Note 12 - Nordic Bioscience (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	May 07, 2013	Oct. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Aug. 15, 2012 Unigene (Member) First Amendment (Member)	Aug. 31, 2012 Unigene (Member)	Aug. 15, 2012 Nordic (Member) First Amendment (Member)	Aug. 31, 2012 Nordic (Member)	Dec. 31, 2012 Cash Contribution (Member)	Oct. 31, 2011 Joint Development Vehicle [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage				50.00%							50.00%
Payments to Acquire Interest in Joint Venture						$ 50,000	$ 100,000	$ 950,000	$ 1,000,000	$ 50,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues (in Shares)		1,691,729
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock		1,500,000
Warrants and Rights Outstanding		1,500,000
Additional Equity Investment Allowable					3,000,000
Purchase Commitment, Remaining Minimum Amount Committed			0
Proceeds from Issuance or Sale of Equity	$ 1,000,000		$ 1,000,000