Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and entity information. Document Type Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Assets [Abstract] ASSETS 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 Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts receivable Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Prepaid expense and other current assets Assets, Current Total current assets Property and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Restricted Investments, Noncurrent Long-term investment - restricted Goodwill Goodwill Other Assets, Noncurrent Other assets Assets Total assets Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Accrued Liabilities Current Accrued liabilities Total Total current liabilities Total current liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other long-term liabilities Total liabilities Total liabilities Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity: Common stock, $0.01 par value 125,000,000 shares authorized; 80,998,363 shares issued and 79,950,656 shares outstanding at Sep 30, 2012; and 78,165,360 shares issued and 77,117,653 shares outstanding at December 31, 2011 Common Stock, Value, Issued ATM agreement resulting in gross proceeds Additional Paid in Capital Additional paid-in capital Treasury Stock, Value Treasury stock (at cost, 1,047,707 shares) Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated deficit Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive income Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total stockholders' equity Liabilities and Equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Common stock, par value Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Shares of common stock Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding Treasury Stock, Shares Treasury stock, at cost Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss [Abstract] Revenues [Abstract] REVENUES: Licenses Revenue License fees Research and Development Revenue Research and development Historically, this has included FTE reimbursement. It also includes reimbursement of other costs that have been incurred on behalf of a partner. Revenues Total revenues Costs and Expenses [Abstract] COSTS AND EXPENSES: Research and Development Expense Research and development expenses Research and development General and Administrative Expense General and administrative Costs and Expenses Total costs and expenses Operating Income (Loss) Loss from operations Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] OTHER INCOME/(EXPENSE): Investment Income, Interest Interest income Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax Change in fair value of warrant liability Change in fair value of warrant liability Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total other income/(expense) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net loss Net loss Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: 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: Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Depreciation and amortization Share-based Compensation Total stock-based compensation expense Stock-based compensation expense Accretion (Amortization) of Discounts and Premiums, Investments Non-cash interest (income)/expense Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets Net gain on sale of assets Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in current assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable Prepaid expenses and other assets Prepaid expenses and other assets Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Total adjustments Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash used in operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Payments to Acquire Marketable Securities Purchase of marketable securities Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Marketable Securities Sale of marketable securities Decrease in restricted cash Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets Proceeds from sale of assets Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Purchases of property and equipment Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash (used in)/ provided by investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from Registered Direct Offering of Common Stock and Warrants Net of Issuance Costs Proceeds from registered direct offering of units, net of issuance costs Proceeds from registered direct offering of common stock and warrants net of issuance costs. Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash provided by financing activities NET (DECREASE)/INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Nature of Business [Abstract] Nature of business. Nature of Operations [Text Block] Nature of Business Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Basis of Presentation Revenue Recognition [Abstract] Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Revenue Recognition Collaborative Arrangement Disclosure [Text Block] Collaboration Agreements Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Value Measurements Common Stock and Warrant Liability [Abstract] Common stock and warrant liability. Common Stock and Warrant Liability [Text Block] Common Stock and Warrant Liability Common stock and warrant liability. Accrued Liabilities [Abstract] Other Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Accrued Liabilities Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract] Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation Loss Per Common Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Loss Per Common Share Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block] Fair Value of Warrant Liability Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block] Accrued Liabilities Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block] Valuation assumptions used to calculate fair value of employee options awarded Schedule of Employee and Non Employee Share Based Compensation Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block] Employee and non employee share based compensation expense allocation Schedule of employee and non employee share based compensation allocation of recognized period costs. Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Table Text Block] Options outstanding and exercisable under exercise price range Antidilutive Securities - Stock Options and Warrants Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block] Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Axis] Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Domain] Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Table] Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Range [Domain] Minimum [Member] Minimum [Member] Maximum [Member] Maximum [Member] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value, Measurements, Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value Inputs Level1 [Member] Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] Fair Value Inputs Level2 [Member] Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] Fair Value Inputs Level3 [Member] Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] Money Market Funds, Fair Value Money market funds Money market funds, fair value. Financial Instruments, Owned, State and Municipal Government Obligations, at Fair Value Municipal bonds Financial Instruments, Owned, US Government and Agency Obligations, at Fair Value US government obligations Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Total assets at fair value Common Stock and Warrant Liability [Table] Common stock and warrant liability. Common Stock and Warrant Liability [Line Items] Common stock and warrant liability. Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Proceeds from issuance of common stock under the Company's share-based compensation plans and warrant exercises Registered Direct Offering Units Issuance of registered direct offering, units Registered direct offering units. Direct Offering Purchase Price Direct offering purchase price per unit Direct offering purchase price. Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights Aggregate number of shares of stock available to purchase using warrants Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights Exercise price of warrants Term of Warrants, Years Term of warrants, years Term of warrants, years. Range of Expected Volatilities Expected volatility Range of expected volatilities Estimated Risk-free Interest Rate Estimated risk-free interest rate Estimated risk-free interest rate. Accrued Salaries, Current Accrued compensation Accrued Professional Fees, Current Professional fees Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Other Schedule of Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Table] Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments, by Title of Individual [Axis] Title Of Individual With Relationship To Entity [Domain] Non Employee Directors [Member] Non-Employee Directors [Member] Non-employee directors. Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-Based Compensation Plans Share-based compensation, number of plans Share-based compensation, number of plans. Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures Options granted Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value Aggregate intrinsic value of employee options outstanding Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value Intrinsic value of exercisable options Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted average grant-date fair values of stock options Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized Unrecognized compensation cost net of estimated forfeitures Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value Intrinsic values of employee stock options exercised Share-based Goods and Nonemployee Services Transaction, Expense Non-employee compensation expense Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate, Minimum Minimum risk-free interest rate Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate, Maximum Maximum risk-free interest rate Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate, Minimum Minimum volatility Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate, Maximum Maximum volatility Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate Dividends 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, by Report Line [Axis] Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs Report Line [Domain] Research And Development Expense [Member] Research and Development Expense [Member] General And Administrative Expense [Member] General and Administrative Expense [Member] Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items] Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Table] Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items] Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options Options Outstanding, Number of Shares Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options Options Exercisable, Number of Shares Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, by Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities Name [Domain] Stock Options [Member] Stock options outstanding [Member] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Total antidilutive securities Director [Member] Director [Member] Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Axis] Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Domain] Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Domain] Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current Liabilities: Assets, Current [Abstract] Current Assets: Fair Value By Measurement Frequency [Axis] Fair Value Measurement Frequency [Domain] Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] Common Stock and Warrant Liability (Textual) [Abstract] Common Stock and Warrant Liability (Textual) [Abstract] Common stock and warrant liability. Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis Fair Value of Warrant Liability Assets Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation Calculation Roll Forward Common Stock and Warrant Liability (Additional Textual) [Abstract] Common Stock and Warrant Liability (Additional Textual) [Abstract] Common stock and warrant liability. Current Accrued Liabilities [Abstract] Current accrued liabilities. Accrued liabilities Income Loss Per Common Share Antidilutive Securities [Abstract] Income (Loss) Per Common Share Antidilutive Securities - Stock Options And Warrants Income (loss) per common share antidilutive securities. Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (Textual) [Abstract] Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (Textual) [Abstract] Accounting for stock-based compensation. Accounting for Stock Based Compensation Options Outstanding and Exercisable [Abstract] Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (Options Outstanding And Exercisable) Accounting for stock based compensation options outstanding and exercisable. Accounting for Stock Based Compensation [Abstract] Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (Stock Based Compensation Expense) Accounting for stock-based compensation. Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions And Methodology [Abstract] Accounting For Stock-Based Compensation (Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term Expected term (years) Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs, Capitalized Amount Compensation expense Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition Unrecognized compensation cost, weighted average period for recognition, years Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Share based compensation arrangement vesting period, years Warrant [Member] Warrants [Member] Warrants outstanding [Member] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value Fair values of vested stock options Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure Corporate commercial paper, stock, bonds and notes Sale of Stock by Offering Class [Axis] Sale Of Stock By Offering Class [Axis] Sale of stock by offering class. Sale of Stock by Offering Class [Domain] Sale Of Stock By Offering Class [Domain] Sale of stock by offering class. Warrants and Rights Outstanding Balance Ending Balance Beginning Warrants Fair value of warrants Royalty Revenue Royalties Related Party Transaction [Abstract] Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Related Party Transaction Genentech Inc [Member] Genentech Inc [Member] Genentech, inc. Leukemia and Lymphoma Society [Member] Leukemia and Lymphoma Society [Member] Leukemia and lymphoma society. Collaboration Agreements (Textual) [Abstract] Collaboration Agreements (Textual) [Abstract] Collaboration agreements. Revenue Recognized Milestone Payments License Revenue Revenue recognized milestone payments as license revenue Revenue recognized milestone payments license revenue. Royalty Expense Costs of royalty revenues recorded University Licensors [Member] University Licensors [Member] University licensors. Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure Total liabilities at fair value Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] Cash Equivalents [Member] Investments [Member] Investments [Member] Schedule of Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Table] Type of Arrangement and Non-arrangement Transactions [Axis] Arrangements and Non-arrangement Transactions [Domain] Asset Class [Axis] Fair Value by Asset Class [Domain] Related Party Transaction (Textual) [Abstract] Related Party Transaction (Textual) [Abstract] Related Party Transaction. Issuance of Common Stock to Licensees Issuance of common stock to licensees Issuance of common stock to licensees. Other Accrued Liabilities Accrued liabilities Equity, Fair Value Disclosure Fair value of one-time issuance of common stock Collaboration Agreement Contingent Consideration Potential Cash Payment Eligibility to receive contingent cash payments under the collaboration Collaboration agreement contingent consideration potential cash payment. Direct Operating Cost, Royalty Expense Costs of royalty revenues, company obligated to pay to university licensors Cost of royalty revenues Stock Issued During Period Due to Exercise of Warrants Warrants exercised Stock issued during period due to exercise of warrants. Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Total comprehensive loss Collaboration Agreements [Abstract] Collaboration agreements. Sublicense Fees Paid Research and development expenses related to the FDA's approval payments received for Erivedge Sublicense fees paid. Percentage of Sublicense Fees Paid on Royalties Earned Percentage of royalties earned Percentage of sublicense fees paid on royalties earned. Percentage of Contribution to Fund Percentage of contribution of fund from LLS Percentage of contribution to fund. Contingent Obligations Company under obligation to make payments Contingent obligations. Change in Fair Value Upon Warrant Exercise Change in fair value Change in warrants liability Change in fair value upon warrant exercise. Expected Lives of Warrants Years Expected lives of warrants, years Expected lives of warrants years. Shares Issued to Sublicensees Number of common stock shares issued to university licensors Shares issued to sublicenses. Proceeds from Contribution of Fund Contribution of fund from LLS amount Proceeds from contribution of fund. Maximum Financial Support to Related Party Maximum Financial Support to GBMT Maximum financial support to related party. Severance Agreement to Related Party Severance Agreement Severance agreement to related party. Milestones Recognized from Partner Earned milestone payment Milestones recognized from partner. Additional Milestone Recognized from Partner Earned an additional milestone payment Additional milestone recognized from partner. Collaboration Agreement Contingent Consideration Received From Partner Amount received for specified clinical development and regulatory objectives Collaboration agreement contingent consideration received from partner. Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Net loss per common share (basic and diluted) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted Weighted average common shares (basic and diluted) Accounts payable Accounts payable Commitments Commitments Common Stock Issued One Time Issuance to University Licenses Number Number of university licensors in connection with the FDA-approval of Erivedge Common stock issued one time issuance to university licenses number. Registered Direct Offering Number of Common Stock Per Unit Registered direct offering, no. of common stock per units Registered direct offering number of common stock per unit. Registered Direct Offering Unit Number of Common Stock to Warrant Value of warrant in terms of percentage of stock Registered direct offering unit number of common stock to warrant. Registered Direct Offering Number of Warrant Per Unit Registered direct offering, no. of warrants per units Registered direct offering number of warrant per unit. Zero Point Seven Nine Us Dollars to One Point Three Us Dollars [Member] $0.79 - $1.39 [Member] Zero point seven nine us dollars to one point three us dollars. One Point Four Three Us Dollars to Two Point One Five Us Dollars [Member] 1.43 - 2.15 [Member] One point four three us dollars to two point one five us dollars. Two Point Two Seven Us Dollars to Three Point Seven Six Us Dollars [Member] 2.27 - 3.76 [Member] Two point two seven us dollars to three point seven six us dollars. Three Point Nine Eight Us Dollars to Four Point Five Two Us Dollars [Member] 3.98 - 4.52 [Member] Three point nine eight us dollars to four point five two us dollars. Four Point Five Six Us Dollars to Five Point Six Zero Us Dollars [Member] 4.56 - 5.60 [Member] Four point five six us dollars o five point six zero us dollars. Investments [Abstract] Out of Period Adjustment [Member] Out of period adjustment. Out of Period Adjustment [Member] The amortized cost, unrealized gains and fair value of marketable securities available-for-sale with maturity dates ranging between one and twelve months and with a weighted average maturity Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block] Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract] The amortized cost, unrealized gains and fair value of marketable securities available-for-sale Corporate Bonds Notes and Stock [Member] Corporate bonds and notes [Member] Corporate bonds notes and stock. Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis Amortized Cost Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain (Loss) Unrealized Gain Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value Fair Value Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Table] Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Axis] Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Domain] Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] Us Government Obligations [Member] U. S. Government Obligations [Member] Us government obligations. Investment [Text Block] Investments Recognized royalty revenue Food and Drug Administration [Member] FDA's [Member] Food and drug administration. F Hoffmann La Roche Limited [Member] F Hoffmann La Roche Ltd. Roche [Member] Market Issuance Sales Agreement [Member] Market issuance sales agreement. Market Issuance Sales Agreement [Member] Common Stock Offering Cost Including Commission Total offering expenses, including MLVs commission Common stock at market cost issuance Common stock offering cost including commission. Proceeds from at Market Issuance of Common Stock Net of Issuance Costs Proceeds from issuance of common stock under the Company's ATM Agreement, net of issuance costs of $27,356 and $123,374, respectively Proceeds from at market issuance of common stock net of issuance costs. Common Stock Aggregate Offering Price Common stock aggregate offering price. Common stock aggregate offering price Common Stock Commission As Percentage of Gross Sale Price Per Share Sold Common stock commission as percentage of gross sale price per share sold. Common stock commission as percentage of gross sale price per share sold Long-term Investments Long-term investments Payments to Acquire Long-term Investments Purchase of long-term investments Investment (Textual) [Abstract] Investment (Textual) [Abstract] Investment Domestic Government Maturity Unrealized Cost Investment domestic government maturity unrealized cost. Investment domestic government maturity unrealized cost Revenue Recognition Milestone Method Number of Milestone Achieved Milestone achieved under agreement with LLS, Numbers Revenue recognition milestone method number of milestone achieved. Investment Maturity Date Investment domestic government maturity description Amortized Cost of Long Term Investment Investment domestic government maturity amortized cost Amortized cost of long term investment. Short-term Investments Investments Revenue Recognition Received Under the Agreement Revenue recognition received under the agreement Revenue recognition received under the agreement. Milestones Earned from Collaborator Milestone payment received Milestones earned from collaborator.