Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Accrued Expenses Accounts Payable Current Accounts payable Accrued Liabilities Current Accrued expenses Total Accrued Professional Fees Current Legal and accounting fees Accrued Separation Agreement Accrued Separation Agreement Severance agreement (Note 8) Severance payment due to Dr. Platt Additional Paid In Capital Additional paid-in capital Adjustment for Modification of Warrants Adjustment For Modification Of Warrants Warrant modification Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Aggregate Offering Price Aggregate Offering Price Aggregate offering price Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount Dilutive shares not included in calculation Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share By Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Arrangements And Nonarrangement Transactions [Member] Arrangements and Non-arrangement Transactions [Domain] Assets Total assets Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Assets Current Total current assets Assets Current [Abstract] Current assets: Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Basis Of Accounting Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation [Line Items] Basis Of Presentation [Line Items] Basis of Presentation [Line Items] Basis of Presentation [Table] Basis Of Presentation [Table] Basis of Presentation [Table] Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD Cash and cash equivalents Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash Flow Noncash Investing And Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] NONCASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Class Of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Class Of Stock [Line Items] Class of Stock [Line Items] Class Of Warrant Or Right [Axis] Class of Warrant or Right [Axis] Class Of Warrant Or Right [Domain] Class of Warrant or Right [Domain] Class Of Warrant Or Right Exercise Price Of Warrants Or Rights Exercise price of warrant Class Of Warrant Or Right Issuable With Each New Share Of Common Stock Class Of Warrant Or Right Issuable With Each New Share Of Common Stock Number of common stock to be purchased with each warrant Class of Warrant or Right, Issued in Period Class Of Warrant Or Right Issued In Period Warrants issued in period Class Of Warrant Or Right Number Of Securities Called By Warrants Or Rights Warrants to purchase shares of common stock Commissions as Percentage of Gross Offering Proceeds Commissions As Percentage Of Gross Offering Proceeds Commission to sales agent as a percentage of gross proceeds Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitment And Contingencies [Table] Commitment And Contingencies [Table] Commitment And Contingencies [Table] Commitments And Contingencies Commitments and contingencies (Note 8) Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Common Stock Options Granted, Shares Common Stock Options Granted Shares Common stock options granted, shares Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Common Stock Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock Shares Issued Common stock, issued Common Stock Shares Outstanding Common stock, outstanding Common Stock Value Common stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, 21,906,172 and 18,386,900 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively Common Stock Warrants Issued Common Stock Warrants Issued Warrants to purchase shares of common stock issued Consultant [Member] Consultant [Member] Consultant Conversion Of Accrued Liabilities To Common Stock Conversion Of Accrued Liabilities To Common Stock Conversion of accrued expenses into common stock Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Debt Conversion Converted Instrument Amount 1 Conversion of extension costs related to convertible notes into common stock Debt Conversion Original Debt Amount 1 Conversion and redemption of convertible notes and accrued interest into common stock Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Depreciation and amortization Development Stage Enterprise Deficit Accumulated During Development Stage Deficit accumulated during the development stage Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract] Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments [Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation Dividends Payable Current Accrued dividends payable Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Information [Line Items] Document Information [Line Items] Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Type Document Type Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted Net loss per common share - basic and diluted Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Abstract] Basic and diluted net loss per common share: Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Loss Per Share Employee Related Liabilities Current Accrued compensation Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items] Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items] Employee Service Share Based Compensation Nonvested Awards Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized Unrecognized compensation cost Employee Service Share Based Compensation Nonvested Awards Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized Period For Recognition 1 Unrecognized compensation cost, recognition period Employee Stock Option [Member] Stock Options Entities [Table] Entities [Table] Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Equity [Abstract] Equity [Abstract] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Method Investment Ownership Percentage Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage Equity Method Investments Equity investment Equity method investment in Galectin Sciences, LLC Equity Method Investments And Joint Ventures [Abstract] Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] Equity Method Investments Disclosure [Text Block] Galectin Sciences LLC Expected Future Payments Expected Future Payments Expected future payment Extinguishment Of Debt [Axis] Extinguishment of Debt [Axis] Extinguishment Of Debt Type [Domain] Extinguishment of Debt, Type [Domain] Fair Market Value Of Shares Fair Market Value Of Shares Fair market value of shares Fair Value Adjustment Of Warrants Change in fair value of warrant liabilities Change in fair value of warrant liabilities Fair Value Assumptions Exercise Price Fair value assumptions, warrants exercise price Fair Value Assumptions Expected Term Fair value assumptions, term of warrants Fair Value Assumptions Expected Volatility Rate Fair value assumptions, volatility rate Fair Value Assumptions Risk Free Interest Rate Fair value assumptions, risk free interest rate Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Fair Value of Financial Instruments General And Administrative Expense General and administrative General And Administrative Expense [Member] General and administrative Gross Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock Gross Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock Gross proceeds from sale of common stock Impairment Of Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill Write off of intangible assets Income Loss From Equity Method Investments Loss from equity method investment in Galectin Sciences, LLC Loss from equity method investment in Galectin Sciences LLC Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Domain] Income Statement Location [Domain] Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase Decrease In Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase Decrease In Other Noncurrent Liabilities Other long-term liabilities Increase Decrease In Prepaid Deferred Expense And Other Assets Prepaid expenses and other assets Initial Capital Contribution Initial Capital Contribution Initial capital contribution Intangible Assets Net Excluding Goodwill Intangible assets, net Interest Expense Interest expense Interest Paid SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE - Cash paid for interest Investment Income Interest Interest income Investment Type [Axis] Investment Type [Axis] Investment Type Categorization [Member] Investments [Domain] Issuance of equity warrants in connection with equity offerings Issuance Of Equity Warrants In Connection With Equity Offerings Issuance of equity warrants in connection with equity offerings Warrants issuance value Issuance of warrants to induce conversion of notes payable Issuance Of Warrants To Induce Conversion Of Notes Payable Issuance of warrants to induce conversion of notes payable Lawsuit Damage Claim Lawsuit Damage Claim Lawsuit payment Legal Accounting Underwriting Fee Legal Accounting Underwriting Fee Initial legal and accounting costs Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Liabilities Total liabilities Liabilities And Stockholders Equity Total liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders' equity Liabilities And Stockholders Equity [Abstract] LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities Current Total current liabilities Liabilities Current [Abstract] Current liabilities: Market Sale Agreement [Member] Market Sale Agreement [Member] At Market Agreement Milestone payments include payments to our partners related to alliance and collaboration agreements. Milestone Payments Milestone payments Minimum Company Market Capitalization Minimum Company Market Capitalization Market capitalization Minimum [Member] Minimum Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Net cash provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Net cash used in operating activities Net cash used in operating activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net Income Loss Net loss Net loss Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic Net loss applicable to common stockholders Net loss applicable to common stockholders Net losses applicable to common stockholders Nonoperating Income Expense Total other income (expense) Nonoperating Income Expense [Abstract] Other income (expense): Number of Shares of Common Stock in Each Unit Number Of Shares Of Common Stock In Each Unit Number of common stock in each units issued Number of Warrant Shares in Each Unit Number Of Warrant Shares In Each Unit Number of warrant in each units issued Open Option Contracts Share Purchase Maximum Period Open Option Contracts Share Purchase Maximum Period Period of option to purchase additional units to cover over-allotments Operating Expenses Total operating expenses Operating Expenses [Abstract] Operating expenses: Operating Income Loss Total operating loss Organizational and Separation Related Charges Organizational And Separation Related Charges Separation based payments Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Other Accrued Liabilities Current Other Other Liabilities Noncurrent Other long-term liabilities Other Nonoperating Income Other income Other Research And Development Expense Non-cash charge for in-process research and development Paid In Kind Interest Non-cash interest expense Payables And Accruals [Abstract] Payables and Accruals [Abstract] Payments For Commissions Commissions Payments To Acquire Equity Method Investments Equity method investment in Galectin Sciences LLC Payments To Acquire Productive Assets Increase in patents costs and other assets Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment Purchases of property and equipment Preferred Stock Accretion Of Redemption Discount Preferred stock accretion Preferred Stock Dividends Income Statement Impact Preferred stock dividends Preferred Stock Liquidation Preference Value Series A 12% convertible preferred stock, liquidation value Preferred Stock Shares Authorized Series A 12% convertible preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock Shares Issued Series A 12% convertible preferred stock, issued Preferred Stock Shares Outstanding Series A 12% convertible preferred stock, outstanding Preferred Stock Value Series A 12% convertible preferred stock; 5,000,000 shares authorized, 1,452,500 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, liquidation value $1,452,500 at March 31, 2014 Prepaid Expense And Other Assets Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Proceeds From Convertible Debt Net proceeds from issuance of convertible debt instruments Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock Net proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants Proceeds from issuance of common stock Proceeds From Issuance Of Convertible Preferred Stock Net proceeds from issuance of convertible preferred stock and related warrants Proceeds From Issuance Of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock Net proceeds from issuance of redeemable convertible preferred stock and related warrants Proceeds From Issuance Or Sale Of Equity Net proceeds from issuance of stock and warrants Proceeds From Issuance Or Sale Of Equity Gross Proceeds From Issuance Or Sale Of Equity Gross Gross proceeds from issuance of stock and warrants Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities Proceeds from shareholder advances The cash inflow associated with the amount received from holders exercising their stock options and warrants. Proceeds From Stock Option And Warrant Exercises Proceeds from exercise of common stock warrants and options Property Plant And Equipment Net Property and equipment, net Range [Axis] Range [Axis] Range [Member] Range [Domain] Repayments Of Convertible Debt Repayment of convertible debt instruments Research And Development Asset Acquired Other Than Through Business Combination Fair Value Acquired Fair value of research and development services Research And Development Expense Research and development Research And Development Expense [Member] Research and development Research [Member] Research Royalty Revenue Royalty revenue Sale Of Stock Price Per Share Price of common stock per share Sale Of Stock Pursuant To Exercise Of Underwriters Over Allotment Option Sale Of Stock Pursuant To Exercise Of Underwriters Over Allotment Option Additional units authorize for issuance to cover over-allotments Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Line Items] Schedule Of Accrued Liabilities [Line Items] Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Line Items] Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table] Schedule Of Accrued Liabilities [Table] Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table] Schedule Of Accrued Liabilities Table [Text Block] Accrued Expenses Schedule Of Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Table] Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Schedule Of Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Dilutive Shares Which Could Exist Pursuant to Exercise of Outstanding Stock Instruments and Which were not Included in Calculation Schedule Of Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Common Share [Line Items] Schedule Of Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Common Share [Line Items] Schedule Of Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Common Share [Line Items] Schedule Of Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Common Share [Table] Schedule Of Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Common Share [Table] Schedule Of Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Common Share [Table] Schedule Of Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share Table Schedule Of Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share Table [Text Block] Computation of Diluted Net Loss Per Share does not Assume Issuance of Common Shares that have an Anti-dilutive Effect on Net Loss Per Share 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] Schedule Of Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation Expense Related to Common Stock Options, Common Stock, Restricted Common Stock and Common Stock Warrants Schedule Of Investments In Joint Venture [Line Items] Schedule Of Investments In Joint Venture [Line Items] Schedule Of Investments In Joint Venture [Line Items] Schedule Of Investments In Joint Venture [Table] Schedule Of Investments In Joint Venture [Table] Schedule Of Investments In Joint Venture [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] Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Stock Options Activity Table [Text Block] Summary of Stock Option Activity