The number of active research grants from which the entity receives revenue.

No definition available.

Name:	acrs_NumberOfResearchGrantsGeneratingRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	acrs_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of remaining funds available to the Company under contracted research grants.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	acrs_ResearchAndDevelopmentArrangementContractToPerformForOthersRemainingFunds
Namespace Prefix:	acrs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccountingPoliciesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryFinishedGoodsAndWorkInProcessNetOfReservesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount after valuation and LIFO reserves of inventory expected to be sold, or consumed within one year or operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82887183&loc=d3e6676-107765

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 330
-SubTopic 10
-Section 35
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68049868&loc=d3e3927-108312

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of positions eliminated during the period as a result of restructuring activities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostNumberOfPositionsEliminated
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Indicates (true false) whether practical expedient was elected not to adjust consideration for effect of financing component when transfer and customer payment for product or service occurs within one year or less.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RevenuePracticalExpedientFinancingComponent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Indicates (true false) whether practical expedient was elected to recognize incremental cost of obtaining contract as expense when incurred if amortization period would have been one year or less.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 22
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109196051&loc=SL49130569-203045

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 340
-SubTopic 40
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68051541&loc=SL51790836-203054

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RevenuePracticalExpedientIncrementalCostOfObtainingContract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)		9 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	Sep. 05, 2019 employee	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 item	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Number of employees to be terminated \| employee	86
Revenue Recognition
Revenue, Practical Expedient, Financing Component [true false]		true
Revenue, Practical Expedient, Incremental Cost of Obtaining Contract [true false]		true
Number of active research grants \| item			2
Remaining funds available to the Company under grants		$ 0
Inventory
Inventory		$ 189,000		$ 791,000