Note 5 - Novartis Agreement (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		102 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Novartis [Member] Maximum [Member] License Agreement Terms [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Novartis [Member] License Agreement Terms [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Novartis [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Novartis [Member]
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others, Compensation Earned					$ 18,700,000	$ 13,700,000
Licensing Agreement Milestone Payments Remaining						5,000,000
Licenses Revenue	$ 262,690	$ 679,962	$ 788,068	$ 1,947,813			$ 670,000	$ 670,000