Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Accrued Expenses Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Accretion on redeemable convertible preferred stock. Accretion on redeemable convertible preferred stock Accretion of redeemable convertible preferred stock Accrued Expense Policy Accrued Expense [Policy Text Block] Accrued Expenses Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued expenses 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 Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Less accumulated depreciation and amortization Additional Paid in Capital Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Additional Paid-In Capital Additional Share Based Compensation Expense Related to Modified Stock Options Additional Share Based Compensation Expense Related to Modified Stock Options Non-cash charge related to modification Adjustment for Modification of Warrants Adjustment for Modification of Warrants Expense related to extension of warrants Warrant modification Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Stock-based compensation expense Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Warrant Issued Warrant liability credited to additional paid in capital Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Warrant Modification Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Warrant Modification Modification of warrants 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: After Modification [Member] After Modification [Member] After Modification Aggregate Offering Price Aggregate Offering Price Aggregate offering price Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Amendment [Member] Amendment [Member] Amendment Amortization of Intangible Assets Amortization expense of intangible assets Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Dilutive shares not included in calculation Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] April Thirty Twenty Ten Series B Two Transaction [Member] April Thirty Twenty Ten Series B Two Transaction [Member] April 30, 2010 Series B-2 Transaction Arrangements and Non-arrangement Transactions [Domain] Arrangements and Non-arrangement Transactions [Domain] Assets Total assets Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Assets, Current Total current assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Current assets: Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Fair value of assets August Twelve Twenty Zero Nine Series B Two Transaction [Member] August Twelve Twenty Zero Nine Series B Two Transaction [Member] August 12, 2009 Series B-2 Transaction Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Basis of Accounting [Text Block] Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation [Line Items] Basis of Presentation [Line Items] Basis of Presentation [Line Items] Basis of Presentation [Table] Basis of Presentation [Table] Basis of Presentation [Table] Before Modification [Member] Before Modification [Member] Before Modification Beneficial Conversion Feature [Member] Beneficial Conversion Feature [Member] Beneficial Conversion Feature Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD Cash and cash equivalents Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Security Deposit Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash equivalents Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] NONCASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Class A Two Warrants [Member] Class A Two Warrants [Member] Class A-2 Warrants Class B Warrants [Member] Class B Warrants [Member] Class B Warrants Class of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Line Items] Class of Stock [Line Items] Class of Warrant or Right, Date from which Warrants or Rights Exercisable Exercisable Date Warrants exercisable beginning date Class of Warrant or Right [Axis] Class of Warrant or Right [Axis] Class of Warrant or Right [Domain] Class of Warrant or Right [Domain] Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights Exercise Price Exercise price of warrant Class Of Warrant or Right Expiration Date, Extension Period Class Of Warrant or Right Expiration Date, Extension Period Warrants exercisable life extended period Class Of Warrant Or Right Issuable Class Of Warrant Or Right Issuable Warrants issuable Class of Warrant or Right, Issued Class of Warrant or Right, Issued Warrants issued Class of Warrant or Right, Issued in Period Class of Warrant or Right, Issued in Period Warrants issued Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights Warrants to purchase shares of common stock Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding Number Issued Outstanding Warrants Closing Stock Price Of Common Stock Closing Stock Price Of Common Stock Minimum closing price of the common stock to require conversion Commissions as Percentage of Gross Offering Proceeds Commissions as Percentage of Gross Offering Proceeds Commission to sales agent as a percentage of gross proceeds Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitment And Contingencies [Table] Commitment And Contingencies [Table] Commitment And Contingencies [Table] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and contingencies (Note 9) Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Common Shares Issuable upon Conversion of Convertible Stock Common Shares Issuable upon Conversion of Convertible Stock Common shares issuable upon conversion of preferred stock Common Stock Market Price Common Stock Market Price Market value of common stock Common Stock [Member] Common Stock Common Stock Options Granted, Shares Common Stock Options Granted, Shares Common stock options granted, shares 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 Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2015 and 2014, 28,825,033 and 22,277,283 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively Common Stock Warrants Issued Common Stock Warrants Issued Warrants to purchase shares of common stock issued Compensation Related Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities [Line Items] Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities [Line Items] Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities [Line Items] Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities [Table] Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities [Table] Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities [Table] Computer and Office Equipment [Member] Computer and Office Equipment [Member] Computer and office equipment Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block] Concentration of Credit Risk Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] Basis of Consolidation Consultant [Member] Consultant [Member] Consultant Conversion Of Stock Conversion Price Conversion Of Stock Conversion Price Convertible stock conversion price Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted Convertible preferred shares Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued Common stocks issued upon conversion of Preferred Stock Counterparty Name [Axis] Counterparty Name [Axis] Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Promissory note, interest rate December Eight Twenty Zero Nine Series B Two Transaction [Member] December Eight Twenty Zero Nine Series B Two Transaction [Member] December 8, 2009 Series B-2 Transaction Equity-Based Arrangements, Individual Contracts, Type of Deferred Compensation [Axis] Equity-Based Arrangements, Individual Contracts, Type of Deferred Compensation [Axis] Deferred Tax Assets, Gross Deferred Tax Assets, Gross, Total Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance Net deferred tax asset Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards Operating loss carryforwards Deferred Tax Assets, Other Other temporary differences Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards Tax credit carryforwards Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance Less valuation allowance Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance, Percentage Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance, Percentage Deferred tax asset valuation allowance percentage in each of the last two years Deferred Tax Expense from Stock Options Exercised Benefits related to stock options Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Depreciation and amortization expense Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation and amortization Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block] Warrants Modification. Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation Dividend Accrual Rate On Investments In Affiliates Dividend Accrual Rate On Investments In Affiliates Dividends accrue rate Dividend as Percentage of Net Sales Dividend as Percentage of Net Sales Dividend as percentage of net sales Dividend Payment Date Day And Month Dividend Payment Date Day And Month Dividend payable date Dividend Payment 1st [Member] Dividend Payment 1st [Member] Series A Preferred Stock Dividend Payment 2nd [Member] Dividend Payment 2nd [Member] Series B One Preferred Stock Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share Dividend per share Dividends Payable, Current Accrued dividends payable Dividends, Preferred Stock Convertible preferred stock dividend Convertible preferred stock dividend Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Information [Line Items] Document Information [Line Items] Document Information [Table] Document Information [Table] Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Type Document Type Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Basic and diluted net loss per share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Loss Per Share Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent, Total Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent Tax benefit at U.S. statutory rates Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance, Percent Changes in valuation allowance Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments, Percent Expiring state NOL's Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Permanent Differences Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Permanent Differences Permanent differences Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, State and Local Income Taxes, Percent State tax benefit Employee-related Liabilities, Current Accrued compensation Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items] Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized Unrecognized compensation cost Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition Unrecognized compensation cost, recognition period Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Share-based Awards Other than Options Non-cash stock-based compensation expense to be recognized Employee Stock Option [Member] Stock Options Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Public Float Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Equity [Abstract] Equity [Abstract] Equity-Based Arrangements, Individual Contracts, Type of Deferred Compensation [Domain] Equity-Based Arrangements, Individual Contracts, Type of Deferred Compensation [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Interest Type [Axis] Equity Interest Type [Axis] Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Type [Domain] Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Type [Domain] Amount per share or per unit assigned to the consideration received of equity securities issued for development stage entities. Development Stage Entities, Equity Issuance, Per Share Amount Common stock price per share Stock price per share Equity [Line Items] Equity [Line Items] Equity [Line Items] Investment, Name [Domain] Investment, Name [Domain] Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] Equity [Table] Equity [Table] Equity [Table] Exercise Price Range Five [Member] Exercise Price Range Five [Member] $13.38 Exercise Price Range Four [Member] Exercise Price Range Four [Member] $6.24 - $7.56 Exercise Price Range One [Member] Exercise Price Range One [Member] $1.80-$1.83 Exercise Price Range Three [Member] Exercise Price Range Three [Member] $3.45-$4.41 Exercise Price Range Two [Member] Exercise Price Range Two [Member] $2.08-$2.88 Fair Market Value Of Shares Fair Market Value Of Shares Fair market value of shares Fair Value Adjustment of Warrants Change in fair value of warrant liabilities Fair Value Assumptions, Exercise Price Fair value assumptions, warrants exercise price Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate Fair value assumptions, dividend rate Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term Fair value assumptions, term of warrants Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate Fair value assumptions, volatility rate Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate Fair value assumptions, risk free interest rate Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Level 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Level 3 Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value Of Asset Contributed To Joint Venture Fair Value Of Asset Contributed To Joint Venture Estimated fair value of the IPR&D Contributed by SBH February Twelve Twenty Zero Nine Series B One Transaction [Member] February Twelve Twenty Zero Nine Series B One Transaction [Member] February 12, 2009 Series B-1 Transaction Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Accumulated amortization of intangible assets Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Gross intangible assets Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life Estimated useful lives of intangible assets First Payment [Member] First Payment [Member] First Payment Furniture and Fixtures [Member] Furniture and fixtures Galectin Sciences, LLC [Member] Galectin Sciences, LLC [Member] Galectin Sciences, LLC General and Administrative Expense General and administrative General and Administrative Expense [Member] General and administrative Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block] Intangible Assets Gross Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock Gross Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock Gross proceeds from sale of common stock Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block] Long-Lived Assets Incentive Compensation Plan 2009 [Member] Incentive Compensation Plan 2009 [Member] Incentive Compensation Plan 2009 Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Loss from equity method investment in Galectin Sciences, LLC Loss from equity method investment in Galectin Sciences LLC Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Domain] Income Statement Location [Domain] Income Tax Authority [Axis] Income Tax Authority [Axis] Income Tax Authority [Domain] Income Tax Authority [Domain] Income Tax Authority, Name [Axis] Income Tax Authority, Name [Axis] Income Tax Authority, Name [Domain] Income Tax Authority, Name [Domain] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes Income Taxes [Line Items] Income Taxes [Line Items] Income Taxes [Line Items]