Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss	$ (9,469)	$ (8,539)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	4	5
Stock-based compensation expense	1,734	2,394
Loss from equity method investment in Galectin Sciences LLC		337
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other assets	228	111
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (Notes 2 and 8)	205	(339)
Net cash used in operating activities	(7,298)	(6,031)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Equity method investment in Galectin Sciences LLC		(400)
Net cash used in investing activities		(400)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants	4,532	28,178
Proceeds from exercise of common stock warrants and options		2,187
Net cash provided by financing activities	4,532	30,365
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(2,766)	23,934
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD	29,128	10,489
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	26,362	34,423
NONCASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payment of preferred stock dividends in common stock	$ 421	$ 488