DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS (Details)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012 item vaccine
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Number of cancer vaccines that have been granted FDA orphan drug designation	4
Number of Phase I and Phase II clinical trials	17

Represents the number of Phase I and Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of various cancers in which the entity is participating.

No definition available.

Name:	bpax_NumberOfPhaseIAndPhaseIIClinicalTrials
Namespace Prefix:	bpax_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration