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Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]

Business Organization and Basis of Presentation

Description of the Business

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the Company) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative research and development of proprietary drugs to treat gastrointestinal and oncology-based inflammatory disorders.

The Company currently generates revenue primarily from product royalties, development milestone payments, product sales and reimbursements for clinical development activities. The Company expects to continue to incur significant expenses for the next several years as the Company continues its research and development activities, seeks regulatory approvals and additional indications for approved products and other compounds and seeks strategic opportunities for in-licensing non-prostone clinical candidates.

In the United States (U.S.), AMITIZA

(lubiprostone) is marketed for three gastrointestinal indications under the collaboration and license agreement (as amended in October 2014, the North America Takeda Agreement) with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Takeda). These indications are chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults, irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) in adult women and opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adults suffering from chronic non-cancer related pain. Under the North America Takeda Agreement, the Company is primarily responsible for clinical development activities, while Takeda is responsible for commercialization of AMITIZA in the U.S. and Canada. Takeda is required to provide a minimum annual commercial investment during the current term of the North America Takeda Agreement and may reduce the minimum annual commercial investment when a generic equivalent enters the market. In October 2015, Health Canada approved AMITIZA for CIC in adults. In October 2014, the Company and Takeda executed amendments (Takeda Amendment) to the North America Takeda Agreement which, among other things, extended the term of the North America Takeda Agreement beyond December 2020. During the extended term, Takeda and the Company will split the annual net sales revenue of the branded AMITIZA products. In addition, the North America Takeda Agreement was amended to terminate the Company’s right to perform commercialization activities with respect to AMITIZA and Takeda’s obligation to reimburse the Company for such commercialization activities.

In Japan, AMITIZA is marketed under a license, commercialization and supply agreement (the Japan Mylan Agreement) that was transferred to Mylan, Inc. (Mylan) from Abbott Laboratories, Inc. (Abbott), as of February 2015, as part of Mylan’s acquisition of a product portfolio from Abbott. Mylan markets AMITIZA in Japan for chronic constipation (CC) excluding constipation caused by organic diseases. AMITIZA is Japan’s only prescription medicine for CC. The Company did not experience any significant changes in the commercialization of AMITIZA in Japan as a result of the transfer of the Japan Mylan Agreement from Abbott to Mylan.

In the People’s Republic of China, the Company entered into an exclusive license, development, commercialization and supply agreement (the China Gloria Agreement) with Harbin Gloria Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (Gloria), for AMITIZA in May 2015. Under the China Gloria Agreement, Gloria is responsible for all development activities and costs, as well as commercialization and regulatory activities, for AMITIZA in the People’s Republic of China. The Company will be the exclusive supplier of AMITIZA to Gloria at an agreed upon supply price. Upon entering into the China Gloria Agreement, the Company received an upfront payment of $1.0 million. In June 2015, the China Food and Drug Administration accepted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for a pivotal trial of AMITIZA in patients with CIC; as a result the Company received an additional payment of $500,000 from Gloria. In addition to the $1.5 million in payments received and recognized as revenue through June 2015, the Company is eligible to receive an additional payment in the amount of $1.5 million upon the occurrence of a specified regulatory or commercial milestone event.

In October 2014, the Company entered into an exclusive license, development, commercialization and supply agreement (the Global Takeda License Agreement) for lubiprostone with Takeda, through which Takeda has the exclusive rights to further develop and commercialize AMITIZA in all global markets, except the U.S., Canada, Japan and the People’s Republic of China. Takeda became the marketing authorization holder in Switzerland in April 2015 and is expected to become the marketing authorization holder in the United Kingdom (U.K.), Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Spain in the first half of 2016. Takeda will be responsible for all commercialization and regulatory activities in these areas covered by the Global Takeda License Agreement. Takeda currently markets AMITIZA for CIC and OIC in Switzerland, and for CIC in the U.K. The Company filed for the OIC indication in the U.K., but in March 2014 the Company received notification from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) that the application for the OIC indication was not approved and the Company subsequently resubmitted the application for OIC for re-review to the MHRA. The Company currently is awaiting the MHRA’s decision on the OIC indication. In January 2015, the Company successfully completed the European mutual recognition procedure for AMITIZA for the treatment of CIC in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Spain, resulting in marketing authorization approvals.

In June 2015, the Company and Takeda filed a clinical trial application (CTA) for AMITIZA for the treatment of CIC and IBS-C in Russia and, in October 2015, a CTA was filed for AMITIZA for the treatment of CIC, IBS-C and OIC in Mexico. The Company expects to initiate phase 3 registration trials in Russia and Mexico in the first half of 2016.

The Company’s clinical development programs include the following:

Lubiprostone Alternate Formulation

The Company is developing an alternate formulation of lubiprostone, both for adult and pediatric patients who are unable to take capsules and for naso-gastric tube fed patients. Takeda has agreed to fund 100% of the costs, up to a cap, of this alternate formulation work and the Company expects to initiate a phase 3 trial of the alternate formulation of lubiprostone in adults in the second half of 2016.

Lubiprostone for Pediatric Functional Constipation

The phase 3 program required to support an application for marketing approval of lubiprostone for pediatric functional constipation comprises four clinical trials, two of which are currently ongoing and are both testing the soft gelatin capsule formulation of lubiprostone in patients 6 to 17 years of age. The first of the two trials is a pivotal 12-week, randomized, placebo-controlled trial which was initiated in December 2013. The second trial is a follow-on, long-term safety extension trial that was initiated in March 2014. Following the successful completion of the phase 3 trial for the alternative formulation of lubiprostone, as described above, the Company is also planning to initiate two additional trials in its phase 3 program for pediatric functional constipation, which will be in children aged 6 months to less than 6 years testing the alternative formulation. Takeda has agreed to fund 70% of the costs, up to a cap, of this pediatric functional constipation program.

Cobiprostone for Oral Mucositis (OM)

In September 2015, the Company initiated a phase 2a clinical trial of cobiprostone oral spray for the prevention of OM in patients suffering from head and neck cancer receiving concurrent radiation and chemotherapy. In May 2015, the FDA granted Fast Track Designation for cobiprostone for the prevention of OM.

Cobiprostone for Proton Pump Inhibitor-Refractory Non-Erosive Reflux Disease (NERD)/symptomatic Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (sGERD)

In December 2014, the Company initiated a phase 2a program for cobiprostone in NERD/sGERD in patients who have had a non-satisfactory response to proton pump inhibitors. The trial, being conducted in Japan, is currently ongoing.

Unoprostone Isopropyl

In March 2015, the Company announced that it would return all licenses for unoprostone isopropyl to R-Tech Ueno, Ltd. (R-Tech). These licenses had provided the Company with exclusive development and commercialization rights to unoprostone isopropyl globally except for Japan, the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan and Korea, and covered certain indications including the lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, retinitis pigmentosa and geographic atrophy. Effective May 6, 2015, the Company and R-Tech executed a transfer and termination agreement to effectuate the return of the licenses as well as regulatory, commercial and pharmacovigilance information. As a result of this transfer and termination agreement, the Company received a payment of $2.6 million from R-Tech, consisting of $2.0 million for the transfer and assignment of certain rights and assets, and $0.6 million as a reimbursement of an FDA fee.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP) and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed with the SEC on March 9, 2015. The financial information as of September 30, 2015, the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 is unaudited. The year-end condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments or accruals, considered necessary for a fair statement of the results of these interim periods have been included. The results of the Company’s operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for a full fiscal year.

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries: Sucampo AG (SAG) based in Zug, Switzerland, through which the Company conducts certain of its worldwide and European operations; Sucampo Pharma, LLC (SPL) based in Osaka, Japan, through which the Company conducts its Asian operations; Sucampo Pharma Americas LLC (SPA), based in Rockville, Maryland, through which the Company conducts its North American operations; and Sucampo Pharma Europe, Ltd. (SPE), based in Oxford, United Kingdom. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Certain Risks, Concentrations and Uncertainties

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, investments and receivables. The Company places its cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash with highly rated financial institutions and invests its excess cash in highly rated investments. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, approximately $30.6 million, or 22.4%, and $37.0 million, or 33.6%, respectively, of the Company’s cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and investments were issued or insured by the U.S. government or U.S. government agencies. The Company has not experienced any losses on these accounts related to amounts in excess of insured limits.

Revenues from Takeda, an unrelated party, accounted for 66.3% and 62.4% of the Company’s total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and 60.4% and 66.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Revenues from Mylan (formerly Abbott), an unrelated party, accounted for 30.8% and 36.2% of the Company’s total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and 36.7% and 31.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Accounts receivable, unbilled accounts receivable and product royalties receivable from Takeda accounted for 84.1% and 88.5% of the Company’s total accounts receivable, unbilled accounts receivable and product royalties receivable at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

The Company depends significantly upon collaborations with Takeda and Mylan, and its revenues may be impacted if these relationships are disrupted.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments approximate their fair values based on their short maturities, independent valuations or internal assessments. The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, current and non-current investments, receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses. The carrying amounts of the notes payable at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were less than the estimated fair values (see Note 10.) The carrying amounts of the collaboration obligation at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 approximated the fair values. The Company’s debt and collaboration obligation are subject to the fair value disclosure requirements as discussed in Note 5 below, and are classified as Level 2 and Level 3 financial instrument, respectively.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued authoritative guidance which sets forth a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. The guidance was originally scheduled to be effective for annual reporting periods, including interim reporting periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2016, but in July 2015 the FASB voted to defer the effective date to December 15, 2017 for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after that date. Early adoption is permitted, but not before the original effective date of December 15, 2016. Companies may use either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adopt this guidance. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

In April 2015

, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (ASU 2015-03). ASU 2015-03 specifies that debt issuance costs related

to a note shall be reported in the balance sheet as a direct reduction from the face amount of the note. ASU 2015-03 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. ASU 2015-03 will have no effect on the Company’s results of operations or liquidity.

Note 3 - Net Income per Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

Net Income per Share

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the sum of the weighted average class A common shares outstanding. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares and potential dilutive common shares outstanding. Diluted net loss per share, when applicable, is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average common shares outstanding without the impact of potential dilutive common shares outstanding because they would have an anti-dilutive impact on diluted net loss per share.

The computation of net income per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 is shown below:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands, except per share data)	2015		2014		2015		2014

Net income	$	7,236	$	1,480	$	23,220	$	3,846

Basic net income per share:
Weighted average class A common shares outstanding		44,731		43,796		44,576		43,613
Basic net income per share	$	0.16	$	0.03	$	0.52	$	0.09

Diluted net income per share:
Weighted average class A common shares outstanding		44,731		43,796		44,576		43,613
Assumed exercise of stock options under the treasury stock method		1,578		-		1,363		-
Weighted average dilutive shares outstanding		46,309		43,796		45,939		43,613
Diluted net income per share	$	0.16	$	0.03	$	0.51	$	0.09

The following securities were excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share as their effect would be anti-dilutive for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Employee stock options		273		1,759		884		438

Note 4 - Current and Non-Current Investments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Investment [Text Block]

Current and Non-Current Investments

At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, current and non-current available-for-sale investments consisted of the following securities:

	September 30, 2015
(In thousands)	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
Current:
Certificates of deposit	$	8,250	$	-	$	-	$	8,250
Corporate bonds		6,264		-		-		6,264
U.S. commercial paper		7,246		4		-		7,250
U.S. government agencies		14,735		-		-		14,735
U.S. treasury bills and notes		1,523		-		-		1,523
Total	$	38,018	$	4	$	-	$	38,022

Non-current:
Certificates of deposit	$	2,750	$	-	$	-	$	2,750
U.S. government agencies		2,374		-		-		2,374
Total	$	5,124	$	-	$	-	$	5,124

	December 31, 2014
(In thousands)	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Current:
Certificates of deposit	$	2,500	$	-	$	-		$	2,500
Corporate bonds		4,575		-		(3	)		4,572
U.S. commercial paper		11,109		8		-			11,117
U.S. government securities		4,203		1		-			4,204
Total	$	22,387	$	9	$	(3	)	$	22,393

Non-current:
Certificates of deposit	$	5,000	$	-	$	-		$	5,000
Corporate bonds		509		-		(1	)		508
U.S. government agencies		8,047		-		(15	)		8,032
Total	$	13,556	$	-	$	(16	)	$	13,540

Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Text Block]

Fair Value Measurements

The Company performs fair value measurements in accordance with the FASB’s guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures, which defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. A fair value hierarchy is established which requires the Company to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The Company classifies its financial instruments into the following categories based on the three levels of inputs used to measure fair value:

Level 1

: quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2

: inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; or

Level 3

: unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

The Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis, which are subject to the fair value disclosure requirements, are as follows:

	Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
September 30, 2015 (In thousands)	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Certificates of deposit	$	-	$	11,000	$	-	$	11,000
Corporate bonds		-		6,534		-		6,534
Money market funds		518		-		-		518
U.S. commercial paper		-		8,250		-		8,250
U.S. government agencies		-		17,109		-		17,109
U.S. treasury bills and notes		-		1,524		-		1,524
Total assets measured at fair value (a)	$	518	$	44,417	$	-	$	44,935
(a) includes approximatel y $1.8 million of cash equivalents

Notes payable	$	-	$	22,241	$	-	$	22,241

	Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
December 31, 2014 (In thousands)	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Certificates of deposit	$	-	$	8,000	$	-	$	8,000
Corporate bonds		-		10,181		-		10,181
Money market funds		3,111		-		-		3,111
U.S. commercial paper		-		15,092		-		15,092
U.S. government agencies		-		12,686		-		12,686
U.S. government securities		-		14,850		-		14,850
Total assets measured at fair value (b)	$	3,111	$	60,809	$	-	$	63,920
(b) includes approximately $28.0 million of cash equivalents

Notes payable	$	-	$	26,317	$	-	$	26,317

In determining fair value for Level 2 instruments, we apply a market approach using quoted active market prices relevant to the particular instrument under valuation, giving consideration to the credit risk of both the respective counterparty to the contract and the Company. To determine our credit risk we estimated our credit rating by benchmarking the price of outstanding debt to publicly available comparable data from rated companies. Using the estimated rating, our credit risk was quantified by reference to publicly traded debt with a corresponding rating. The estimated fair value of the Company’s notes payable, including the current portion, have been calculated for the Company by a third party based upon rates and terms for similar instruments and are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

Note 6 - Inventory

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]

Inventory

As of September 30, 2015, finished goods inventory consisted of product held under the Global Takeda License Agreement.

Note 7 - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block]

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

Accrued expenses consist of the following as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(In thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Research and development costs	$	3,968	$	2,409
Commercial supplies		-		1,128
Employee compensation		3,073		3,459
Selling and marketing costs		41		163
Legal service fees		1,426		612
Other accrued expenses		1,643		696
Total	$	10,151	$	8,467

Other current liabilities consisted of the following as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(In thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Indirect taxes payable	$	1,963	$	3,075
Other liabilities		618		543
Total	$	2,581	$	3,618

Note 8 - Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Leases

The Company leases office space in the U.S., Switzerland and Japan under operating leases with terms through 2027.

Total future minimum, non-cancelable lease payments under operating leases are as follows:

(In thousands)	September 30, 2015
2015	$	327
2016		1,191
2017		586
2018		889
2019		906
Total minimum lease payments	$	3,899

Rent expense for all operating leases was approximately $482,000 and $343,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $1.1 million and $1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Research and Development Costs

The Company routinely enters into agreements with third-party contract research organizations to oversee clinical research and development studies on an outsourced basis, and to assist in other research and development activities. The Company generally is not contractually obligated to pay the third party if the services or reports are not provided. Total future estimated costs under these agreements as of September 30, 2015 were approximately $5.6 million.

Numab AG Commitment

In September 2011, the Company entered into a Loan Guarantee and Development Agreement (Numab Agreement) with Numab AG (Numab), which extends through September, 2016, to guarantee Numab’s loan with Zurcher Kantonalbank. The Company’s maximum liability under the Numab Agreement is CHF 2.2 million or approximately $2.3 million. As of September 30, 2015, Numab’s outstanding loan balance was CHF 1.5 million or approximately $1.5 million. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had a recorded guarantee liability of $206,000 and $1.0 million, respectively, related to the Numab Agreement.

Note 9 - Related Party Transactions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

9. Related Party Transactions

Supply Agreements with R-Tech Ueno, Ltd.

The Company recorded the following expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 under all of its agreements with R-Tech, including various exclusive supply agreements with R-Tech related to the supply of lubiprostone and cobiprostone:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Clinical supplies	$	106	$	88	$	143	$	254
Other research and development services		258		139		347		170
Commercial supplies		4,860		4,507		18,038		12,133
	$	5,224	$	4,734	$	18,528	$	12,557

The following table summarizes the amounts included in deferred revenue resulting from the deferral of upfront payments relating to the exclusive supply agreements with R-Tech as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(In thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Deferred revenue, current	$	613	$	453
Deferred revenue, non-current		3,566		4,141
Total deferred revenue, R-Tech	$	4,179	$	4,594

The Company recognized approximately $356,000 and $160,000 of revenue relating to its agreements with R-Tech for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $829,000 and $369,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Such revenue was recorded as contract and collaboration revenue in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

The Company recognized a

$2.0 million payment from R-Tech for the transfer and assignment of certain rights and assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Such payment was recorded in other income, net

in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

The Company’s founders, Drs. Ryuji Ueno and Sachiko Kuno, individually or through S&R Technology Holdings, LLC, are no longer controlling stockholders of R-Tech as they completed an underwritten public offering in April 2015 to reduce their ownership in R-Tech to below 50.0%.

Acquisition of R-Tech Ueno, including Stock Purchase Agreement with Founders

On August 26, 2015, the Company entered into a share purchase agreement with Drs. Ryuji Ueno and Sachiko Kuno and S&R Technology Holdings, LLC, to acquire 44% of outstanding R-Tech shares. The total purchase price for these shares was 1,400 Japanese Yen (JPY) per share, or 12 billion JPY in the aggregate, or approximately $100 million.

In August 2015, the Company launched, through its wholly-owned Japanese subsidiary (the Offeror), an all-cash tender offer in Japan to acquire the remaining 56% of the outstanding shares and stock acquisition rights of R-Tech for a total consideration of up to 21 billion JPY, or approximately $175 million. The price offered in the tender offer reflected that R-Tech held approximately $57 million in cash and 2.5 million shares of the Company’s common stock as of the commencement of the tender offer. In connection with the Tender Offer, on August 26, 2015, the Company entered into a Strategic Alliance Agreement (the Alliance Agreement) by and among the Company, the Offeror, and R-Tech. The Alliance Agreement sets forth the conditions to the obligation of the Offeror to commence the Tender Offer and includes a number of covenants on behalf of R-Tech related to the support of the Tender Offer and the conduct of R-Tech’s business during the tender offer and squeeze-out periods. In addition to the foregoing, the Alliance Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants made by the Offeror and R-Tech. The Offeror or R-Tech are permitted in limited circumstances to terminate the Alliance Agreement upon a breach of the agreement by the other party.

On October 20, 2015, the transactions contemplated by the share purchase agreement were completed, and the tender offer was concluded. As a result of these transactions, the Company acquired approximately 98% of R-Tech’s outstanding shares. The Company intends to acquire the remaining 2% of outstanding shares of R-Tech through a squeeze-out process under Japanese law in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Numab AG

Numab is a related party of the Company as a result of the Company hiring as an executive officer an individual who holds an ownership interest in Numab. Under the terms of the Numab Agreement, the Company provided Numab with collateral and serves as guarantor for Numab on a loan from a third party, Zurcher Kantonalbank (see Note 8 above).

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.

Note 10 - Notes Payable

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Debt Disclosure [Text Block]

10.

Notes Payable

In connection with the Company’s acquisition of SAG in December 2010, the Company issued a subordinated unsecured promissory note to each of the Ueno Trust and the Kuno Trust (the Notes). Effective June 1, 2015, the interest rate on the Notes is 4.42%. Due to changes in LIBOR rates, the Company has estimated the fair value of the notes payable as shown in the table below.

Notes payable at their fair value (see Note 5) and carrying value consist of the following as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

	Fair Value				Carrying Value
(In thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014		September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Promissory notes, Sellers of SAG	$	22,241	$	26,317	$	21,741	$	25,818

Notes payable, current					$	8,411	$	8,240
Notes payable, non-current						13,330		17,578
					$	21,741	$	25,818

As described in Note 17, subsequent to September 30, 2015, the Company entered into a credit facility and incurred additional indebtedness.

Note 11 - Collaboration Obligation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Collaborative Arrangement Disclosure [Text Block]

11.

Collaboration Obligation

Under the Global Takeda License Agreement, the Company received an upfront payment from Takeda of $14.0 million in 2014, of which the Company is obligated to reimburse Takeda or fund the first $6.0 million in development expenses. The obligation as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was $5.6 million and $6.0 million, respectively.

Note 12 - Collaboration and License Agreements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Collaborative and License Arrangement Disclosure [Text Block]

12.

Collaboration and License Agreements

North America Takeda Agreement

The following table summarizes the cash streams and related revenue recognized or deferred under the North America Takeda Agreement for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

(In thousands)	Amount Deferred at December 31, 2014		Cash Received for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015		Revenue Recognized for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015		Change in Accounts Receivable for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015*		Amount Deferred at September 30, 2015
Collaboration revenue:
Up-front payment associated with the Company's obligation to participate in joint committees	$	882	$	-	$	110	$	-	$	772

Research and development revenue:
Reimbursement of research and development expenses	$	-	$	5,112	$	7,468	$	2,356	$	-

Product royalty revenue	$	-	$	50,457	$	51,209	$	752	$	-

Includes billed and unbilled accounts receivable.

Global Takeda License Agreement

Product sales to Takeda under the Global Takeda License Agreement for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were approximately $8,000.

Japan Mylan Agreement

The following table summarizes the cash streams and related revenue recognized or deferred under the Japan Mylan Agreement for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

(In thousands)	Amount Deferred at December 31, 2014		Cash Received for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015		Revenue Recognized for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015		Change in Accounts Receivable for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015		Foreign Currency Effects for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015		Amount Deferred at September 30, 2015
Collaboration revenue:
Up-front payment associated with the Company's obligation to participate in joint committees	$	453	$	-	$	26	$	-	$	3	$	430

Product sales revenue	$	-	$	33,948	$	35,929	$	1,573	$	408	$	-

China Gloria Agreement

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recognized as Collaboration Revenue upfront payments of $1.5 million under the China Gloria Agreement.

Note 13 - Stock Option Plans

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

13.

Stock Option Plans

A summary of the employee stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan) is presented below:

2001 Incentive Plan - Employees	Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Options outstanding, December 31, 2014		113,900		$	10.00		0.93	$	487,492
Options exercised		(76,500	)		10.00
Options outstanding, September 30, 2015		37,400			10.00		0.59		369,138
Options exercisable, September 30, 2015		37,400			10.00		0.59		369,138
Expected to vest, September 30, 2015		-			-		-		-
Outstanding vested and expected to vest, September 30, 2015		37,400			10.00		0.59		369,138

A summary of the non-employee stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 under the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan is presented below:

2001 Incentive Plan - Non-employees	Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Options outstanding, December 31, 2014		255,000		$	5.85		0.25	$	2,149,650
Options exercised		(127,500	)		5.85
Options expired		(127,500	)		5.85
Options outstanding, September 30, 2015		-			-		-		-
Options exercisable, September 30, 2015		-			-		-		-
Expected to vest, September 30, 2015		-			-		-		-
Outstanding vested and expected to vest, September 30, 2015		-			-		-		-

A summary of the employee stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan is presented below:

2006 Incentive Plan	Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Options outstanding, December 31, 2014		4,021,491		$	6.93		8.57	$	29,560,979
Options granted		1,264,534			15.03
Options exercised		(499,621	)		6.64
Options forfeited		(129,254	)		9.23
Options expired		(3,924	)		4.09
Options outstanding, September 30, 2015		4,653,226			9.09		8.27		50,303,366
Options exercisable, September 30, 2015		1,581,088			6.40		6.27		21,298,514
Expected to vest, September 30, 2015		2,119,232			10.44		9.32		20,054,657
Outstanding vested and expected to vest, September 30, 2015		3,701,108			8.71		8.01		41,365,353

The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014 was $15.03 and $7.68, respectively. As of September 30, 2015, approximately $11.3 million of total unrecognized compensation costs, net of estimated forfeitures related to non-vested awards, are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.94 years.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Under the Company’s 2006 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the Company received $36,324 and $9,670 upon the participants’ purchase of 2,502 and 1,566 shares of class A common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $74,414 and $22,896 upon the participants’ purchase of 5,442 and 3,555 shares of class A common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

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.

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

Note 14 - Pension Expense

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]

14.

Pension Expense

Pension expenses relate to defined benefit pension plans for employees at SAG, the Company’s subsidiary in Switzerland (the Swiss Plan). The Swiss Plan is a government-mandated retirement fund that provides employees with a minimum investment return. The net periodic pension cost for the Swiss Plan included the following components for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Service cost	$	41		$	48		$	135		$	144
Interest cost		7			11			21			33
Expected return on assets		(10	)		(8	)		(30	)		(24	)
Amortization of unrecognized net loss		18			4			54			12
Net periodic pension cost	$	56		$	55		$	180		$	165

Note 15 - Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

15.

Income Taxes

For the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded tax provisions of $4.3 million and $2.3 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded tax provisions of $10.9 million and $5.4 million, respectively. The tax provision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 primarily pertained to the mix of pre-tax income generated by the Company’s U.S., Japanese and Swiss subsidiaries and pre-tax income and losses generated by the Company’s U.S., Japanese and Swiss subsidiaries for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Uncertain Tax Positions

The Company had an outstanding income tax liability of approximately $1.5 million, including interest, for uncertain tax positions as of September 30, 2015. The amount represented the aggregate tax effect of differences between tax return positions and the amounts otherwise recognized in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. As of September 30, 2015, $1.5 million is reflected as other liabilities in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The liability for uncertain tax positions as of September 30, 2015 mainly pertained to the Company’s interpretation of nexus in certain states related to revenue sourcing for state income tax purposes. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the liability for income taxes increased by approximately $424,000 and increased approximately $668,000, respectively. These changes in the liability are primarily related to the filing positions taken in various jurisdictions related to income tax nexus.

Note 16 - Segment Reporting

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

16.

Segment Reporting

In the first quarter of 2015, the Company made a number of strategic and operational changes to its business, including re-evaluating and accelerating its pipeline to focus on clinical programs that it believes hold the most promise for patients, the highest likelihood for regulatory approval, and the strongest potential for commercial return. As a result of such changes, the Company combined its reportable geographic segments of Asia, the Americas and Europe into one operating segment: the development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. This change reflects the manner in which information is now being presented internally and used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, to allocate resources and assess performance.

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

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+ Details

Note 17 - Subsequent Event

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Subsequent Events [Text Block]

17.

Subsequent Events

As described in Note 9, subsequent to September 30, 2015, the Company acquired substantially all of the outstanding shares of R-Tech through a private share purchase and a concurrent tender offer. The Company paid approximately $275 million in these transactions. The Company will record the transaction under the acquisition method of accounting, such that the assets and liabilities of R-Tech will be recorded as of October 20, 2015 at their respective fair values and combined with those of the Company. As of the date of this filing, the valuation of the assets and liabilities of R-Tech is not complete. The Company expects this valuation to be finalized before the end of the first quarter of 2016. Related transaction costs incurred through September 30, 2015 are estimated to be approximately $1.1 million.

On October 16, 2015, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (Credit Facility). The Credit Facility provides for term loans in the aggregate principal amount of $250 million (Term Loans) and allows for the incurrence of incremental loans in an amount up to $25 million on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Credit Facility. The Term Loans bear interest, at the Company’s option, at either the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate (as defined in the Credit Facility) plus 7.25% or the Adjusted Base Rate (as defined in the Credit Facility) plus 6.25%. The Adjusted Eurodollar Rate is subject to a 1.00% floor and the Adjusted Base Rate is subject to a 2.00% floor. The Company must repay the Term Loans in installments of $6.25 million on the last business day of each quarter, starting in March 2016 and ending in September 2021 with the balance due in a final installment on October 16, 2021. The Credit Facility also contains a financial covenant that requires the Company to not exceed a maximum total leverage ratio and requires the Company to maintain $25 million in a restricted cash account until at least $35 million of the Term Loans have been repaid or prepaid.

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP) and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed with the SEC on March 9, 2015. The financial information as of September 30, 2015, the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 is unaudited. The year-end condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments or accruals, considered necessary for a fair statement of the results of these interim periods have been included. The results of the Company’s operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for a full fiscal year. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries: Sucampo AG (SAG) based in Zug, Switzerland, through which the Company conducts certain of its worldwide and European operations; Sucampo Pharma, LLC (SPL) based in Osaka, Japan, through which the Company conducts its Asian operations; Sucampo Pharma Americas LLC, (SPA) based in Rockville, Maryland, through which the Company conducts its North American operations; and Sucampo Pharma Europe, Ltd., (SPE) based in Oxford, United Kingdom. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Certain Risks, Concentrations and Uncertainties Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, investments and receivables. The Company places its cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash with highly rated financial institutions and invests its excess cash in highly rated investments. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, approximately $30.6 million, or 22.4%, and $37.0 million, or 33.6%, respectively, of the Company’s cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and investments were issued or insured by the U.S. government or U.S. government agencies. The Company has not experienced any losses on these accounts related to amounts in excess of insured limits. Revenues from Takeda, an unrelated party, accounted for 66.3% and 62.4% of the Company’s total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and 60.4% and 66.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Revenues from Mylan (formerly Abbott), an unrelated party, accounted for 30.8% and 36.2% of the Company’s total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and 36.7% and 31.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Accounts receivable, unbilled accounts receivable and product royalties receivable from Takeda accounted for 84.1% and 88.5% of the Company’s total accounts receivable, unbilled accounts receivable and product royalties receivable at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The Company depends significantly upon collaborations with Takeda and Mylan, and its revenues may be impacted if these relationships are disrupted.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments approximate their fair values based on their short maturities, independent valuations or internal assessments. The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, current and non-current investments, receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses. The carrying amounts of the notes payable at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were less than the estimated fair values (see Note 10.) The carrying amounts of the collaboration obligation at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 approximated the fair values. The Company’s debt and collaboration obligation are subject to the fair value disclosure requirements as discussed in Note 5 below, and are classified as Level 2 and Level 3 financial instrument, respectively.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued authoritative guidance which sets forth a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. The guidance was originally scheduled to be effective for annual reporting periods, including interim reporting periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2016, but in July 2015 the FASB voted to defer the effective date to December 15, 2017 for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after that date. Early adoption is permitted, but not before the original effective date of December 15, 2016. Companies may use either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adopt this guidance. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its results of operations, financial position and cash flows. In April 2015 , the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (ASU 2015-03). ASU 2015-03 specifies that debt issuance costs related to a note shall be reported in the balance sheet as a direct reduction from the face amount of the note. ASU 2015-03 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. ASU 2015-03 will have no effect on the Company’s results of operations or liquidity.

Note 3 - Net Income per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands, except per share data)	2015		2014		2015		2014

Net income	$	7,236	$	1,480	$	23,220	$	3,846

Basic net income per share:
Weighted average class A common shares outstanding		44,731		43,796		44,576		43,613
Basic net income per share	$	0.16	$	0.03	$	0.52	$	0.09

Diluted net income per share:
Weighted average class A common shares outstanding		44,731		43,796		44,576		43,613
Assumed exercise of stock options under the treasury stock method		1,578		-		1,363		-
Weighted average dilutive shares outstanding		46,309		43,796		45,939		43,613
Diluted net income per share	$	0.16	$	0.03	$	0.51	$	0.09

Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Employee stock options		273		1,759		884		438

Note 4 - Current and Non-Current Investments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Available-for-sale Securities [Table Text Block]

	September 30, 2015
(In thousands)	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
Current:
Certificates of deposit	$	8,250	$	-	$	-	$	8,250
Corporate bonds		6,264		-		-		6,264
U.S. commercial paper		7,246		4		-		7,250
U.S. government agencies		14,735		-		-		14,735
U.S. treasury bills and notes		1,523		-		-		1,523
Total	$	38,018	$	4	$	-	$	38,022

Non-current:
Certificates of deposit	$	2,750	$	-	$	-	$	2,750
U.S. government agencies		2,374		-		-		2,374
Total	$	5,124	$	-	$	-	$	5,124

	December 31, 2014
(In thousands)	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Current:
Certificates of deposit	$	2,500	$	-	$	-		$	2,500
Corporate bonds		4,575		-		(3	)		4,572
U.S. commercial paper		11,109		8		-			11,117
U.S. government securities		4,203		1		-			4,204
Total	$	22,387	$	9	$	(3	)	$	22,393

Non-current:
Certificates of deposit	$	5,000	$	-	$	-		$	5,000
Corporate bonds		509		-		(1	)		508
U.S. government agencies		8,047		-		(15	)		8,032
Total	$	13,556	$	-	$	(16	)	$	13,540

Tabular disclosure of available-for-sale securities which includes, but is not limited to, changes in the cost basis and fair value, fair value and gross unrealized gain (loss), fair values by type of security, contractual maturity and classification, amortized cost basis, contracts to acquire securities to be accounted for as available-for-sale, debt maturities, transfers to trading, change in net unrealized holding gain (loss) net of tax, continuous unrealized loss position fair value, aggregate losses qualitative disclosures, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses or other disclosures related to available for sale securities.

Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]

	Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
September 30, 2015 (In thousands)	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Certificates of deposit	$	-	$	11,000	$	-	$	11,000
Corporate bonds		-		6,534		-		6,534
Money market funds		518		-		-		518
U.S. commercial paper		-		8,250		-		8,250
U.S. government agencies		-		17,109		-		17,109
U.S. treasury bills and notes		-		1,524		-		1,524
Total assets measured at fair value (a)	$	518	$	44,417	$	-	$	44,935
(a) includes approximatel y $1.8 million of cash equivalents

Notes payable	$	-	$	22,241	$	-	$	22,241

	Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
December 31, 2014 (In thousands)	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Certificates of deposit	$	-	$	8,000	$	-	$	8,000
Corporate bonds		-		10,181		-		10,181
Money market funds		3,111		-		-		3,111
U.S. commercial paper		-		15,092		-		15,092
U.S. government agencies		-		12,686		-		12,686
U.S. government securities		-		14,850		-		14,850
Total assets measured at fair value (b)	$	3,111	$	60,809	$	-	$	63,920
(b) includes approximately $28.0 million of cash equivalents

Notes payable	$	-	$	26,317	$	-	$	26,317

Note 7 - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]

(In thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Research and development costs	$	3,968	$	2,409
Commercial supplies		-		1,128
Employee compensation		3,073		3,459
Selling and marketing costs		41		163
Legal service fees		1,426		612
Other accrued expenses		1,643		696
Total	$	10,151	$	8,467

Other Current Liabilities [Table Text Block]

(In thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Indirect taxes payable	$	1,963	$	3,075
Other liabilities		618		543
Total	$	2,581	$	3,618

Note 8 - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]

(In thousands)	September 30, 2015
2015	$	327
2016		1,191
2017		586
2018		889
2019		906
Total minimum lease payments	$	3,899

Note 9 - Related Party Transactions (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Agreements with R-Tech [Member]

Deferred Revenue, by Arrangement, Disclosure [Table Text Block]

(In thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Deferred revenue, current	$	613	$	453
Deferred revenue, non-current		3,566		4,141
Total deferred revenue, R-Tech	$	4,179	$	4,594

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Clinical supplies	$	106	$	88	$	143	$	254
Other research and development services		258		139		347		170
Commercial supplies		4,860		4,507		18,038		12,133
	$	5,224	$	4,734	$	18,528	$	12,557

Note 10 - Notes Payable (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]

	Fair Value				Carrying Value
(In thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014		September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Promissory notes, Sellers of SAG	$	22,241	$	26,317	$	21,741	$	25,818

Notes payable, current					$	8,411	$	8,240
Notes payable, non-current						13,330		17,578
					$	21,741	$	25,818

Note 12 - Collaboration and License Agreements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Abbott [Member]

Deferred Revenue, by Arrangement, Disclosure [Table Text Block]

(In thousands)	Amount Deferred at December 31, 2014		Cash Received for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015		Revenue Recognized for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015		Change in Accounts Receivable for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015		Foreign Currency Effects for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015		Amount Deferred at September 30, 2015
Collaboration revenue:
Up-front payment associated with the Company's obligation to participate in joint committees	$	453	$	-	$	26	$	-	$	3	$	430

Product sales revenue	$	-	$	33,948	$	35,929	$	1,573	$	408	$	-

Takeda [Member]

Deferred Revenue, by Arrangement, Disclosure [Table Text Block]

(In thousands)	Amount Deferred at December 31, 2014		Cash Received for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015		Revenue Recognized for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015		Change in Accounts Receivable for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015*		Amount Deferred at September 30, 2015
Collaboration revenue:
Up-front payment associated with the Company's obligation to participate in joint committees	$	882	$	-	$	110	$	-	$	772

Research and development revenue:
Reimbursement of research and development expenses	$	-	$	5,112	$	7,468	$	2,356	$	-

Product royalty revenue	$	-	$	50,457	$	51,209	$	752	$	-

Note 13 - Stock Option Plans (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]

2001 Incentive Plan - Employees	Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Options outstanding, December 31, 2014		113,900		$	10.00		0.93	$	487,492
Options exercised		(76,500	)		10.00
Options outstanding, September 30, 2015		37,400			10.00		0.59		369,138
Options exercisable, September 30, 2015		37,400			10.00		0.59		369,138
Expected to vest, September 30, 2015		-			-		-		-
Outstanding vested and expected to vest, September 30, 2015		37,400			10.00		0.59		369,138

2001 Incentive Plan - Non-employees	Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Options outstanding, December 31, 2014		255,000		$	5.85		0.25	$	2,149,650
Options exercised		(127,500	)		5.85
Options expired		(127,500	)		5.85
Options outstanding, September 30, 2015		-			-		-		-
Options exercisable, September 30, 2015		-			-		-		-
Expected to vest, September 30, 2015		-			-		-		-
Outstanding vested and expected to vest, September 30, 2015		-			-		-		-

2006 Incentive Plan	Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Options outstanding, December 31, 2014		4,021,491		$	6.93		8.57	$	29,560,979
Options granted		1,264,534			15.03
Options exercised		(499,621	)		6.64
Options forfeited		(129,254	)		9.23
Options expired		(3,924	)		4.09
Options outstanding, September 30, 2015		4,653,226			9.09		8.27		50,303,366
Options exercisable, September 30, 2015		1,581,088			6.40		6.27		21,298,514
Expected to vest, September 30, 2015		2,119,232			10.44		9.32		20,054,657
Outstanding vested and expected to vest, September 30, 2015		3,701,108			8.71		8.01		41,365,353

Note 14 - Pension Expense (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Service cost	$	41		$	48		$	135		$	144
Interest cost		7			11			21			33
Expected return on assets		(10	)		(8	)		(30	)		(24	)
Amortization of unrecognized net loss		18			4			54			12
Net periodic pension cost	$	56		$	55		$	180		$	165

Note 1 - Business Organization and Basis of Presentation (Details Textual) - USD ($)		1 Months Ended		2 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	May 06, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	May 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
First Tranche [Member] \| Gloria [Member] \| China Gloria Agreement [Member]
Collaboration Revenue from Upfront Payment			$ 1,000,000
Second Tranche [Member] \| Gloria [Member] \| China Gloria Agreement [Member]
Collaboration Revenue from Upfront Payment		$ 500,000
Gloria [Member] \| China Gloria Agreement [Member]
Collaboration Revenue from Upfront Payment				$ 1,500,000	$ 1,500,000
Takeda [Member] \| Lubiprostone Alternate Formulation [Member]
Additional Reformulation Costs Funded, Percentage					100.00%
Takeda [Member] \| Lubiprostone for Pediatric Functional Constipation [Member]
Additional Reformulation Costs Funded, Percentage					70.00%
R-Tech [Member]
Proceeds from Transfer and Termination Agreement	$ 2,600,000
Proceeds from Transfer and Assignment of Licensing Rights	2,000,000
Proceeds from Reimbursement of FDA Fee	$ 600,000
Proceeds from Transfer and Assignment of Licensing Rights					$ 2,000,000

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Takeda [Member] \| Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member] \| Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	66.30%	62.40%	60.40%	66.70%
Takeda [Member] \| Accounts Receivable [Member] \| Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage			84.10%		88.50%
Mylan [Member] \| Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member] \| Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	30.80%	36.20%	36.70%	31.80%
Cash, FDIC Insured Amount	$ 30.6		$ 30.6		$ 37.0
Percentage of Deposit within Federally Insured Limits	22.40%		22.40%		33.60%

Note 3 - Net Income (Loss) per Share (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Net income	$ 7,236	$ 1,480	$ 23,220	$ 3,846
Basic net income per share:
Basic (in shares)	44,731	43,796	44,576	43,613
Basic net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.16	$ 0.03	$ 0.52	$ 0.09
Diluted net income per share:
Basic (in shares)	44,731	43,796	44,576	43,613
Assumed exercise of stock options under the treasury stock method (in shares)	1,578		1,363
Weighted average dilutive shares outstanding (in shares)	46,309	43,796	45,939	43,613
Diluted net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.16	$ 0.03	$ 0.51	$ 0.09

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

Certificates of Deposit [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Note 3 - Antidilutive Securities (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Employee stock options (in shares)	273	1,759	884	438

Note 4 - Summary of Current and Non-Current Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Certificates of Deposit [Member] \| Current [Member]
Cost	$ 8,250	$ 2,500
Fair Value	8,250	2,500
Certificates of Deposit [Member] \| Non-current [Member]
Cost	2,750	5,000
Fair Value	2,750	5,000
Corporate Bond Securities [Member] \| Current [Member]
Cost	6,264	4,575
Fair Value	6,264	4,572
Unrealized Losses		(3)
Corporate Bond Securities [Member] \| Non-current [Member]
Cost		509
Fair Value		508
Unrealized Losses		(1)
Commercial Paper [Member] \| Current [Member]
Cost	7,246	11,109
Fair Value	7,250	11,117
Unrealized Gains	4	8
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member] \| Current [Member]
Cost	14,735
Fair Value	14,735
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member] \| Non-current [Member]
Cost	2,374	8,047
Fair Value	2,374	8,032
Unrealized Losses		(15)
US Treasury and Government [Member] \| Current [Member]
Cost		4,203
Fair Value		4,204
Unrealized Gains		1
US Treasury Securities [Member] \| Current [Member]
Cost	1,523
Fair Value	1,523
Current [Member]
Cost	38,018	22,387
Fair Value	38,022	22,393
Unrealized Gains	4	9
Unrealized Losses		(3)
Non-current [Member]
Cost	5,124	13,556
Fair Value	$ 5,124	13,540
Unrealized Losses		$ (16)

Note 5 - Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Sep. 30, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Certificates of Deposit [Member]

$ 11,000

$ 8,000

Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

11,000

8,000

Corporate Debt Securities [Member]

6,534

10,181

Money Market Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

6,534

10,181

Money Market Funds [Member]

518

3,111

Commercial Paper [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

518

3,111

Commercial Paper [Member]

8,250

15,092

US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

8,250

15,092

US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member]

17,109

12,686

US Treasury Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

17,109

12,686

US Treasury Securities [Member]

1,524

US Government Corporations and Agencies Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

1,524

US Government Corporations and Agencies Securities [Member]

14,850

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Notes Payable [Member]

14,850

Liabilities measured at fair value

22,241

26,317

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

44,417

^[1]

60,809

^[2]

Liabilities measured at fair value

518

^[1]

3,111

^[2]

Notes Payable [Member]

22,241

26,317

Collaborative Arrangement [Member] | Takeda [Member]

$ 44,935

^[1]

$ 63,920

^[2]

[1]	includes approximately $1.8 million of cash equivalents
[2]	includes approximately $28.0 million of cash equivalents

Note 5 - Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Cash equivalents	$ 1.8	$ 28.0

Note 7 - Summary of Accrued Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Research and development costs	$ 3,968	$ 2,409
Commercial supplies		1,128
Employee compensation	3,073	3,459
Selling and marketing costs	41	163
Legal service fees	1,426	612
Other accrued expenses	1,643	696
Total	$ 10,151	$ 8,467

Note 7 - Other Current Liabilities Summary (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Indirect taxes payable	$ 1,963	$ 3,075
Other liabilities	618	543
Total	$ 2,581	$ 3,618

Note 8 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) SFr in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 CHF (SFr)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Guarantee of Indebtedness of Others [Member]
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Maximum						SFr 2.2	$ 2,300,000
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss						SFr 1.5	$ 1,500,000
Loss Contingency Accrual, Provision			$ 206,000		$ 1,000,000
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$ 482,000	$ 343,000	1,100,000	$ 1,000,000
Future Estimated Research and Development Costs			$ 5,600,000

Note 8 - Future Minimum, Non-Cancelable Lease Payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
2015	$ 327
2016	1,191
2017	586
2018	889
2019	906
Total minimum lease payments	$ 3,899

Note 9 - Related Party Transactions (Details Textual) ¥ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, ¥ in Billions				1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 20, 2015 USD ($)	Aug. 26, 2015 USD ($)	Aug. 26, 2015 JPY (¥) ¥ / shares	Aug. 31, 2015 USD ($) shares	Aug. 31, 2015 JPY (¥)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015	Apr. 22, 2015
R-Tech [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired	98.00%
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	$ 275,000,000
R-Tech [Member] \| Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired										2.00%
R-Tech [Member]
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired			44.00%	56.00%
Business Acquisition, Share Price \| ¥ / shares			¥ 1,400
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred		$ 100,000,000	¥ 12	$ 175,000,000	¥ 21
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents				$ 57,000,000
Business Combination, Shares of the Acquirer Held by the Acquiree \| shares				2.5
R-Tech [Member] \| Transfer and Assignment of Rights and Assets [Member]
Contracts Revenue								$ 2,000,000
R-Tech [Member]
Contracts Revenue						$ 356,000	$ 160,000	$ 829,000	$ 369,000
Drs. Ueno and Kuno [Member]
Related Party Ownership Percentage											50.00%
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	$ 275

Note 9 - Expenses Under Agreements With R-Tech (Details) - R-Tech [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Clinical Supplies [Member]
Expenses related to R-Tech	$ 106	$ 88	$ 143	$ 254
Other Research and Development Services [Member]
Expenses related to R-Tech	258	139	347	170
Commercial Supplies [Member]
Expenses related to R-Tech	4,860	4,507	18,038	12,133
Expenses related to R-Tech	$ 5,224	$ 4,734	$ 18,528	$ 12,557

Note 9 - Deferred Revenues Under the Company's Agreements With R-Tech (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
R-Tech [Member]
Deferred revenue, current	$ 613,000	$ 453,000
Deferred revenue, non-current	3,566,000	4,141,000
Deferred revenue, current	1,152,000	2,051,000
Deferred revenue, non-current	4,586,000	5,118,000
Total deferred revenue, R-Tech	$ 4,179,000	$ 4,594,000

Note 10 - Notes Payable (Details Textual)	Jun. 02, 2015
Kuno and Ueno Trust [Member] \| Subordinated Unsecured Promissory Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.42%

Note 10 - Notes Payable Components (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
SAG [Member]
Promissory notes, Sellers of SAG	$ 22,241,000	$ 26,317,000
Note payable carrying value	21,741,000	25,818,000
Note payable carrying value	21,741,000	25,818,000
Notes payable, current	8,411,000	8,240,000
Notes payable, non-current	$ 13,330,000	$ 17,578,000

Note 11 - Collaboration Obligation (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Takeda [Member] \| Up-front Payment Arrangement [Member] \| Global License Agreement [Member]
Deferred Revenue		$ 14,000
Takeda [Member] \| Global License Agreement [Member]
Development Expenses to Be Assumed		6,000
Developmental Expense Reimbursement Obligation	$ 5,600	6,000
Deferred Revenue	$ 4,179	$ 4,594

Note 12 - Collaboration and License Agreements (Details Textual) - USD ($)	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Takeda [Member] \| Global License Agreement [Member]
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net				$ 8,000
China Gloria Agreement [Member] \| Gloria [Member]
Collaboration Revenue from Upfront Payment	$ 1,500,000			1,500,000
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net		$ 11,022,000	$ 11,717,000	$ 36,678,000	$ 25,572,000

Note 12 - Cash Streams and Related Revenue Recognized or Deferred Under the Takeda Agreement (Details)
$ in Thousands

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

USD ($)

$ 882

Revenue recognized

110

Research and Development Revenue [Member] | Takeda [Member]

772

Revenue recognized

7,468

5,112

Product Royalty Revenue [Member] | Takeda [Member]

2,356

^[1]

Revenue recognized

51,209

50,457

752

^[1]

4,594