Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 31,201	$ 10,489
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	90	198
Total current assets	31,291	10,687
Property and equipment, net	1	3
Equity method investment in Galectin Sciences, LLC	10
Intangible assets, net	17	23
Total assets	31,319	10,713
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	838	762
Accrued expenses	542	1,651
Accrued dividends payable		73
Total current liabilities	1,380	2,486
Total liabilities	1,380	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 September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013
Series A 12% convertible preferred stock; 5,000,000 shares authorized, 1,402,500 and 1,452,500 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively; liquidation value $1,402,500 at September 30, 2014	567	587
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, 22,123,583 and 18,386,900 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	22	18
Additional paid-in capital	137,518	102,841
Accumulated deficit	(114,890)	(101,965)
Total stockholders' equity	23,217	1,481
Total liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders' equity	31,319	10,713
Series B-1 12% redeemable convertible preferred stock
Current liabilities:
Convertible preferred stock, value	1,727	1,715
Series B-2 12% redeemable convertible preferred stock
Current liabilities:
Convertible preferred stock, value	3,272	3,112
Series C super dividend convertible preferred stock
Current liabilities:
Convertible preferred stock, value	$ 1,723	$ 1,919