Grant Revenues - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jun. 01, 2014	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Research And Development Arrangement Contract To Perform For Others [Line Items]
Grant revenues		$ 1,483,000	$ 1,261,000	$ 1,479,000	$ 982,000	$ 1,247,000	$ 1,149,000	$ 1,373,000	$ 859,000	$ 5,205,000	$ 4,628,000	$ 6,085,000
Outstanding grant receivable		3,078,000				1,215,000				3,078,000	1,215,000
Deferred revenue		$ 20,000				$ 71,000				$ 20,000	$ 71,000
CPRIT
Research And Development Arrangement Contract To Perform For Others [Line Items]
Grant contract term	4 years
Grant contract beginning date	Jun. 01, 2014
Grant contract expiration date	May 31, 2018
CPRIT | Maximum
Research And Development Arrangement Contract To Perform For Others [Line Items]
Research grant contract amount	$ 19,800,000