Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss	$ (6,800)	$ (4,826)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1	2
Stock-based compensation expense	1,223	935
Loss from equity method investment in Galectin Sciences LLC	0	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other assets	129	(78)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	1,957	(344)
Net cash used in operating activities	(3,490)	(4,311)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Net cash used in investing activities	0	0
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants		4,532
Net cash provided by financing activities		4,532
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(3,490)	221
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD	25,846	29,128
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	22,356	29,349
NONCASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payment of preferred stock dividends in common stock	$ 220	$ 260