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DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION - shares	3 Months Ended
DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION - shares	Mar. 31, 2015	May 08, 2015
Document and Entity Information
Entity registrant name	METABOLIX, INC.
Entity central index key	0001121702
Document type	10-Q
Document period end date	Mar. 31, 2015
Amendment flag	false
Current fiscal year end date	--12-31
Entity current reporting status	Yes
Entity filer category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity common stock, shares outstanding		135,540,088
Document fiscal year focus	2015
Document fiscal period focus	Q1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 13,257	$ 20,046
Accounts receivable	174	45
Due from related parties	94	112
Unbilled receivables	558	420
Inventory	571	586
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	774	756
Total current assets	15,428	21,965
Restricted cash	619	619
Property and equipment, net	528	456
Other assets	95	95
Total assets	16,670	23,135
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	288	333
Accrued expenses	2,653	3,709
Deferred revenue	249	147
Total current liabilities	3,190	4,189
Other long-term liabilities	150	150
Total liabilities	3,340	4,339
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 March 31, 2015, 135,353,764 and 135,182,140 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	1,353	1,352
Additional paid-in capital	319,960	319,580
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(68)	(64)
Accumulated deficit	(307,915)	(302,072)
Total stockholders’ equity	13,330	18,796
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 16,670	$ 23,135

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
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 shares issued	50,000	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	50,000	0
Common stock, par value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock shares authorized	250,000,000	250,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	135,353,764	34,581,449
Common stock, shares outstanding	135,353,764	34,581,449

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenue:
Product revenue	$ 72	$ 102
Grant revenue	452	448
License fee and royalty revenue	121	63
Total revenue	645	613
Costs and expenses:
Cost of product revenue	84	166
Research and development	3,925	4,812
Selling, general, and administrative	2,466	3,132
Total costs and expenses	6,475	8,110
Loss from continuing operations	(5,830)	(7,497)
Other income (expense):
Interest income, net	1	5
Other income (expense), net	(14)	1
Total other income (expense), net	(13)	6
Net loss from continuing operations	(5,843)	(7,491)
Discontinued operations:
Loss from discontinued operations	0	(663)
Total loss from discontinued operations	0	(663)
Net loss	$ (5,843)	$ (8,154)
Basic and diluted net loss per share:
Net loss from continuing operations	$ (0.04)	$ (0.21)
Net loss from discontinued operations	0.00	(0.02)
Net loss per share	$ (0.04)	$ (0.23)
Number of shares used in per share calculations:
Basic and diluted (in shares)	135,338,509	34,806,797

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss:	$ (5,843)	$ (8,154)
Other comprehensive loss
Change in unrealized loss on investments	0	(1)
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	(4)	(26)
Total other comprehensive loss	(4)	(27)
Comprehensive loss	$ (5,847)	$ (8,181)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$ (5,843)	$ (8,154)
Loss from discontinued operation	0	(663)
Loss from continuing operations	(5,843)	(7,491)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation	55	191
Charge for 401(k) company common stock match	137	169
Stock-based compensation	313	785
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivables	(129)	551
Due from related party	18	51
Unbilled receivables	(138)	(60)
Inventory	15	189
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(18)	(434)
Accounts payable	(45)	(74)
Accrued expenses	(1,128)	(2,371)
Deferred rent and other long-term liabilities	0	(38)
Deferred revenue	102	101
Net cash used by continuing operations for operating activities	(6,661)	(8,431)
Net cash used by discontinued operations for operating activities	0	(534)
Net cash used in operating activities	(6,661)	(8,965)
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property and equipment	(127)	(100)
Purchase of short-term investments	0	(1,508)
Proceeds from the sale and maturity of short-term investments	0	6,206
Net cash (used by) provided by investing activities	(127)	4,598
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from options exercised	0	300
Net cash provided by financing activities	0	300
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(1)	(25)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(6,789)	(4,092)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	20,046	7,698
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 13,257	$ 3,606

BASIS OF PRESENTATION	3 Months Ended
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	BASIS OF PRESENTATION The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared by Metabolix, Inc. (the “Company”) in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements have been condensed or omitted. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The consolidated financial statements, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair statement of the financial position and results of operations for the interim periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for any future period or the entire fiscal year. These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014, which are contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 25, 2015. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. During 2014, the Company completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of Metabolix GmbH. The consolidated condensed financial statements for the three month period ended March 31, 2014, have been presented to reflect the operations of Metabolix GmbH as a discontinued operation. See Note 13 for additional information. The accompanying condensed 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 for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2015, the Company held unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $13,257. 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. 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 or operating expenses related to the Company's establishment, start-up, and operation of biopolymer 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 condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of these uncertainties.

ACCOUNTING POLICIES	3 Months Ended
ACCOUNTING POLICIES	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
ACCOUNTING POLICIES	ACCOUNTING POLICIES There have been no material changes in accounting policies since the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, as described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year then ended. Principles of Consolidation The Company's 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 condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2014, have been presented to reflect the operations 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. 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. When the Company dissolves, sells or substantially sells all of the assets of a consolidated foreign subsidiary, the cumulative translation gain or loss of that subsidiary is released from comprehensive income (loss) and included within its consolidated statement of operations during the fiscal period when the dissolution or sale occurs. Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents. 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, when purchased, are acquired in accordance with the Company’s investment policy which establishes a concentration limit per issuer. At March 31, 2015, the Company’s cash equivalents are 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 March 31, 2015, the Company’s accounts and unbilled receivables include $656 or 79% from U.S. and Canadian government grants and $37 or 5% from customer product sales. At March 31, 2015, the Company’s Renewable Enhanced Feedstocks for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts ("REFABB") grant from the Department of Energy represented 55% of total receivables. At December 31, 2014, the Company’s worldwide accounts and unbilled receivables include $429 or 74% from government grants and $37 or 6% from customer product sales. At December 31, 2014, the Company’s REFABB grant from the Department of Energy represented 63% of total receivables.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	3 Months Ended
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	Mar. 31, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-8, 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 2014-8 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted. The Company elected early adoption of ASU 2014-8 and applied the new guidance in connection with the discontinuation of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Metabolix GmbH, in 2014. See Note 13, Discontinued Operation. During the quarter ended September 30, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2014-9, 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 an amendment that requires management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards. The amendments in this update provide guidance about 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. In doing so, the amendments should reduce diversity in the timing and content of footnote disclosures. The amendments 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.

- Definition

The entire disclosure of changes in accounting principles, including adoption of new accounting pronouncements, that describes the new methods, amount and effects on financial statement line items.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507316

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Direct Effects of a Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6510796

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28359718&loc=d3e22583-107794

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Indirect Effects of a Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6515603

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28359718&loc=d3e22580-107794

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.10-01.(b)(6))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27015980&loc=d3e46468-122699

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Accounting Change
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6503790

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28359718&loc=d3e22499-107794

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Retrospective Application
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6523989

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6372559&loc=d3e765-108305

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6372559&loc=d3e725-108305

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 01
-Paragraph b
-Subparagraph 6
-Article 10

+ Details

BASIC AND DILUTED NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

BASIC AND DILUTED NET INCOME (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 met the definition of participating securities outstanding at March 31, 2015.

The number of shares of potentially dilutive common stock related to options and restricted stock awards (prior to consideration of the treasury stock method) that were excluded from the calculation of dilutive shares since the inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, are shown below:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015	2014
Options	6,017,891	7,476,840
Restricted stock awards	600,000	593,333
Warrants	—	4,086
Total	6,617,891	8,074,259

INVENTORY

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

INVENTORY

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



	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
Raw materials	$	1	$	2
Finished goods	570		584
Total inventory	$	571	$	586

Included within finished goods at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, are $20 and $9, 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. The Company did not record any inventory impairment charges during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company has certain financial assets recorded at fair value which have been classified as Level 1 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. 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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company did not own any Level 2 or Level 3 financial assets and there were no transfers between classification levels.

The tables below present information about the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value.



	Fair value measurements at reporting date using
	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets		Significant other observable inputs		Significant unobservable inputs		Balance as of
Description	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		March 31, 2015
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds	$	8,012	$	—	$	—	$	8,012
Total	$	8,012	$	—	$	—	$	8,012



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

- 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

ACCRUED EXPENSES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

ACCRUED EXPENSES

Accrued expenses consisted of the following at:



	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
Employee compensation and benefits	$	1,700	$	2,621
Professional services	516		564
Commercial manufacturing	97		77
Other	340		447
Total accrued expenses	$	2,653	$	3,709

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

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

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Employee and Director Stock Options

The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock option awards of $313 and $785 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. At March 31, 2015, there was approximately $1,658 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 2.34 years.

A summary of option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:



	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2014	6,664,359		$	4.70
Granted	7,000		0.38
Exercised	—		—
Forfeited	(5,175	)	1.31
Expired	(1,196,432	)	5.84
Outstanding at March 31, 2015	5,469,752		$	4.45

Options exercisable at March 31, 2015	3,469,060		$	6.15

Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2015			$	0.28

Restricted Stock Units

On January 2, 2014, the Company awarded 600,000 restricted stock units ("RSUs") to its Chief Executive Officer. These RSUs contain both market and performance conditions which are based on the achievement of certain stock price and revenue targets, respectively. The RSUs 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 RSUs will be forfeited. The Company estimated the fair value and derived service period of the awards using a Monte Carlo valuation model. 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.

On April 1, 2015, the Company awarded 1,223,800 RSUs to members of senior management pursuant to elections previously made by the grantees to convert a portion of their 2014 performance bonuses from cash to equity. These RSUs will vest one year from the date of grant, subject to certain conditions. On April 1, 2015, the Company also awarded 5,260,840 long-term incentive RSUs to employees. These RSUs will vest in four equal annual installments beginning one year after the date of grant, subject to certain conditions. The Company will pay required minimum tax withholding associated with each RSU vesting and will withhold from the common stock issuable on vesting of the RSUs a number of shares with an aggregate fair market value equal to the tax withholding amount unless the grantee makes other arrangements for payment of the tax withholding.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	3 Months Ended
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 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. New Contractual Commitments In connection with the Company’s plan to increase pilot production of its PHA biopolymers, during May 2015 the Company entered into a two-year agreement with a U.S. supplier of toll fermentation services and another two-year agreement with the owner/operator of the Company’s pilot recovery facility. Under these service agreements the Company estimates that it will be obligated to pay quarterly fixed service fees of approximately $1,100 after the commencement of full scale production and continuing through at least December 31, 2016. The Company made a $1,000 prepayment against future fixed service fees in May 2015. In addition to these fixed charges, the Company is obligated to pay certain variable production costs as incurred.

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

The geographic distribution of the Company’s revenues and long-lived assets from continuing operations are summarized in the tables below:



	U.S.		Canada		Eliminations			Total
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015:
Net revenues from unaffiliated customers	$	644	$	1	$	—		$	645
Inter-geographic revenues	—		199		(199		)	—
Net revenues	$	644	$	200	$	(199	)	$	645

Three Months Ended March 31, 2014:
Net revenues from unaffiliated customers	$	576	$	37	$	—		$	613
Inter-geographic revenues	—		178		(178		)	—
Net revenues	$	576	$	215	$	(178	)	$	613

Foreign revenue is based on the country in which the Company’s subsidiary that earned the revenue is domiciled. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, revenue earned from the Company’s REFABB grant with the U.S. Department of Energy totaled $330 and $301, respectively, and represented 51% and 49% of total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. There were no product customers comprising 10% or more of the Company’s total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

The geographic distribution of the Company’s long-lived assets is summarized as follows:



	U.S.		Canada		Eliminations		Total
March 31, 2015	$	517	$	11	$	—	$	528
December 31, 2014	$	441	$	15	$	—	$	456

- 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.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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+ Details

INCOME TAXES	3 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are recognized based on temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities using future enacted rates. A valuation allowance is recorded against deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company did not recognize any tax expense or benefit due to its continued net operating loss position. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the realization of favorable tax attributes in future tax returns, the Company has recorded a full valuation allowance against its otherwise recognizable net deferred tax assets. The Company follows the accounting guidance related to income taxes including guidance which addresses accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. This guidance prescribes a threshold for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. It also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures and transitions. The Company had no amounts recorded for any unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014.

RELATED PARTIES	3 Months Ended
RELATED PARTIES	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
RELATED PARTIES	RELATED PARTIES The Company engaged in various transactions with Tepha, Inc., a related party, and recorded $120 and $43 of license and royalty revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had $94 and $112, respectively, of outstanding receivables due from Tepha for royalties.

- 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

DISCONTINUED OPERATION

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

DISCONTINUED OPERATION

The Company decided in 2014 to discontinue its operations in Germany and sold substantially all of the assets of its wholly-owned German subsidiary, Metabolix GmbH, in October 2014. The Company does not expect to have significant ongoing involvement in the operations formerly conducted by Metabolix GmbH. The consolidated financial statements for the three month period ending March 31, 2014, have been presented to reflect the operations of Metabolix GmbH as a discontinued operation. The following represent the major items comprising loss from discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2014
Total revenue	$	456
Costs and expenses:
Cost of product revenue	529
Research and development	88
Selling, general and administrative	502
Total costs and expenses	1,119
Net loss	$	(663	)

- 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).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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+ Details

CAPITAL STOCK	3 Months Ended
CAPITAL STOCK	Mar. 31, 2015
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 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))
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph d
-Article 4

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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+ Details

RESTRUCTURING

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

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 believed necessary to support successful implementation of its current business strategy. The scope of the restructuring also reflected the Company’s decision, consistent with its 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 benefits . During the three months ended March 31, 2015, a $35 adjustment to increase the restructuring charges was recorded. The remaining accrual balance for restructuring charges is $340 at March 31, 2015, which will be paid during the remainder of 2015.



	Original Charges and Amounts Accrued		Adjustments to Charges		Amounts Paid through March 31, 2015			Amounts Accrued at March 31, 2015
Employee severance, benefits and related costs	$	624	$	35	$	(319	)	$	340
	$	624	$	35	$	(319	)	$	340

ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	3 Months Ended
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of consolidation	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 condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2014, have been presented to reflect the operations 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.
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. When the Company dissolves, sells or substantially sells all of the assets of a consolidated foreign subsidiary, the cumulative translation gain or loss of that subsidiary is released from comprehensive income (loss) and included within its consolidated statement of operations during the fiscal period when the dissolution or sale occurs.
Concentration of credit risk	Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents. 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, when purchased, are acquired in accordance with the Company’s investment policy which establishes a concentration limit per issuer. At March 31, 2015, the Company’s cash equivalents are 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 March 31, 2015, the Company’s accounts and unbilled receivables include $656 or 79% from U.S. and Canadian government grants and $37 or 5% from customer product sales. At March 31, 2015, the Company’s Renewable Enhanced Feedstocks for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts ("REFABB") grant from the Department of Energy represented 55% of total receivables. At December 31, 2014, the Company’s worldwide accounts and unbilled receivables include $429 or 74% from government grants and $37 or 6% from customer product sales. At December 31, 2014, the Company’s REFABB grant from the Department of Energy represented 63% of total receivables.

BASIC AND DILUTED NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

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



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015	2014
Options	6,017,891	7,476,840
Restricted stock awards	600,000	593,333
Warrants	—	4,086
Total	6,617,891	8,074,259

INVENTORY (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of the components of the Company's biopolymer inventories



	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
Raw materials	$	1	$	2
Finished goods	570		584
Total inventory	$	571	$	586

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

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
	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets		Significant other observable inputs		Significant unobservable inputs		Balance as of
Description	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		March 31, 2015
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds	$	8,012	$	—	$	—	$	8,012
Total	$	8,012	$	—	$	—	$	8,012



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

ACCRUED EXPENSES (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Schedule of accrued expenses



	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
Employee compensation and benefits	$	1,700	$	2,621
Professional services	516		564
Commercial manufacturing	97		77
Other	340		447
Total accrued expenses	$	2,653	$	3,709

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

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

Summary of option activity

A summary of option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:



	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2014	6,664,359		$	4.70
Granted	7,000		0.38
Exercised	—		—
Forfeited	(5,175	)	1.31
Expired	(1,196,432	)	5.84
Outstanding at March 31, 2015	5,469,752		$	4.45

Options exercisable at March 31, 2015	3,469,060		$	6.15

Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2015			$	0.28

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

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



	U.S.		Canada		Eliminations			Total
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015:
Net revenues from unaffiliated customers	$	644	$	1	$	—		$	645
Inter-geographic revenues	—		199		(199		)	—
Net revenues	$	644	$	200	$	(199	)	$	645

Three Months Ended March 31, 2014:
Net revenues from unaffiliated customers	$	576	$	37	$	—		$	613
Inter-geographic revenues	—		178		(178		)	—
Net revenues	$	576	$	215	$	(178	)	$	613

Schedule of the geographic distribution of long-lived assets



	U.S.		Canada		Eliminations		Total
March 31, 2015	$	517	$	11	$	—	$	528
December 31, 2014	$	441	$	15	$	—	$	456

DISCONTINUED OPERATION (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Schedule of discontinued operations income statement



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2014
Total revenue	$	456
Costs and expenses:
Cost of product revenue	529
Research and development	88
Selling, general and administrative	502
Total costs and expenses	1,119
Net loss	$	(663	)

- 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)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Schedule of accrued restructuring charges

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, a $35 adjustment to increase the restructuring charges was recorded. The remaining accrual balance for restructuring charges is $340 at March 31, 2015, which will be paid during the remainder of 2015.



	Original Charges and Amounts Accrued		Adjustments to Charges		Amounts Paid through March 31, 2015			Amounts Accrued at March 31, 2015
Employee severance, benefits and related costs	$	624	$	35	$	(319	)	$	340
	$	624	$	35	$	(319	)	$	340

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 22, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Cash, period increase (decrease)		$ (6,789)		$ (4,092)
Deferred revenue recognized from the terminated Telles joint venture					$ 38,885
Unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and investments		$ 13,257
Period over which company's present capital resources are not sufficient to fund its planned operations		12 months
Proceeds from issuance of private placement	$ 24,914		$ 25

ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) - Accounts receivable - Credit concentration risk - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
US, Canadian, and German government grants
Concentration of credit risk
Accounts receivable	$ 656
Receivables/Sales (as a percent)	79.00%
Customer product receivables
Concentration of credit risk
Accounts receivable	$ 37		$ 37
Receivables/Sales (as a percent)	5.00%	6.00%
Government grants
Concentration of credit risk
Accounts receivable			$ 429
Receivables/Sales (as a percent)		74.00%
Development of renewable enhanced feedstocks for advanced biofuels and bioproducts department of energy grant
Concentration of credit risk
Receivables/Sales (as a percent)	55.00%	63.00%

BASIC AND DILUTED NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Antidilutive securities
Antidilutive common stock excluded from the calculation of dilutive shares	6,617,891	8,074,259
Options
Antidilutive securities
Antidilutive common stock excluded from the calculation of dilutive shares	6,017,891	7,476,840
Restricted stock awards
Antidilutive securities
Antidilutive common stock excluded from the calculation of dilutive shares	600,000	593,333
Warrants
Antidilutive securities
Antidilutive common stock excluded from the calculation of dilutive shares	0	4,086

INVENTORY (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 1	$ 2
Finished goods	570	584
Total inventory	571	586
Inventory on which revenue not recognized	$ 20	$ 9

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) - Fair Value, measurements, recurring - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair value measurements
Total	$ 8,012	$ 19,011
Money market funds
Fair value measurements
Cash equivalents	8,012	19,011
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
Fair value measurements
Total	8,012	19,011
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets \| Money market funds
Fair value measurements
Cash equivalents	$ 8,012	$ 19,011

ACCRUED EXPENSES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Employee compensation and benefits	$ 1,700	$ 2,621
Professional services	516	564
Commercial manufacturing	97	77
Other	340	447
Total accrued expenses	$ 2,653	$ 3,709

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands			3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2015 $ / shares shares	Jan. 02, 2014 shares	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($) item $ / shares shares	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($)
Employee stock option
Stock-based compensation
Stock-based compensation expense \| $			$ 313		$ 785
Stock-based compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, related to unvested awards not yet recognized \| $			$ 1,658
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation expense is expected to be recognized			2 years 4 months 3 days
Options
Stock Options, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	5,469,752		6,664,359
Granted (in shares)			7,000
Exercised (in shares)			0
Forfeited (in shares)			(5,175)
Expired (in shares)			(1,196,432)
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)			5,469,752
Options exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)			3,469,060
Stock Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 4.45		$ 4.70
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares			0.38
Exercised (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares			0.00
Forfeited (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares			1.31
Expired (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares			5.84
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares			4.45
Options exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares			6.15
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares			$ 0.28
Assumptions used to determine fair value of stock options
Risk-free rate, minimum				0.01%
Risk-free rate, maximum				2.41%
Volatility, minimum				84.00%
Volatility, maximum				85.00%
Restricted stock units (RSUs) \| Executive employees
Stock-based compensation
Restricted stock units granted in period	1,223,800
Restricted stock units (RSUs) \| Chief executive officer
Stock-based compensation
Number of triggering conditions \| item			1
Vesting period		3 years
Restricted stock units granted in period		600,000
Restricted stock units (RSUs) \| Non-executive employees
Stock-based compensation
Restricted stock units granted in period	5,260,840

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - Schedule of distribution of revenues and long-lived assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Geographic Information
Revenue	$ 645	$ 613
U.S.
Geographic Information
Revenue	644	576
Canada
Geographic Information
Revenue	200	215
Operating segments
Geographic Information
Revenue	645	613
Operating segments \| U.S.
Geographic Information
Revenue	644	576
Operating segments \| Canada
Geographic Information
Revenue	1	37
Inter-geographic revenues \| Canada
Geographic Information
Revenue	199	178
Intersegment eliminations
Geographic Information
Revenue	$ (199)	$ (178)

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - Schedule of geographic distribution (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Geographic Information
Long-lived assets	$ 528	$ 456	$ 456
U.S.
Geographic Information
Long-lived assets	517		441
Canada
Geographic Information
Long-lived assets	$ 11		$ 15

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013
Concentration risk
Revenue earned from the REFABB grant	$ 452	$ 448
US Department of energy \| Sales
Concentration risk
Revenue earned from the REFABB grant	$ 330
Concentration risk (as a percent)	51.00%		49.00%
Customer one \| Sales
Concentration risk
Concentration risk (as a percent)	10.00%
Number of customers	0	0

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefits	$ 0	$ 0
Unrecognized tax benefits, income tax penalities and interest accrued		$ 0

RELATED PARTIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
RELATED PARTIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Related party transactions
Due from related parties	$ 94		$ 112
Tepha Inc \| License revenue \| Affiliated entity
Related party transactions
Revenue from related parties	120	$ 43
Due from related parties	$ 94		$ 112

DISCONTINUED OPERATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
DISCONTINUED OPERATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net loss	$ 0	$ (663)
Metabolix GmbH
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Total revenue		456
Cost of product revenue		529
Research and development		88
Selling, general and administrative		502
Total costs and expenses		1,119
Net loss		$ (663)

CAPITAL STOCK (Details) $ in Thousands			3 Months Ended
CAPITAL STOCK (Details) $ in Thousands	Oct. 30, 2014 shares	Aug. 22, 2014 USD ($) item $ / item shares	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015 shares	Mar. 31, 2014 shares
Common Stock Issuances
Proceeds from issuance of private placement \| $		$ 24,914	$ 25
Issuance costs from private placement \| $		$ 86
Number of units purchased \| item		50,000,000
Unit price (in dollars per share) \| $ / item		0.50
Common stock, shares issued				135,353,764	34,581,449
Preferred shares issued				50,000	0
Common stock shares authorized				250,000,000	250,000,000
Restricted stock awards
Common Stock Issuances
Number of series B convertible preferred stock shares in each unit for purchase		0.001
Preferred shares issued		50,000
Common stock conversion ratio for each preferred stock	1,000	1,000
Common stock
Common Stock Issuances
Number of common stock shares included in each unit for purchase		1
Common stock, shares issued	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock shares authorized	250,000,000	150,000,000

RESTRUCTURING (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
RESTRUCTURING (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Original Charges and Amounts Accrued	$ 624
Adjustments to Charges	35
Amounts Paid through March 31, 2015	(319)
Amounts Accrued at March 31, 2015	340	$ 624
Employee severance, benefits and related costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		624,000
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Original Charges and Amounts Accrued	624
Adjustments to Charges	35
Amounts Paid through March 31, 2015	(319)
Amounts Accrued at March 31, 2015	$ 340	$ 624