Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 36,594	$ 10,489
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	151	198
Total current assets	36,745	10,687
Property and equipment, net	3	3
Equity method investment in Galectin Sciences, LLC	130
Intangible assets, net	21	23
Total assets	36,899	10,713
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	486	762
Accrued expenses	1,451	1,651
Accrued dividends payable		73
Total current liabilities	1,937	2,486
Other long-term liabilities
Total liabilities	1,937	2,486
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
Stockholders' equity:
Undesignated stock, $0.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized, 8,001,000 designated at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013
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	587	587
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	22	18
Additional paid-in capital	135,030	102,841
Deficit accumulated during the development stage	(107,373)	(101,965)
Total stockholders' equity	28,266	1,481
Total liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders' equity	36,899	10,713
Series B-1 12% redeemable convertible preferred stock
Current liabilities:
Convertible preferred stock, value	1,719	1,715
Series B-2 12% redeemable convertible preferred stock
Current liabilities:
Convertible preferred stock, value	3,166	3,112
Series C super dividend convertible preferred stock
Current liabilities:
Convertible preferred stock, value	$ 1,811	$ 1,919