Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document Information [Table] Class of Stock [Axis] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Supplemental Balance Sheet Disclosures [Text Block] Supplemental Balance Sheet Disclosures [Text Block] Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement [Table] Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Statement [Line Items] Assets [Abstract] Assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Current Assets Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash at beginning of period Cash at end of period Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Total Assets, Current Total Current Assets Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property and equipment, net Total Deposits and Other Assets Noncurrent Deposits and other assets Carrying value of amounts transferred to third parties for security purposes that are expected to be returned or applied towards payment after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer and also includes aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet due to materiality considerations. Noncurrent assets are expected to be realized or consumed after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Assets Total Assets Liabilities and Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Liabilities and Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current Liabilities: Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued expenses Total Warrant liabilities Warrant liabilities Beginning Balance Ending Balance It represents value of warrant liabilities. Deferred Rent Credit, Noncurrent Long term deferred rent Liabilities, Total Total Liabilities Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, $0.001 par value; 250,000,000 shares authorized, 91,733,833 issued and 91,652,351 outstanding and 90,908,234 issued and 90,826,752 outstanding Additional Paid In Capital, Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated deficit Accumulated deficit Stockholders' Equity Attributable To Parent Total Synthetic Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries Equity Stockholders Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Non-controlling interest Stockholders Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Total Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity Balance Balance Stockholders Equity Attributable To Parent [Abstract] Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity: Schedule Of Other Current Assets [Table Text Block] Schedule of Other Current Assets [Table Text Block] Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block] Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block] Accrued Expenses [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of accrued expenses. Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options and Warrants Vested and Expected To Vest Outstanding and Exercisable [Table Text Block] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Options and Warrants Vested and Expected to Vest Outstanding and Exercisable [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure relates to share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award options and warrants vested and expected to vest outstanding and exercisable. Schedule Of Share-Based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block] Balance Sheet Parenthetical [Abstract] Balance Sheet Parenthetical Preferred Stock, Par Or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Preferred stock, shares issued Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Preferred stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Par Or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares, issued Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding Schedule Of Other Current Assets [Table] Other Current Assets [Line Items] Prepaid Expenses Research and Development Intrexon prepaid research and development expenses Sum of the amounts paid in advance for research and development expenses. Prepaid Clinical Research Organizations Prepaid clinical research organizations Sum of the amount paid in advance for clinical research organization. Prepaid Insurance Prepaid insurances Other Prepaid Expense, Current Other prepaid expenses Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Computer and Office Equipment [Member] Computer and office equipment [Member] Computer Software, Intangible Asset [Member] Software [Member] Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Less accumulated depreciation and amortization Schedule Of Accrued Expenses [Table] Class of Stock [Domain] Accrued Expenses [Line Items] Accrued manufacturing costs Accrued manufacturing costs The manufacturing costs incurred in the production of goods for sale. Accrued Vendor Payments Accrued vendor payments Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations and payables pertaining to vendor payments. Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Minimum [Member] Maximum [Member] Liability Class [Axis] Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumption Exercise Price Exercise price Agreed-upon price for the exchange of the underlying asset relating to the share-based payment award. Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate Expected dividends Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate Expected volatility Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate Risk free interest rate Risk free interest rate Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term Expected life of option Expected life of warrant Award Type [Axis] Equity Award [Domain] Employee Stock Option [Member] Stock Option [Member] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Options, Beginning Balance Options, Ending Balance Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross Options, Granted Stock Options, Granted Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercises In Period Options, Exercised Issuance of common stock for exercise of stock options (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period Options, Expired Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period Options, Forfeited Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number Options, Exercisable Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance Weighted Average Exercise Price, Ending Balance Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Share-Based Compensation Arrangements By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Grants In Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted Share-Based Compensation Arrangements By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercises In Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Exercise Price, Expired Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures and Expirations In Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Exercise Price, Forfeited Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life, Balance Outstanding Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life, Exercisable Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Beginning Balance Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Ending Balance Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercised Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share, By Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number, Beginning Balance Number of Warrants, Beginning Balance Number of Warrants, Ending Balance Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Number of Warrants, Granted Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Other Than Options Exercises In Period Number of Warrants, Exercised Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Other than Options, Exercises in Period Number of share warrants exercised during the period. Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period Number of Warrants, Forfeited Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance Weighted Average Exercise Price, Ending Balance Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Other Than Options Exercises In Period Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised Weighted average fair value as of the grant date of equity-based award plans other than stock (unit) option plans are exercise in period. Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted Average Exercise Price, Forfeited Income Statement [Abstract] Operating Expenses [Abstract] Operating Costs and Expenses: General and Administrative Expense General and administrative Research and Development Expense Research and development Operating Expenses Total Operating Costs and Expenses Operating Income (Loss) Loss from Operations Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Other Income (Expense): Fair Value Adjustment of Warrants Change in fair value of warrant liability Change in fair value of warrant liabilities Change in fair value of warrant liability Fair Value Adjustment of Warrants Change in fair value of warrant liability Investment Income, Interest Interest income Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Net Loss Net Loss Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Net Loss Attributable to Non-controlling Interest Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Non-controlling interest Net Income (Loss) Attributable To Parent Net Loss Attributable to Synthetic Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries Net loss Earnings Per Share, Basic, Total Net Loss Per Share - Basic Net loss per share - basic (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Total Net Loss Per Share - Dilutive Net loss per share - dilutive (in dollars per share) Plan Name [Axis] Plan Name [Domain] Stock Plan 2001 [Member] 2001 Stock Plan [Member] Stock Plan 2007 [Member] 2007 Stock Plan [Member] Stock Plan 2010 [Member] 2010 Stock Plan [Member] Related Party [Axis] Related Party [Domain] Employees And Consultants [Member] Employee [Member] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Domain] General and Administrative Expenses and Research and Development Expense [Member] Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Stock Purchase Warrants Aggreements [Axis] Stock Purchase Warrants Aggreements [Domain] Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period Fair Value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Fair Value Fair value of stock (or other type of equity) granted during the period as a result of any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Stock Options Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table] Title of Individual [Axis] Relationship to Entity [Domain] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Related Party Transaction [Line Items] Disclosure Management Plan [Abstract] Management's Plan [Table] Management's Plan [Line Items] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Stock Purchase Warrants [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Table] Investment Type [Axis] Investments [Domain] Warrant [Member] Employee-related Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Cash Flows From Operating Activities: Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income (Loss) To Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Share-Based Compensation Stock-based compensation Stock issued for milestone payments Stock issued for milestone payments The value of stock granted for milestone payments during the period. Issue Of Stock For Exclusive Channel Collaboration Agreement Stock issued for exclusive channel collaboration agreement Stock issued for exclusive channel collaboration agreement during the period. Depreciation, Total Depreciation Increase (Decrease) In Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) In Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets Increase Decrease In Deposits and Other Assets Deposits and other assets The aggregate net change during the reporting period in moneys given as security, collateral, or margin deposits. Also includes, net change in other operating assets not otherwise defined in the taxonomy. Increase (Decrease) In Accounts Payable Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) In Accrued Liabilities Accrued expenses Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations, Total Net Cash Used In Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Cash Flows From Investing Activities: Payments To Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Purchases of property and equipment Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations, Total Net Cash Used In Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Cash Flows From Financing Activities: Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Proceeds from issuance of common stock Direct Offering Cost Cash paid as direct offering costs The amount of cash paid for the expenses of direct offering cost. Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock For Stock Option And Warrants Exercises Proceeds from issuance of common stock for stock option exercises The cash inflow from the additional capital contribution to the entity for stock option and warrants exercises. Cash Period Increase Decrease Net increase (decrease) in cash Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Supplemental disclosure for non-cash items: Interest Paid Cash paid for interest Income Taxes Paid Cash paid for taxes Organization, Consolidation and Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Accrued Employee Benefits, Current Accrued employee benefits Deferred Rent Credit, Current Deferred rent Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total Other Income (Expense) Increase (Decrease) in Employee Related Liabilities Accrued employee benefits Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Compensation Deferred rent Proceeds from Issuance or Sale of Equity Proceeds from "at the market" stock issuance, net of issuance costs Accrued Clinical Consulting Services Accrued clinical consulting services The carrying value of accrued clinical consulting services payable as on balance sheet date. Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Other accrued expenses New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Disclosure Management Plan [Text Block] The entire disclosure related to Management's Plan. Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Money Market Funds, at Carrying Value Stock Purchase Warrants [Text Block] The entire disclosure related to Stock Purchase Warrants. Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Estimated Fair Value Of The Warrant Liability [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of estimated fair value of the warrant liability. Schedule Of Warrant Activity [Table Text Block] Schedule of Warrant Activity [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of warrant activity. Schedule Of Warrant Outstanding and Exercisable [Table Text Block] Schedule of Warrant Outstanding and Exercisable [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure relates to warrant outstanding and exercisable. Stock Warrants [Member] Sale of Stock, Number of Shares Issued in Transaction Sale of Stock, Price Per Share Issuance Of Warrants To Purchase Of Common Stock Issuance of Warrants to Purchase of Common Stock Warrants issued to purchase common stock. Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Warrants Exercisable Number Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Warrants, Exercisable Number The number of exercisable share warrants that may be converted as of the balance sheet date. Warrants Exercisable Price Per Share Warrants exercisable price per share. Investment Warrants Expiration Date1 Investment Warrants Expiration Date Expiration date of warrants held. Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Equity Option [Member] Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance Fair Value by Liability Class [Domain] Other Assets, Current Other current assets Liabilities, Current, Total Total Current Liabilities Liabilities and Stockholders Equity Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Leasehold Improvements [Member] Leasehold improvements and fixtures Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period Grant Date Fair Value Grant date fair value of options granted Fair value of stock (or other type of equity) granted during the period as a result of any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted Weighted average grant date fair value Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Noncontrolling Interest [Table] Agreement [Axis] Investment, Name [Axis] Agreement [Domain] Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage Noncontrolling Interest Disclosure [Text Block] Investment, Name [Domain] Biomics and Mark Pimentel [Member] Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent Consolidation Items [Axis] Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items] Consolidation Items [Domain] Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic, Total Net loss - Basic Dilutive Shares Related To Warrants Dilutive shares related to warrants. Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted, Total Net loss - Dilutive Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic, Total Weighted average common share - basic (in shares) Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period - Basic Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Call Options and Warrants Dilutive shares related to warrants Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Total Weighted average common share - dilutive (in shares) Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period - Dilutive Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items] Share Price Closing stock price Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate Expected dividends Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate Expected volatility Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate Risk free interest rate Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term Expected life of warrant Exercise Price Range [Axis] Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Domain] Exercise Price 1.60 [Member] Exercise Price 1.75 [Member] Exercise Price 1.75 [Member] Exercise Price 2 22 [Member] Exercise Price 2.22 [Member] Exercise Price 1.77 [Member] Warrants Exercise Price Exercise Price Exercise Price Exercise price of the warrants. Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding, Number, Beginning Balance Warrants Outstanding Warrants Outstanding Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Non Option Equity Instruments Warrants Exercisable Number Warrants Exercisable Warrants Exercisable The value as of the balance sheet date at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance on vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable under the share warrants plan. Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Terms Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Accrued Employee Benefits [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of information related to accrued employee benefits. Employee Related Liabilities Current [Table] Accrued Bonuses, Current Accrued bonus expense Accrued Vacation, Current Accrued vacation expense Other Employee Related Liabilities, Current Other accrued employee benefits Employee-related Liabilities, Current, Total Total Employee Related Liabilities [Line Items] Document Type Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Trading Symbol Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Information [Line Items] Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities Federal Board Revenue Sales Agreement [Abstract] Federal Board Revenue Sales Agreement Disclosure [Text Block] The entire disclosure relating to sales agreement of securities. Federal Board Revenue Sales Agreement [Table] FBR Capital Markets Co [Member] Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs (in shares) Brokerage Commission,Percentage Brokerage Commission, Percentage Represent that percentage of commission revenue from buying and selling securities on behalf of customers. Revenue Recognition, Milestone Method, Milestone Payments The amount of payments made during the period for the milestone or milestones. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center [Member] Federal Board Revenue Sales Agreement [Line Items] Subsequent Event [Member]