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 Series B 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 Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Convertible Debt with Conversion Feature Embedded beneficial conversion feature 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 Issuance of warrants in connection with line of credit Warrant liability credited to additional paid in capital 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: Aggregate offering price. Aggregate Offering Price Aggregate offering price Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense Amortized expense Amended B Three Securities Purchase Agreement [Member] Amended B Three Securities Purchase Agreement [Member] Amended B Three Securities Purchase Agreement Amendment Flag Amendment Flag 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] Beneficial Conversion Feature [Member] Beneficial Conversion Feature [Member] Beneficial Conversion Feature B Three Securities Purchase Agreement [Member] B Three Securities Purchase Agreement [Member] B Three Securities Purchase Agreement 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 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 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 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 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 Number of securities called by warrant Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding Number Issued Outstanding Warrants Class of warrants or rights date from which warrants or rights exercisable description. Class of Warrants or Rights Date from Which Warrants or Rights Exercisable Description Exercisable Date 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, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Common stock purchase warrants issued related with line of credit Common stock purchase warrants issued related with line of credit Common stock purchase warrants issued in connection with line of credit Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, issued Common Stock, Shares, 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, 2017 and 2016, 35,789,388 and 32,912,942 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively Common Stock, Value, Issued 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 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 Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued upon Conversion Number of common stock issued upon conversion Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Reserved for Future Issuance Number of shares agreed to issue and sell Counterparty Name [Axis] Counterparty Name [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Line of Credit Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Short term borrowing 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 December nineteen twenty seventeen line of credit warrants. December Nineteen Twenty Seventeen Line of Credit Warrants [Member] December 19, 2017 Line of Credit Warrants December Twenty Eight Twenty Sixteen Private Placement [Member] December Twenty Eight Twenty Sixteen Private Placement [Member] December 28, 2016 Private Placement Warrants December Twenty Three Twenty Sixteen Series B Three Transaction [Member] December Twenty Three Twenty Sixteen Series B Three Transaction [Member] December 23, 2016 Series B-3 Transaction December Twenty Two Twenty Sixteen Private Placement [Member] December Twenty Two Twenty Sixteen Private Placement [Member] December 22, 2016 Private Placement Warrants 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 Director [Member] Director 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 Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent Statutory federal income tax rate 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, Change in Enacted Tax Rate, Percent Impact of the 2017 Tax Act Effective income tax rate reconciliation expiring state non operating loss. Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Expiring State Non Operating Loss Expiring state NOL's Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments, Percent Other 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 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 Stock price per share Equity [Line Items] Equity [Line Items] Equity [Line Items] 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] $4.41-$7.80 Exercise Price Range Four [Member] Exercise Price Range Four [Member] $3.45 - $3.97 Exercise Price Range One [Member] Exercise Price Range One [Member] $0.87-$1.00 Exercise Price Range Six [Member] Exercise Price Range Six [Member] $13.38 Exercise Price Range Three [Member] Exercise Price Range Three [Member] $2.32-$2.93 Exercise Price Range Two [Member] Exercise Price Range Two [Member] $1.37-$1.83 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 February twenty seven twenty seventeen private placement. February Twenty Seven Twenty Seventeen Private Placement [Member] February 27, 2017 Private Placement Warrants 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 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 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]