations. The Company is subject to risks common to companies in the biotechnology industry including, but not limited to, the need to obtain additional funding, development by the Company's competitors of new technological innovations, protection of proprietary technology, and compliance with government regulations. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a basis which assumes that the Company will continue as a going concern and which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. However, with the exception of 2012, when the Company recognized $38,885 of deferred revenue from the terminated Telles joint venture, it has recorded losses since its inception, including its fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, the Company held unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $20,046. The Company's present capital resources are not sufficient to fund its planned operations for a twelve month period, and therefore, raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. The Company expects that reductions in cash usage in 2015 due to the discontinuation of its German operations, restructuring of its U.S. organization and other cost containment measures will be largely offset by increased biopolymer production costs. As a result, the Company anticipates cash usage during 2015 of approximately $23,000, including $1,000 in capital costs related to the expansion of pilot manufacturing and assuming continued funding of the Company's crop science program for the full year. While the Company was successful in raising $25,000 during the third quarter of 2014, the Company will require additional funding during 2015 to continue its operations and support its capital needs. The timing, structure and vehicles for obtaining future financing are under consideration, but, there can be no assurance that such financing efforts will be successful. The Company intends to use the proceeds of future financings to continue developing its specialty biopolymers business as the foundation for its longer range commercial scale plans and the future growth of its business. The Company continues to face significant challenges and uncertainties and, as a result, its available capital resources may be consumed more rapidly than currently expected due to (a) lower than expected sales of its biopolymer products as a result of slow market adoption; (b) increases in capital costs and operating expenses related to the expansion of pilot manufacturing or the establishment and start-up of commercial manufacturing either on its own or with third parties; (c) changes the Company may make to the business that affect ongoing operating expenses; (d) changes the Company may make to its business strategy; (e) changes in the Company’s research and development spending plans; and (f) other items affecting the Company’s forecasted level of expenditures and use of cash resources. If the Company issues equity or debt securities to raise additional funds, (i) the Company may incur fees associated with such issuance, (ii) its existing stockholders will experience dilution from the issuance of new equity securities, (iii) the Company may incur ongoing interest expense and be required to grant a security interest in Company assets in connection with any debt issuance, and (iv) the new equity or debt securities may have rights, preferences and privileges senior to those of the Company’s existing stockholders. In addition, utilization of the Company’s net operating loss and research and development credit carryforwards may be subject to significant annual limitations under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 due to ownership changes resulting from future equity financing transactions. If the Company raises additional funds through collaboration, licensing or other similar arrangements, it may be necessary to relinquish valuable rights to its potential products or proprietary technologies, or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to the Company. Failure to receive additional funding in 2015 may force the Company to delay, scale back or otherwise modify its business and manufacturing plans, sales and marketing efforts, research and development activities and other operations, and/or seek strategic alternatives. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of these uncertainties.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions were eliminated, including transactions with its German subsidiary, Metabolix GmbH, and its Canadian subsidiary, Metabolix Oilseeds, Inc. On October 20, 2014, the Company completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of Metabolix GmbH to AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH, a German manufacturer of engineering plastics compounds. The consolidated financial statements for each of the three years ending December 31, 2014, have been presented to reflect the operations of Metabolix GmbH, as well as certain European operations conducted by Metabolix, Inc. prior to the formation of Metabolix GmbH, as a discontinued operation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity date of ninety days or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

Cash Equivalents and Investments

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity date of ninety days or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents, and all investments purchased with an original maturity date of ninety days or more at the date of purchase and a maturity date of one year or less at the balance sheet date to be short-term investments. All other investments are classified as long-term. At December 31, 2013, investments consisted of U.S. Treasury securities and debt securities of the U.S. government and were classified as available for sale. The Company held no investments at December 31, 2014. See Note 5 for further discussion on investments.

Unrealized gains and temporary losses on investments are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of stockholders' equity. Realized gains and losses, dividends, interest income and declines in value judged to be other-than-temporary credit losses are included in other income (expense). Any premium or discount arising at purchase is amortized and/or accreted to interest income.

Restricted Cash

The Company had restricted cash in the amount of $619 at both December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Restricted cash consisted of $494 held in connection with the lease agreement for the Company's Cambridge, Massachusetts facility and $125 held in connection with the Company's corporate credit card programs.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign denominated assets and liabilities of the Company's wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the period. Any resulting translation gains or losses are recorded in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated balance sheet. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company reduced its cumulative translation loss within accumulated other comprehensive income as a result of the sale of the European operation of its German subsidiary.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net income (loss) and certain changes in stockholders' equity that are excluded from net income (loss). The Company includes unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities and foreign currency translation adjustments in other comprehensive income (loss).

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. The Company has historically invested its cash equivalents in highly rated money market funds, corporate debt, federal agency notes and U.S. treasury notes. Investments are acquired in accordance with the Company's investment policy which establishes a concentration limit per issuer. At December 31, 2014, the Company's cash equivalents were invested solely in money market funds.

The Company provides credit to customers in the normal course of business. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and limits the amount of credit extended when deemed necessary. At December 31, 2014, the Company's worldwide accounts and unbilled receivables include $429 or 74% primarily from U.S. government grants and $37 or 6% from customer product sales. At December 31, 2014, the Company's REFABB grant with the Department of Energy represented 63% of billed and unbilled receivables from government grants. At December 31, 2013, the Company's worldwide accounts and unbilled receivables included $552 or 46% from government grants and $528 or 44% from customer product sales. At December 31, 2013, one customer represented 23% of accounts receivable due from product sales.

Fair Value Measurements

The carrying amounts of the Company's financial instruments as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, which include cash equivalents, investments, accounts receivable, unbilled receivables, receivables due from related parties, accounts payable, and accrued expenses, approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. See Note 6 for further discussion on fair value measurements.

Segment Information

The accounting guidance for segment reporting establishes standards for reporting information on operating segments in annual financial statements. The Company operates in one segment, which is the business of developing and commercializing technologies for the production of polymers and chemicals in microbes and plants. The Company's chief operating decision-maker does not manage any part of the Company separately, and the allocation of resources and assessment of performance are based on the Company's consolidated operating results. As of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, less than 10% of the Company's combined total assets were located outside of the United States. In addition, the reported net income (loss) outside of the United States was less than 10% of the combined net income (loss) of the consolidated Company.

Inventory

The Company's adopted inventory policies are to state inventory at the lower of cost or market and to value inventory using the average cost method. The Company analyzes its inventory levels quarterly and writes down, to cost of product revenue, inventory it considers to be in excess of expected sales requirements, fails to meet commercial sales specifications or that has become obsolete.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Repairs and maintenance are charged to operations as incurred. Gains and losses on the disposition of equipment are recorded in other income (expense), net and the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives as follows:



Asset Description		Estimated Useful Life
Equipment		2.5 - 3 years
Furniture and Fixtures		5
Software		3
Leasehold improvements		Shorter of useful life or term of lease

The Company accounts for operating lease incentive payments received from a lessor in accordance with the accounting standard on accounting for leases. The Company records incentive payments received from its landlords as deferred rent and amortizes these amounts as reductions to lease expense over the lease term.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company accounts for the impairment and disposal of long-lived assets in accordance with accounting guidance on accounting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. The guidance requires that long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The guidance further requires that companies recognize an impairment loss only if the carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable based on its undiscounted future cash flows and measure an impairment loss as the difference between the carrying amount and fair value of the asset.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with current accounting standards on revenue recognition. Principal sources of revenue are government research grants, product sales, license fees, royalty revenues and research and development payments that are primarily derived from collaborative agreements with other companies.

The Company's policy is to recognize product revenue when evidence of an arrangement exists, title has passed or services have been rendered, the selling price is fixed or determinable and payment by the customer is reasonably assured. Revenue from product sales to customers is recognized when all elements of the sale have been delivered. The Company's product return policy provides for discretion in accepting customer product returns during a period of sixty days after product delivery. Until sufficient experience is developed on which to base an estimate of product returns, the Company defers recognition of product revenue and related costs until the later of (i) the end of the sixty day period or (ii) when the customer payment has been received. The Company includes deferred cost of product revenue in inventory. As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company's deferred product revenue and associated cost of product revenue are shown below:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013
Deferred product revenue	$	57	$	537
Deferred cost of product revenue	$	9	$	476

Fees to license the Company's proprietary and licensed technologies are recognized only after both the license period has commenced and the technology has been delivered. Royalty revenue is recognized when it becomes determinable and collection is reasonably assured; otherwise the Company recognizes royalty revenue upon receipt of payment.

The Company follows authoritative guidance on revenue recognition for multiple-element arrangements. Under this guidance, the fair value of deliverables under an arrangement may be derived using a "best estimate of selling price" if vendor-specific objective evidence and third party evidence is not available. Deliverables under the arrangement will be separate units of accounting, provided (i) a delivered item has value to the customer on a standalone basis; and (ii) if the arrangement includes a general right of return relative to the delivered item, delivery or performance of the undelivered item is considered probable and substantially within the Company's control.

The Company recognizes funds received from contractual research and development services and from government grants as revenue. These contracts and grants are considered an ongoing major and central operation of the Company's business. For government grants, revenue is earned as research expenses related to the grants are incurred.

Research and Development

All costs associated with internal research and development as well as research and development services conducted for others are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenses include direct costs for salaries, employee benefits, subcontractors, product trials, facility related expenses, depreciation, and stock-based compensation. Costs related to revenue-producing contracts and government grants are recorded as research and development expenses.

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses

The Company's selling, general and administrative expense line item includes costs for salaries, employee benefits, facilities expenses, consulting fees, travel expenses, depreciation expenses, and office related expenses incurred to support the selling and administrative operations of the Company.

Intellectual Property Costs

The Company includes all costs associated with the prosecution and maintenance of patents within selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation costs in accordance with the accounting standards for stock-based compensation, which require that all share-based payments to employees and members of the Board of Directors be recognized in the statement of operations based on their fair values. Compensation cost is based on the grant-date fair value of the award, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period during which the recipient is required to provide service in exchange for the award. See Note 13 for a description of the types of stock-based awards granted, the compensation expense related to such awards and detail of equity-based awards outstanding.

Basic and Diluted Net Loss per Share

Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted shares outstanding is calculated by adding to the weighted shares outstanding any potential (unissued) shares of common stock from outstanding stock options and warrants based on the treasury stock method. In periods when a net loss is reported, all common stock equivalents are excluded from the calculation because they would have an anti-dilutive effect, meaning the loss per share would be reduced. Therefore, in periods when a loss is reported, there is no difference in basic and dilutive loss per share. Common stock equivalents include stock options, restricted stock awards and warrants.

The Company follows the two-class method when computing net loss per share, when it has issued shares that meet the definition of participating securities. The two-class method determines net loss per share for each class of common and participating securities according to dividends declared or accumulated and participating rights in undistributed earnings. The two-class method requires income available to common stockholders for the period to be allocated between common and participating securities based on their respective rights to receive dividends, as if all income for the period has been distributed or losses to be allocated if they are contractually required to fund losses. There were no amounts allocated to participating securities as the Company was in a loss position and has no shares that meet the definition of participating securities outstanding at December 31, 2014.

Shares used to calculate diluted earnings per share for the three years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, are shown below:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Numerator:
Net income (loss)	$	(29,534	)	$	(30,506	)	$	3,630
Denominator:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	61,455,063			34,471,301			34,217,298
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options	—			—			62,481
Dilutive potential common shares	—			—			62,481
Shares used in calculating diluted earnings per share	61,455,063			34,471,301			34,279,779

The number of shares of potentially dilutive common stock related to options and warrants that were excluded from the calculation of dilutive shares since the inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, are shown below:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014	2013	2012
Options	6,664,359	6,201,429	5,579,042
Restricted stock awards	600,000	—	—
Warrants	—	4,086	4,086
Total	7,264,359	6,205,515	5,583,128

Income Taxes

The Company follows the accounting guidance on accounting for income taxes which requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce the deferred tax asset to a level which, more likely than not, will be realized. See Note 14 for further discussion of income taxes. The Company had no amounts recorded for any unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions using a "more-likely-than-not" threshold for recognizing and resolving uncertain tax positions. The evaluation of uncertain tax positions is based on factors that include, but are not limited to, changes in tax law, the measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in tax returns, the effective settlement of matters subject to audit, new audit activity and changes in facts or circumstances related to a tax position. The provision for income taxes includes the effects of any resulting tax reserves or unrecognized tax benefits that are considered appropriate as well as the related net interest and penalties, if any. The Company evaluates uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis and adjusts the level of the liability to reflect any subsequent changes in the relevant facts surrounding the uncertain positions.

Recent Accounting Standards Changes

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, which changes the criteria for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued operations and modifies the related disclosure requirements. Under the new guidance, a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results and is disposed of or classified as held for sale. The standard also introduces several new disclosures. The guidance applies prospectively to new disposals and new classifications of disposal groups as held for sale after the effective date. ASU 2014-08 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted. The Company has elected early adoption of ASU 2014-08 and has applied the new guidance in connection with its sale of substantially all of the assets and operations of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Metabolix GmbH. See Note 17, Discontinued Operations.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes all existing revenue recognition requirements, including most industry-specific guidance. The new standard requires a company to recognize revenue when it transfers goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that the company expects to receive for those goods or services. It also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. The new standard will be effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016, and will be effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2017. The amendment allows for two methods of adoption, a full retrospective method or a modified retrospective approach with the cumulative effect recognized at the date of initial application. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the method of adoption and potential impact that Topic 606 may have on its financial position and results of operations.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40). The new guidance addresses management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern for one year after the date that the financial statements are issued and to provide related footnote disclosures. Management’s evaluation should be based on relevant conditions and events that are known and reasonably knowable at the date that the financial statements are issued. This guidance should reduce diversity in the timing and content of footnote disclosures. The amendment in this update apply to all entities and are effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. The Company is currently reviewing the potential impact of adopting the new guidance.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts reported in the prior year financial statements have been reclassified for comparative purposes to conform with the presentation in the current year consolidated financial statements.

Significant Collaborations	12 Months Ended
Significant Collaborations	Dec. 31, 2014
Significant Collaborations
Significant Collaborations	Significant Collaborations The Company follows the accounting guidance for collaborative arrangements which requires that certain transactions between collaborators be recorded in the income statement on either a gross or net basis, depending on the characteristics of the collaboration relationship, and provides for enhanced disclosure of collaborative relationships. The Company evaluates its collaborative agreements for proper income statement classification based on the nature of the underlying activity. During the three years ended December 31, 2014, the Company had one significant collaboration arrangement with Archer Daniels Midland Company whereby the Company received payments and applied revenue recognition accounting guidance to the payments received and recorded corresponding costs as operating expenses. This arrangement ended in February 2012, and resulted in the Company recognizing $38,885 in previously deferred revenue during its fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2012. We are not currently participating in any collaborative arrangements. Our historical strategy for collaborative arrangements has been to retain substantial participation in the future economic value of our technology while receiving current cash payments to offset research and development costs and working capital needs. By their nature, our collaborative agreements have been complex, containing multiple elements covering a variety of present and future activities.

Inventory

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventory

The components of biopolymer inventories of the Company's continuing operations are as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013
Raw materials	$	2	$	208
Finished goods	584		1,713
Total inventory	$	586	$	1,921

Included within finished goods at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, are $9 and $476, respectively, of inventory that the Company has sold and shipped to customers for which the Company has not yet recognized revenue under its product revenue recognition policy. On a quarterly basis, the Company uses consistent methodologies to evaluate inventory for net realizable value; reducing the value of inventory for excess and obsolete inventory based upon certain assumptions made about future customer demand, quality and possible alternative uses. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded impairment charges to cost of product revenue of $873 and $746, respectively, within continuing operations, for raw material and finished goods inventory that it determined was unlikely to be sold. The Company also record charges of $888 and $72 during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, within discontinued operations for the write-down of inventory to its estimated fair value.

Investments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Investments

Investments consist of the following at December 31, 2013:



	Amortized Cost		Unrealized				Market Value
	Amortized Cost		Gain		(Loss)		Market Value
Short-term investments
Government sponsored enterprises	$	11,510	$	1	$	—	$	11,511
Total	$	11,510	$	1	$	—	$	11,511

The Company held no investments at December 31, 2014, and therefore there were no marketable securities available-for-sale as of that date.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for investments in certain debt and equity securities.

+ References + Details

Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

The Company has certain financial assets recorded at fair value which have been classified as Level 1or 2 within the fair value hierarchy as described in the accounting standards for fair value measurements. Fair value is the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or the price paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between independent market participants at the measurement date. Fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize observable data such as quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize data points other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly. Fair values determined by Level 3 inputs utilize unobservable data points in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions. The fair value hierarchy level is determined by the lowest level of significant input. At December 31, 2014, the Company did not own any Level 2 or Level 3 financial assets. At December 31, 2013, the Company did not own any Level 3 financial assets.

The Company's financial assets classified as Level 2 at December 31, 2013, were initially valued at the transaction price and subsequently valued typically utilizing third party pricing services. Because the Company's investment portfolio may include securities that do not always trade on a daily basis, the pricing services use many observable market inputs to determine value including reportable trades, benchmark yields and benchmarking of like securities. The Company validates the prices provided by the third party pricing services by reviewing their pricing methods and obtaining market values from other pricing sources. After completing the validation procedures, the Company did not adjust or override any fair value measurements provided by these pricing services as of December 31, 2013.

The tables below present information about the Company's assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value.



	Fair value measurements at reporting date using
Description	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)		Balance as of December 31, 2014
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds	$	19,011	$	—	$	—	$	19,011
Total	$	19,011	$	—	$	—	$	19,011



	Fair value measurements at reporting date using
Description	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)		Balance as of December 31, 2013
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds	$	6,332	$	—	$	—	$	6,332
Short-term investments:
Government securities	—		11,511		—		11,511
	$	6,332	$	11,511	$	—	$	17,843

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

Property and Equipment, Net

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment consisted of the following:



	Year ended December 31,
	2014			2013
Equipment	$	4,723		$	4,868
Furniture and fixtures	227			227
Leasehold improvements	1,356			2,652
Software	381			381
Total property and equipment, at cost	6,687			8,128
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(6,231		)	(7,335		)
Property and equipment, net	$	456		$	793

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $507, $928 and $1,298 respectively.

Accrued Expenses

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consist of the following:



	Year ended December 31,
	2014		2013
Employee compensation and benefits	$	2,621	$	2,595
Commercial manufacturing	77		815
Professional services	564		578
Other	447		904
Total accrued expenses	$	3,709	$	4,892

Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Leases

The Company rents its facilities under operating leases which expire in May 2020. Rent expense under operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $1,944, $1,610 and $1,794, respectively. The deferred rent liability recorded on the Company's balance sheet at December 31, 2013 includes the unamortized balance of landlord incentive payments and the cumulative difference between actual facility lease payments and lease expense recognized ratably over the operating lease period. At December 31, 2014, the Company's future minimum payments required under operating leases are as follows:



Year ended December 31,	Minimum lease payment
2015	$	1,477
2016	1,419
2017	1,454
2018	1,488
2019 and thereafter	2,087
Total	$	7,925

Litigation

From time to time, the Company may be subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business. The Company is not currently aware of any such proceedings or claims that it believes will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or the results of operations.

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions Tepha Inc. During 1999 and 2003, the Company entered into sublicense agreements with Tepha Inc. ("Tepha"), to sublicense technology to Tepha. Two of the Company's directors, Matthew Strobeck and Anthony J. Sinskey, serve on the Board of Directors of Tepha. Under the agreements, the Company receives royalties on net sales of licensed products and sublicensing revenues received by Tepha, subject to a minimum payment each year. The Company recognized license and royalty revenues of $425, $149 and $149 from Tepha for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. The Company had outstanding receivable balances of $112 and $51 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for related party transactions. Examples of related party transactions include transactions between (a) a parent company and its subsidiary; (b) subsidiaries of a common parent; (c) and entity and its principal owners; and (d) affiliates.

+ References + Details

Preferred Stock	12 Months Ended
Preferred Stock	Dec. 31, 2014
Preferred Stock, Number of Shares, Par Value and Other Disclosures [Abstract]
Preferred Stock	Preferred Stock The Company's certificate of incorporation, as amended and restated, authorizes it to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of $0.01 par value preferred stock. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, no preferred stock was issued or outstanding.

Capital Stock	12 Months Ended
Capital Stock	Dec. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Capital Stock	Capital Stock Common and Preferred Stock Issuances On August 22, 2014, the Company completed a private placement of Company securities. Proceeds received from the transaction were $24,914, net of issuance costs of $86. Investors participating in the transaction purchased a total of 50,000,000 units of the Company’s securities at a price of $0.50 per unit. Each unit consisted of one share of the Company’s common stock and one one-thousandth of a share of the Company’s Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, for a total of 50,000,000 shares of common stock and 50,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. Each share of the preferred stock issued in the transaction was non-voting, was not redeemable, had no liquidation preference and the only conversion rights were that each share was automatically convertible into 1,000 shares of common stock upon the effectiveness of the filing by the Company of a charter amendment to increase the number of shares of authorized common stock to not less than 150,000,000. On October 30, 2014, following stockholder approval of a charter amendment to increase the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock to 250,000,000 and the effectiveness of such charter amendment, each share of preferred stock issued in the private placement automatically converted into 1,000 shares of common stock, for a total of 50,000,000 additional shares of common stock.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for shareholders' equity comprised of portions attributable to the parent entity and noncontrolling interest, including other comprehensive income. Includes, but is not limited to, balances of common stock, preferred stock, additional paid-in capital, other capital and retained earnings, accumulated balance for each classification of other comprehensive income and amount of comprehensive income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(d),(e))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21484-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.E)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27010918&loc=d3e74512-122707

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21488-112644

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29-31)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.C)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187143-122770

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21506-112644

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6405834&loc=d3e23285-112656

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Preferred Stock
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6521494

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21564-112644

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph d
-Article 4

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 29, 30, 31
-Article 5

Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 4
-Section E

Reference 17: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Article 4

Reference 18: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 19: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Article 3

+ Details

Stock-Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company adopted a stock plan in 2005 (the "2005 Plan"), which provided for the granting of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock awards, and opportunities to make direct purchases of stock, to employees, officers, directors and consultants of the Company. In November 2006, the 2005 Plan was terminated and the Company adopted a new plan (the "2006 Plan"). No further grants or awards were subsequently made under the 2005 Plan. A total of 1,619,134 options were awarded from the 2005 Plan, and as of December 31, 2014, 211,614 of these options remain outstanding and eligible for future exercise and continue to be governed by the terms of the 2005 Plan.

The 2006 Plan provides for the granting of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, deferred stock awards, restricted stock awards, unrestricted stock awards, cash-based awards and dividend equivalent rights. In October 2014, the 2006 Plan was terminated and the Company adopted a new plan (the "2014 Plan"). No further grants or awards were subsequently made under the 2006 Plan. A total of 8,802,352 options have been awarded from the 2006 Plan and as of December 31, 2014, 5,285,945 of these options remain outstanding and eligible for future exercise.

The 2014 Plan provides for the granting of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, deferred stock awards, restricted stock awards, unrestricted stock awards, cash-based awards and dividend equivalent rights. A total of 16,800 options have been awarded from the 2014 Plan and as of December 31, 2014, 16,800 of these options remain outstanding and eligible for future exercise.

Options granted under the 2005 Plan, the 2006 Plan and the 2014 Plan (the "Plans") generally vest ratably over periods of two to four years from the date of hire for new employees, or date of award for existing employees, or date of commencement of services with the Company for nonemployees, and generally expire ten years from the date of issuance. The Company's policy is to issue new shares upon the exercise of stock options.

The Company's Board of Directors granted on December 19, 2013, a stock option for the purchase of 1,150,000 shares of common stock to Joseph Shaulson in connection with his agreement to serve as a member of the Company's Board on that date and as an inducement for him to accept employment with the Company as its President and Chief Executive Officer starting in January 2014. This option was not granted under any of the Plans. The option has an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company's common stock at the date of grant, and it has a four-year vesting schedule in which 25%, 25% and 50% of the option vests on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th anniversary dates, respectively, of Mr. Shaulson commencing employment. The Company assessed the terms of this award and determined there was no possibility that it would have to settle this award in cash and, therefore, equity accounting was applied.

A summary of the activity related to the shares of common stock covered by outstanding options is as follows:



	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price	Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Balance at December 31, 2013	6,201,429		$5.68
Granted	2,051,925		1.27
Exercised	(250,000	)	1.20
Forfeited	(722,487	)	2.39
Expired	(616,508	)	7.27
Balance at December 31, 2014	6,664,359		4.70	5.75	$—
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2014	6,426,083		4.82	5.64	—
Exercisable at December 31, 2014	4,416,231		6.30	4.28	—

The weighted average grant date fair value per share of options granted during fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $0.83, $1.14 and $1.46, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $50, $2 and $15 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

A summary of information about the shares of common stock covered by outstanding and exercisable options at December 31, 2014 follows:



	Stock Options Outstanding				Stock Options Exercisable
Range of exercise prices	Number of shares	Weighted average remaining contractual life (in years)	Weighted average exercise price per share		Number of shares	Weighted average exercise price per share
$0.55 - 1.29	627,796	8.85	$	1.19	197,338	$	1.24
1.33 - 1.33	1,150,000	8.97	1.33		—	—
1.34-1.64	1,108,193	5.58	1.54		983,855	1.55
1.65 - 2.66	1,622,301	5.68	2.15		1,124,512	2.19
2.72 - 9.77	1,115,402	3.73	7.54		1,069,859	7.60
10.08 - 24.97	1,040,667	2.81	14.85		1,040,667	14.85
	6,664,359	5.75	$	4.70	4,416,231	$	6.30

Expense Information for Employee Stock Option Awards

The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense, related to employee stock option awards, including awards to members of the Board of Directors, of $2,276, $3,122 and $3,779 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. At December 31, 2014, there was approximately $2,283 of pre-tax stock-based compensation expense; net of estimated forfeitures, related to unvested awards not yet recognized which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.39 years.

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company determined the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions for option grants, respectively:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014	2013	2012
Expected dividend yield	—	—	—
Risk-free rate	0.01% - 2.41%	0.71% - 2.05%	0.67% - 1.15%
Expected option term (in years)	0.1-6.1	6.0 - 6.1	5.3 - 5.5
Volatility	84% - 85%	84% - 85%	84% - 87%

The Company determined its volatility assumption based on actual market price fluctuations experienced during its trading history.

The risk-free interest rate used for each grant is equal to the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for instruments with a term similar to the expected life of the related option.

The expected term of the options is based upon evaluation of historical and expected future exercise behavior.

The stock price volatility and expected terms utilized in the calculation involve management's best estimates at that time, both of which impact the fair value of the option calculated under the Black-Scholes methodology and, ultimately, the expense that will be recognized over the life of the option. The accounting standard for stock-based compensation requires that the Company recognize compensation expense for only the portion of options that are expected to vest. Therefore, the Company has estimated expected forfeitures of stock options for the grants valued. In developing a forfeiture rate estimate, the Company considered its historical experience and actual forfeitures for the year. The Company will continue to evaluate its forfeiture rate as compared to the actual number of forfeitures in future periods to determine if adjustments to compensation expense may be required.

Restricted Stock Units

On January 2, 2014, the Company awarded 600,000 restricted stock units to its Chief Executive Officer. These restricted stock units contain both market and performance conditions which are based on the achievement of certain stock price and revenue targets, respectively. The restricted stock units vest in various percentages over three years (subject to certain accelerated and continued vesting events) once the agreed-upon stock price and/or revenue based targets are achieved. To the extent that the market or performance conditions are not met by January 2, 2016, the restricted stock units will be forfeited.

The Company estimated the fair value and derived service period of the awards using a Monte Carlo valuation model. The fair value of the award is $327. The Company is recognizing compensation expense for this award over its requisite service period, which is equal to the cumulative time expected to achieve one of the triggering conditions followed by a three year post-triggering event vesting period. The expense will be amortized for a period up to 4.28 years.

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

The components of profit (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income taxes consist of the following:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Domestic	$	(28,741	)	$	(28,200	)	$	3,502
Foreign	35			51			72
Profit (loss) before taxes	$	(28,706	)	$	(28,149	)	$	3,574

The reported amount of income tax expense for the years differs from the amount that would result from applying domestic federal statutory tax rates to pretax losses primarily because of changes in valuation allowance. Significant components of the Company's net deferred tax assets are as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013
Deferred Tax Assets:
Net operating loss carryforward	$	6,215		$	81,699
Capitalization of research and development expense	$	10,250		$	1,945
Credit carryforwards	$	524		$	8,118
Depreciation	$	2,017		$	2,403
Non-Qualified Stock Options	$	4,484		$	4,437
Other temporary differences	$	1,559		$	1,813
Total deferred tax assets.	$	25,049		$	100,415
Valuation allowance	$	(25,046	)	$	(100,405	)
Net deferred tax assets	$	3		$	10
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
Other temporary differences	$	(3	)	$	(10	)
Net deferred taxes	$	—		$	—

The items accounting for the difference between the income tax benefit computed at the federal statutory rate of 34% and the provision for income taxes were as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
Federal income tax at statutory federal rate	34.0	%	34.0	%	34.0	%
State taxes	7.0	%	3.8	%	7.8	%
Permanent differences	(3.9	)%	(2.1	)%	19.6	%
Tax credits	3.1	%	2.8	%	(10.5	)%
State rate change on deferred balances	0.3	%	(0.4	)%	3.1	%
Expiration of net operating losses and credits	(7.2	)%	(6.3	)%	49.2	%
Impact of Ownership Change	(294.9	)%	0.0	%	0.0	%
Other	(1.7	)%	0.2	%	9.8	%
Change in valuation allowance	263.3	%	(32.0	)%	(113.0	)%
Total	0.00	%	0.00	%	0.00	%

The tax years 2011 through 2014 remain open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject, which are primarily in the U.S. The statute of limitations for net operating losses utilized in future years will remain open beginning in the year of utilization.

The Company's policy is to record estimated interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense. As of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company had no accrued interest or penalties recorded related to uncertain tax positions.

At December 31, 2014, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards (NOLs) for federal, state and international income tax purposes of approximately $13,880, $13,236 and $3,106, respectively. Included in the federal and state net operating loss carryforwards is $548 deduction related to the exercise of stock options. This amount represents an excess tax benefit which will be realized when its results in reduction of cash taxes in accordance with ASC 718. The Company's existing federal and state net operating loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2020 and 2029, respectively. The Company also had available research and development credits for federal and state income tax purposes of approximately $189 and $139, respectively. These federal and state research and development credits will begin to expire in 2034 and 2029, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, the Company also had available investment tax credits for state income tax purposes of $1, which also begin to expire in 2017. Management of the Company has evaluated the positive and negative evidence bearing upon the realizability of its deferred tax assets, which are comprised principally of net operating loss carryforwards and research and development credits. Under the applicable accounting standards, management has considered the Company's history of losses and concluded that it is more likely than not that the Company will not recognize the benefits of federal and state deferred tax assets. Accordingly, a full valuation allowance has been established against the deferred tax assets.

Utilization of the net operating loss and research and development credit carryforwards may be subject to a substantial annual limitation under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 due to ownership change limitations that have occurred previously or that could occur in the future. These ownership changes may limit the amount of net operating loss and research and development credit carryforwards that can be utilized annually to offset future taxable income and tax, respectively. The Company completed an initial evaluation of its ownership changes through December 31, 2014 and to assess whether utilization of the Company's NOL or R&D credit carryforwards would be subject to an annual limitation under Section 382. As a result of the analysis the Company has determined that an ownership change has occurred as August 22, 2014. The resulting limitation is extremely restrictive and the Company has appropriately reduced the net operating loss, credit carryforwards and other deferred tax assets accordingly. To the extent an ownership change occurs in the future, the net operating loss, credit carryforwards and other deferred tax assets may be subject to further limitations.

No additional provision has been made for U.S. income taxes related to the undistributed earnings of the wholly-owned subsidiaries of Metabolix, Inc. or for unrecognized deferred tax liabilities for temporary differences related to investments in subsidiaries as amounts are not significant. A liability could arise if amounts are distributed by such subsidiaries or if such subsidiaries are ultimately disposed.

Employee Benefits	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefits	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Benefits	Employee Benefits The Company maintains a 401(k) savings plan in which substantially all of its regular U.S. employees are eligible to participate. Participants may contribute up to 60% of their annual compensation to the plan, subject to eligibility requirements and annual IRS limitations. The Company's plan provides for a matching contribution in common stock of up to 4.5% of a participant's total compensation dependent upon the level of participant contributions made during the plan year. Pursuant to this plan, the Company issued 350,691, 267,329 and 179,336 shares of common stock during the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and recorded $374, $397 and $408, respectively, of related expense. Company contributions are fully vested upon issuance.

U.S. Department of Energy Grant	12 Months Ended
U.S. Department of Energy Grant	Dec. 31, 2014
Research and Development Arrangement with Federal Government [Abstract]
U.S. Department of Energy Grant	U.S. Department of Energy Grant In 2011, the Company entered into a multi-year $6.0 million grant agreement entitled, Renewable Enhanced Feedstocks for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts, with the U.S. Department of Energy for the development of switchgrass. The Company is using the funds to perform research to enhance the yield of bio-based products, biopower, or fuels made from switchgrass to produce denser biomass and other products that can be further processed to make fuels such as butanol, chemicals such as propylene, and other materials to improve the economic competitiveness of future biorefineries. Continued receipt of grant proceeds is contingent upon the availability of government appropriated funds and the Company's ability to make substantial progress towards meeting the objectives of the award. The Company recognizes revenue from the grant over the term of the agreement as it incurs related research and development costs and provided it meets its prorated cost-sharing obligation of approximately $3.9 million. The Company may elect to retain rights to inventions it conceives or reduces to practice in the performance of work under the award, subject to certain rights of the U.S. Government. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized $1,240, $1,640 and $1,578 in revenue related to this grant, respectively.

Discontinued Operation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Discontinued Operation

The Company decided in 2014 to discontinue its operations in Germany. Based on this strategic shift, in October 2014 the Company sold substantially all of the assets of its wholly-owned German subsidiary, Metabolix GmbH, to AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH (“Akro”), a German manufacturer of engineering plastics compounds for $292, received in October 2014. Akro acquired the Mvera^TM B5010 and B5011 products for compostable film, as well as certain inventory, certain contracts, and the Mvera^TMtrademark. Akro also took over the Metabolix GmbH employees and office space. The purpose of this sale was to simplify the Company's business structure and focus resources on the success of its core biopolymers business based on PHA performance additives. The Company will not have significant involvement in the operations formerly conducted by Metabolix GmbH.

The consolidated financial statements for each of the three years ending December 31, 2014, have been presented to reflect the operations of Metabolix GmbH as a discontinued operation. As of December 31, 2014, the assets of Metabolix GmbH had been sold. Assets of the discontinued operation available for sale at December 31, 2013 of $2,153, primarily consist of commercial inventory and are shown in the Company's consolidated balance sheet under the caption "assets of disposal group classified as held for sale".

The following represents the major items comprising loss from discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Total revenue	$	1,699		$	1,616		$	935
Costs and expenses:
Cost of product revenue	1,559			1,118			396
Research and development	260			325			—
Selling, general and administrative	1,593			2,135			865
Loss from write-down of assets held for sale	888			—			—
Other expense	165			—			—
Total costs and expenses	4,465			3,578			1,261
Net loss	$	(2,766	)	$	(1,962	)	$	(326	)

The Company released $165 of cumulative translation adjustment for its discontinued operations in Germany to loss from discontinued operations in its statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the facts and circumstances leading to the completed or expected disposal, manner and timing of disposal, the gain (loss) recognized in the income statement and the income statement caption that includes that gain (loss), amounts of revenues and pretax profit or loss reported in discontinued operations, the segment in which the disposal group was reported, and the classification (whether sold or classified as held for sale) and carrying value of the assets and liabilities comprising the disposal group. Includes all disposal groups, including those classified as components of the entity (discontinued operations).

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+ Details

Restructuring

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Restructuring

In October 2014, the Company initiated a restructuring of its U.S. organization to reflect its more narrow strategic focus on PHA performance biopolymers and to modify staffing to the level the Company believes necessary to support successful implementation of its current business strategy. The scope of the restructuring also reflected the Company’s decision, consistent with its current business strategy, to suspend work in its chemicals program. The Company recognized $624 of restructuring charges during its fourth fiscal quarter of 2014 related to post-employment termination benefits in accordance with ASC 420-10, Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations, and there were $438 remaining balances accrued for restructuring charges at December 31, 2014, which will be paid out during 2015. The $624 in restructuring charges are reflected as $106 and $518 in research and development and selling, general, and administrative expenses, respectively.

The Company recognized $624 of restructuring charges during the year ended December 31, 2014, as follows:



	Original Charges and Amounts Accrued		Amounts Paid through December 31, 2014		Amounts Accrued at December 31, 2014
Employee severance, benefits and related costs	$	624	$	186	$	438
	$	624	$	186	$	438

Geographic Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Geographic Information

The geographic distribution of the Company's revenues and long-lived assets from continuing operations is summarized as follows:



	U.S.		Canada		Eliminations			Total
Year Ended December 31, 2014
Net revenues to unaffiliated customers	$	2,668	$	132	$	—		$	2,800
Inter-geographic revenues	—		744		(744		)	—
Net revenues	$	2,668	$	876	$	(744	)	$	2,800
Identifiable long-lived assets	$	441	$	15	$	—		$	456
Year Ended December 31, 2013
Net revenues to unaffiliated customers	$	3,505	$	273	$	—		$	3,778
Inter-geographic revenues	—		794		(794		)	—
Net revenues	$	3,505	$	1,067	$	(794	)	$	3,778
Identifiable long-lived assets	$	752	$	41	$	—		$	793
Year Ended December 31, 2012
Net revenues to unaffiliated customers	$	41,201	$	180	$	—		$	41,381
Inter-geographic revenues	—		737		(737		)	—
Net revenues	$	41,201	$	917	$	(737	)	$	41,381
Identifiable long-lived assets	$	1,309	$	49	$	—		$	1,358

Foreign revenue is based on the country in which the Company's subsidiary that earned the revenue is domiciled. During 2014, revenue earned from the Company's REFABB grant with U.S. Department of Energy totaled $1,240 and represented 44% of total revenue for the year. During 2013, revenue earned from the Company’s REFABB grant with the U.S. Department of Energy totaled $1,640, and represented 43% of total revenue. During 2012, the Company recognized revenue from the collaborative arrangement with U.S. based Archer Daniels Midland Company totaling $38,885 and representing 94% of total revenue for the year. The revenue had been previously deferred.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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+ Details

Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)

The following tables summarize the unaudited quarterly financial data for the last two fiscal years.



	Quarter ended
	March 31,			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,
2014
Total revenues	$	613		$	699		$	632		$	856
Loss from continuing operations	(7,491		)	(6,762		)	(6,708		)	(5,807		)
Loss from discontinued operations	(663		)	(473		)	(1,185		)	(445		)
Net loss	$	(8,154	)	$	(7,235	)	$	(7,893	)	$	(6,252	)
Basic and diluted net loss per share
Continuing operations	(0.21		)	(0.19		)	(0.12		)	(0.05		)
Discontinued operation	(0.02		)	(0.02		)	(0.02		)	—
Net loss per share	$	(0.23	)	$	(0.21	)	$	(0.14	)	$	(0.05	)
2013
Total revenues	$	1,251		$	1,152		$	629		$	746
Loss from continuing operations	(6,731		)	(7,348		)	(6,498		)	(7,967		)
Loss from discontinued operations	(32		)	(517		)	(753		)	(660		)
Net loss	$	(6,763	)	$	(7,865	)	$	(7,251	)	$	(8,627	)
Basic and diluted net loss per share
Continuing operations	(0.20		)	(0.22		)	(0.19		)	(0.23		)
Discontinued operation	—			(0.01		)	(0.02		)	(0.02		)
Net loss per share	$	(0.20	)	$	(0.23	)	$	(0.21	)	$	(0.25	)

Revisions were made within the tables above to properly segregate the financial results of the Company’s European operations that were discontinued in 2014, and to correct errors in the amounts previously reported as discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The corrections were related to the quarter ended March 31, 2013 which were included in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 previously reported. The consolidated net loss and net loss per share were not impacted by the corrections. The corrections reduced total revenues from the amounts previously reported for the nine months by $716 and increased the net loss from continuing operations by $225 and decreased net loss from discontinued operations by $225. The corrections also reduced cash flows from continuing operations by $277 and increased cash flows from discontinued operations by $277. The revisions to the consolidated unaudited quarterly financial statements noted above represent errors that are deemed to be immaterial, both individually or in the aggregate, to the previously issued statements.

Full year amounts may not sum due to rounding.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

Use of Estimates

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity date of ninety days or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

Cash Equivalents and Investments

Restricted Cash

Foreign Currency Translation

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Concentration of Credit Risk

Fair Value Measurements

Segment Information

Inventory

Property and Equipment



Asset Description		Estimated Useful Life
Equipment		2.5 - 3 years
Furniture and Fixtures		5
Software		3
Leasehold improvements		Shorter of useful life or term of lease

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Revenue Recognition



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013
Deferred product revenue	$	57	$	537
Deferred cost of product revenue	$	9	$	476

Research and Development

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses

Intellectual Property Costs

The Company includes all costs associated with the prosecution and maintenance of patents within selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations.

Stock-Based Compensation

Basic and Diluted Net Loss per Share

Shares used to calculate diluted earnings per share for the three years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, are shown below:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Numerator:
Net income (loss)	$	(29,534	)	$	(30,506	)	$	3,630
Denominator:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	61,455,063			34,471,301			34,217,298
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options	—			—			62,481
Dilutive potential common shares	—			—			62,481
Shares used in calculating diluted earnings per share	61,455,063			34,471,301			34,279,779



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014	2013	2012
Options	6,664,359	6,201,429	5,579,042
Restricted stock awards	600,000	—	—
Warrants	—	4,086	4,086
Total	7,264,359	6,205,515	5,583,128

Income Taxes

Recent Accounting Standards Changes

Reclassifications

Certain amounts reported in the prior year financial statements have been reclassified for comparative purposes to conform with the presentation in the current year consolidated financial statements.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of estimated useful life of assets used to compute depreciation using the straight-line method

Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives as follows:



Asset Description		Estimated Useful Life
Equipment		2.5 - 3 years
Furniture and Fixtures		5
Software		3
Leasehold improvements		Shorter of useful life or term of lease

Schedule of deferred product revenue and associated cost of product revenue

As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company's deferred product revenue and associated cost of product revenue are shown below:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013
Deferred product revenue	$	57	$	537
Deferred cost of product revenue	$	9	$	476

Schedule of shares used to calculate diluted earnings per share

Shares used to calculate diluted earnings per share for the three years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, are shown below:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Numerator:
Net income (loss)	$	(29,534	)	$	(30,506	)	$	3,630
Denominator:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	61,455,063			34,471,301			34,217,298
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options	—			—			62,481
Dilutive potential common shares	—			—			62,481
Shares used in calculating diluted earnings per share	61,455,063			34,471,301			34,279,779

Schedule of number of shares of potentially dilutive common stock related to options and warrants that were excluded from the calculation of dilutive shares



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014	2013	2012
Options	6,664,359	6,201,429	5,579,042
Restricted stock awards	600,000	—	—
Warrants	—	4,086	4,086
Total	7,264,359	6,205,515	5,583,128

Inventory (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of the components of the Company's biopolymer inventories

The components of biopolymer inventories of the Company's continuing operations are as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013
Raw materials	$	2	$	208
Finished goods	584		1,713
Total inventory	$	586	$	1,921

Investments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Schedule of investments

Investments consist of the following at December 31, 2013:



	Amortized Cost		Unrealized				Market Value
	Amortized Cost		Gain		(Loss)		Market Value
Short-term investments
Government sponsored enterprises	$	11,510	$	1	$	—	$	11,511
Total	$	11,510	$	1	$	—	$	11,511

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of information about assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis



	Fair value measurements at reporting date using
Description	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)		Balance as of December 31, 2014
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds	$	19,011	$	—	$	—	$	19,011
Total	$	19,011	$	—	$	—	$	19,011



	Fair value measurements at reporting date using
Description	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)		Balance as of December 31, 2013
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds	$	6,332	$	—	$	—	$	6,332
Short-term investments:
Government securities	—		11,511		—		11,511
	$	6,332	$	11,511	$	—	$	17,843

Property and Equipment, Net (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Schedule of components of property and equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following:



	Year ended December 31,
	2014			2013
Equipment	$	4,723		$	4,868
Furniture and fixtures	227			227
Leasehold improvements	1,356			2,652
Software	381			381
Total property and equipment, at cost	6,687			8,128
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(6,231		)	(7,335		)
Property and equipment, net	$	456		$	793

Accrued Expenses (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Schedule of accrued expenses

Accrued expenses consist of the following:



	Year ended December 31,
	2014		2013
Employee compensation and benefits	$	2,621	$	2,595
Commercial manufacturing	77		815
Professional services	564		578
Other	447		904
Total accrued expenses	$	3,709	$	4,892

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of the Company's future minimum payments required under operating leases

At December 31, 2014, the Company's future minimum payments required under operating leases are as follows:



Year ended December 31,	Minimum lease payment
2015	$	1,477
2016	1,419
2017	1,454
2018	1,488
2019 and thereafter	2,087
Total	$	7,925

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Summary of the activity related to the shares of common stock covered by outstanding options under the plans

A summary of the activity related to the shares of common stock covered by outstanding options is as follows:



	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price	Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Balance at December 31, 2013	6,201,429		$5.68
Granted	2,051,925		1.27
Exercised	(250,000	)	1.20
Forfeited	(722,487	)	2.39
Expired	(616,508	)	7.27
Balance at December 31, 2014	6,664,359		4.70	5.75	$—
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2014	6,426,083		4.82	5.64	—
Exercisable at December 31, 2014	4,416,231		6.30	4.28	—

Summary of information about the shares of common stock covered by outstanding and exercisable options under the plans

A summary of information about the shares of common stock covered by outstanding and exercisable options at December 31, 2014 follows:



	Stock Options Outstanding				Stock Options Exercisable
Range of exercise prices	Number of shares	Weighted average remaining contractual life (in years)	Weighted average exercise price per share		Number of shares	Weighted average exercise price per share
$0.55 - 1.29	627,796	8.85	$	1.19	197,338	$	1.24
1.33 - 1.33	1,150,000	8.97	1.33		—	—
1.34-1.64	1,108,193	5.58	1.54		983,855	1.55
1.65 - 2.66	1,622,301	5.68	2.15		1,124,512	2.19
2.72 - 9.77	1,115,402	3.73	7.54		1,069,859	7.60
10.08 - 24.97	1,040,667	2.81	14.85		1,040,667	14.85
	6,664,359	5.75	$	4.70	4,416,231	$	6.30

Schedule of assumptions used in determining fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing model



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014	2013	2012
Expected dividend yield	—	—	—
Risk-free rate	0.01% - 2.41%	0.71% - 2.05%	0.67% - 1.15%
Expected option term (in years)	0.1-6.1	6.0 - 6.1	5.3 - 5.5
Volatility	84% - 85%	84% - 85%	84% - 87%

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of components of profit (loss) before provision for income taxes

The components of profit (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income taxes consist of the following:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Domestic	$	(28,741	)	$	(28,200	)	$	3,502
Foreign	35			51			72
Profit (loss) before taxes	$	(28,706	)	$	(28,149	)	$	3,574

Schedule of significant components of the Company's net deferred tax asset

Significant components of the Company's net deferred tax assets are as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013
Deferred Tax Assets:
Net operating loss carryforward	$	6,215		$	81,699
Capitalization of research and development expense	$	10,250		$	1,945
Credit carryforwards	$	524		$	8,118
Depreciation	$	2,017		$	2,403
Non-Qualified Stock Options	$	4,484		$	4,437
Other temporary differences	$	1,559		$	1,813
Total deferred tax assets.	$	25,049		$	100,415
Valuation allowance	$	(25,046	)	$	(100,405	)
Net deferred tax assets	$	3		$	10
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
Other temporary differences	$	(3	)	$	(10	)
Net deferred taxes	$	—		$	—

Schedule of items accounting for the difference between the income tax benefit computed at the federal statutory rate and the provision for income taxes

The items accounting for the difference between the income tax benefit computed at the federal statutory rate of 34% and the provision for income taxes were as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
Federal income tax at statutory federal rate	34.0	%	34.0	%	34.0	%
State taxes	7.0	%	3.8	%	7.8	%
Permanent differences	(3.9	)%	(2.1	)%	19.6	%
Tax credits	3.1	%	2.8	%	(10.5	)%
State rate change on deferred balances	0.3	%	(0.4	)%	3.1	%
Expiration of net operating losses and credits	(7.2	)%	(6.3	)%	49.2	%
Impact of Ownership Change	(294.9	)%	0.0	%	0.0	%
Other	(1.7	)%	0.2	%	9.8	%
Change in valuation allowance	263.3	%	(32.0	)%	(113.0	)%
Total	0.00	%	0.00	%	0.00	%

Discontinued Operation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Schedule of discontinued operations

The following represents the major items comprising loss from discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Total revenue	$	1,699		$	1,616		$	935
Costs and expenses:
Cost of product revenue	1,559			1,118			396
Research and development	260			325			—
Selling, general and administrative	1,593			2,135			865
Loss from write-down of assets held for sale	888			—			—
Other expense	165			—			—
Total costs and expenses	4,465			3,578			1,261
Net loss	$	(2,766	)	$	(1,962	)	$	(326	)

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of disposal groups, which may include the gain (loss) recognized in the income statement and the income statement caption that includes that gain (loss), amounts of revenues and pretax profit or loss reported in discontinued operations, the classification and carrying value of the assets and liabilities comprising the disposal group, and the segment in which the disposal group was reported. Also may include the amount of adjustments to amounts previously reported in discontinued operations such as resolution of contingencies arising from the disposal transaction or the operations of the component prior to disposal.

+ References + Details

Restructuring (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Schedule of accrued restructuring charges

The Company recognized $624 of restructuring charges during the year ended December 31, 2014, as follows:



	Original Charges and Amounts Accrued		Amounts Paid through December 31, 2014		Amounts Accrued at December 31, 2014
Employee severance, benefits and related costs	$	624	$	186	$	438
	$	624	$	186	$	438

Geographic Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of the geographic distribution of revenues and long-lived assets from continuing operations

The geographic distribution of the Company's revenues and long-lived assets from continuing operations is summarized as follows:



	U.S.		Canada		Eliminations			Total
Year Ended December 31, 2014
Net revenues to unaffiliated customers	$	2,668	$	132	$	—		$	2,800
Inter-geographic revenues	—		744		(744		)	—
Net revenues	$	2,668	$	876	$	(744	)	$	2,800
Identifiable long-lived assets	$	441	$	15	$	—		$	456
Year Ended December 31, 2013
Net revenues to unaffiliated customers	$	3,505	$	273	$	—		$	3,778
Inter-geographic revenues	—		794		(794		)	—
Net revenues	$	3,505	$	1,067	$	(794	)	$	3,778
Identifiable long-lived assets	$	752	$	41	$	—		$	793
Year Ended December 31, 2012
Net revenues to unaffiliated customers	$	41,201	$	180	$	—		$	41,381
Inter-geographic revenues	—		737		(737		)	—
Net revenues	$	41,201	$	917	$	(737	)	$	41,381
Identifiable long-lived assets	$	1,309	$	49	$	—		$	1,358

Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of unaudited quarterly financial data

The following tables summarize the unaudited quarterly financial data for the last two fiscal years.



	Quarter ended
	March 31,			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,
2014
Total revenues	$	613		$	699		$	632		$	856
Loss from continuing operations	(7,491		)	(6,762		)	(6,708		)	(5,807		)
Loss from discontinued operations	(663		)	(473		)	(1,185		)	(445		)
Net loss	$	(8,154	)	$	(7,235	)	$	(7,893	)	$	(6,252	)
Basic and diluted net loss per share
Continuing operations	(0.21		)	(0.19		)	(0.12		)	(0.05		)
Discontinued operation	(0.02		)	(0.02		)	(0.02		)	—
Net loss per share	$	(0.23	)	$	(0.21	)	$	(0.14	)	$	(0.05	)
2013
Total revenues	$	1,251		$	1,152		$	629		$	746
Loss from continuing operations	(6,731		)	(7,348		)	(6,498		)	(7,967		)
Loss from discontinued operations	(32		)	(517		)	(753		)	(660		)
Net loss	$	(6,763	)	$	(7,865	)	$	(7,251	)	$	(8,627	)
Basic and diluted net loss per share
Continuing operations	(0.20		)	(0.22		)	(0.19		)	(0.23		)
Discontinued operation	—			(0.01		)	(0.02		)	(0.02		)
Net loss per share	$	(0.20	)	$	(0.23	)	$	(0.21	)	$	(0.25	)

Full year amounts may not sum due to rounding.

Nature of Business (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Nature of Business (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 22, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Deferred revenue recognized from the terminated Telles joint venture					$ 38,885
Unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and investments			$ 20,046
Period over which company's present capital resources are not sufficient to fund its planned operations			12 months
Expected cash to be used in the next twelve months			$ 23,000
Capital costs related to manufacturing expansion			1,000
Proceeds from issuance of private placement offering	$ 24,914	$ 25,000	$ 24,914	$ 0	$ 0

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($) customer
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash	$ 619	$ 619
Restricted cash held in connection with the company's corporate credit card program	494
Restricted cash held in connection with the lease agreement for the company's Cambridge, Massachusetts facility	125
Receivables \| Credit risk concentration
Concentration of credit risk
Receivables/Sales (as a percent)		23.00%
Number of customers \| customer		1
Receivables \| Credit risk concentration \| Customer product receivables
Concentration of credit risk
Accounts receivable	$ 37	$ 528
Receivables/Sales (as a percent)	6.00%	44.00%
Receivables \| Credit risk concentration \| Government grants
Concentration of credit risk
Accounts receivable	$ 429	$ 552
Receivables/Sales (as a percent)	74.00%	46.00%
Receivables \| Credit risk concentration \| REFABB grant with the Department of Energy
Concentration of credit risk
Receivables/Sales (as a percent)	63.00%

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2)	12 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2)	Dec. 31, 2014 segment
Segment Information
Number of operating segments	1
Equipment \| Minimum
Property and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	2 years 6 months
Equipment \| Maximum
Property and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	3 years
Furniture and fixtures
Property and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	5 years
Software
Property and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	3 years

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 3) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenue Recognition
Period for which company is having option of accepting returns from customers									60 days
Deferred product revenue	$ 57				$ 537				$ 57	$ 537
Deferred cost of product revenue	9				476				$ 9	476
Basic and Diluted Net Loss per Share
Difference in basic and dilutive loss per share (in dollars per share)									$ 0
Numerator:
Net income (loss)	$ (6,252)	$ (7,893)	$ (7,235)	$ (8,154)	$ (8,627)	$ (7,251)	$ (7,865)	$ (6,763)	$ (29,534)	$ (30,506)	$ 3,630
Denominator:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding									61,455,063	34,471,301	34,217,298
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options (in shares)									0	0	62,481
Dilutive potential common shares									0	0	62,481
Shares used in calculating diluted earnings per share									61,455,063	34,471,301	34,279,779
Antidilutive securities
Antidilutive common stock excluded from the calculation of dilutive shares									7,264,359	6,205,515	5,583,128
Options
Antidilutive securities
Antidilutive common stock excluded from the calculation of dilutive shares									6,664,359	6,201,429	5,579,042
Restricted stock awards
Antidilutive securities
Antidilutive common stock excluded from the calculation of dilutive shares									600,000	0	0
Warrants
Antidilutive securities
Antidilutive common stock excluded from the calculation of dilutive shares									0	4,086	4,086

Significant Collaborations (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			36 Months Ended
Significant Collaborations (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 arrangement
Significant collaboration
Deferred revenue recognized		$ 0	$ 0	$ 38,885
Commercial Alliance Agreement
Significant collaboration
Number of significant collaboration arrangements with Archer Daniels Midland Company \| arrangement					1
Archer Daniels Midland \| Commercial Alliance Agreement \| ADM Polymer
Significant collaboration
Deferred revenue recognized	$ 38,885

Inventory (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Inventory (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Inventory [Line Items]
Raw materials	$ 2	$ 208
Finished goods	584	1,713
Total inventory	586	1,921
Inventory on which revenue not recognized	9	476
Charge related to write-down of inventory	873	746	$ 138
Discontinued operations
Inventory [Line Items]
Charge related to write-down of inventory	888	72
Cost of Product Revenue
Inventory [Line Items]
Impairment charge	$ 873	$ 746

Investments (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Investments
Amortized Cost	$ 11,510
Unrealized Gain	1
Unrealized Loss	0
Market Value	11,511
Short-term investments \| Government sponsored enterprises
Investments
Amortized Cost	11,510
Unrealized Gain	1
Unrealized Loss	0
Market Value	$ 11,511

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair value measurements
Short-term investments	$ 0	$ 11,511
Recurring
Fair value measurements
Assets, fair value	19,011	17,843
Recurring \| Money market funds
Fair value measurements
Cash equivalents	19,011	6,332
Recurring \| Government securities
Fair value measurements
Short-term investments		11,511
Recurring \| Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)
Fair value measurements
Assets, fair value	19,011	6,332
Recurring \| Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) \| Money market funds
Fair value measurements
Cash equivalents	19,011	6,332
Recurring \| Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) \| Government securities
Fair value measurements
Short-term investments		0
Recurring \| Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Fair value measurements
Assets, fair value	0	11,511
Recurring \| Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) \| Money market funds
Fair value measurements
Cash equivalents	0	0
Recurring \| Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) \| Government securities
Fair value measurements
Short-term investments		11,511
Recurring \| Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Fair value measurements
Assets, fair value	0	0
Recurring \| Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) \| Money market funds
Fair value measurements
Cash equivalents	$ 0	0
Recurring \| Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) \| Government securities
Fair value measurements
Short-term investments		$ 0

Property and Equipment, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property and equipment, net
Total property and equipment, at cost	$ 6,687	$ 8,128
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(6,231)	(7,335)
Property and equipment, net	456	793	$ 1,358
Depreciation expense	507	928	$ 1,298
Equipment
Property and equipment, net
Total property and equipment, at cost	4,723	4,868
Furniture and fixtures
Property and equipment, net
Total property and equipment, at cost	227	227
Leasehold improvements
Property and equipment, net
Total property and equipment, at cost	1,356	2,652
Software
Property and equipment, net
Total property and equipment, at cost	$ 381	381
Capitalized leased equipment
Property and equipment, net
Total property and equipment, at cost		$ 0

Accrued Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Employee compensation and benefits	$ 2,621	$ 2,595
Commercial manufacturing	77	815
Professional services	564	578
Other	447	904
Total accrued expenses	$ 3,709	$ 4,892

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Rental payments under operating leases	$ 1,944	$ 1,610	$ 1,794
Future minimum lease payments
2015	1,477
2016	1,419
2017	1,454
2018	1,488
2019 and thereafter	2,087
Total	$ 7,925

Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Related party transactions
Outstanding receivable	$ 112	$ 51
Tepha, Inc.
Related party transactions
License and royalty revenue	425	149	$ 149
Outstanding receivable	$ 112	$ 51

Preferred Stock (Details) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Preferred Stock, Number of Shares, Par Value and Other Disclosures [Abstract]
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, par value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock outstanding (in shares)	0	0

Capital Stock (Details) $ in Thousands			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Capital Stock (Details) $ in Thousands	Oct. 30, 2014 shares	Aug. 22, 2014 USD ($) unit $ / unit shares	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2011 shares
Common Stock Issuances
Proceeds from issuance of private placement offering \| $		$ 24,914	$ 25,000	$ 24,914	$ 0	$ 0
Issuance costs from private placement \| $		$ 86
Number of units purchased \| unit		50,000,000
Unit price (in dollars per share) \| $ / unit		0.50
Common stock, shares issued				135,182,140	34,581,449
Preferred stock, shares issued				0	0
Common stock, shares authorized				250,000,000	100,000,000
Common Stock
Common Stock Issuances
Number of common shares included in each unit		1
Common stock, shares issued	50,000,000	50,000,000		135,182,140	34,581,449	34,306,570	34,115,798
Shares issued for each share converted	1,000	1,000
Common stock, shares authorized	250,000,000
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
Common Stock Issuances
Number of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock shares in each unit for purchase		0.001
Preferred stock, shares issued		50,000
Minimum \| Common Stock
Common Stock Issuances
Common stock, shares authorized		150,000,000

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - Stock options - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 19, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock-based compensation
Expiration period		10 years
Number of Shares
Balance at the beginning of the period (in shares)		6,201,429
Granted (in shares)		2,051,925
Exercised (in shares)		(250,000)
Forfeited (in shares)		(722,487)
Expired (in shares)		(616,508)
Balance at the end of the period (in shares)		6,664,359	6,201,429
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period (in shares)		6,426,083
Options exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)		4,416,231
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Balance at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)		$ 5.68
Granted (in dollars per share)		1.27
Exercised (in dollars per share)		1.20
Forfeited (in dollars per share)		2.39
Expired (in dollars per share)		7.27
Balance at the end of the period (in dollars per share)		4.70	$ 5.68
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period (in dollars per share)		4.82
Options exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share)		$ 6.30
Remaining Contractual Term
Balance at the end of the period		5 years 9 months
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period		5 years 7 months 21 days
Options exercisable at the end of the period		4 years 3 months 11 days
Additional disclosures
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted (in dollars per share)		$ 0.83	$ 1.14	$ 1.46
Total intrinsic value of options exercised		$ 50	$ 2	$ 15
Joseph Shaulson
Stock-based compensation
Expiration period		4 years
Number of Shares
Granted (in shares)	1,150,000
Joseph Shaulson \| Option vesting on 2nd anniversary date
Stock-based compensation
Vesting percentage		25.00%
Joseph Shaulson \| Option vesting on 3rd anniversary date
Stock-based compensation
Vesting percentage		25.00%
Joseph Shaulson \| Option vesting on 4th anniversary date
Stock-based compensation
Vesting percentage		50.00%
Minimum
Stock-based compensation
Vesting period for options granted		2 years
Maximum
Stock-based compensation
Vesting period for options granted		4 years
2005 Plan
Stock-based compensation
Further grants or awards after termination of plan (in shares)		0
Options awarded		1,619,134
Number of Shares
Balance at the end of the period (in shares)		211,614
2006 Plan
Stock-based compensation
Options awarded		8,802,352
Number of Shares
Balance at the end of the period (in shares)		5,285,945
2014 Plan
Stock-based compensation
Options awarded		16,800
Number of Shares
Balance at the end of the period (in shares)		16,800

Stock-Based Compensation (Details 2)	12 Months Ended
Stock-Based Compensation (Details 2)	Dec. 31, 2014 $ / shares shares
Stock Options Outstanding
Number of shares \| shares	6,664,359
Weighted average remaining contractual life	5 years 9 months
Weighted average exercise price per share (in dollars per share)	$ 4.70
Stock Options Exercisable
Number of shares \| shares	4,416,231
Weighted average exercise price per share (in dollars per share)	$ 6.30
$0.55 - 1.29
Stock-based compensation
Exercise price, minimum (in dollars per share)	0.55
Exercise price, maximum (in dollars per share)	$ 1.29
Stock Options Outstanding
Number of shares \| shares	627,796
Weighted average remaining contractual life	8 years 10 months 6 days
Weighted average exercise price per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.19
Stock Options Exercisable
Number of shares \| shares	197,338
Weighted average exercise price per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.24
1.33 - 1.33
Stock-based compensation
Exercise price, minimum (in dollars per share)	1.33
Exercise price, maximum (in dollars per share)	$ 1.33
Stock Options Outstanding
Number of shares \| shares	1,150,000
Weighted average remaining contractual life	8 years 11 months 19 days
Weighted average exercise price per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.33
Stock Options Exercisable
Number of shares \| shares	0
Weighted average exercise price per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00
1.34 - 1.64
Stock-based compensation
Exercise price, minimum (in dollars per share)	1.34
Exercise price, maximum (in dollars per share)	$ 1.64
Stock Options Outstanding
Number of shares \| shares	1,108,193
Weighted average remaining contractual life	5 years 6 months 29 days
Weighted average exercise price per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.54
Stock Options Exercisable
Number of shares \| shares	983,855
Weighted average exercise price per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.55
1.65 - 2.66
Stock-based compensation
Exercise price, minimum (in dollars per share)	1.65
Exercise price, maximum (in dollars per share)	$ 2.66
Stock Options Outstanding
Number of shares \| shares	1,622,301
Weighted average remaining contractual life	5 years 8 months 5 days
Weighted average exercise price per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.15
Stock Options Exercisable
Number of shares \| shares	1,124,512
Weighted average exercise price per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.19
2.72 - 9.77
Stock-based compensation
Exercise price, minimum (in dollars per share)	2.72
Exercise price, maximum (in dollars per share)	$ 9.77
Stock Options Outstanding
Number of shares \| shares	1,115,402
Weighted average remaining contractual life	3 years 8 months 23 days
Weighted average exercise price per share (in dollars per share)	$ 7.54
Stock Options Exercisable
Number of shares \| shares	1,069,859
Weighted average exercise price per share (in dollars per share)	$ 7.60
10.08 - 24.97
Stock-based compensation
Exercise price, minimum (in dollars per share)	10.08
Exercise price, maximum (in dollars per share)	$ 24.97
Stock Options Outstanding
Number of shares \| shares	1,040,667
Weighted average remaining contractual life	2 years 9 months 22 days
Weighted average exercise price per share (in dollars per share)	$ 14.85
Stock Options Exercisable
Number of shares \| shares	1,040,667
Weighted average exercise price per share (in dollars per share)	$ 14.85

Stock-Based Compensation (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 02, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock options
Stock-based compensation
Stock options granted (in shares)		2,051,925
Stock options \| Employee and Director
Stock-based compensation
Stock-based compensation expense		$ 2,276	$ 3,122	$ 3,779
Stock-based compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, related to unvested awards not yet recognized		$ 2,283
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation expense is expected to be recognized		2 years 4 months 21 days
Assumptions used to determine fair value of stock options
Expected dividend yield (as a percent)		0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Risk-free rate, minimum (as a percent)		0.01%	0.71%	0.67%
Risk-free rate, maximum (as a percent)		2.41%	2.05%	1.15%
Volatility, minimum (as a percent)		84.00%	84.00%	84.00%
Volatility, maximum (as a percent)		85.00%	85.00%	87.00%
Stock options \| Minimum
Assumptions used to determine fair value of stock options
Vesting period for options granted		2 years
Stock options \| Minimum \| Employee and Director
Assumptions used to determine fair value of stock options
Expected option term		21 days	6 years	5 years 3 months 18 days
Stock options \| Maximum
Assumptions used to determine fair value of stock options
Vesting period for options granted		4 years
Stock options \| Maximum \| Employee and Director
Assumptions used to determine fair value of stock options
Expected option term		6 years 1 month 6 days	6 years 1 month 6 days	5 years 6 months
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) \| Chief Executive Officer
Assumptions used to determine fair value of stock options
Expected option term	4 years 3 months 11 days
Number of shares awarded during period	600,000
Vesting period for options granted	3 years
Fair value of awards granted during period	$ 327

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Components of profit (loss) before provision for income taxes
Domestic	$ (28,741)	$ (28,200)	$ 3,502
Foreign	35	51	72
Profit (loss) before taxes	(28,706)	(28,149)	$ 3,574
Deferred Tax Assets:
Net operating loss carryforward	6,215	81,699
Capitalization of research and development expense	10,250	1,945
Credit carryforwards	524	8,118
Depreciation	2,017	2,403
Non-Qualified Stock Options	4,484	4,437
Other temporary differences	1,559	1,813
Total deferred tax assets	25,049	100,415
Valuation allowance	(25,046)	(100,405)
Net deferred tax assets	3	10
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
Other temporary differences	(3)	(10)
Net deferred taxes	$ 0	$ 0
Difference between income tax benefit computed at the federal statutory rate and the provision for income taxes
Federal income tax at statutory federal rate (as a percent)	34.00%	34.00%	34.00%
State taxes (as a percent)	7.00%	3.80%	7.80%
Permanent differences (as a percent)	(3.90%)	(2.10%)	19.60%
Tax credits (as a percent)	3.10%	2.80%	(10.50%)
State rate change on deferred balances (as a percent)	0.30%	(0.40%)	3.10%
Expiration of net operating losses and credits (as a percent)	(7.20%)	(6.30%)	49.20%
Impact of Ownership Change (as a percent)	(294.90%)	0.00%	0.00%
Other (as a percent)	(1.70%)	0.20%	9.80%
Change in valuation allowance (as a percent)	263.30%	(32.00%)	(113.00%)
Total (as a percent)	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Unrecognized tax benefits	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Income Taxes (Details 2) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details 2) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Tax credits
Deduction related to the exercise of stock options	$ 548
Additional provision for income taxes related to the undistributed earnings	0
Federal
Tax credits
NOL carryforwards	13,880
Federal \| Research and development
Tax credits
Available tax credits	189
State
Tax credits
NOL carryforwards	13,236
State \| Research and development
Tax credits
Available tax credits	139
State \| Investment
Tax credits
Available tax credits	1
International
Tax credits
NOL carryforwards	$ 3,106

Employee Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Maximum contribution by participants under the 401(k) savings plan (as a percent)	60.00%
Employer's matching contribution in common stock as a percentage of a participant's total compensation	4.50%
Common stock issued under the 401(k) savings plan (in shares)	350,691	267,329	179,336
Related expense for common stock issued under the 401(k) savings plan	$ 374	$ 397	$ 408

U.S. Department of Energy Grant (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Research and Development Arrangement with Federal Government [Abstract]
Multi-year grant agreement amount				$ 6,000
Prorated cost-sharing obligation amount				$ 3,900
Revenue recognized related to the multi-year grant agreement	$ 1,240	$ 1,640	$ 1,578

Discontinued Operation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
Discontinued Operation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash from sale of assets of discontinued operation	$ 0									$ 292	$ 0	$ 0
Assets of discontinued operation available for sale		$ 0				$ 2,153				0	2,153
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Loss from write-down of assets held for sale										888	0	0
Total loss from discontinued operations		$ (445)	$ (1,185)	$ (473)	$ (663)	$ (660)	$ (753)	$ (517)	$ (32)	(2,766)	(1,962)	(326)
Metabolix GmbH [Member]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Total revenue										1,699	1,616	935
Cost of product revenue										1,559	1,118	396
Research and development										260	325	0
Selling, general and administrative										1,593	2,135	865
Loss from write-down of assets held for sale										888	0	0
Other expense										165	0	0
Total costs and expenses										4,465	3,578	1,261
Total loss from discontinued operations										(2,766)	$ (1,962)	$ (326)
Cumulative translation adjustment										$ (165)

Restructuring (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Restructuring (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring charges recognized	$ 624
Restructuring charges accrued	438
Changes in restructuring charges
Original Charges and Amounts Accrued	624
Amounts Paid	186
Amounts Accrued	438
Employee severance, benefits and related costs
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring charges accrued	438
Changes in restructuring charges
Original Charges and Amounts Accrued	624
Amounts Paid	186
Amounts Accrued	438
Research and development expense
Changes in restructuring charges
Original Charges and Amounts Accrued	106
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Changes in restructuring charges
Original Charges and Amounts Accrued	$ 518

Geographic Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
Geographic Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Geographic Information
Net revenues to unaffiliated customers	$ 856	$ 632	$ 699	$ 613	$ 746	$ 629	$ 1,152	$ 1,251	$ 2,800	$ 3,778	$ 41,381
Revenues									2,800	3,778	41,381
Identifiable long-lived assets	456				793				456	793	1,358
U.S.
Geographic Information
Net revenues to unaffiliated customers									2,668	3,505	41,201
Revenues									2,668	3,505	41,201
Identifiable long-lived assets	441				752				441	752	1,309
Canada
Geographic Information
Net revenues to unaffiliated customers									132	273	180
Revenues									876	1,067	917
Identifiable long-lived assets	$ 15				$ 41				15	41	49
Eliminations
Geographic Information
Revenues									(744)	(794)	(737)
Inter-geographic \| Canada
Geographic Information
Revenues									744	794	737
Inter-geographic \| Eliminations
Geographic Information
Revenues									$ (744)	$ (794)	$ (737)

Geographic Information (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Geographic Information (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenue earned
Revenue earned from the REFABB grant		$ 1,807	$ 2,480	$ 1,971
Revenue from termination of ADM collaboration		0	0	$ 38,885
U.S. Department of Energy
Revenue earned
Revenue earned from the REFABB grant		$ 1,240	$ 1,640
Revenues \| U.S. Department of Energy
Revenue earned
Percentage of total revenue		44.00%	43.00%
Revenues \| Archer Daniels Midland
Revenue earned
Percentage of total revenue				94.00%
ADM Polymer \| Commercial Alliance Agreement \| Archer Daniels Midland
Revenue earned
Revenue from termination of ADM collaboration	$ 38,885

Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 856	$ 632	$ 699	$ 613	$ 746	$ 629	$ 1,152	$ 1,251	$ 2,800	$ 3,778	$ 41,381
Loss from continuing operations	(5,807)	(6,708)	(6,762)	(7,491)	(7,967)	(6,498)	(7,348)	(6,731)	(26,829)	(28,540)	3,929
Loss from discontinued operations	(445)	(1,185)	(473)	(663)	(660)	(753)	(517)	(32)	(2,766)	(1,962)	(326)
Net income (loss)	$ (6,252)	$ (7,893)	$ (7,235)	$ (8,154)	$ (8,627)	$ (7,251)	$ (7,865)	$ (6,763)	$ (29,534)	$ (30,506)	$ 3,630
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]
Basic and diluted net loss per share, continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.12)	$ (0.19)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.23)	$ (0.19)	$ (0.22)	$ (0.20)
Basic and diluted net loss per share, discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.00	(0.02)	(0.02)	(0.02)	(0.02)	(0.02)	(0.01)	0.00
Basic and diluted net loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.23)	$ (0.25)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.23)	$ (0.20)

Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 856	$ 632	$ 699	$ 613	$ 746	$ 629	$ 1,152	$ 1,251		$ 2,800	$ 3,778	$ 41,381
Net loss from continuing operations	(5,807)	(6,708)	(6,762)	(7,491)	(7,967)	(6,498)	(7,348)	(6,731)		(26,829)	(28,540)	3,929
Net loss from discontinued operations	$ (445)	$ (1,185)	$ (473)	$ (663)	$ (660)	$ (753)	$ (517)	$ (32)		(2,766)	(1,962)	(326)
Cash flows from continuing operations										$ 12,348	$ (6,874)	$ (6,705)
Correction adjustment
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Total revenues									$ (716)
Net loss from continuing operations									(225)
Net loss from discontinued operations									225
Cash flows from continuing operations									(277)
Cash flows from discontinued operations									$ 277