Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended		165 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss	$ (5,110,000)	$ (3,203,000)	$ (89,190,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	2,000	3,000	569,000
Stock-based compensation expense	1,648,000	852,000	17,811,000
Loss from equity method investment in Galectin Sciences LLC	270,000		270,000
Non-cash interest expense			4,279,000
Change in fair value of convertible debt instrument			3,426,000
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities			(9,022,000)
Write off of intangible assets			351,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other assets	47,000	16,000	(148,000)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(476,000)	(90,000)	1,998,000
Other long-term liabilities		(1,000)
Net cash used in operating activities	(3,619,000)	(2,423,000)	(69,656,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment			(431,000)
Equity method investment in Galectin Sciences LLC	(400,000)		(400,000)
Increase in patents costs and other assets			(404,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(400,000)		(1,235,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants	28,178,000		71,104,000
Net proceeds from issuance of convertible debt instruments			10,621,000
Repayment of convertible debt instruments			(1,641,000)
Proceeds from exercise of common stock warrants and options	1,946,000	77,000	18,015,000
Proceeds from shareholder advances			9,000
Net cash provided by financing activities	30,124,000	77,000	107,485,000
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	26,105,000	(2,346,000)	36,594,000
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD	10,489,000	9,364,000
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	36,594,000	7,018,000	36,594,000
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE - Cash paid for interest			114,000
NONCASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Issuance of equity warrants in connection with equity offerings			9,482,000
Conversion of accrued expenses into common stock			329,000
Conversion and redemption of convertible notes and accrued interest into common stock			12,243,000
Conversion of extension costs related to convertible notes into common stock			171,000
Payment of preferred stock dividends in common stock	312,000	293,000	5,334,000
Issuance of warrants to induce conversion of notes payable			503,000
Issuance of stock to acquire Pro-Pharmaceuticals-NV			107,000
Series A 12% convertible preferred stock
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net proceeds from issuance of convertible preferred stock and related warrants			1,691,000
Series B-1 12% redeemable convertible preferred stock
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net proceeds from issuance of redeemable convertible preferred stock and related warrants			1,548,000
Series B-2 12% redeemable convertible preferred stock
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net proceeds from issuance of redeemable convertible preferred stock and related warrants			3,935,000
Series C super dividend convertible preferred stock
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net proceeds from issuance of convertible preferred stock and related warrants			$ 2,203,000