Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		165 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
Operating expenses:
Research and development	$ 2,772	$ 1,752	$ 36,070
General and administrative	2,072	1,456	55,524
Total operating expenses	4,844	3,208	91,594
Total operating loss	(4,844)	(3,208)	(91,594)
Other income (expense):
Interest income	4	5	838
Interest expense			(4,451)
Loss from equity method investment in Galectin Sciences, LLC	(270)		(270)
Change in fair value of convertible debt instrument			(3,426)
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities			9,022
Other income			691
Total other income (expense)	(266)	5	2,404
Net loss	(5,110)	(3,203)	(89,190)
Preferred stock dividends	(240)	(213)	(5,344)
Preferred stock accretion	(58)	(56)	(4,332)
Warrant modification			(8,763)
Net loss applicable to common stockholders	$ (5,408)	$ (3,472)	$ (107,629)
Net loss per common share - basic and diluted	$ (0.27)	$ (0.22)
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	20,270	16,079