Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document Type Entity Interactive Data Current 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 Current Reporting Status Entity Shell Company Entity Filer Category Entity Small Business Entity Emerging Growth Company Title of 12(b) Security Trading Symbol Security Exchange Name Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Address, State or Province Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] Series A 12% convertible preferred stock Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] Series B One Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] Series B-1 12% convertible preferred stock Series B One Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] Series B Three Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] Series B-3 8% convertible preferred stock Series B Three Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] Series B Two Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] Series B-2 12% convertible preferred stock Series B Two Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] Series C Preferred Stock [Member] Series C super dividend redeemable convertible preferred stock Series C super dividend redeemable convertible preferred stock Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Assets Total assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Current assets: Assets, Current Total current assets Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Other Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and contingencies (Note 10) Liabilities Total liabilities Liabilities and Equity Total liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders' equity Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current liabilities: Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Dividends Payable, Current Accrued dividends payable Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Accrued And Other Liabilities Current Accrued expenses and other Represents accrued and other current liabilities. Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Stockholders' equity: Additional Paid in Capital Additional paid-in capital Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, 56,591,278 and 41,190,905 issued and outstanding at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Convertible preferred stock, value Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained deficit Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity (Deficit), Balance Stockholders' Equity (Deficit), Balance Undesignated Capital Stock, Value Undesignated stock, $0.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized, 20,000,000 designated at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively Undesignated Capital Stock, Value Temporary Equity, Carrying Amount, Attributable to Parent Convertible preferred stock, value Temporary Equity, Balance Temporary Equity, Balance Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other liabilities Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, issued Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common stock, outstanding Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference, Value Convertible preferred stock, liquidation value Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Convertible preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Convertible preferred stock, issued Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Convertible preferred stock, outstanding Temporary Equity, Aggregate Amount of Redemption Requirement Convertible preferred stock, redemption value Temporary Equity, Liquidation Preference Convertible preferred stock, liquidation value Temporary Equity, Shares Authorized Convertible preferred stock, shares authorized Temporary Equity, Shares Issued Convertible preferred stock, shares issued Temporary Equity, Shares Outstanding Convertible preferred stock, shares outstanding Temporary Equity, Balance (in shares) Temporary Equity, Balance (in shares) Undesignated Capital Stock, Par Value Undesignated stock, par value Undesignated Capital Stock, Par Value Undesignated Capital Stock, Shares Authorized Undesignated stock, shares authorized Undesignated Capital Stock, Shares Authorized Undesignated Capital Stock, Shares, Outstanding Undesignated stock, shares designated Undesignated Capital Stock, Shares, Outstanding Income Statement [Abstract] Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Net loss per common share — basic and diluted Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net loss Net loss Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Net loss applicable to common stockholders Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Other income (expense): Interest Expense Interest expense Investment Income, Interest Interest income Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total other income (expense) Operating Expenses [Abstract] Operating expenses: General and Administrative Expense General and administrative Operating Expenses Total operating expenses Research and Development Expense Research and development Operating Income (Loss) Total operating loss Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact Preferred stock dividends Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic and diluted NonCash Expense Related to Extension of Warrants Warrant modification (Note 9) Recognition of non cash charge related to extension of warrants Represents the amount of non-cash expense related to extension of warrants. Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] NONCASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Supplemental Dividends on Esop convertible preferred stock Payment of preferred stock dividends in common stock Supplemental Dividends on ESOP convertible preferred stock Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash flows from financing activities Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Net proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants Net proceeds from issuance of common stock Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [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 flows from operating activities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Prepaid expenses and other assets Issuance of Stock and Warrants for Services or Claims Issuance of common stock for services Paid-in-Kind Interest Non-cash interest expense Share-based Compensation Stock-based compensation expense Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Preferred Stock and Preference Stock Payment of preferred stock dividends Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Amortization Amortization of right to use lease asset Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash from operating activities Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Series A Preferred Stock [Member] Series A 12% convertible preferred stock Stock B Three Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] Series B-3 8% convertible preferred stock Stock B Three Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] Series B Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Additional Paid-In Capital Common Stock [Member] Common Stock Retained Earnings [Member] Retained Deficit Series A1 Preferred Stock [Member] Series A 12% convertible preferred stock Series A1 Preferred Stock [Member] Series B1 Preferred Stock [Member] Series B-1 12% convertible preferred stock Series B-1 Preferred Stock Series B Three Preferred Stock [Member] Series B-3 8% convertible preferred stock Series B3 Preferred Stock Series B2 Preferred Stock [Member] Series B-2 12% convertible preferred stock Series B2 Preferred Stock Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Stock-based compensation expense Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital Dividends in Deficit of Retained Earnings Convertible preferred stock dividend Amount of decrease in additional paid in capital dividends in Deficit of Retained Earnings. Issuance of Stock and Warrants For Services Or Claims Shares Issuance of common stock for services (in shares) Issuance of stock and warrants for services or claims shares. Preferred Stock Dividends, Shares Convertible preferred stock dividend (in shares) Shares, Outstanding Stockholders' Equity (Deficit), Balance (in shares) Stockholders' Equity (Deficit), Balance (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues Issuance of common stock (in shares) Shares of common stock issued Issuance of common stock Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues Issuance of common stock Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Issuance of common stock for exercise of warrants and options ( in shares) Exercised | shares Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Issuance of common stock for exercise of warrants and options Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities Issuance of common stock from Series A conversion Conversion of Series B Convertible Preferred to common Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities Issuance of common stock from Series A conversion (in shares) Conversion of Series B Convertible Preferred to common (in shares) Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Warrant Issued Warrant modification (Note 9) Warrants and options [Axis] Warrants and options [Domain] Warrants and options Not Settleable In Cash [Member] Warrants Warrants and options Not Settleable In Cash. Accounting Policies [Abstract] Basis of Accounting [Text Block] Basis of Presentation Payables and Accruals [Abstract] Accrued And Other Liabilities Current Disclosure Text Block [Text Block] Accrued Expenses and Other Represents disclosure of accrued and other current liabilities. Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Line of Credit Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation Text Block [Abstract] Stock Warrants Text Block Common Stock Warrants Stock Warrants Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Loss Per Share Equity [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Conversion Of Preferred Stock To Common Stock Disclosure Text Block Preferred Stock Conversion into Common Stock Represents disclosure of convertible preferred stock text block. Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Leases [Abstract] Lessee, Operating Leases [Text Block] Leases Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Abstract] Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Schedule of Investments [Text Block] Galectin Sciences LLC Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block] Accrued Expenses Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation Expense Related to Common Stock Options, Restricted Common Stock and Common Stock Warrants Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block] Summary of Stock Option Activity Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block] Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Fair Value of Options Granted Schedule of Stockholders' Equity Note, Warrants or Rights [Table Text Block] Common Stock Warrant Activity Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block] Dilutive Shares Which Could Exist Pursuant to Exercise of Outstanding Stock Instruments and Which were not Included in Calculation Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block] Maturity of operating lease Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Basis of Presentation [Table] Basis of Presentation [Table] Basis of Presentation [Table] Basis of Presentation [Line Items] Basis of Presentation [Line Items] Basis of Presentation [Line Items] Expected Costs of Trail and General Overhead Expected costs of trail and general overhead The expected costs of trail and general overhead. Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Title of Individual [Axis] Title of Individual [Axis] Title of Individual [Domain] Relationship to Entity [Domain] Type of Arrangement and Non-arrangement Transactions [Axis] Type Of Arrangement Axis Arrangements and Non-arrangement Transactions [Domain] Range [Axis] Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Range [Domain] Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table] Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table] Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table] Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Line Items] Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Line Items] Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Line Items] Accrued Liabilities, Current Total Accrued Professional Fees, Current Legal and accounting fees Accrued Research and Development Costs and Other Accrued research and development costs and other Accrued Research and Development Costs and Other Employee-related Liabilities, Current Accrued compensation Operating Lease, Liability, Current Lease liability Lease liability Line of Credit Facility [Abstract] Line of Credit Facility [Table] Line of Credit Facility [Table] Unsecured Line Of Credit [Member] Unsecured Line Of Credit Unsecured Line Of Credit [Member] Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights Exercise price of warrant Price per warrants class Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights Number of securities called by warrant Exercise of warrants Number of shares called by warrants Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Short term borrowing interest rate Interest Expense, Debt Amortization of interest expense Issuance Of Warrants, Value Warrant value Issuance Of Warrants, Value