Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Loss - USD ($)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Operating expenses:
General and administrative	$ 1,468,000	$ 2,364,000	$ 2,574,000	$ 2,087,000	$ 1,487,000	$ 2,050,000	$ 4,678,000	$ 2,223,000	$ 8,493,000	$ 10,438,000	$ 5,956,000
Research and development	1,833,000	3,542,000	3,960,000	4,977,000	5,080,000	6,489,000	5,837,000	5,280,000	14,312,000	22,686,000	8,740,000
Total operating expenses	3,301,000	5,906,000	6,534,000	7,064,000	6,567,000	8,539,000	10,515,000	7,503,000	22,805,000	33,124,000	14,696,000
Loss from operations	(3,301,000)	(5,906,000)	(6,534,000)	(7,064,000)	(6,567,000)	(8,539,000)	(10,515,000)	(7,503,000)	(22,805,000)	(33,124,000)	(14,696,000)
Interest (expense) income	(178,000)	(172,000)	(144,000)	(160,000)	(179,000)	(132,000)	13,000	12,000	(654,000)	(286,000)	114,000
Other expense	(177,000)	(1,000)						(5,000)	(178,000)	(5,000)	(4,000)
Loss before income taxes	(3,656,000)	(6,079,000)	(6,678,000)	(7,224,000)	(6,746,000)	(8,671,000)	(10,502,000)	(7,496,000)	(23,637,000)	(33,415,000)	(14,586,000)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes									0
Net loss	(3,656,000)	(6,079,000)	(6,678,000)	(7,224,000)	(6,746,000)	(8,671,000)	(10,502,000)	(7,496,000)	(23,637,000)	(33,415,000)	(14,586,000)
Comprehensive loss	$ (3,656,000)	$ (6,079,000)	$ (6,678,000)	$ (7,224,000)	(6,746,000)	(8,671,000)	(10,502,000)	(7,496,000)	(23,637,000)	(33,415,000)	(14,586,000)
Adjustment to redemption value on Series A convertible preferred stock					$ (0.63)	$ (0.82)	$ (0.99)	$ (0.79)			(366,000)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders									$ (23,637,000)	$ (33,415,000)	$ (14,952,000)
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted (Note 10)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.43)	$ (0.47)	$ (0.58)					$ (1.71)	$ (3.23)	$ (2.57)
Number of shares used in per share calculations:
Basic and diluted									13,805,552	10,349,136	5,809,396