Amendment Flag
Current Fiscal Year End Date
Document Period End Date
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer
Entity Voluntary Filers
Entity Current Reporting Status
Entity Filer Category
Entity Public Float
Entity Registrant Name
Entity Central Index Key
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding
Document Fiscal Year Focus
Document Fiscal Period Focus
Document Type
Area of facility acquired (in square feet)
Area of land in Lansing, Michigan (in acres)
Award Type [Axis]
Gross Unrealized Gains
Summary of significant accounting policies [Abstract]
Billing Status, Type [Axis]
Accounts receivable
Unbilled accounts receivable
Net receivable from collaboration agreements
Accounts payable
Accounts Payable, Current
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable [Member]
Significant customers and accounts receivable [Abstract]
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Additional paid-in capital
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Expenditures for long-lived assets
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities:
Excess tax benefits from exercises of stock options
Stock-based compensation expense
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition
Entity Controlled by Former Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs [Member]
Affiliated Entity [Member]
All Other [Member]
Total stock-based compensation expense
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense
Antidilutive shares excluded from calculation (in shares)
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain]
Antidilutive Securities [Axis]
Assets held for sale
Total assets
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure
Current assets:
ASSETS
Total current assets
Assets, Current
Total assets
Total assets
Assets
Assets:
Investments
Estimated Fair Market Value
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities, Current
U.S. Treasury securities
Amortized Costs
Summary of Available-for-sale Securities
Gross Unrealized Losses
Billed [Member]
Building Improvements [Member]
Building Improvements [Member]
Buildings, building improvements and leasehold improvements [Member]
Buildings [Member]
Building [Member]
Potential contingent value right payments
Contingent value rights
Purchases of property, plant and equipment unpaid at year end
Unamortized internal use software-cost
Capitalized Software Development Costs for Software Sold to Customers
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
Restricted cash
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease)
Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Variable Interest Entity, Classification [Domain]
Collaborative arrangements [Line Items]
Collaboration Agreements
Collaborative Arrangement Disclosure [Text Block]
Collaborative Arrangements Transactions [Domain]
Collaborative Arrangements [Axis]
Commitments and contingencies
$0.001 Par Value Common Stock [Member]
Common Stock [Member]
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)
Balance (in shares)
Balance (in shares)
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 36,272,550 shares issued and 35,869,392 shares outstanding at December 31, 2012; 36,002,698 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)
Common stock, voting rights
Common stock
401(k) savings plan [Abstract]
Significant components of provision for income taxes attributable to operations [Abstract]
Net deferred tax asset [Abstract]
Comprehensive income
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent
Comprehensive income
Comprehensive income
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Concentration Risk Type [Domain]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain]
Concentration Risk [Table]
Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis]
Concentrations of credit risk
Concentration Risk Type [Axis]
Concentration risk percentage (in hundredths)
Concentration Risk, Percentage
Basis of presentation and consolidation
Construction Loan [Member]
Construction-in-progress [Member]
Contract termination costs [Member]
Contracts and grants revenue
Contracts and grants
Cost of product sales
Cost of Sales [Member]
Credit Facility [Domain]
Credit Facility [Axis]
State
Current
Total current
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
International
Federal
Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Description of variable rate basis
Long-Term Debt [Line Items]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table]
Long-term debt
Debt and Capital Leases Disclosures [Text Block]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Debt covenant compliance
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate
Face amount of debt instrument
Maturity date
Loan agreement maturity date
Payment terms for debt instrument
Periodic payment for accrued interest
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Principal
Effective interest rate at period end (in hundredths)
Interest rate, stated percentage (in hundredths)
Interest rate on loan (in hundredths)
Federal
Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Deferred
Deferred tax liability
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross
Deferred income taxes
Net deferred tax asset
Deferred Tax Assets, Net
Deferred tax assets, net
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Current
Deferred tax asset
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross
State
Deferred State and Local Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Deferred revenue
Deferred revenue, net of current portion
Deferred revenue, current portion
Net operating loss carryforward
Research and development carryforward
Other
Stock compensation
Deferred tax assets, net
Foreign deferred tax assets
Other
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other
Fixed assets
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment
Matching contributions made by employer
Matching of qualified deferrals by employer, maximum (in hundredths)
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense
Member of Board of Directors [Member]
Earnings per share - diluted (in dollars per share)
Earnings per share-diluted (in dollars per share)
Net income (loss) per share, diluted (in dollars per share)
Earnings per share - basic (in dollars per share)
Earnings per share-basic (in dollars per share)
Net income (loss) per share, basic (in dollars per share)
Earnings per share
Earnings Per Share
Earnings per share [Abstract]
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Effective annual tax rate (in hundredths)
Accrued compensation
Employee-related Liabilities, Current
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs, Report Line [Domain]
Equity Component [Domain]
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
Excess Tax Benefit (Tax Deficiency) from Share-based Compensation, Operating Activities
Facility Closing [Member]
Fair Value by Measurement Frequency [Axis]
Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Balance beginning of period
Balance End of period
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value
Settlements
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Settlements
Fair value of measurements
Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Table]
Transfers in/(out) of Level 3
Fair Value, Measurements, Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value measurements [Abstract]
Fair value measurements
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Expense (income) included in earnings
Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Reconciliation of Liabilities Measured at Fair Value Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Expense (income) included in Comprehensive Income
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Foreign currencies
Furniture and equipment [Member]
Furniture and Equipment [Member]
General and Administrative [Member]
General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Goodwill
In-process research and development and goodwill
Goodwill
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Impairment of goodwill
In-process research and development and goodwill [Abstract]
Family Members of Executive Chairman [Member]
Immediate Family Member of Management or Principal Owner [Member]
Impairment of IPR&D assets
Impairment of long-lived assets
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Impairment of in-process research and development
Impairment charges for assets held for sale
Impairment of long-lived assets
Acquired in process research and development
Income Tax Contingency [Table]
International
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Foreign
Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Income Statement Location [Axis]
Income taxes
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]
Income taxes [Abstract]
Federal income tax year selected for audit
Income Tax Authority [Axis]
Income Tax Authority [Axis]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Income Tax Authority [Domain]
Income Tax Authority [Domain]
Income before provision for income taxes
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest
Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Income Statement Location [Domain]
US
Provision for income taxes
Total provision for income taxes
Permanent differences
Federal tax at statutory rates
Income tax reconciliation [Abstract]
Change in valuation allowance
Income Tax Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance
Effect of foreign rates
Income Tax Reconciliation, Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential
Impact of foreign operations
Income tax receivable, net
State taxes, net of federal benefit
Income Tax Reconciliation, State and Local Income Taxes
Income taxes
Cash paid during the year for income taxes
Tax credits
Income Tax Reconciliation, Tax Credits
Other differences
Accounts payable
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Deferred revenue
Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Revenue
Accounts receivable
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Income taxes
Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Receivable
Accrued compensation
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets
Inventories
Increase (Decrease) in Inventories
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Dilutive securities-equity awards (in shares)
Interest costs capitalized
Interest expense
Interest Expense
Interest costs incurred
Capitalized interest
Interest Capitalization, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Cash paid during the year for interest
U.S. Federal Tax Authority [Member]
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Inventories
Finished goods
Inventories
Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]
Raw materials and supplies
Inventories
Total inventories
Inventory, Net
Inventories [Abstract]
Work-in-process
Interest income
Interest revenue
Investment
Investments
Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]
Investments [Abstract]
Long-term Debt, Type [Domain]
Long-term Debt, Type [Axis]
Land and improvements [Member]
Operating lease expiration date
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Leases [Abstract]
Leases
Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block]
Letter of Credit [Member]
Total current liabilities
Liabilities, Current
Total liabilities
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure
Current liabilities:
Total liabilities
Liabilities
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
Liabilities and Equity
Maximum borrowing capacity
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity
Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain]
Lender Name [Axis]
Loan Dated October 2004 [Member]
Loans Payable [Member]
Accounts receivable
Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block]
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
Total long-term indebtedness
Long-term Debt, Total
Fair value of long-term indebtedness
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale by Asset Type [Axis]
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale, Name [Domain]
2015
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three
Fixed interest rate (in hundredths)
2014
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two
2016
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four
2013
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months
2017
Long-term indebtedness [Abstract]
Long-term indebtedness, current portion
Less current portion of long-term indebtedness
Long-term indebtedness, net of current portion
Noncurrent portion of long-term indebtedness
Significant customers and accounts receivable
Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Axis]
Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Domain]
Maximum [Member]
Minimum [Member]
Variable interest entities
Noncontrolling Interest Disclosure [Text Block]
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries
Nature of Error [Domain]
Nature of the business and organization
Nature of Operations [Text Block]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net cash used in investing activities
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
Numerator:
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic [Abstract]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
Net income attributable to Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
Net income attributable to Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
Net income (loss)
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
Recent accounting pronouncements
Total other income (expense)
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Other income (expense):
Number of business segments
Variable interest entities [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interest in Subsidiary [Member]
Open tax year
2017 and beyond
Future minimum lease payments under operating lease
Operating expenses:
Operating loss carryforwards, expiration year
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Table]
Net operating loss carryforwards
Total lease expense
Income from operations
Income (loss) from operations
2014
2013
2012
2015
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
2016
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Total minimum lease payments
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due
Nature of the business and organization [Abstract]
Other
Other Noncash Income (Expense)
Other assets
Other costs [Member]
Foreign currency translations, net of tax
Supplemental information on non-cash investing and financing activities:
Other income (expense), net
Other liabilities
Non-cash development expenses from joint venture
Outstanding Stock Awards [Member]
Purchase of treasury stock
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
Cash portion of the acquisition of the development and manufacturing facility
Acquisition of Trubion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., net of cash acquired
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired
Purchase of investments
Payments to Acquire Available-for-sale Securities, Debt
401(k) savings plan
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]
Plan Name [Domain]
Plan Name [Axis]
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 15,000,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)
Preferred stock
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Reclassification
Repayment of note receivable
Proceeds from collaborators
Restricted cash deposit
Proceeds from maturity of investments
Proceeds from sale of assets
Issuance of common stock subject to exercise of stock options
Net income
Net income
Estimated useful lives
Estimated useful lives
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives
Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain]
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Facility acquired
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment, net
Total Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross
Property, plant and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]
Assets held for sale [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis]
Property, plant and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements, Amount
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]
Nature of Error [Axis]
Quarterly financial data (unaudited)
Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]
Quarterly financial data (unaudited) [Abstract]
Range [Axis]
Range [Domain]
Accounts receivable [Abstract]
Receivables Billing Status [Domain]
Recognition of deferred revenue
Gross unrecognized tax benefits activity [Roll Forward]
Related party transactions
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of net sales of biodefense products subject to payment to related party (in hundredths)
Related Party [Domain]
Costs incurred from services rendered under marketing/consulting agreement
Related party transactions [Abstract]
Related Party [Axis]
Principal payments on long-term indebtedness and line of credit
Repayments of Long-term Debt
Research and development
Research and Development Tax Credit [Member]
Research and Development [Member]
Research and Development Expense [Member]
Research and development
Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash
Inception to date costs incurred
Total incurred
Restructuring, Expected Cost
Restructuring
Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block]
Restructuring Plan [Domain]
Restructuring Type [Axis]
Expenses incurred
Restructuring expenses
Amount paid
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash
Restructuring [Abstract]
Restructuring Plan [Axis]
Summary of activity for liabilities [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Incurred in 2011
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost
Other adjustments
Beginning balance
Ending balance
Restructuring Reserve
Retained earnings
Retained Earnings [Member]
Revenues related to collaborative research funding
Revenue recognition
Revenue related to achievement of a development milestone
Intersegment revenue (expense)
External revenue
Exercisable, beginning of period
Exercisable, end of period
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value
Expected average life of options
Weighted average remaining contractual term of options exercisable
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
Weighted average remaining contractual term of options outstanding
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
Product sales
Total revenues
Revenue
Revenues:
Revenues [Member]
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]
Components of the provision for income taxes attributable to operations
Fair Value Hierarchy for Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Option award activity
Assumptions used in valuing stock options granted
Components of long-term indebtedness
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Table]
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]
Inventories
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]
Reconciliation of taxes determined by applying U.S. federal statutory rate to loss before provision for income taxes
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]
Gross unrecognized tax benefits activity
Restricted stock units activity
Future Minimum Lease Payments under Operating Lease Obligations
Quarterly financial information
Net deferred tax asset
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Summary of basic and diluted net income per share
Schedule of Collaborative Arrangements Transactions [Table]
Schedule of Operating Leased Assets [Table]
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs, by Report Line [Axis]
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table]
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block]
Schedule of Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Table]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table]
Costs of the restructuring
Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table]
Summary of the activity for liabilities related to EPDU restructuring
Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table]
Schedule of Quantifying Prior Year Misstatement Corrected in Current Year Financial Statements [Table]
Segment information
Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment [Table]
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table]
Accounts receivable
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block]
Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table]
Secured Loan with Maryland Economic Development Assistance Fund [Member]
Secured Debt [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment information [Abstract]
Segment information
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]
Segment [Domain]
Segment, Geographical [Domain]
Selling, general and administrative
Selling, General and Administrative Expense
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Aggregate intrinsic value [Abstract]
Restricted stock unit award activity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation expense
Share Repurchase Program [Axis]
Granted (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Forfeited (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period
Outstanding, beginning of period (in dollars per share)
Outstanding, end of period (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Weighted-Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Discount from Market Price, Offering Date
Maximum number of shares that may be granted per year to a single participant (in shares)
Maximum number of shares that may be granted per year to a single participant (in shares)
Risk-free interest rate, maximum (in hundredths)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate, Maximum
Weighted-Average Grant Price [Roll Forward]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)
Outstanding, end of period (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number
Share Repurchase Program [Domain]
Vested (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period
Forfeited (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Granted (in dollars per share)
Granted (in shares)
Risk-free interest rate, minimum (in hundredths)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate, Minimum
Exercised (in dollars per share)
Employee Subscription Rate
Forfeited (in dollars per share)
Expected volatility (in hundredths)
Exercisable, beginning of period (in dollars per share)
Exercisable, end of period (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Expected dividend yield (in hundredths)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate
Vested (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted (in dollars per share)
Total intrinsic value of options exercised
Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Exercisable, beginning of period (in shares)
Exercisable, end of period (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number
Common stock available for future awards (in shares)
Options outstanding [Roll Forward]
Common stock authorized for issuance under the plan (in shares)
Assumptions used in valuing the stock options granted [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]
Granted (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures
Forfeited (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period
Options expected to vest, end of period (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number
Outstanding, beginning of period (in dollars per share)
Outstanding, end of period (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding, beginning of period
Outstanding, end of period
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value
Options expected to vest, end of period
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)
Outstanding, end of period (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number
Award Type [Domain]
Accounting for stock-based compensation
Options expected to vest, end of period (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Summary of significant accounting policies
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]
Software [Member]
Termination benefits [Member]
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Statement [Table]
Statement [Line Items]
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Business Segments [Axis]
Statement, Business Segments [Axis]
Statement, Equity Components [Axis]
Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Geographical [Axis]
Stock repurchased as part of stock swap (in shares)
Issuance of stock for the Trubion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. acquisition (in shares)
Stock Options [Member]
Exercise of stock options
Issuance of stock for the Trubion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. acquisition
Stock repurchased as part of stock swap, value
Employee equity award plans activity (in shares)
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value
Stock repurchased during period, value
Issuance of common stock to acquire Trubion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Employee equity award plans activity
Stock repurchased during period (in shares)
Exercise of stock options (in shares)
Exercised (in shares)
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount
Stockholders' equity:
Total stockholders' equity
Balance
Balance
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Total Emergent BioSolutions Inc. stockholders' equity
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent
Stockholders' equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' equity
Subsequent Events [Text Block]
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Building purchase price
Subsequent Event Type [Domain]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Subsequent Event Type [Axis]
Subsequent Event [Table]
Subsequent Event [Member]
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Tax credit carryforwards, expiration date
Tax Credit Carryforward, Expiration Date
Tax credit carryforward, amount
Tax Credit Carryforward, Name [Domain]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Tax benefit from stock options exercised
Tax Credit Carryforward [Axis]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Table]
Taxes Payable, Current, Total
Taxes Payable, Current
Treasury stock, at cost, 403,158 and 0 common shares at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively
Treasury Stock, Value
Treasury Stock ( in Shares)
Treasury Stock [Member]
Type of Restructuring [Domain]
Unbilled [Member]
Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits
Increases for tax positions for current year
Gross unrecognized tax benefits, beginning balance
Gross unrecognized tax benefits, ending balance
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
Lapse of statue of limitations
Increases for tax positions for prior years
Decreases for tax positions for prior years
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions
Settlements
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increases Resulting from Settlements with Taxing Authorities
Use of estimates
U.S. Treasury securities [Member]
Valuation allowance
Valuation Allowance, Amount
Assets of variable interest entities included in consolidated balance sheet
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets
Net losses of variable interest entities included in consolidated statement of operations
Variable Interest Entity, Measure of Activity, Income or Loss before Tax
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Equity interest in variable interest entity (in hundredths)
Liabilities of variable interest entities included in consolidated balance sheet
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Liabilities
Variable Interest Entities by Classification of Entity [Axis]
Denominator:
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding Reconciliation [Abstract]
Weighted-average number of shares - basic (in shares)
Weighted-average number of shares-basic (in shares)
Weighted-average number of shares - diluted (in shares)
Weighted-average number of shares-diluted (in shares)
United Arab Emirates [Member]
Qatar [Member]
Saudi Arabia [Member]
Carrying amount of purchased research and development assets acquired in a business combination that have an indefinite life until completion or abandonment of the associated research and development efforts.
In-process research and development
In-process research and development assets
Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current portion of liabilities incurred and payable to former shareholders and stock option holders of Trubion Pharmaceuticals for certain developmental, regulatory or commercial milestones.
Contingent Value Rights Current Portion
Contingent value rights, current portion
Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the noncurrent portion of liabilities incurred and payable to former shareholders and stock option holders of Trubion Pharmaceuticals for certain developmental, regulatory or commercial milestones.
Contingent Value Rights Net Of Current Portion
Contingent value rights, net of current portion
Fair value measurement of contingent value rights granted to former shareholders and stock option holders of Trubion Pharmaceuticals for certain developmental, regulatory or commercial milestones.
Provision For Fair Value Of Contingent Value Rights
Change in fair value of contingent value rights
The charge against earnings to reduce the carrying value of accrued interest on a note receivable.
Impairment of Accrued Interest on Note Receivable
Provision for impairment of accrued interest on note receivable
The cash inflow from a contractual arrangement with the lender, including line of credit and long-term indebtednesses, under which borrowings can be made up to a specific amount at any point in time with maturities due beyond one year or the operating cycle, if longer.
Proceeds From Borrowings On Long Term Indebtness And Line Of Credit
Proceeds from borrowings on long-term indebtedness
The cash outflow for contingent value rights.
Contingent value right payment
Contingent value right payment
Increase in noncontrolling interest balance because of non-cash development expenses from joint venture.
Noncontrolling Interest, Non-cash development expenses from joint venture
Non-cash development expenses from joint venture
Disclosure of accounting policy for the risk factors inherent in the entity's business, excluding risks associated with certain significant estimates or concentration risks.
Risks and uncertainties [Policy Text Block]
Certain risks and uncertainties
Restricted Cash [Abstract]
Number of doses of FDA-licensed anthrax vaccine to be supplied under a contract.
Number of doses of FDA-licensed anthrax vaccine to be supplied under contract
Number of doses of BioThrax to be supplied under contract
Period during which the contractual agreement is effective..
Period of contractual agreement
Percentage of total spending in collaboration used to determine the receivable, revenue, payable and expense during period.
Percentage of total spending in collaboration used to determine the receivable, revenue, payable and expense during period
Percentage of total spending in collaboration used to determine the receivable, revenue, payable and expense during period (in hundredths)
Capitalized interest [Abstract]
A share-based compensation plan adopted by the Company in 2006.
Emergent BioSolutions Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
2006 Plan [Member]
A share-based compensation plan adopted by the Company in 2004.
Emergent BioSolutions Employee Stock Option Plan [Member]
2004 Plan [Member]
Refers to the Company's two stock-based employee compensation plans, the Amended and Restated Emergent BioSolutions Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2006 Plan") and the Emergent BioSolutions Employee Stock Option Plan (the "2004 Plan").
Emergent Plans [Member]
Represents the number of stock-based compensation plans the company maintains.
Number of stock based employee compensation plans
Number of stock based employee compensation plans
Represents the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2006 Plan for each restricted stock unit granted.
Restricted stock unit conversion ratio
Restricted stock unit conversion ratio
Minimum exercise price of option as percentage of the fair market value of the shares underlying such option on the date of grant.
Exercise price of option as percentage of fair market value at grant date, minimum
Exercise price of option as percentage of fair market value at grant date, minimum (in hundredths)
The contractual life of awards made under a stock-based employee compensation plan.
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by share Based Payment Award, Contractual life of awards
Contractual life of awards
Represents the period over which options can be exercised from the date of grant.
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by share Based Payment Award, Options, Exercise Period
Exercise period of options, maximum
This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents fund that invests in short-term money-market instruments, for example, but not limited to, commercial paper, banker's acceptances, repurchase agreements, government securities, certificates of deposit, and other highly liquid securities.
Money Market Funds, Fair Value Disclosure
Investment in money market funds
This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents a type of right given to shareholders of an acquired company (or a company facing major restructuring) that ensures they receive additional benefit if a specified event occurs.
Contingent Value Rights, Fair Value Disclosure
Contingent value rights
The fair value amount of a type of right given to shareholders of an acquired company (or a company facing major restructuring) that ensures they receive additional benefit if a specified event occurs.
Fair value of contingent value rights issued
Fair value of CVRs issued
Amount of purchases, sales, and issues in relation to liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (level 3).
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Purchases, Sales, Issues
Purchases, sales and issuances
Net loss from Variable Interest Entities
Net Loss from Variable Interest Entities
Net loss
Amount due from customers or clients, within one year of the balance sheet date (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer), for goods or services (including trade receivables) that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business, reduced to the estimated net realizable fair value by an allowance established by the entity of the amount it deems uncertain of collection.
Accounts Receivable, Current
Accounts receivable
The entire disclosure of long lived assets held for sale. Disclosure may include the description of the facts and circumstances leading to the expected disposal, manner and timing of disposal, the carrying value of the assets held for sale, the gain (loss) recognized in the income statement and the income statement caption that includes that gain (loss).
Assets held for sale [Text Block]
Assets held for sale
The sales price of asset held for sale.
Sales price of asset held for sale
Two buildings in Frederick, Maryland that the Company determined in 2009 would not be placed into service and committed to a plan to sell.
Buildings in Frederick, Maryland [Member]
Number of long lived assets held for sale.
Number of assets held for sale
Number of buildings held for sale
Loan for equipment in Baltimore facility.
Equipment Loan [Member]
A borrowing arrangement which provides the entity constructing a facility and has equipment needs with funds to effect construction, generally on a draw down, or as needed, basis.
Construction and equipment loans [Member]
Debt instruments dated December 2009 with maturities ranging from five to ten years.
Term Loan December 2009 [Member]
Debt instruments under a prior loan arrangement and replaced by a new loan agreement in December 2009 with maturities ranging from five to ten years.
Prior Term Loan Replaced in December 2009 [Member]
Debt instruments with maturities ranging from five to ten years dated November 2009 and repaid in July 2011.
Term Loan November 2009 repaid July 2011 [Member]
Debt instruments with maturities ranging from five to ten years dated November 2009.
Term Loan November 2009 [Member]
Debt instruments dated April 2006 with maturities ranging from five to ten years.
Term loan April 2006 [Member]
Debt instruments dated October 2004 with maturities ranging from five to ten years.
Term Loan October 2004 [Member]
Name of the lender (PNC Financial Services Group) that the entity is entering into a long-term debt arrangement.
PNC Bank [Member]
HSBC Holdings plc (commonly known as HSBC) is a British multinational banking and financial services company headquartered in London, United Kingdom.
H S B C Bank [Member]
HSBC Bank [Member]
The end date for loan advances by a financial institution to an entity, under the loan agreement, in CCYY-MM-DD format.
Loan advances, expiration date
Loan advance expiration date
The amortization period for a debt instrument, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.
Debt Instrument, Amortization Period
Amortization period of debt instrument
Minimum cash and liquid investments balance required in order to be in compliance with the covenant clauses of the debt agreement.
Debt instrument covenant, minimum cash and liquid investments balance
Debt covenant, minimum cash and liquid investments balance
Maximum leverage ration required to be maintained under a debt covenant agreement. A leverage ratio is calculated by dividing the funded debt by earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for the most recent four quarters.
Debt Instrument, covenant, leverage ratio
Debt covenant, leverage ratio, maximum
A debt coverage ration required to be maintained under a debt covenant agreement. The debt coverage ratio is calculated by dividing earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for the most recent four quarters less cash taxes by the sum of current obligations and interest expense for borrowed money, in each case due and payable following four quarters.
Debt Instrument, covenant, debt coverage ratio
Debt covenant, debt coverage ratio
Number of quarters used in calculating debt covenant ratios.
Number of quarters used in calculating debt covenant ratios
A document typically issued by a financial institution which acts as a guarantee of payment to a beneficiary, or as the source of payment for a specific transaction (for example, wiring funds to a foreign exporter if and when specified merchandise is accepted pursuant to the terms of the letter of credit).
Letter of credit
An increase to the required periodic payments including both interest and principal payments.
Debt instrument periodic payment increase
The fee, expressed as a percentage, accessed in order to maintain letter of credit regardless of whether the facility has been used.
Annual letter of credit maintenance fee
Annual letter of credit maintenance fee (in hundredths)
Minimum project costs that are required to be expended for a loan to be forgiven prior to December 2009.
Minimum project costs required to be expended for loan to be forgiven
Minimum project costs required to be expended for loan to be forgiven
Treasury Stock [Abstract]
Represents the Company's 2012 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
The intrinsic value of non vested awards on equity-based plans excluding option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, revenue or profit achievement stock award plan) for which the employer is contingently obligated to issue equity instruments or transfer assets to an employee who has not yet satisfied service or performance criteria necessary to gain title to proceeds from the sale of the award or underlying shares or units.
Share Based Compensation Arrangement, Equity Instruments other than Options, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic value
Outstanding, beginning of period
Outstanding, end of period
Fair value of share-based compensation awards vested. Includes options, share units, stock appreciation rights, and restricted stock.
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Awards Vested in Period, Fair Value
Total fair value of awards vested
Segment of the Company which develops, manufactures and commercializes vaccines and antibody therapies for use against biological agents that are potential weapons of bioterrorism or biowarfare.
Biodefense [Member]
Number of business units under the entities reporting segments.
Number of business units
Period of a change in the nature or conduct of the business following a change in ownership, which changes the life of operating loss carryforwards.
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Period of Change in Nature and Conduct of Business for Changing Life of Operating Loss Carryforwards
Period of change in the nature or conduct of business following change in ownership
Represents immaterial errors in prior period financial statements that were corrected in the current fiscal period.
Cash flow presentation of the excess tax benefit attributable to exercise of stock options and restricted stock units [Member]
The gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits pertaining to uncertain tax positions taken in tax returns, and classified as a current liability as of the balance sheet date.
Unrecognized tax benefits, current
The gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits pertaining to uncertain tax positions taken in tax returns, and classified as a non-current liability as of the balance sheet date.
Unrecognized tax benefits, noncurrent
Amount of unrecognized tax benefits pertaining to uncertain tax positions taken in tax returns as of the balance sheet date, which is expected to be reversed within next twelve months.
Unrecognized tax benefits, amount expected to be reversed within next twelve months
Estimated unrecognized tax benefits expected to be reversed within next twelve months
Percentage of the employee's gross salary that is subject to employer's matching contribution.
Defined Contribution Plan, Percentage of Employee Gross Salary Subject to Employer Matching
Percentage of employee's gross salary subject to employer's matching contribution (in hundredths)
Represents the purchase of an office building.
Office Building Purchase [Member]
Stock Repurchase Plan of 2012.
Stock Repurchase Plan of 2012 [Member]
Represents a Variable Interest Entity in which the company is primary beneficiary. A collaborative arrangement with the University of Oxford ("Oxford") and certain University of Oxford researchers to conduct clinical trials in the advancement of a vaccine product candidate for tuberculosis, resulting in the formation of the Oxford-Emergent Tuberculosis Consortium ("OETC").
Oxford-Emergent Tuberculosis Consortium [Member]
Represents a Variable Interest Entity in which the company is primary beneficiary. A collaboration with Temasek Life Sciences Ventures Pte Limited to advance the development of monoclonal products for worldwide prophylaxis or treatment of infection caused by existing or anticipated future pandemic influenza strains via a hemagglutinin-based medical countermeasure, resulting in the formation of EPIC Bio Pte Limited ("EPIC").
EPIC Bio Pte Ltd [Member]
Maximum loan capacity under the loan facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.
Loan, Maximum Loan Facility
Maximum loan capacity
Maximum loan capacity at discretion of lender under the loan facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.
Loan, Maximum Loan Facility, At Discretion of Lender
Maximum loan capacity at discretion of Company
OETC loan draw down
OETC Loan
Minimum amount of net proceeds from the closing of a debt or equity financing for the principal and interest on a loan to become due and payable.
Minimum net proceeds from closing of debt or equity financing for loan to become due
Minimum net proceeds from closing of debt or equity financing for loan to become due
Collaboration Agreements [Abstract]
A specific collaborative product arrangement with Abbott Laboratories.
Abbott Laboratories TRU016 [Member]
A specific collaborative product arrangement with Pfizer Inc.
Pfizer CD20 [Member]
The period over which the collaborative arrangement remains in effect after first commercial sale of any product licensed.
Collaborative arrangement, term after first commercial sale of any product licensed
Term of collaborative arrangement after first commercial sale of any product licensed
Represents the period of a prior written notice required for a termination without cause by the counterparty to a collaborative arrangement.
Collaborative arrangement, period of prior written notice required for termination without cause
Period of prior written notice required for termination without cause
Initial service period over which a party is obligated to provide service under a collaborative arrangement.
Collaborative arrangement, initial service period
Initial service period
Represents the number of optional service periods that may be exercised by the counterparty under a collaborative arrangement.
Collaborative arrangement, number of optional service periods
Number of optional service periods
Represents an optional service period over which a party is obligated to provide service under a collaborative arrangement.
Collaborative arrangement, optional service period
Optional service period
Maximum amount of consideration to be received from the achievement of clinical and development milestones under the collaborative agreements.
Maximum payments to be received for achievement of specified clinical and development milestones
Maximum payments to be received for achievement of specified clinical and development milestones
Maximum amount of payments to be received from collaborators for the regulatory filings and approvals.
Maximum payments to be received for regulatory filings and approvals
Maximum payments to be received for regulatory filings and approvals
Maximum amount of consideration to be received from the achievement of sales milestones under the collaborative agreements.
Maximum payments to be received for achievement of sales milestones
Maximum payments to be received for achievement of sales milestones
Segment of the Company which develops vaccines, antibody therapies and technology platforms for use against infectious diseases, oncology, autoimmune and inflammatory disorders and other medical conditions that have resulted in significant unmet or underserved public health needs.
Biosciences [Member]
A plan adopted by the Company in November 2010 to restructure and reprioritize the operations of Emergent Product Development UK Limited ("EPDU").
EPDU Restructuring Plan [Member]
EPDU Restructuring Plan [Member]
Facility held for productive use including, but not limited to, office, production, storage and distribution facilities in Wokingham, England.
Office space - Wokingham, England [Member]
Office space - England [Member]
Facility held for productive use including, but not limited to, office, production, storage and distribution facilities in Munich, Germany.
Office and laboratory space - Munich, Germany [Member]
Office and laboratory space - Germany [Member]
Facility held for productive use including, but not limited to, office, production, storage and distribution facilities in Seattle, Washington.
Office and laboratory space - Seattle, Washington [Member]
Office and laboratory space - Washington [Member]
Facility held for productive use including, but not limited to, office, production, storage and distribution facilities in Rockville, Maryland.
Office and laboratory space - Rockville, Maryland [Member]
Office and laboratory space - Maryland [Member]
This element represents the annual escalation percentage of rent payment in connection with a property under the terms of an agreement classified as an operating lease, excluding contingent rentals and a guarantee by the lessee of the lessor's debt and the lessee's obligation to pay (apart from the rental payments) executory costs such as insurance, maintenance, and taxes.
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Annual Escalation Percentage
Annual escalation percentage (in hundredths)
This element represents the term of renewal option at the end of the initial term under the terms of an agreement classified as an operating lease.
Operating Leases, Term of Renewal Option
Term of renewal option
Business Interruption Insurance Recovery [Abstract]
Business Interruption Insurance Recovery
Business Interruption Insurance Recovery [Text Block]
Revenue received for business interruption insurance recovery.
BusinessInterruptionInsuranceRevenue
The component of income tax expense for the period representing the increase (decrease) in the entity's deferred tax assets and liabilities pertaining to continuing operations before purchase price adjustment.
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) before purchase price adjustment
Total deferred
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Tabular disclosure of the useful life and salvage value of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.
Property, Plant and Equipment Useful Lives Table Text Block [Text Block]
Estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment