INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended				9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	May 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013 IP license for PROCYSBI/RP103 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 IP license for PROCYSBI/RP103 [Member] Encode Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 IP license for PROCYSBI/RP103 [Member] Encode Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Out license [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Out license [Member] 2009 Merger [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Out license [Member] 2009 Merger [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Out license [Member] 2009 Merger [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 UCSD license FDA approval milestone [Member] Encode Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 UCSD license FDA approval milestone [Member] Encode Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]	Aug. 31, 2012 Tezampanel/ NGX426 [Member] 2009 Merger [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Tezampanel/ NGX426 [Member] 2009 Merger [Member]
Summary of intangible assets [Abstract]
Total intangible assets	$ 4,110,000			$ 4,110,000		$ 2,860,000			$ 2,620,000	$ 2,620,000		$ 240,000	$ 240,000	$ 1,100,000	$ 1,250,000	$ 0
Less accumulated amortization	(838,000)			(838,000)		(704,000)
Intangible assets, net	3,272,000			3,272,000		2,156,000
Estimated useful life								20 years			16 years
Intangible assets acquired in the merger																		900,000
Intangible asset, fair value																	0
Impairment of assets charged to research and development expense																	900,000
Amortization charged to research and development expense	47,000		37,000	134,000	109,000
Actual and estimated amortization expense for intangible assets [Abstract]
Year ending December 31, 2013 - estimate	194,000			194,000
Year ending December 31, 2014 - estimate	238,000			238,000
Year ending December 31, 2015 - estimate	238,000			238,000
Year ending December 31, 2016 - estimate	238,000			238,000
Year ending December 31, 2017 - estimate	238,000			238,000
Goodwill	3,275,000			3,275,000		3,275,000	[1]
Licensing milestone payment capitalized	$ 750,000	$ 250,000

[1] Derived from the Company's audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2012.