Cover [Abstract] Document Information [Table] Document Information, Document [Axis] Document [Domain] Warrant [Member] Warrant [Member] Warrant Common Stocks [Member] Common Stock [Member] Common stocks. Document Information [Line Items] 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 Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Public Float Document Annual Report Document Transition Report No Trading Symbol Flag 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 6% super dividend redeemable convertible preferred stock Series C super dividend redeemable convertible preferred stock dividend Series C 6% 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 December 31, 2019 and 2018, 56,894,642 and 41,190,905 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively Common Stock, Value, Issued 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 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, 20,000,000 shares designated at December 31, 2019 and 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, 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 Series A 12% 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] Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net loss Net loss Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Net loss applicable to common stockholders 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 Research and development expense Operating Income (Loss) Total operating loss Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact Preferred stock dividends NonCash Expense Related to Extension of Warrants Warrant modification (Note 5) Recognition of non cash charge related to extension of warrants Represents the amount of non-cash expense related to extension of warrants. Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Basic and diluted net loss per share Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share 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 [Member] 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 Issuance of common stock for services 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 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 stock option exercises ( in shares) Exercised Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Issuance of common stock for stock option exercises 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) Conversion of Series A to common stock Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Warrant Issued Warrant modification (Note 5) Stock And Warrants Issued During Period Value New Issues Issuance of common stock for warrant exercises Stock And Warrants Issued During Period Value New Issues Stock And Warrants Issued During Period Shares New Issues Issuance of common stock for warrant exercises (in shares) Stock And Warrants Issued During Period Shares New Issues Warrants and options [Axis] Warrants and options [Domain] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Excluding Exchange Rate Effect 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 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 Payment Of Preferred Stock Dividends Payment of preferred stock dividends Payment of preferred stock dividends Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash from investing activities 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 Paid-in-Kind Interest Non-cash interest expense Share-based Compensation Stock-based compensation expense 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 Disclosure Text Block [Abstract] Basis of Accounting [Text Block] Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation Accounting Policies [Abstract] Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Property and Equipment Payables and Accruals [Abstract] Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Accrued Expenses Equity [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Stockholders' Equity Text Block [Abstract] Stock Warrants Text Block Warrants Stock Warrants Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Line of Credit Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Loss Per Share Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Abstract] Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Schedule of Investments [Text Block] Galectin Sciences LLC Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes Accrued Expense [Policy Text Block] Accrued Expenses Accrued Expense Policy 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 Compensation Related Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block] Concentration of Credit Risk Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] Basis of Consolidation Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block] Warrants Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block] Fair Value Measurements Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block] Long-Lived Assets Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block] Income Taxes New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Recently Adopted Accounting Standards Prepaid Expenses and Other [Policy Text Block] Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets Prepaid Expenses and Other, Policy Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Property and Equipment Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block] Research and Development Expenses Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Use of Estimates Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block] Property and Equipment Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block] Accrued Expenses Schedule Of Equity And Other Investments [Table Text Block] Return on Investment Schedule of equity and other investments. Schedule of Stockholders' Equity Note, Warrants or Rights [Table Text Block] Summary of Information with Regard to Outstanding Warrants Issued in Connection with Equity and Debt Financings and Consultants 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 Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Table Text Block] Summary of Additional Information Regarding Outstanding and Exercisable Options under Stock Based Compensation Plans