Note 2 - Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	2. Basis of Presentation The Company has prepared its condensed consolidated financial statements under the assumption that it is a going concern. The Company has devoted substantially all of its cash resources to research and development programs and general and administrative expenses, and to date it has not generated any significant revenues from the sale of products. Since inception, the Company has incurred significant net losses each year. As a result, the Company has an accumulated deficit of $271.6 million as of June 30, 2013. The Company’s recurring losses from operations and the accumulated deficit raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. The Company’s losses have resulted principally from costs incurred in connection with its development activities and from general and administrative expenses. Even if the Company succeeds in developing and commercializing one or more of its product candidates, the Company may never become profitable. Furthermore, there can be no guarantees that the proposed merger with Immune will close, or that even if it does close, that the Company will become profitable. The Company had cash at June 30, 2013 of $0.2 million, plus the restricted cash held with its senior secured lender of $0.6 million. In addition, EpiCept received net cash of $0.4 million from Immune in July 2013 by entering into a loan pursuant to the merger agreement with Immune. The merger is expected to close in August 2013, before the need arises for additional funds. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2013, the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, the condensed consolidated statement of stockholders’ deficit for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 and related disclosures contained in the accompanying notes are unaudited. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 is derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in the annual report filed on Form 10-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The condensed consolidated financial statements are presented on the basis of accounting principles that are generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions of the SEC on Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for a complete set of financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2013 and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 have been made. The results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013 or for any other period. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes for the year ended December 31, 2012 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

Note 2 - Basis of Presentation

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

2. Basis of Presentation

The Company has prepared its condensed consolidated financial statements under the assumption that it is a going concern. The Company has devoted substantially all of its cash resources to research and development programs and general and administrative expenses, and to date it has not generated any significant revenues from the sale of products. Since inception, the Company has incurred significant net losses each year. As a result, the Company has an accumulated deficit of $271.6 million as of June 30, 2013. The Company’s recurring losses from operations and the accumulated deficit raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. The Company’s losses have resulted principally from costs incurred in connection with its development activities and from general and administrative expenses. Even if the Company succeeds in developing and commercializing one or more of its product candidates, the Company may never become profitable. Furthermore, there can be no guarantees that the proposed merger with Immune will close, or that even if it does close, that the Company will become profitable.

The Company had cash at June 30, 2013 of $0.2 million, plus the restricted cash held with its senior secured lender of $0.6 million. In addition, EpiCept received net cash of $0.4 million from Immune in July 2013 by entering into a loan pursuant to the merger agreement with Immune. The merger is expected to close in August 2013, before the need arises for additional funds.

The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2013, the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, the condensed consolidated statement of stockholders’ deficit for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 and related disclosures contained in the accompanying notes are unaudited. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 is derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in the annual report filed on Form 10-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The condensed consolidated financial statements are presented on the basis of accounting principles that are generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions of the SEC on Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for a complete set of financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2013 and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 have been made. The results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013 or for any other period. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes for the year ended December 31, 2012 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.