Ocera Therapeutics 10-K 13 Mar 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 27, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Ocera Therapeutics, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1274644
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		19,747,362
Public Float			$77.05
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$10,127	$15,533
Short-term investments, available-for-sale	37,112	30,167
Accounts receivable	62	93
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	970	470
Assets of discontinued operations	0	3,029
Total current assets	48,271	49,292
Property and equipment, net	61	59
Long-term investments	3,928	1,513
Deposits	26	26
Intangible assets, net	171	335
Goodwill	595	595
Total assets	53,052	51,820
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	941	1,282
Accrued liabilities	1,966	1,902
Liabilities of discontinued operations	0	3,503
Total current liabilities	2,907	6,687
Other liabilities	0	1
Total liabilities	2,907	6,688
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
Preferred stock, $0.00001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.	0	0
Common stock, $0.00001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized;19,747,362 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 15,300,214 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013.	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	155,083	126,615
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-27	3
Accumulated deficit	-104,911	-81,486
Total stockholders’ equity	50,145	45,132
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$53,052	$51,820

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	19,747,362	15,300,214
Common stock, shares outstanding	19,747,362	15,300,214

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenue:
Licensing revenue	$200	$0
Royalty revenue	141	85
Total revenue	341	85
Operating expenses:
Research and development	14,945	3,549
General and administrative	9,910	8,500
Amortization of intangibles	164	295
Impairment of intangibles	0
Impairment of intangibles	0	3,070
Total operating expenses	25,019	15,414
Other income (expense):
Interest and other income	66	18
Interest and other expense	-12	-193
Change in fair value of warrant liability	0	15
Total other income (expense), net	54	-160
Net loss from continuing operations	-24,624	-15,489
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations (including gain on disposal of $1,149 for the year ended December 31, 2014)	1,199	-2,025
Net loss	-23,425	-17,514
Net loss per share:
Net loss per share from continuing operations, basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	($1.41)	($2.52)
Net loss per share from discontinued operations, basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.07	($0.33)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	($1.34)	($2.85)
Weighted average common shares outstanding used to compute net loss per share, basic and diluted	17,525,187	6,145,731
Net loss	-23,425	-17,514
Unrealized (loss) gain on investments	-30	3
Comprehensive loss	($23,455)	($17,511)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope1

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss Parenthetical (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets	$1,149

Consolidated_Statements_of_Con

Consolidated Statements of Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) Statement (USD $)	Total	Preferred Stock	Preferred Stock	Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Deficit
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified		Series A Convertible Preferred Stock	Series B Convertible Preferred Stock	Series C Convertible Preferred Stock
Stockholders' equity, balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2012	($62,806)	$14,346	$11,983	$35,414	$5	$1,161	$0	($63,972)
Stockholders' equity, balance at beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		1,735,565	1,029,369	2,075,390	626,593
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of stock, value	46,425					46,425
Issuance of stock, shares					7,258,863
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options, shares					88,465
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options, value	63					63
Share-based compensation expense	507					507
Restatement of par value of common stock					-5	5
Conversion of debt to series C preferred stock	3,187			3,187
Conversion of debt to series C preferred stock, shares				186,218
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock	64,930	-14,346	-11,983	-38,601		64,930
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock, shares		-1,735,565	-1,029,369	-2,261,608	5,026,542
Shares issued in merger with Tranzyme	13,524					13,524
Shares issued in merger with Tranzyme, shares					2,299,751
Net loss	-17,514							-17,514
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3						3
Stockholders' equity, balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2013	45,132	0	0	0	0	126,615	3	-81,486
Stockholders' equity, balance at end of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		0	0	0	15,300,214
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of stock, value	23,384					23,384
Issuance of stock, shares					4,200,000
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options, shares					225,871
Stock Issued During Period Shares Stock Options Exercised, Cashless					15,673
Stock Issued During Period Warrants Exercised, Cashless					5,604
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options, value	398					398
Share-based compensation expense	4,686					4,686
Conversion of debt to series C preferred stock	0
Shares issued in merger with Tranzyme	0
Net loss	-23,425							-23,425
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-30						-30
Stockholders' equity, balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2014	$50,145	$0	$0	$0	$0	$155,083	($27)	($104,911)
Stockholders' equity, balance at end of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		0	0	0	19,747,362

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating activities
Net loss	($23,425)	($17,514)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Net (income) loss from discontinued operations	-1,199	2,025
Depreciation	36	29
Loss on disposal of fixed assets	0	7
Amortization of intangibles	164	295
Stock-based compensation	4,686	507
Change in valuation of warrant liability	0	-15
Impairment of intangible assets	0	3,070
Accretion of premium on investment securities	600	39
Debt discount, net and noncash interest expense	0	92
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	31	45
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-500	-346
Accounts payable	-341	14
Accrued liabilities	63	764
Net cash used in continuing operating activities	-19,885	-10,988
Net cash used in discontinued operating activities	-440	-1,006
Net cash used in operating activities	-20,325	-11,994
Investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment	-38	-12
Purchases of short and long-term investments	-41,415	-34,116
Sale and maturities of short-term investments	31,425	2,400
Net cash received from merger transaction	0	7,464
Net cash used in continuing investing activities	-10,028	-24,264
Net cash provided by discontinued investing activities	1,165	3,000
Net cash used in investing activities	-8,863	-21,264
Financing activities
Proceeds from the sale of common stock, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses	23,384	46,425
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	398	63
Net cash provided by continuing financing activities	23,782	46,488
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-5,406	13,230
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period	15,533	2,303
Cash and cash equivalents—end of year	10,127	15,533
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing activities
Reclassification of warrant liability to additional paid-in-capital	0	1
Conversion of convertible promissory note and interest to common stock	0	3,187
Conversion of convertible preferred stock to common stock	0	61,743
Common stock issued in connection with merger transaction	$0	$13,524

Description_of_Business_and_Ba

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
	Ocera Therapeutics, Inc. (the "Company") is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of OCR-002 (ornithine phenylacetate). OCR-002 is an ammonia scavenger which has been granted Orphan drug designation and Fast Track status from the FDA to treat hyperammonemia and associated hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis, acute liver failure and acute liver injury.
	On July 15, 2013, Terrapin Acquisition, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tranzyme, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Tranzyme”), completed its merger (the “Merger”) with and into Ocera Therapeutics, Inc., a private Delaware corporation (“Private Ocera”). Private Ocera is considered the acquiring company for accounting purposes as upon completion of the Merger, Private Ocera's former stockholders held a majority of the voting interest of the combined company. In addition, upon the closing of the Merger, six of the nine members of the board of directors of the combined company were former members of the Private Ocera board of directors. Therefore, the former members of the Private Ocera board of directors possessed majority control of the board of directors of the combined company. The Merger was effected pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization (the “Merger Agreement”), dated as of April 23, 2013, by and among Tranzyme, Private Ocera and Merger Sub. In connection with the Merger, the combined company changed its name to Ocera Therapeutics, Inc. and the name of Private Ocera was changed to Ocera Subsidiary, Inc.
	Pursuant to the Merger, Private Ocera’s convertible notes payable plus accrued interest were converted to Series C convertible preferred stock at a rate of $2.04858 per share. Immediately thereafter, all shares of Private Ocera’s Series A, Series B and Series C convertible preferred stock were converted into Private Ocera common stock on a share for share basis. All such Private Ocera common stock was exchanged for Tranzyme common stock at a rate of one Private Ocera share for 0.11969414 Tranzyme shares (the "Exchange Ratio"). All share and per share amounts for all periods presented in these consolidated financial statements have been adjusted retroactively to reflect the exchange for Tranzyme shares. In addition, convertible preferred stock warrants of Private Ocera were converted into common stock warrants of Ocera Therapeutics, Inc., pursuant to the Merger, based upon the Exchange Ratio.
	On December 13, 2013, the Company entered into a Technology Transfer and License Agreement with Genentech, Inc. (“Genentech”) and F. Hoffman-La Roche, Ltd (“Roche”) to sell certain Canadian fixed assets and materials, the MATCH technology and rights to the Genentech and Roche customer agreements and related intellectual property through licensing of patents for $4.0 million. On February 18, 2014, the Company received the "Notice of Completion" regarding obligations pursuant to this Agreement. The “Notice of Completion” was considered a substantive performance obligation in the agreement. The Company recorded the disposition of these assets held for sale in the first quarter of 2014.
	The Company's business is subject to significant risks consistent with biopharmaceutical companies seeking to develop technologies and product candidates for human therapeutic use. These risks include, but are not limited to, uncertainties regarding research and development, access to capital, obtaining and enforcing patents, receiving regulatory approval and competition with other biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
	The Company has evaluated subsequent events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the day the financial statements are issued.
	The Company has a limited operating history and the sales and income potential of the Company's business and market are unproven. The Company has experienced net losses each year since its inception and, as of December 31, 2014, had a deficit accumulated of $104.9 million. The Company anticipates that it will continue to incur net losses into the foreseeable future as it continues the development and commercialization of OCR-002 and as it expands its corporate infrastructure. Based on the Company's current operating plan, the Company believes its working capital is sufficient to fund its operations through at least the next twelve months.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ocera Therapeutics, Inc., and its subsidiary, Ocera Subsidiary, Inc. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. All amounts included in these notes to consolidated financial statements are reported in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.
	Business Combinations
	The Company accounted for the Merger as a reverse merger under the acquisition method of accounting. The consideration paid to acquire Tranzyme was measured at fair value and included the exchange of the Company's common stock and assumption of vested stock options. This allocation of the purchase price resulted in recognition of intangible assets related to customer relationships, developed technology and goodwill. The allocation of purchase price requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions. The key assumptions in determining the fair value of intangible assets were the discount rate and the probability assigned to the milestone or royalty being achieved in the future.
	Discontinued Operations
	On September 11, 2013, the Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan related to the operations of Tranzyme Pharma Inc. and its Sherbrooke, Quebec facility ("Tranzyme Pharma"), whereby the Company closed the operations of the facility effective as of November 11, 2013. On December 13, 2013, the Company entered into a Technology Transfer and License Agreement to sell the Company’s MATCH discovery platform and license the related intellectual property rights. The Company concluded that since Tranzyme Pharma's operations and the MATCH discovery platform comprised a component with distinct operations and cash flows that would be eliminated from ongoing operations, and the Company would not have significant involvement after the disposal, these components would be accounted for as discontinued operations. The results of operations of the components to be disposed of, related restructuring costs and gain on disposal of assets have been classified as net income (loss) from discontinued operations from their date of acquisition on July 15, 2013 through December 31, 2014. The assets and liabilities of Tranzyme Pharma have been classified as assets and liabilities, respectively, of discontinued operations. Unless noted otherwise, discussion in these notes to the financial statements pertain to the Company's continuing operations.
	Segment Reporting
	Operating segments are identified as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker in making decisions regarding resource allocation and assessing performance. The Company views its operations and manages its business in one operating segment.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include money market funds and various deposit accounts.
	Concentration of Credit Risk
	Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a significant concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and securities available-for-sale. The Company maintains deposits in federally insured financial institutions in excess of federally insured limits. However, management believes the Company is not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial position of the depository institutions in which those deposits are held. Additionally, the Company has established guidelines regarding diversification of its investments and their maturities, which are designed to maintain safety and liquidity.
	Investments
	The Company invests in marketable securities, primarily money market funds, commercial paper, government agency debt securities and U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities. The Company considers all investments with a maturity date greater than three months and less than one year at each balance sheet date to be short-term investments. Those investments with a maturity date greater than one year at each balance sheet date are considered to be long-term investments. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013 all investments in marketable securities were classified as available-for-sale. These securities are carried at estimated fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in stockholders' equity. The amortized cost of debt securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity, which is included in interest income.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company uses the market approach valuation technique for fair value measurements on a recurring basis and attempts to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. All of our cash equivalents and investments are measured using inputs classified at Level 1 or Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Level 2 inputs are based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant inputs are observable in the market or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Where applicable, these models project future cash flows and discount the future amounts to a present value using market-based observable inputs obtained from various third-party data providers, including but not limited to, benchmark yields, interest rate curves, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes and market reference data. The carrying amounts of the Company's financial instruments, including cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximate fair value due to their short maturities.
	Property and Equipment, net
	Property and equipment, net, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Useful lives generally range from three to five years.
	Intangible Assets and Goodwill
	The Company recorded intangible assets and goodwill upon the Merger. Acquired intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining estimated economic life of 2.5 to 5 years. The Company reviews its intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of an asset is measured by comparing its carrying amount to the expected future undiscounted cash flows that the asset group is expected to generate. If it is determined that the carrying amount is not recoverable, an impairment loss is recorded in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. The Company recorded an impairment loss of $3.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2013 due to the termination of work by Bristol-Myers Squibb on macrocyclic compounds under the collaboration agreement. No impairment was recorded in the year ended December 31, 2014.
	The Company performs an annual qualitative assessment of its goodwill to determine if any events or circumstances exist, such as an adverse change in business climate or adverse developmental or regulatory results of OCR-002, that would indicate that it would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount, including goodwill. If events or circumstances do not indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying amount, then goodwill is not considered to be impaired and no further testing is required. The determination of fair value requires significant judgment and estimates. For the purpose of impairment testing, the Company has determined that it had two reporting units, continuing operations and discontinued operations. There has been no impairment of goodwill for any periods presented.
	Foreign Currency Translation
	The Company's consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars. The financial statements of Tranzyme Pharma (a discontinued entity) are re-measured from the local currency to U.S. dollars, as follows: monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date and non-monetary items at exchange rates in effect when the assets were acquired or non-monetary liabilities incurred. Revenue and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates prevailing during the period of the transaction. The gains and losses resulting from the translation of foreign currency financial statements of discontinued entity into U.S. dollars are reported in loss from discontinued operations. The translation adjustment of cash balances held in Canadian dollars are reported in interest and other expense.
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company recognizes revenue from the delivery of collaborative research services, license agreements for the development and commercialization of products and from royalties. During 2013, collaboration research revenue is disclosed as discontinued operations in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operation and Comprehensive Loss. For each source of revenue, the Company applies revenue recognition criteria in the following manner:
	Multiple element arrangements such as collaboration agreements which may include an upfront license and ongoing services are analyzed to determine whether the deliverables within the agreement can be separated or whether they must be accounted for as a single unit of accounting. Deliverables under the agreement will be accounted for as separate units of accounting provided that (i) a delivered item has value to the customer on a stand-alone basis; and (ii) if the agreement includes a general right of return relative to the delivered item, delivery or performance of the undelivered item is considered probable and substantially in the control of the vendor. The allocation of consideration amongst the deliverables under the agreement is derived using a "best estimate of selling price" if vendor specific objective evidence and third-party evidence of fair value is not available. If the delivered element does not have stand-alone value, the arrangement is then accounted for as a single unit of accounting, and the Company will recognize the consideration received under the arrangement as revenue on a straight-line basis over the estimated period of performance.
	License fees from license agreements are recognized when the amounts are earned and determinable during the applicable period. The Company recognizes up-front nonrefundable license fees when due under contractual agreements and when the Company does not have a continuing obligation to provide services related to the agreement. Revenue associated with nonrefundable up-front license fees under arrangements where the license fees and research and development activities cannot be accounted for as separate units of accounting is deferred and recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the expected term of our continued involvement in the research and development process.
	The Company recognizes royalty payments as revenue when earned. At the end of each accounting period, estimates of royalty amounts due are made based on estimated sales information from the Company's customers.
	Research and Development Expenses
	Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and primarily consist of costs associated with external research and development expenses incurred under agreements with (i) third-party investigative sites, where a substantial portion of our preclinical studies and all of our clinical trials are conducted, (ii) third-party manufacturing organizations, where a substantial portion of our preclinical supplies and all of our clinical supplies are produced, and (iii) consultants, employee-related expenses, which include salaries and benefits, and facilities, depreciation and amortization and other allocated expenses, which include direct and allocated expenses for rent and maintenance of facilities, depreciation of leasehold improvements and equipment and laboratory and other supplies.
	Clinical Trial Accruals
	As part of the process of preparing financial statements, the Company estimates its accrued expenses. This process involves identifying services that have been performed and estimating the level of service performed and the associated cost incurred for the service when the Company has not yet been invoiced or otherwise notified of actual cost. The Company's clinical trial accruals are based on estimates of patient enrollment and related costs at clinical investigator sites as well as estimates for the services received and efforts expended pursuant to contracts with multiple research institutions and clinical research organizations that conduct and manage clinical trials on the Company's behalf. The Company accrues expenses related to clinical trials based on contracted amounts applied to the level of patient enrollment and activity according to the protocol. If timelines or contracts are modified based upon changes in the clinical trial protocol or scope of work to be performed, the Company modifies the estimates of accrued expenses accordingly. To date, the Company has had no significant adjustments to accrued clinical trial expenses. Examples of estimated accrued expenses include:
	•	fees paid to investigative sites in connection with clinical trials;
	•	fees paid to contract manufacturers in connection with the production of clinical trial materials; and
	•	professional service fees.
	The financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation, vary from contract to contract and may result in uneven payment flows. Payments under some of these contracts depend on factors such as the successful enrollment of patients and the completion of clinical trial milestones. In accruing service fees, the Company estimates the time period over which services will be performed and the level of effort to be expended in each period.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	Stock-based compensation is recognized as an expense in the financial statements based on the grant date fair value. For awards that vest based on service conditions, the Company uses the straight-line method to allocate compensation expense to reporting periods. For performance-based stock options, the Company begins to recognize the expense when it is deemed probable that the performance-based goal will be met. The Company evaluates the probability of achieving performance-based goals at each reporting date. Stock-based compensation expense is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, and therefore the recorded expense includes an estimate of future forfeitures. Forfeitures are to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The Company estimates the fair value of stock options and stock purchase rights using a Black-Scholes option pricing model which requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the option’s expected life and the price volatility of the underlying stock. The Company generally uses the simplified method for estimating the expected term as provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The simplified method calculates the expected term as the average of time-to-vesting and the contractual life of the options. The Company uses historical experience to estimate the expected term for non-employee director awards that are exercisable up to one year following termination of services. The expected stock price volatility assumption was determined by examining the historical volatilities of a group of industry peers. Forfeitures are estimated using the Company's historical experience of stock options forfeited.
	Income Taxes
	The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, the Company determine deferred tax assets and liabilities on the basis of the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities by using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
	The Company recognizes deferred tax assets to the extent that they believe that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, it considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If it is determined that the Company would be able to realize deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, it would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes. The recognition and measurement of tax benefits requires significant judgment. Judgments concerning the recognition and measurement of tax benefit might change as new information becomes available.
	The Company records uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes on the basis of a two-step process in which it determines whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Company recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Occasionally, new accounting standards are issued or proposed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB"), or other standards-setting bodies that the Company adopts by the effective date specified within the standard. Unless otherwise discussed, standards that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements upon adoption.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. ASU 2013-11 provides explicit guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The guidance is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013, with an option for early adoption. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2014. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on its financial statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant and Equipment (topic 360); Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. ASU 2014-08 provides additional requirements to classify a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity in discontinued operations only if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014, with an option for early adoption. The Company intends to adopt this guidance at the beginning of our first quarter of fiscal year 2015, and does not expect the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09 requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard will become effective for the Company on January 1, 2017. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2014-10, Development Stage Entities (Topic 915). ASU 2014-10 removes the distinction between development stage entities and other reporting entities in U.S. GAAP and eliminates the requirement to label financial statements as those of a development stage entity and eliminates the requirement to present inception to date information in the statements of income, cash flows and shareholder equity. The guidance is applied retroactively and is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014, with an option for early adoption. The Company early adopted this guidance in 2014, and as a result, has removed the label “A Development Stage Company” from its financial statements and accompanying notes and eliminated the inception to date information from the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Other than presentation, the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. ASU 2014-15 requires management to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. In doing so, companies will have reduced diversity in the timing and content of footnote disclosures than under today’s guidance. ASU 2014-15 is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2016 with early adoption permitted. The Company does not believe the impact of adopting this standard will be material on the Company's financial statements.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements
	The following tables present information about the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value. As a basis for categorizing inputs, the Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value from market based assumptions to entity specific assumptions:
	Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
	Level 2: Inputs, other than level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and
	Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.
	The Company’s Level 3 financial liabilities consist of warrant liabilities related to warrants to purchase preferred stock.
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
		Balance as of			Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant
		December 31,			in Active		Other		Unobservable
		2014			Markets for		Observable		Inputs
					Identical Assets		Inputs		(Level 3)
					(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Money market funds	$	9,171		$	9,171	$	—	$	—
	Commercial paper	3,750			—		3,750		—
	Corporate debt securities	36,790			—		36,790		—
	Government agency debt securities	500			—		500		—
	Total assets	$	50,211		$	9,171	$	41,040	$	—
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
		Balance as of			Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant
		December 31,			in Active		Other		Unobservable
		2013			Markets for		Observable		Inputs
					Identical Assets		Inputs		(Level 3)
					(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Money market funds	$	5,774		$	5,774	$	—	$	—
	Commercial paper	15,246			—		15,246		—
	Corporate debt securities	20,884			—		20,884		—
	Total assets	$	41,904		$	5,774	$	36,130	$	—
	The following table provides the change in the fair value of Level 3 liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		Convertible
		Preferred Stock
		Warrant Liability
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	16
	Change in fair value of warrant liability	(15		)
	Conversion of preferred stock warrants into common stock warrants	(1		)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	—
	On July 15, 2013, warrants to purchase convertible preferred stock were converted to warrants to purchase common stock eliminating the terms that caused the preferred stock warrants to be accounted for as a liability.

Balance_Sheet_Components

Balance Sheet Components	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Balance Sheet Components [Abstract]
Balance Sheet Components	Balance Sheet Components
	Investments
	The following table summarizes the Company's available for sale investments as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			Maturity		Amortized Cost				Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value
			(in Years)
	Short-term investments:
	Commercial paper		1 or less		$	3,748			$	2	$	—		$	3,750
	Corporate debt securities		1 or less		33,379				—		(17		)	33,362
	Total				37,127				2		(17		)	37,112
	Long-term investments:
	Corporate debt securities		1 to 2		3,439				—		(11		)	3,428
	Government agency debt securities		1 to 2		501				—		(1		)	500
	Total				3,940				—		(12		)	3,928
	Total investments				$	41,067			$	2	$	(29	)	$	41,040
	At each reporting date, the Company performs an evaluation of impairment to determine if the unrealized losses are other-than-temporary. For debt securities, management determines whether it intends to sell the impaired securities, and if there is no intent or expected requirement to sell, management considers whether it is likely that the amortized cost will be recovered. The Company does not consider unrealized losses on its debt investment securities to be credit-related. These unrealized losses relate to changes in interest rates and market spreads subsequent to purchase. The Company has not made a decision to sell securities with unrealized losses and believes it is more likely than not it would not be required to sell such securities before recovery of its amortized cost. There have been no other than temporary losses recognized in earnings.
	The following table summarizes the Company's available for sale investments as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
			Maturity		Amortized Cost				Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value
			(in Years)
	Short-term investments:
	Commercial paper		1 or less		$	15,232			$	14	$	—		$	15,246
	Corporate debt securities		1 or less		14,930				—		(9		)	14,921
	Total				30,162				14		(9		)	30,167
	Long-term investments:
	Corporate debt securities		1 to 2		1,514				—		(1		)	1,513
	Total				1,514				—		(1		)	1,513
	Total investments				$	31,676			$	14	$	(10	)	$	31,680
	Property and Equipment, net
	Property and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
		Useful Life		December 31,
		(in years)		2014				2013
	Computer equipment and software	1.5 to 3 years		$	53			$	40
	Office furniture and equipment	5 years		68				43
	Total property and equipment, gross			121				83
	Less: accumulated depreciation			(60		)		(24		)
	Total property and equipment, net			$	61			$	59
	Depreciation expense was $36,000 and $29,000 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Acquired intangible assets
	The net book value of acquired intangible assets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
	Customer Agreements:	2014				2013
	Carrying value	$	410			$	410
	Accumulated amortization	(239		)		(75		)
	Intangible assets, net	$	171			$	335
	Weighted average remaining life (in years)	1				2
	On July 15, 2013, the Company capitalized approximately $5.9 million of intangible assets acquired in the Merger.
	In 2013, the Company recorded an impairment charge of intangible assets of $3.1 million and $2.2 million of intangible assets were reclassified to discontinued operations and assets held for sale. The Company recognized $164,000 and $295,000 as amortization expense on the intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. No impairment charges were recorded in 2014.
	As of December 31, 2014 expected amortization expense related to our purchased intangible assets is approximately $171,000 during 2015.
	Goodwill
	Goodwill of $1.1 million was recorded pursuant to the Merger. Goodwill of $0.5 million was allocated to discontinued operations upon restructuring and disposal of Tranzyme Pharma, see Note 6. Discontinued Operations. There were no impairments to goodwill during the periods presented.
	Accrued Liabilities
	Accrued liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014				2013
	Payroll and related expenses	$	678			$	1,093
	Clinical trials	897				417
	Professional services	343				315
	Other	48				77
		$	1,966			$	1,902

Merger_with_Tranzyme

Merger with Tranzyme	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Merger with Tranzyme	Merger with Tranzyme
	On July 15, 2013, Merger Sub, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tranzyme, completed its Merger with Private Ocera. The Merger was accounted for as a reverse merger under the acquisition method of accounting. Under the acquisition method of accounting, Private Ocera was treated as the accounting acquirer and Tranzyme was treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes as, immediately upon completion of the Merger, Private Ocera stockholders held a majority of the voting interest of the combined company. In addition, six of the nine members of the board of directors of the combined company were former members of Private Ocera board of directors. Therefore, the former members of Private Ocera board of directors possessed majority control of the board of directors of the combined company.
	The purchase price for Tranzyme is as follows (in thousands):
	Fair value of Tranzyme shares outstanding	$	13,249
	Fair value of vested Tranzyme stock options	275
	Purchase Price	$	13,524
	In accordance with the acquisition method of accounting, the purchase price has been allocated to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed on the basis of their estimated fair values on the date of acquisition, based on valuations performed by a third party. The Company engaged a third party valuation firm to assist management in its analysis of the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in the Merger with Tranzyme. All estimates, key assumptions, and forecasts were either provided by or reviewed by management. While the Company chose to utilize a third party valuation firm, the fair value analysis and related valuations represent the conclusions of management and not the conclusions or statements of any third party.
	In accordance with the acquisition method of accounting, the purchase price has been allocated to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed on the basis of their estimated fair values on the date of acquisition.
	The following table summarizes the preliminary determination of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):
		Purchase Price
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	7,464
	Accounts and investment tax credits receivable, net	636
	Prepaid expenses and other assets	159
	Fixed assets	744
	Intangible assets	5,940
	Goodwill	1,054
	Accounts payable	(1,029		)
	Accrued and long-term liabilities	(1,307		)
	Deferred revenue	(137		)
	Total purchase price	$	13,524
	The following table includes the intangible assets identified as of the acquisition date and the estimated lives prior to impairment and reclassification to discontinued operations (in thousands, except for useful life):
		Continuing operations			Discontinued operations		Total		Useful life
	Customer relationships	$	3,700		$	480	$	4,180	2.5 to 5 years
	Developed technology	—			1,760		1,760		5 years
	Total	$	3,700		$	2,240	$	5,940
	The Company believes that the historical values of Tranzyme's current assets and current liabilities approximate their fair value based on the short-term nature of such items. Tranzyme's property and equipment consists of assets whose historical cost less depreciation approximated its fair value. The identifiable intangible assets are Tranzyme’s technology, which consists primarily of its intellectual property related to Tranzyme’s MATCH technology, and the estimated net present value of future cash flows from collaborative agreements to be generated from the MATCH technology used in the development activities.
	The collaboration agreements were valued using a risk adjusted multi-period excess earnings analysis, a form of the income approach, which incorporates the estimated future cash flows to be generated from these relationship assets. Excess earnings are the earnings remaining after deducting the market rates of return on the estimated values of contributory assets, including debt-free net working capital, tangible and intangible assets. The excess earnings are thereby calculated for each year of a multi-year projection period, factored for industry-wide probabilities of success and discounted to a present value. Accordingly, the primary components of this method consist of the determination of excess earnings and an appropriate rate of return.
	The valuation of the Tranzyme's proprietary MATCH technology is based on replacement method of the cost approach that considers the cost to replace the acquired technology. The cost approach is based on the premise that a prudent investor would pay no more for an asset than its replacement or reproduction cost. The cost to replace the asset would include the cost of constructing a similar asset of equivalent utility at prices applicable at the time of the valuation analysis. The estimated fair value attributed to the developed technology is amortized over a weighted average useful life of approximately 5 years.
	Goodwill is calculated as the difference between the fair value of the consideration expected to be transferred and the values assigned to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, is primarily attributable to the acquisition of an established workforce of clinical development professionals and is not deductible for tax purposes.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations	Discontinued Operations
	On September 11, 2013, the Company announced a restructuring plan related to the operations of Tranzyme Pharma. On December 13, 2013, the Company entered into a Technology Transfer and License Agreement with Genentech and Roche to sell certain Canadian fixed assets and materials, the MATCH technology and rights to the Genentech and Roche customer agreements and related intellectual property through licensing of patents for $4.0 million. The Company concluded that the operations of Tranzyme Pharma and related asset groups sold to Genentech and Roche were accounted for as discontinued operations as the operations and cash flows of the discontinued component and asset group were eliminated from ongoing operations of the Company and there would not be significant involvement in the component or asset group after the disposal transaction.
	The Company recorded the disposition of assets sold to Genentech and Roche subject to the Technology Transfer and License Agreement in the first quarter of 2014, upon receipt of a “Notice of Completion” which was considered a substantive performance obligation in the agreement. Agreement consideration of $3.0 million was received in 2013 and was recorded as an accrued liability at December 31, 2013.
	During the Year Ended December 31, 2014 the Company completed its obligations under the Technology Transfer and License Agreement with Genentech and Roche and recognized a gain on disposal of assets of $1.1 million within discontinued operations as detailed below (in thousands):
			Year Ended
			31-Dec-14
	Proceeds recognized pursuant to Technology Transfer and License Agreement		$	4,000
	Less carrying value of assets sold:
	Intangibles assets		(2,053		)
	Property and equipment		(356		)
	Goodwill		(442		)
	Net gain on disposal of assets		$	1,149
	The results of Tranzyme Pharma and related asset groups are disclosed as discontinued operations in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for all periods presented (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013
	Revenue	$	—			$	467
	Expenses:
	Research and development	—				(1,134		)
	General and administrative	—				(220		)
	Amortization of intangibles	—				(187		)
	Restructuring settlements (charges)	68				(859		)
	Gain (loss) on disposal of assets	1,149				(86		)
	Other expense, net	(6		)		(6		)
	Recognition of accumulated translation adjustments upon deconsolidation of subsidiary	(12		)		—
	Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	1,199			$	(2,025	)
	The assets and liabilities of Tranzyme Pharma and related asset groups are presented as held for disposal in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2013. There were no assets and liabilities recorded in discontinued operations as of December 31, 2014. The carrying amount of assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	178
	Property and equipment, net	356
	Intangible assets, net	2,053
	Goodwill	442
	Assets of discontinued operations	$	3,029
	Deposit on sale of assets	$	3,000
	Accounts payable	106
	Accrued liabilities	397
	Liabilities of discontinued operations	$	3,503
	Upon classification as held for disposal and discontinued operations, the assets and liabilities of Tranzyme Pharma Inc. and related asset groups were evaluated for impairment at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less disposal costs, no impairment loss was recorded.
	Restructuring of Tranzyme Pharma (Sherbrooke, Quebec)
	In September 2013, the Company approved a restructuring plan related to the operations of its wholly owned subsidiary, Tranzyme Pharma Inc. at its Sherbrooke, Quebec facility (the "Sherbrooke Facility") in order to focus its management and resources on the clinical development of OCR-002. In connection with the restructuring, the Company terminated all employees at the Canadian location, exited the Sherbrooke Facility and terminated certain contractual obligations. Restructuring charges of $0.9 million were recorded as a component of net loss from discontinued operations during the year ended December 31, 2013. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company paid and settled all of the remaining liabilities and recorded an adjustment related to discounts of $68,000 on certain shipping charges related to the restructuring of Tranzyme Pharma.
	The following table summarizes the Company’s restructuring activities during the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		Post- Employment Benefits				Moving and Shipping Costs			Operating Activities			Total
	Restructuring charges	$	700			$	114		$	45		$	859
	Cash payments and other settlements	(308		)		(15		)	(34		)	(357		)
	Accrued restructuring at December 31, 2013	$	392			$	99		$	11		$	502
	Cash payments and other settlements	(392		)		(31		)	(11		)	(434		)
	Settlement of certain restructuring charges	—				(68		)	—			(68		)
	Accrued restructuring at December 31, 2014	$	—			$	—		$	—		$	—

License_Agreements_and_Acquire

License Agreements and Acquired Development and Commericialization Rights	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Strategic Collaboration and License Agreements [Abstract]
License Agreements and Acquired Development and Commercialization Rights	License Agreements and Acquired Development and Commercialization Rights
	Kureha Corporation
	In July 2004, the Company in-licensed from Kureha Corporation ("Kureha") the technology and exclusive development and commercialization rights to its AST-120 product candidate for the treatment of liver and gastrointestinal disease for the territories of North America and Europe. The Company paid a $1.5 million up-front fee to Kureha. In March 2008, the Company amended the license agreement, in exchange for a payment of $0.5 million. In January 2014, the Company notified to Kureha that it had discontinued its work on AST-120, terminated the license and returned all rights to AST-120 to Kureha.
	UCL Business PLC
	In December 2008, the Company licensed rights to OCR-002 from UCL Business PLC, an entity affiliated with the University College London (“UCL”), for the exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize OCR-002 and related technologies for any use. The agreement was amended in July 2011 and February 2013. As consideration for the license, the Company paid an up-front fee of $1.0 million.  The Company may be required to make future milestone payments to UCL totaling up to $20.0 million upon the achievement of various milestones related to clinical and regulatory events for OCR-002.  The Company may also be required to pay milestone payments totaling up to $35.0 million upon the achievement of various milestones related to future net sales of OCR-002. The Company is also obligated to pay tiered royalties in the low to mid-single digits on future net sales of the licensed product candidate.
	Open Biosystems, Inc.
	In October 2005, Tranzyme entered into a license and marketing agreement whereby Open Biosystems, Inc. acquired a worldwide royalty-bearing license to certain intellectual property unrelated to Tranzyme's lead product candidates prior to the Merger and its MATCH drug discovery technology, as specified in the agreement. The Company earns royalties on annual net sales at rates that vary by licensed product category as defined in the agreement through 2017 or until the expiration date of the last-to-expire licensed patent or twelve years, whichever occurs last. Royalty revenue recognized from the licensing agreement was $141,000 and $85,000 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 respectively.
	Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
	In December 2009, Tranzyme entered into a two-year collaboration agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (“BMS”) to discover, develop and commercialize novel macrocyclic compounds, other than Tranzyme's product candidates and internal programs, directed against a limited number of targets of interest to BMS.
	In fiscal year 2013, during the periodic reviews of the BMS collaboration agreement, the Company determined that BMS would terminate its efforts on the development of all macrocyclic compounds under development pursuant to collaboration agreement. The Company recorded an impairment charge of $3.1 million as a result. The Company does not expect to receive any future revenue associated with this collaboration agreement.
	Lyric Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
	During the year ended December 31, 2014 the Company entered into an Asset License and Purchase Agreement for the Sale and License of ulimorelin ("TZP-101"), the former lead compound of Tranzyme to Lyric Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Lyric”). Per the terms of the agreement, the Company received an up-front nonrefundable payment of $200,000 for the transfer of intellectual property and materials associated with TZP-101 and the licensing of associated patents with no further ongoing obligations to be performed by the Company. In addition, Lyric is solely responsible for the preclinical and clinical development of all products arising from the further development of TZP-101.
	If successful, the Company could receive future consideration as a percentage of the proceeds received by Lyric upon its sale or license to a third party, and under certain conditions, clinical and regulatory milestones totaling up to $25.0 million plus royalty payments from potential product sales generated by TZP-101.

Net_Loss_Per_Share

Net Loss Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Loss Per Share	Net Loss Per Share
	Basic net loss per share is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding for the period. Common stock equivalents are only included when their effect is dilutive. The Company’s potentially dilutive securities which include convertible preferred stock, warrants, convertible notes payable and outstanding stock options under the stock option plan, have been excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. For all periods presented, there is no difference in the number of shares used to compute basic and diluted shares outstanding. All shares and per share amounts for all periods presented in the following table have been adjusted retroactively to reflect the exchange for Tranzyme shares.
	The following table presents the computation of net loss per share (in thousands, except share and per share data):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013
	Numerator
	Net loss from continuing operations	$	(24,624	)		$	(15,489	)
	Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	1,199				(2,025		)
	Net loss	$	(23,425	)		$	(17,514	)
	Denominator
	Weighted average common shares outstanding used to compute net loss per share, basic and diluted	17,525,187				6,145,731
	Net loss per share of common stock, basic and diluted:
	Net loss per share from continuing operations	$	(1.41	)		$	(2.52	)
	Net income (loss) per share from discontinued operations	0.07				$	(0.33	)
	Net loss per share	$	(1.34	)		$	(2.85	)
	Potentially dilutive securities not included in the calculation of dilutive net loss per share are as follows (in common equivalent shares on a weighted-average basis):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013
	Convertible preferred stock	—			2,604,305
	Convertible preferred stock warrants	—			11,243
	Common stock warrants	938,743			259,908
	Common stock options	1,887,130			624,511
	Total	2,825,873			3,499,967
	In addition to the potentially dilutive securities noted above, the Company had outstanding convertible notes payable and accrued interest that were converted into 186,217 shares of common stock upon completion of the Merger. The Company has excluded these convertible notes payable from the table above.

Convertible_Notes_Payable

Convertible Notes Payable	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Convertible Notes Payable	Convertible Notes Payable
	In March 2012, the Company entered into a convertible note and warrant purchase agreement with existing investors. The Company issued an aggregate principal amount of $1.5 million of convertible notes in an initial closing in March 2012 (the "March 2012 Notes"). The March 2012 Notes had an interest rate of 6% per annum and had a maturity date of the earlier of (i) March 30, 2013, (ii) a change of control, or (iii) an event of default. In connection with the March 2012 Notes, the lenders received warrants to purchase 65,731 shares of the Company’s common stock (the "March Warrants") at an exercise price of $0.67 per share. The March Warrants of 26,292 shares have a seven year term expiring on March 30, 2019 and the June Warrants of 39,439 shares have a seven year term expiring on June 30, 2019.
	In October 2012, the Company issued an aggregate amount of $1.5 million of convertible notes in a second closing with existing investors (the "October 2012 Notes"). The October 2012 Notes had an interest rate of 6% per annum and had a maturity date of the earlier of (i) October 1, 2013, (ii) a change of control, or (iii) an event of default. In connection with the October 2012 Notes, the lenders received warrants to purchase 65,731 shares of the Company’s common stock (the "October Warrants"). at an exercise price of $0.67 per share. The October Warrants have a seven-year term set to expire on October 1, 2019.
	The common warrants issued in connection with the March 2012 Notes and October 2012 Notes became immediately exercisable at $0.67 per share.
	In March 2013, the Company amended the March 2012 Notes to extend the maturity date to October 1, 2013. In April 2013, the March and October 2012 Notes were amended to change the note conversion date to automatically convert the unpaid principal and interest at the time of the Merger into shares of the Series C Preferred Stock of Private Ocera at the Series C Conversion Price of $2.04858 per share. There was no consideration paid, given or committed to the note holders by the Company in exchange for the modifications. The debt modification was evaluated under ASC 470-60, Troubled Debt Restructuring and under ASC 470-55, Debt Modification and Extinguishments. The Company determined that it was appropriate to account for the term extension and change to the conversion date on a prospective basis and the carrying amount of the debt remained unchanged. All costs incurred with third parties directly related to the maturity extension were expensed as incurred. There were no costs associated with the change to the note conversion date.
	On July 15, 2013, the March and October 2012 Notes plus accrued interest of $0.2 million were converted into 186,217 shares of common stock in connection with the Merger.
	The Company recorded an aggregate of $0.2 million of non-cash interest expense and amortization of debt discount related to the convertible notes payable for the years ended December 31, 2013.
	Warrants
	Common Stock Warrants
	The fair value of the March Warrants was determined to be $32,000 upon issuance, which was recorded as a debt discount and amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the term of the March 2012 Notes.
	The fair value of the October Warrants was determined to be $111,000, upon issuance, which was recorded as a debt discount and amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the term of the October 2012 Notes.
	On July 15, 2013, warrants to purchase 19,243 shares of common stock of Tranzyme became warrants to purchase common stock of the Company in connection with the Merger.
	On November 8, 2013, the Company closed on a private placement pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement and sold 3,940,887 shares of common stock and warrants exercisable for an aggregate of 788,177 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $28.0 million. The warrants have a five year life at an exercise price of $7.663 per share.
	The following table summarizes the outstanding common stock warrants and the corresponding exercise price as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
		Number of Warrants Outstanding		Per-Share
		at December 31		Exercise
	Issuance Date	2014	2013	Price	Expiration
	12/3/08	2,380	2,380	84	12/3/15
	9/30/10	3,240	3,240	160.44	4/6/16
	1/31/12	13,623	13,623	44.04	1/31/22
	3/30/12	25,022	26,292	0.67	3/30/19
	6/30/12	37,535	39,439	0.67	6/30/19
	10/1/12	62,558	65,731	0.67	10/1/19
	11/8/13	788,177	788,177	7.66	11/8/18
	Total	932,535	938,882
	In December 2014, 6,347 warrants were exercised at an exercise price of $0.67 price per share in a cashless exercise with 5,604 shares of common stock being issued.

Stockholders_Equity_Deficit

Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)	Stockholders’ Equity
	Convertible Preferred Stock
	Pursuant to the Merger, Private Ocera’s convertible notes payable plus accrued interest were converted to Series C convertible preferred stock at a rate of $2.04858 per share. Immediately thereafter, all shares of Private Ocera’s Series A, Series B and Series C convertible preferred stock was converted into shares of Private Ocera's common stock on a share for share basis. All resultant Private Ocera common stock was exchanged for 5,026,542 shares of Tranzyme common stock at a rate of one Private Ocera share for 0.11969414 Tranzyme shares.
	Common Stock
	On July 15, 2013, Private Ocera completed the Merger with Tranzyme as discussed in Note 1. Immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger, the principal and interest under Private Ocera's outstanding convertible notes converted into shares of Series C preferred stock of Private Ocera, and, immediately thereafter, all outstanding preferred stock of Private Ocera converted into the common stock of Private Ocera.
	At the effective time of the Merger, each outstanding share of Private Ocera's common stock was converted into shares of Tranzyme's common stock at the Exchange Ratio, with cash paid in lieu of any fractional shares.
	Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement dated April 23, 2013, immediately following the consummation of the Merger, the combined company sold 3,317,976 shares of common stock for approximately $20.0 million of its common stock to the parties at a per share purchase price of $6.0264 (the "Financing"). Issuance costs of $26,000 were charged to additional paid-in capital.
	On November 8, 2013, the Company closed on a private placement pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement and sold an aggregate of 3,940,887 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase an additional 788,177 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $28.0 million. The warrants may be exercised at any time at an exercise price of $7.663 per share and have a five year life. Issuance costs of $1.5 million were charged to additional paid-in capital.
	On July 10, 2014 the Company completed an underwritten public offering of its common stock in which 4,200,000 shares of common stock were sold for gross proceeds from the offering of $25.2 million. Issuance costs of $1.8 million were charged to additional paid-in capital.
	Shares Reserved for Future Issuance
	The Company has reserved shares of its common stock for future issuance as of December 31, 2014 as follows:
		December 31, 2014
	Stock options outstanding	2,086,602
	Shares available for grant under stock option plans	342,210
	Outstanding warrants	932,535
	Total shares reserved for future issuance	3,361,347

Stock_Options

Stock Options	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock Options	Stock Options
	In 2005, the Company adopted the Ocera Therapeutics, Inc. 2005 Stock Plan (the "Plan"). At the effective time of the Merger, each outstanding stock option to purchase common stock of Private Ocera under the Plan not exercised immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger, whether or not vested, was assumed by the Company and became exercisable for shares of the registrant’s common stock in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement and the Company assumed the 2005 Plan. Upon completion of the Merger, no options remain available for future grant under the 2005 Plan.
	On July 15, 2013, in connection with the Merger, the Company assumed the existing Tranzyme 2011 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the "2011 Plan"), which authorized the issuance of 302,328 shares of common stock under the 2011 Plan.
	On August 13, 2013, the Company’s board of directors approved an amendment to the 2011 Plan to increase the maximum number of shares that may be issued under the 2011 Plan from 302,328 to 2,302,328 shares. In connection with this amendment, the Company’s board of directors authorized the grant of 1,454,200 common stock options to its employees. On August 30, 2013, the Company’s board of directors authorized the grant of 140,000 common stock options to non-employee members of the board of directors. The amendment to the 2011 Plan and the common stock option grants were subject to stockholder approval within twelve months from August 13, 2013. The amendment to the 2011 Plan was approved by stockholders on December 19, 2013. Given that the issuance of stock options granted on August 13, 2013 and August 30, 2013 options were subject to shareholder approval of the increase in the number of shares issuable to the 2011 Plan, the Company concluded the grant date for accounting purposes to be December 19, 2013, the date of shareholder approval.
	A summary of the Company's stock option activity and related information are as follows:
									Weighted-avg
		Shares					Weighted-avg		Remaining	Aggregate
		Available		Stock Options			Exercise Price		Contractual	Intrinsic
		for Grant		Outstanding			Per Share		Life (in Years)	Value
										(in thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	39,226		692,709			$	1.42	6.13	$	368
	Adjustments to authorized shares upon assumption of the 2011 Plan	33,185		—
	Stock options assumed in Merger	(217,115	)	217,115			$	44.52
	Additional shares authorized	2,000,000		—
	Stock options granted	(1,414,650	)	1,414,650			$	7.75
	Stock options exercised	—		(88,465	)		$	0.92		650
	Stock options cancelled	322,221		(326,240	)		$	14.68
	Balance at December 31, 2013	762,867		1,909,769			$	8.77	8.58	$	11,818
	Stock options granted	(1,007,500	)	1,007,500			$	7.44
	Stock options exercised	—		(243,824	)		$	1.72		2,719
	Stock options cancelled	586,843		(586,843	)		$	12.13
	Balance at December 31, 2014	342,210		2,086,602			$	8.01	8.63	$	871
	At December 31, 2014:
	Vested and expected to vest			2,010,354			$	8.03	8.6	$	864
	Exercisable			578,712			$	9.04	6.81	$	762
	The Company’s stock options generally vest over one to four years and have a ten-year term. Stock options issued under the Plan are exercisable in advance of becoming vested. Stock options assumed in the Merger were fully vested on the date of Merger. As of December 31, 2014 no shares were subject to repurchase. At December 31, 2014, the intrinsic values of outstanding, vested and expected to vest and exercisable options were determined by multiplying the number of shares by the difference between the exercise price of the options and the fair value of the common stock. The total estimated grant date fair value of stock options vested during the year ended December 31, 2014 is $4.1 million.
	In June 2012, the Company issued 61,653 shares of common stock options to an executive. One-half of the stock options vest monthly over a one year period from the vesting commencement date. The remainder of the stock options are performance based and would vest upon the closing of certain strategic or financing transactions. On July 15, 2013 as a result of the Merger, the performance based portion of the stock option vested and $0.2 million of stock compensation expense was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company's results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 included stock-based compensation expense of $4.7 million and $0.5 million, respectively.
	The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013
	Research and development	$	1,595		$	68
	General and administrative	3,091			439
	Total	$	4,686		$	507
	Stock Option Valuation Assumptions
	The following table summarizes the average estimates the Company used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 to determine the fair value of stock options granted during each period.
			Years Ended December 31,
			2014	2013
	Expected dividend yield		—%	—%
	Risk-free interest rates		1.74% - 2.01%	0.06% - 2.02%
	Expected term (in years)		6.08 - 6.62	0.25 - 6.08
	Expected volatility		95% - 102%	52% - 100%
	The fair value of each grant of stock options was determined by the Company using the methods and assumptions discussed below. Each of these inputs is subjective and generally requires significant judgment to determine.
	Expected Dividend - The expected dividend assumption is based on the Company's history and expectation of dividend payouts.
	Risk-Free Interest Rate - The risk-free rate assumption is based on the U.S. Treasury instruments the terms of which were consistent with the expected term of the Company's stock options.
	Expected Term - The expected term of stock options represents the weighted-average period the stock options are expected to be outstanding. The Company has opted to use the simplified method for estimating the expected term as provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The simplified method calculates the expected term as the average time-to-vesting and the contractual life of the options. The Company's expected term for employee stock options is generally estimated to be 6.08 years. In 2014, the Company amended the non-employee director compensation policy to amend the exercise period of new awards from three months to one year following termination of services. The Company uses historical experience to estimate the expected term of awards granted with the extended exercise period. The Company's expected term for non-employee director options with the extended term is estimated to be 6.62 years.
	Expected Volatility - The expected stock price volatility assumption was determined by examining the historical volatilities of a group of industry peers. The Company will continue to analyze the historical stock price volatility and expected term assumptions as more historical data for the Company's common stock becomes available.
	Forfeiture Rate - ASC 718 requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Forfeitures were estimated based on historical experience.
	The Company may elect to use different assumptions under the Black-Scholes option-pricing model in the future. Future expense amounts for any particular period could be affected by changes in the Company's assumptions. Authoritative literature provides that it is reasonable for a company to continue to use the simplified method of determining the expected option term when a company has insufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis to estimate the expected option term. The Company expects to continue to use the simplified method for determining its expected employee option term because there is a limited amount of historical exercise data from which to form a reasonable basis to estimate the expected term of the Company's stock options. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the fair value of stock options granted were $5.7 million and $15.8 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had $11.3 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation costs which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.97 years.
	In September 2014, the Company modified the terms of an existing stock option to an executive to extend the period of time to exercise the vested stock options from three month to one year following the termination of employment. $51,000 of stock compensation expense was recorded pursuant to this modification.
	In June and September 2014, the Company issued performance based stock options to two executives and modified an outstanding stock option agreement to accelerate vesting for a third executive based on the achievement of certain performance conditions. The performance conditions were not achieved by December 31, 2014 and the performance based awards and modified award were canceled. There was no stock compensation expense recorded for these performance based awards.
	In June 2012, the Company issued 61,653 shares of common stock options to an executive. One-half of the stock options vest monthly over a one year period from the vesting commencement date. The remainder of the stock options are performance based and would vest upon the closing of certain strategic or financing transactions. In April 2013, the terms of the stock option agreement were modified to further define the meaning of strategic or financing transactions such as the Merger Agreement. On July 15, 2013 as a result of the Merger, the performance based portion of the stock option vested and $0.2 million of stock compensation expense was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	The following is a geographical breakdown of consolidated loss before income taxes by income tax jurisdiction for continuing operations (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013
	United States	$	(24,624	)	$	(15,489	)
	Foreign	—			—
	Total	$	(24,624	)	$	(15,489	)
	No provision for federal or state income taxes has been recorded, as the Company has incurred cumulative net operating losses since inception. A reconciliation of the loss from continuing operations at the federal statutory tax rate of 34% to the Company's effective income tax rate is as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013
	Income tax (benefit) at statutory rate	$	(8,372	)	$	(5,267	)
	State income tax, net of federal benefit	(4,411		)	(225		)
	Permanent items	1,098			516
	Credits	(2,810		)	(198		)
	Refinement of §382 limitation	—			(23,816		)
	Unrecognized tax benefits	—			1,840
	Change in valuation allowance	14,610			26,549
	Other	(115		)	601
	Provision for income taxes	$	—		$	—
	Components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities for federal income tax purposes are as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Net operating loss carryforwards	$	36,066		$	25,967
	Credits	5,659			2,760
	Equity compensation	2,121			531
	Accrued expenses and other reserves	6			37
	Gross deferred tax assets	43,852			29,295
	Valuation allowance	(43,838		)	(29,228		)
	Net deferred tax assets	14			67
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Fixed assets	(7		)	(17		)
	Intangible assets	(7		)	(50		)
	Net deferred tax liabilities	(14		)	(67		)
	Net deferred tax assets (liabilities):	$	—		$	—
	The Company has evaluated the evidence bearing upon the realizability of its net deferred tax assets including the Company's history of operating losses and has concluded that it is not more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefit of its deferred tax assets. Accordingly, the Company has recorded a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013.
	Pursuant to Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Sections 382 and 383, annual use of the Company’s net operating loss and research and development credit carryforwards may be limited in the event a cumulative change in ownership of more than 50% occurs within a three-year period. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has $91.8 million of U.S. federal net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards and $5.4 million of Orphan Drug Credit carryforwards, and $2.5 million of U.S. federal research and development carryforwards available for use, all of which have a full valuation allowance and will begin to expire in 2019 unless utilized.
	Not included in the deferred income tax asset balance at December 31, 2014 is approximately $0.4 million which pertains to certain net operating loss carryforwards resulting from the exercise of employee stock options. When recognized, the tax benefit of these losses will be accounted for as a credit to additional paid-in capital rather than a reduction of the income tax provision.
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company has North Carolina net economic loss carryforwards of approximately $5.4 million, which will begin to expire in 2022 unless utilized. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has California state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $68.6 million, which have begun to expire as of 2014, and $2.4 million of California research and development carryforwards that do not expire.
	Additional limitations as to the ability to use net operating loss or tax credit carryforwards may arise if the Company experiences an ownership change in subsequent years.
	The Company adopted accounting guidance related to accounting for uncertainty in income taxes on January 1, 2007, which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute criteria for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had $3.8 million of unrecognized tax benefits. A reconciliation of the current and prior year changes to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
	Unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2012	$	—
	Increases in prior period positions	1,761
	Increases in current period positions	79
	Unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2013	$	1,840
	Increases in prior period positions	647
	Increases in current period positions	1,286
	Unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2014	$	3,773
	As of December 31, 2014, no unrecognized tax benefits are included in the balance sheet that would, if recognized, affect the Company's effective tax rate due to the valuation allowance that currently offsets deferred tax assets. The Company does not anticipate the total amount of unrecognized income tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease in the next 12 months.
	The Company will recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. The Company determined that no accrual for interest and penalties was required as of December 31, 2014.
	The statute of limitations for assessment by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and state tax authorities is open for tax years ended December 31, 2011 through 2014, although carryforward attributes that were generated prior to tax year 2011 may still be adjusted upon examination by the IRS or state tax authorities if they either have been or will be used in a future period. There are currently no federal or state audits in progress.

Retirement_Savings_Plan

Retirement Savings Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Retirement Savings Plan	Retirement Savings Plan
	The Company provides a qualified 401(k) savings plan for its employees. All employees are eligible to participate, provided they meet the requirements of the plan. Employee contributions are limited to a maximum annual amount as set periodically by the Internal Revenue Code. Following the Merger, the Company provides a contribution on the first 3% of an employee's eligible compensation subject to statutory limitations as proscribed by law. For the years ended December 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013 the Company recorded $107,000 and $58,000 of expense, respectively, for 401(k) contributions.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies
	From time to time, the Company may be involved in disputes, including litigation, relating to claims arising out of operations in the normal course of our business. Any of these claims could subject the Company to costly legal expenses and, while the Company generally believes that it has adequate insurance to cover many different types of liabilities, our insurance carriers may deny coverage or our policy limits may be inadequate to fully satisfy any damage awards or settlements. If this were to happen, the payment of any such awards could have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations and financial position. Additionally, any such claims, whether or not successful, could damage our reputation and business. The Company is currently not a party to any legal proceedings, the adverse outcome of which, in management’s opinion, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations or financial position.
	Leases
	In October 2013, the Company entered into an agreement to lease office space located at 525 University Avenue, Palo Alto, California for the period October 10, 2013 through May 31, 2015. These premises serve as the Company's corporate headquarters.
	Upon the Merger, the Company obtained office space located at 5001 South Miami Boulevard, Durham, North Carolina under a lease that will terminate on January 31, 2015. In August 2014, the Company amended the term of the lease for its North Carolina facility by extending term of the lease through January 2016.
	Provisions of these facilities leases generally provide for abatement of rent during certain periods and escalating rent payments during the original and extended lease terms. Rent expense is being recorded on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease.
	Rent expense was $0.2 million, $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. The following is a schedule of non-cancellable future minimum lease payments for operating leases at December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
	Year Ended December 31,
	2015	$	200
	2016	18
	Total	$	218

Summary_of_Operations_by_Quart

Summary of Operations by Quarter (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Operations by Quarter (Unaudited)	Summary of Operations by Quarter (Unaudited)
	(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
	Year Ended December 31, 2014:	Quarter
		First			Second			Third			Fourth
	Revenue	$	45		$	33		$	233		$	30
	Operating expenses	$	5,240		$	7,288		$	6,912		$	5,579
	Net loss from continuing operations	$	(5,182	)	$	(7,243	)	$	(6,661	)	$	(5,538	)
	Net loss	$	(4,065	)	$	(7,223	)	$	(6,603	)	$	(5,534	)
	Net loss per share from continuing operations—basic and diluted	$	(0.34	)	$	(0.46	)	$	(0.34	)	$	(0.28	)
	Net loss per share—basic and diluted	$	(0.27	)	$	(0.46	)	$	(0.34	)	$	(0.28	)
	Shares used to compute net loss per share—basic and diluted	15,421,234			15,539,053			19,330,888			19,742,245
	Year Ended December 31, 2013:	Quarter
		First			Second			Third			Fourth
	Revenue	$	—		$	—		$	33		$	52
	Operating expenses	$	640		$	2,017		$	6,089		$	6,668
	Net loss from continuing operations	$	(731	)	$	(2,087	)	$	(6,065	)	$	(6,606	)
	Net loss	$	(731	)	$	(2,087	)	$	(7,402	)	$	(7,294	)
	Net loss per share from continuing operations—basic and diluted	$	(1.15	)	$	(3.24	)	$	(0.63	)	$	(0.48	)
	Net loss per share—basic and diluted	$	(1.15	)	$	(3.24	)	$	(0.77	)	$	(0.54	)
	Shares used to compute net loss per share—basic and diluted	637,221			643,674			9,669,825			13,632,204
	Because of the method used in calculating per share data, the quarterly per share data will not necessarily add to the per share data as computed for the year.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ocera Therapeutics, Inc., and its subsidiary, Ocera Subsidiary, Inc. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. All amounts included in these notes to consolidated financial statements are reported in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.
Business Combinations	Business Combinations
	The Company accounted for the Merger as a reverse merger under the acquisition method of accounting. The consideration paid to acquire Tranzyme was measured at fair value and included the exchange of the Company's common stock and assumption of vested stock options. This allocation of the purchase price resulted in recognition of intangible assets related to customer relationships, developed technology and goodwill. The allocation of purchase price requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions. The key assumptions in determining the fair value of intangible assets were the discount rate and the probability assigned to the milestone or royalty being achieved in the future.
Discontinued Operations	Discontinued Operations
	On September 11, 2013, the Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan related to the operations of Tranzyme Pharma Inc. and its Sherbrooke, Quebec facility ("Tranzyme Pharma"), whereby the Company closed the operations of the facility effective as of November 11, 2013. On December 13, 2013, the Company entered into a Technology Transfer and License Agreement to sell the Company’s MATCH discovery platform and license the related intellectual property rights. The Company concluded that since Tranzyme Pharma's operations and the MATCH discovery platform comprised a component with distinct operations and cash flows that would be eliminated from ongoing operations, and the Company would not have significant involvement after the disposal, these components would be accounted for as discontinued operations. The results of operations of the components to be disposed of, related restructuring costs and gain on disposal of assets have been classified as net income (loss) from discontinued operations from their date of acquisition on July 15, 2013 through December 31, 2014. The assets and liabilities of Tranzyme Pharma have been classified as assets and liabilities, respectively, of discontinued operations. Unless noted otherwise, discussion in these notes to the financial statements pertain to the Company's continuing operations.
Segment Reporting	Segment Reporting
	Operating segments are identified as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker in making decisions regarding resource allocation and assessing performance. The Company views its operations and manages its business in one operating segment.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include money market funds and various deposit accounts.
Concentration of Credit Risk	Concentration of Credit Risk
	Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a significant concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and securities available-for-sale. The Company maintains deposits in federally insured financial institutions in excess of federally insured limits. However, management believes the Company is not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial position of the depository institutions in which those deposits are held. Additionally, the Company has established guidelines regarding diversification of its investments and their maturities, which are designed to maintain safety and liquidity.
Investments	Investments
	The Company invests in marketable securities, primarily money market funds, commercial paper, government agency debt securities and U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities. The Company considers all investments with a maturity date greater than three months and less than one year at each balance sheet date to be short-term investments. Those investments with a maturity date greater than one year at each balance sheet date are considered to be long-term investments. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013 all investments in marketable securities were classified as available-for-sale. These securities are carried at estimated fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in stockholders' equity. The amortized cost of debt securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity, which is included in interest income.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company uses the market approach valuation technique for fair value measurements on a recurring basis and attempts to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. All of our cash equivalents and investments are measured using inputs classified at Level 1 or Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Level 2 inputs are based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant inputs are observable in the market or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Where applicable, these models project future cash flows and discount the future amounts to a present value using market-based observable inputs obtained from various third-party data providers, including but not limited to, benchmark yields, interest rate curves, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes and market reference data. The carrying amounts of the Company's financial instruments, including cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximate fair value due to their short maturities.
Property and Equipment, net	Property and Equipment, net
	Property and equipment, net, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Useful lives generally range from three to five years.
Intangible Assets and Goodwill	Intangible Assets and Goodwill
	The Company recorded intangible assets and goodwill upon the Merger. Acquired intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining estimated economic life of 2.5 to 5 years. The Company reviews its intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of an asset is measured by comparing its carrying amount to the expected future undiscounted cash flows that the asset group is expected to generate. If it is determined that the carrying amount is not recoverable, an impairment loss is recorded in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. The Company recorded an impairment loss of $3.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2013 due to the termination of work by Bristol-Myers Squibb on macrocyclic compounds under the collaboration agreement. No impairment was recorded in the year ended December 31, 2014.
	The Company performs an annual qualitative assessment of its goodwill to determine if any events or circumstances exist, such as an adverse change in business climate or adverse developmental or regulatory results of OCR-002, that would indicate that it would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount, including goodwill. If events or circumstances do not indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying amount, then goodwill is not considered to be impaired and no further testing is required. The determination of fair value requires significant judgment and estimates. For the purpose of impairment testing, the Company has determined that it had two reporting units, continuing operations and discontinued operations. There has been no impairment of goodwill for any periods presented.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation
	The Company's consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars. The financial statements of Tranzyme Pharma (a discontinued entity) are re-measured from the local currency to U.S. dollars, as follows: monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date and non-monetary items at exchange rates in effect when the assets were acquired or non-monetary liabilities incurred. Revenue and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates prevailing during the period of the transaction. The gains and losses resulting from the translation of foreign currency financial statements of discontinued entity into U.S. dollars are reported in loss from discontinued operations. The translation adjustment of cash balances held in Canadian dollars are reported in interest and other expense
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition
	The Company recognizes revenue from the delivery of collaborative research services, license agreements for the development and commercialization of products and from royalties. During 2013, collaboration research revenue is disclosed as discontinued operations in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operation and Comprehensive Loss. For each source of revenue, the Company applies revenue recognition criteria in the following manner:
	Multiple element arrangements such as collaboration agreements which may include an upfront license and ongoing services are analyzed to determine whether the deliverables within the agreement can be separated or whether they must be accounted for as a single unit of accounting. Deliverables under the agreement will be accounted for as separate units of accounting provided that (i) a delivered item has value to the customer on a stand-alone basis; and (ii) if the agreement includes a general right of return relative to the delivered item, delivery or performance of the undelivered item is considered probable and substantially in the control of the vendor. The allocation of consideration amongst the deliverables under the agreement is derived using a "best estimate of selling price" if vendor specific objective evidence and third-party evidence of fair value is not available. If the delivered element does not have stand-alone value, the arrangement is then accounted for as a single unit of accounting, and the Company will recognize the consideration received under the arrangement as revenue on a straight-line basis over the estimated period of performance.
	License fees from license agreements are recognized when the amounts are earned and determinable during the applicable period. The Company recognizes up-front nonrefundable license fees when due under contractual agreements and when the Company does not have a continuing obligation to provide services related to the agreement. Revenue associated with nonrefundable up-front license fees under arrangements where the license fees and research and development activities cannot be accounted for as separate units of accounting is deferred and recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the expected term of our continued involvement in the research and development process.
	The Company recognizes royalty payments as revenue when earned. At the end of each accounting period, estimates of royalty amounts due are made based on estimated sales information from the Company's customers.
Research and Development Expenses	Research and Development Expenses
	Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and primarily consist of costs associated with external research and development expenses incurred under agreements with (i) third-party investigative sites, where a substantial portion of our preclinical studies and all of our clinical trials are conducted, (ii) third-party manufacturing organizations, where a substantial portion of our preclinical supplies and all of our clinical supplies are produced, and (iii) consultants, employee-related expenses, which include salaries and benefits, and facilities, depreciation and amortization and other allocated expenses, which include direct and allocated expenses for rent and maintenance of facilities, depreciation of leasehold improvements and equipment and laboratory and other supplies.
Clinical Trial Accruals	Clinical Trial Accruals
	As part of the process of preparing financial statements, the Company estimates its accrued expenses. This process involves identifying services that have been performed and estimating the level of service performed and the associated cost incurred for the service when the Company has not yet been invoiced or otherwise notified of actual cost. The Company's clinical trial accruals are based on estimates of patient enrollment and related costs at clinical investigator sites as well as estimates for the services received and efforts expended pursuant to contracts with multiple research institutions and clinical research organizations that conduct and manage clinical trials on the Company's behalf. The Company accrues expenses related to clinical trials based on contracted amounts applied to the level of patient enrollment and activity according to the protocol. If timelines or contracts are modified based upon changes in the clinical trial protocol or scope of work to be performed, the Company modifies the estimates of accrued expenses accordingly. To date, the Company has had no significant adjustments to accrued clinical trial expenses. Examples of estimated accrued expenses include:
	•	fees paid to investigative sites in connection with clinical trials;
	•	fees paid to contract manufacturers in connection with the production of clinical trial materials; and
	•	professional service fees.
	The financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation, vary from contract to contract and may result in uneven payment flows. Payments under some of these contracts depend on factors such as the successful enrollment of patients and the completion of clinical trial milestones. In accruing service fees, the Company estimates the time period over which services will be performed and the level of effort to be expended in each period.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation
	Stock-based compensation is recognized as an expense in the financial statements based on the grant date fair value. For awards that vest based on service conditions, the Company uses the straight-line method to allocate compensation expense to reporting periods. For performance-based stock options, the Company begins to recognize the expense when it is deemed probable that the performance-based goal will be met. The Company evaluates the probability of achieving performance-based goals at each reporting date. Stock-based compensation expense is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, and therefore the recorded expense includes an estimate of future forfeitures. Forfeitures are to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The Company estimates the fair value of stock options and stock purchase rights using a Black-Scholes option pricing model which requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the option’s expected life and the price volatility of the underlying stock. The Company generally uses the simplified method for estimating the expected term as provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The simplified method calculates the expected term as the average of time-to-vesting and the contractual life of the options. The Company uses historical experience to estimate the expected term for non-employee director awards that are exercisable up to one year following termination of services. The expected stock price volatility assumption was determined by examining the historical volatilities of a group of industry peers. Forfeitures are estimated using the Company's historical experience of stock options forfeited.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, the Company determine deferred tax assets and liabilities on the basis of the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities by using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
	The Company recognizes deferred tax assets to the extent that they believe that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, it considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If it is determined that the Company would be able to realize deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, it would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes. The recognition and measurement of tax benefits requires significant judgment. Judgments concerning the recognition and measurement of tax benefit might change as new information becomes available.
	The Company records uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes on the basis of a two-step process in which it determines whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Company recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Occasionally, new accounting standards are issued or proposed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB"), or other standards-setting bodies that the Company adopts by the effective date specified within the standard. Unless otherwise discussed, standards that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements upon adoption.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. ASU 2013-11 provides explicit guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The guidance is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013, with an option for early adoption. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2014. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on its financial statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant and Equipment (topic 360); Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. ASU 2014-08 provides additional requirements to classify a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity in discontinued operations only if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014, with an option for early adoption. The Company intends to adopt this guidance at the beginning of our first quarter of fiscal year 2015, and does not expect the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09 requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard will become effective for the Company on January 1, 2017. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2014-10, Development Stage Entities (Topic 915). ASU 2014-10 removes the distinction between development stage entities and other reporting entities in U.S. GAAP and eliminates the requirement to label financial statements as those of a development stage entity and eliminates the requirement to present inception to date information in the statements of income, cash flows and shareholder equity. The guidance is applied retroactively and is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014, with an option for early adoption. The Company early adopted this guidance in 2014, and as a result, has removed the label “A Development Stage Company” from its financial statements and accompanying notes and eliminated the inception to date information from the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Other than presentation, the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. ASU 2014-15 requires management to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. In doing so, companies will have reduced diversity in the timing and content of footnote disclosures than under today’s guidance. ASU 2014-15 is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2016 with early adoption permitted. The Company does not believe the impact of adopting this standard will be material on the Company's financial statements.
Net Loss Per Share	Basic net loss per share is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding for the period. Common stock equivalents are only included when their effect is dilutive. The Company’s potentially dilutive securities which include convertible preferred stock, warrants, convertible notes payable and outstanding stock options under the stock option plan, have been excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. For all periods presented, there is no difference in the number of shares used to compute basic and diluted shares outstanding. All shares and per share amounts for all periods presented in the following table have been adjusted retroactively to reflect the exchange for Tranzyme shares.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
		Balance as of			Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant
		December 31,			in Active		Other		Unobservable
		2014			Markets for		Observable		Inputs
					Identical Assets		Inputs		(Level 3)
					(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Money market funds	$	9,171		$	9,171	$	—	$	—
	Commercial paper	3,750			—		3,750		—
	Corporate debt securities	36,790			—		36,790		—
	Government agency debt securities	500			—		500		—
	Total assets	$	50,211		$	9,171	$	41,040	$	—
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
		Balance as of			Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant
		December 31,			in Active		Other		Unobservable
		2013			Markets for		Observable		Inputs
					Identical Assets		Inputs		(Level 3)
					(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Money market funds	$	5,774		$	5,774	$	—	$	—
	Commercial paper	15,246			—		15,246		—
	Corporate debt securities	20,884			—		20,884		—
	Total assets	$	41,904		$	5,774	$	36,130	$	—
Schedule of Change in Fair Value of Level 3 Liabilities	The following table provides the change in the fair value of Level 3 liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		Convertible
		Preferred Stock
		Warrant Liability
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	16
	Change in fair value of warrant liability	(15		)
	Conversion of preferred stock warrants into common stock warrants	(1		)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	—

Balance_Sheet_Components_Table

Balance Sheet Components (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Balance Sheet Components [Abstract]
Summary of Available for Sale Investments	The following table summarizes the Company's available for sale investments as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			Maturity		Amortized Cost				Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value
			(in Years)
	Short-term investments:
	Commercial paper		1 or less		$	3,748			$	2	$	—		$	3,750
	Corporate debt securities		1 or less		33,379				—		(17		)	33,362
	Total				37,127				2		(17		)	37,112
	Long-term investments:
	Corporate debt securities		1 to 2		3,439				—		(11		)	3,428
	Government agency debt securities		1 to 2		501				—		(1		)	500
	Total				3,940				—		(12		)	3,928
	Total investments				$	41,067			$	2	$	(29	)	$	41,040
	The following table summarizes the Company's available for sale investments as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
			Maturity		Amortized Cost				Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value
			(in Years)
	Short-term investments:
	Commercial paper		1 or less		$	15,232			$	14	$	—		$	15,246
	Corporate debt securities		1 or less		14,930				—		(9		)	14,921
	Total				30,162				14		(9		)	30,167
	Long-term investments:
	Corporate debt securities		1 to 2		1,514				—		(1		)	1,513
	Total				1,514				—		(1		)	1,513
	Total investments				$	31,676			$	14	$	(10	)	$	31,680
Property and Equipment Components	Property and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
		Useful Life		December 31,
		(in years)		2014				2013
	Computer equipment and software	1.5 to 3 years		$	53			$	40
	Office furniture and equipment	5 years		68				43
	Total property and equipment, gross			121				83
	Less: accumulated depreciation			(60		)		(24		)
	Total property and equipment, net			$	61			$	59
Net Book Value of Acquired Intangible Assets	The net book value of acquired intangible assets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
	Customer Agreements:	2014				2013
	Carrying value	$	410			$	410
	Accumulated amortization	(239		)		(75		)
	Intangible assets, net	$	171			$	335
	Weighted average remaining life (in years)	1				2
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities	Accrued liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014				2013
	Payroll and related expenses	$	678			$	1,093
	Clinical trials	897				417
	Professional services	343				315
	Other	48				77
		$	1,966			$	1,902

Merger_with_Tranzyme_Tables

Merger with Tranzyme (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Purchase price	The purchase price for Tranzyme is as follows (in thousands):
	Fair value of Tranzyme shares outstanding	$	13,249
	Fair value of vested Tranzyme stock options	275
	Purchase Price	$	13,524
Summary of the preliminary adjusted allocation of the purchase price	The following table summarizes the preliminary determination of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):
		Purchase Price
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	7,464
	Accounts and investment tax credits receivable, net	636
	Prepaid expenses and other assets	159
	Fixed assets	744
	Intangible assets	5,940
	Goodwill	1,054
	Accounts payable	(1,029		)
	Accrued and long-term liabilities	(1,307		)
	Deferred revenue	(137		)
	Total purchase price	$	13,524
Schedule of intangible assets acquired	he following table includes the intangible assets identified as of the acquisition date and the estimated lives prior to impairment and reclassification to discontinued operations (in thousands, except for useful life):
		Continuing operations			Discontinued operations		Total		Useful life
	Customer relationships	$	3,700		$	480	$	4,180	2.5 to 5 years
	Developed technology	—			1,760		1,760		5 years
	Total	$	3,700		$	2,240	$	5,940

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations Included in the Income Statement and Balance Sheets	During the Year Ended December 31, 2014 the Company completed its obligations under the Technology Transfer and License Agreement with Genentech and Roche and recognized a gain on disposal of assets of $1.1 million within discontinued operations as detailed below (in thousands):
			Year Ended
			31-Dec-14
	Proceeds recognized pursuant to Technology Transfer and License Agreement		$	4,000
	Less carrying value of assets sold:
	Intangibles assets		(2,053		)
	Property and equipment		(356		)
	Goodwill		(442		)
	Net gain on disposal of assets		$	1,149
	The results of Tranzyme Pharma and related asset groups are disclosed as discontinued operations in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for all periods presented (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013
	Revenue	$	—			$	467
	Expenses:
	Research and development	—				(1,134		)
	General and administrative	—				(220		)
	Amortization of intangibles	—				(187		)
	Restructuring settlements (charges)	68				(859		)
	Gain (loss) on disposal of assets	1,149				(86		)
	Other expense, net	(6		)		(6		)
	Recognition of accumulated translation adjustments upon deconsolidation of subsidiary	(12		)		—
	Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	1,199			$	(2,025	)
	The assets and liabilities of Tranzyme Pharma and related asset groups are presented as held for disposal in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2013. There were no assets and liabilities recorded in discontinued operations as of December 31, 2014. The carrying amount of assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	178
	Property and equipment, net	356
	Intangible assets, net	2,053
	Goodwill	442
	Assets of discontinued operations	$	3,029
	Deposit on sale of assets	$	3,000
	Accounts payable	106
	Accrued liabilities	397
	Liabilities of discontinued operations	$	3,503
Schedule of Estimated Expenses to be Incurred and Expensed	The following table summarizes the Company’s restructuring activities during the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		Post- Employment Benefits				Moving and Shipping Costs			Operating Activities			Total
	Restructuring charges	$	700			$	114		$	45		$	859
	Cash payments and other settlements	(308		)		(15		)	(34		)	(357		)
	Accrued restructuring at December 31, 2013	$	392			$	99		$	11		$	502
	Cash payments and other settlements	(392		)		(31		)	(11		)	(434		)
	Settlement of certain restructuring charges	—				(68		)	—			(68		)
	Accrued restructuring at December 31, 2014	$	—			$	—		$	—		$	—

Net_Loss_Per_Share_Tables

Net Loss Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share	The following table presents the computation of net loss per share (in thousands, except share and per share data):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013
	Numerator
	Net loss from continuing operations	$	(24,624	)		$	(15,489	)
	Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	1,199				(2,025		)
	Net loss	$	(23,425	)		$	(17,514	)
	Denominator
	Weighted average common shares outstanding used to compute net loss per share, basic and diluted	17,525,187				6,145,731
	Net loss per share of common stock, basic and diluted:
	Net loss per share from continuing operations	$	(1.41	)		$	(2.52	)
	Net income (loss) per share from discontinued operations	0.07				$	(0.33	)
	Net loss per share	$	(1.34	)		$	(2.85	)
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation	Potentially dilutive securities not included in the calculation of dilutive net loss per share are as follows (in common equivalent shares on a weighted-average basis):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013
	Convertible preferred stock	—			2,604,305
	Convertible preferred stock warrants	—			11,243
	Common stock warrants	938,743			259,908
	Common stock options	1,887,130			624,511
	Total	2,825,873			3,499,967

Convertible_Notes_Payable_Tabl

Convertible Notes Payable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Outstanding Convertible Preferred and Common Stock Warrants and Corresponding Excercise Price	The following table summarizes the outstanding common stock warrants and the corresponding exercise price as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
		Number of Warrants Outstanding		Per-Share
		at December 31		Exercise
	Issuance Date	2014	2013	Price	Expiration
	12/3/08	2,380	2,380	84	12/3/15
	9/30/10	3,240	3,240	160.44	4/6/16
	1/31/12	13,623	13,623	44.04	1/31/22
	3/30/12	25,022	26,292	0.67	3/30/19
	6/30/12	37,535	39,439	0.67	6/30/19
	10/1/12	62,558	65,731	0.67	10/1/19
	11/8/13	788,177	788,177	7.66	11/8/18
	Total	932,535	938,882

Stockholders_Equity_Deficit_Ta

Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Common Stock Shares Reserved for Future Issuance	The Company has reserved shares of its common stock for future issuance as of December 31, 2014 as follows:
		December 31, 2014
	Stock options outstanding	2,086,602
	Shares available for grant under stock option plans	342,210
	Outstanding warrants	932,535
	Total shares reserved for future issuance	3,361,347

Stock_Options_Tables

Stock Options (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Summary of Stock Option Activity	A summary of the Company's stock option activity and related information are as follows:
									Weighted-avg
		Shares					Weighted-avg		Remaining	Aggregate
		Available		Stock Options			Exercise Price		Contractual	Intrinsic
		for Grant		Outstanding			Per Share		Life (in Years)	Value
										(in thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	39,226		692,709			$	1.42	6.13	$	368
	Adjustments to authorized shares upon assumption of the 2011 Plan	33,185		—
	Stock options assumed in Merger	(217,115	)	217,115			$	44.52
	Additional shares authorized	2,000,000		—
	Stock options granted	(1,414,650	)	1,414,650			$	7.75
	Stock options exercised	—		(88,465	)		$	0.92		650
	Stock options cancelled	322,221		(326,240	)		$	14.68
	Balance at December 31, 2013	762,867		1,909,769			$	8.77	8.58	$	11,818
	Stock options granted	(1,007,500	)	1,007,500			$	7.44
	Stock options exercised	—		(243,824	)		$	1.72		2,719
	Stock options cancelled	586,843		(586,843	)		$	12.13
	Balance at December 31, 2014	342,210		2,086,602			$	8.01	8.63	$	871
	At December 31, 2014:
	Vested and expected to vest			2,010,354			$	8.03	8.6	$	864
	Exercisable			578,712			$	9.04	6.81	$	762
Stock-Based Compensation Expense	The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013
	Research and development	$	1,595		$	68
	General and administrative	3,091			439
	Total	$	4,686		$	507
Stock Option Valuation Assumptions	The following table summarizes the average estimates the Company used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 to determine the fair value of stock options granted during each period.
			Years Ended December 31,
			2014	2013
	Expected dividend yield		—%	—%
	Risk-free interest rates		1.74% - 2.01%	0.06% - 2.02%
	Expected term (in years)		6.08 - 6.62	0.25 - 6.08
	Expected volatility		95% - 102%	52% - 100%

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Income Before Income Tax	The following is a geographical breakdown of consolidated loss before income taxes by income tax jurisdiction for continuing operations (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013
	United States	$	(24,624	)	$	(15,489	)
	Foreign	—			—
	Total	$	(24,624	)	$	(15,489	)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	A reconciliation of the loss from continuing operations at the federal statutory tax rate of 34% to the Company's effective income tax rate is as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013
	Income tax (benefit) at statutory rate	$	(8,372	)	$	(5,267	)
	State income tax, net of federal benefit	(4,411		)	(225		)
	Permanent items	1,098			516
	Credits	(2,810		)	(198		)
	Refinement of §382 limitation	—			(23,816		)
	Unrecognized tax benefits	—			1,840
	Change in valuation allowance	14,610			26,549
	Other	(115		)	601
	Provision for income taxes	$	—		$	—
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	Components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities for federal income tax purposes are as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Net operating loss carryforwards	$	36,066		$	25,967
	Credits	5,659			2,760
	Equity compensation	2,121			531
	Accrued expenses and other reserves	6			37
	Gross deferred tax assets	43,852			29,295
	Valuation allowance	(43,838		)	(29,228		)
	Net deferred tax assets	14			67
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Fixed assets	(7		)	(17		)
	Intangible assets	(7		)	(50		)
	Net deferred tax liabilities	(14		)	(67		)
	Net deferred tax assets (liabilities):	$	—		$	—
Summary of Unrecognized Tax Benefits	A reconciliation of the current and prior year changes to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
	Unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2012	$	—
	Increases in prior period positions	1,761
	Increases in current period positions	79
	Unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2013	$	1,840
	Increases in prior period positions	647
	Increases in current period positions	1,286
	Unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2014	$	3,773

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Non-Cancellable Future Minimum Lease Payments for Operating Leases	The following is a schedule of non-cancellable future minimum lease payments for operating leases at December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
	Year Ended December 31,
	2015	$	200
	2016	18
	Total	$	218

Summary_of_Operations_by_Quart1

Summary of Operations by Quarter (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Operations by Quarter	Summary of Operations by Quarter (Unaudited)
	(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
	Year Ended December 31, 2014:	Quarter
		First			Second			Third			Fourth
	Revenue	$	45		$	33		$	233		$	30
	Operating expenses	$	5,240		$	7,288		$	6,912		$	5,579
	Net loss from continuing operations	$	(5,182	)	$	(7,243	)	$	(6,661	)	$	(5,538	)
	Net loss	$	(4,065	)	$	(7,223	)	$	(6,603	)	$	(5,534	)
	Net loss per share from continuing operations—basic and diluted	$	(0.34	)	$	(0.46	)	$	(0.34	)	$	(0.28	)
	Net loss per share—basic and diluted	$	(0.27	)	$	(0.46	)	$	(0.34	)	$	(0.28	)
	Shares used to compute net loss per share—basic and diluted	15,421,234			15,539,053			19,330,888			19,742,245
	Year Ended December 31, 2013:	Quarter
		First			Second			Third			Fourth
	Revenue	$	—		$	—		$	33		$	52
	Operating expenses	$	640		$	2,017		$	6,089		$	6,668
	Net loss from continuing operations	$	(731	)	$	(2,087	)	$	(6,065	)	$	(6,606	)
	Net loss	$	(731	)	$	(2,087	)	$	(7,402	)	$	(7,294	)
	Net loss per share from continuing operations—basic and diluted	$	(1.15	)	$	(3.24	)	$	(0.63	)	$	(0.48	)
	Net loss per share—basic and diluted	$	(1.15	)	$	(3.24	)	$	(0.77	)	$	(0.54	)
	Shares used to compute net loss per share—basic and diluted	637,221			643,674			9,669,825			13,632,204

Description_of_Business_and_Ba1

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Jul. 15, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	board_member
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of board members	9
Conversion price	$2.05
Accumulated deficit		($104,911,000)	($81,486,000)
Customer Agreements And Intellectual Property
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Sale price for discontinued operations	$4,000,000
Private Ocera
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of board members	6
Shares issued upon conversion	8.354627887
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares issued upon conversion	1
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares issued upon conversion	1
Series C Convertible Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion price	$2.05
Shares issued upon conversion	1

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Segment Reporting & Property and Equipment) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
	segment
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	1
Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful lives	3 years
Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful lives	5 years

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Intangible Assets and Goodwill) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	segment
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining life	1 year	2 years
Impairment of intangible assets	$0	$3,070,000
Impairment of goodwill	0	0	0
Number of reporting units	2
Licensing Agreements | Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of intangible assets		$3,070,000
Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining life	2 years 6 months
Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining life	5 years

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements (Fair Value) (Details) (Recurring, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	$50,211	$41,904
Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	9,171	5,774
Commercial paper
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	3,750	15,246
Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	36,790	20,884
Government agency debt securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	500
Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	9,171	5,774
Level 1 | Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	9,171	5,774
Level 1 | Commercial paper
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	0	0
Level 1 | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	0	0
Level 1 | Government agency debt securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	0
Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	41,040	36,130
Level 2 | Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	0	0
Level 2 | Commercial paper
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	3,750	15,246
Level 2 | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	36,790	20,884
Level 2 | Government agency debt securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	500
Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	0	0
Level 3 | Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	0	0
Level 3 | Commercial paper
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	0	0
Level 3 | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	0	0
Level 3 | Government agency debt securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Level_

Fair Value Measurements (Level 3 Liabilities) (Details) (Convertible Preferred Stock Warrants, Level 3, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Convertible Preferred Stock Warrants | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Convertible preferred stock warrant liabilities, beginning of period	$16
Change in fair value of warrant liability	-15
Conversion of preferred stock warrants into common stock warrants	-1
Convertible preferred stock warrant liabilities, end of period	$0

Balance_Sheet_Components_Avail

Balance Sheet Components (Available For Sale Investments) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$41,067	$31,676
Unrealized Gains	2	14
Unrealized Losses	-29	-10
Estimated Fair Value	41,040	31,680
Short-term investments
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	37,127	30,162
Unrealized Gains	2	14
Unrealized Losses	-17	-9
Estimated Fair Value	37,112	30,167
Short-term investments | Commercial paper
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	3,748	15,232
Unrealized Gains	2	14
Unrealized Losses	0	0
Estimated Fair Value	3,750	15,246
Short-term investments | Corporate debt securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	33,379	14,930
Unrealized Gains	0	0
Unrealized Losses	-17	-9
Estimated Fair Value	33,362	14,921
Long-term investments
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	3,940	1,514
Unrealized Gains	0	0
Unrealized Losses	-12	-1
Estimated Fair Value	3,928	1,513
Long-term investments | Corporate debt securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	3,439	1,514
Unrealized Gains	0	0
Unrealized Losses	-11	-1
Estimated Fair Value	3,428	1,513
Long-term investments | Government agency debt securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	501
Unrealized Gains	0
Unrealized Losses	-1
Estimated Fair Value	$500

Balance_Sheet_Components_Prope

Balance Sheet Components (Property and Equipment) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$121	$83
Less: accumulated depreciation	-60	-24
Property and equipment, net	61	59
Depreciation expense	36	29
Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life	3 years
Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life	5 years
Computer equipment and software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	53	40
Computer equipment and software | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life	1 year 6 months
Computer equipment and software | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life	3 years
Office furniture and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$68	$43
Useful life	5 years

Balance_Sheet_Components_Acqui

Balance Sheet Components (Acquired Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 15, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying value	$410,000	$410,000
Accumulated amortization	-239,000	-75,000
Intangible assets, net	171,000	335,000
Impairment of intangibles	0	3,070,000
Weighted average remaining life	1 year	2 years
Impairment of intangibles	0
Intangible assets reclassified as discontinued operations			2,200,000
Amortization expense	164,000	295,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	171,000
Tranzyme Inc.
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, net			$5,900,000

Balance_Sheet_Components_Goodw

Balance Sheet Components (Goodwill) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 15, 2013	Apr. 23, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$595	$595
Discontinued Operations
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	500
Tranzyme Inc.
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill			$1,100	$1,054

Balance_Sheet_Components_Accru

Balance Sheet Components (Accrued Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Balance Sheet Components [Abstract]
Payroll and related expenses	$678	$1,093
Clinical trials	897	417
Professional services	343	315
Other	48	77
Accrued liabilities	$1,966	$1,902

Merger_with_Tranzyme_Purchase_

Merger with Tranzyme (Purchase Price) (Details) (Tranzyme Inc., USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 23, 2013
Tranzyme Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of Tranzyme shares outstanding	$13,249
Fair value of vested Tranzyme stock options	275
Purchase Price	$13,524

Merger_with_Tranzyme_Recognize

Merger with Tranzyme (Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 15, 2013	Apr. 23, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$595	$595
Tranzyme Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents				7,464
Accounts and investment tax credits receivable, net				636
Prepaid expenses and other assets				159
Fixed assets				744
Intangible assets				5,940
Goodwill			1,100	1,054
Accounts payable				-1,029
Accrued and long-term liabilities				-1,307
Deferred revenue				-137
Total purchase price				$13,524

Merger_with_Tranzyme_Intangibl

Merger with Tranzyme (Intangible Assets Acquired) (Details) (Tranzyme Inc., USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 23, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Continuing operations	$3,700
Discontinued operations	2,240
Intangible assets acquired	5,940
Customer Relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Continuing operations	3,700
Discontinued operations	480
Intangible assets acquired	4,180
Customer Relationships | Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Useful life	2 years 6 months
Customer Relationships | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Useful life	5 years
Developed Technology
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Continuing operations	0
Discontinued operations	1,760
Intangible assets acquired	$1,760
Useful life	5 years

Discontinued_Operations_Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets	$1,149,000
Tranzyme Pharma Inc.
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Sale price for discontinued operations	4,000,000
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets	1,149,000
Restructuring charges	-68,000	859,000
Payments for restructuring	68,000
Tranzyme Pharma Inc. | Employee Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		700,000
Payments for restructuring	0
Tranzyme Pharma Inc. | Operating Activities
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		45,000
Payments for restructuring	0
Tranzyme Pharma Inc. | Other liabilities
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		114,000
Payments for restructuring	68,000
Tranzyme Pharma Inc. | Customer Agreements And Intellectual Property
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Sale price for discontinued operations		4,000,000
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets		$3,000,000

Discontinued_Operations_Discon

Discontinued Operations (Discontinued Operations in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$1,199	($2,025)
Tranzyme Pharma Inc.
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Revenue	0	467
Research and development	0	-1,134
General and administrative	0	-220
Amortization of intangibles	0	-187
Restructuring settlements (charges)	68	-859
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets	1,149	-86
Other expense, net	-6	-6
Recognition of accumulated translation adjustments upon deconsolidation of subsidiary	-12	0
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$1,199	($2,025)

Discontinued_Operations_Discon1

Discontinued Operations (Discontinued Operations in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Financial Position) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets	$1,149
Tranzyme Pharma Inc.
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds recognized pursuant to Technology Transfer and License Agreement	4,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		178
Property and equipment, net	-356	-356
Intangible assets, net	-2,053	-2,053
Goodwill	-442	-442
Assets of discontinued operations		3,029
Deposit on sale of assets		3,000
Accounts payable		106
Accrued liabilities		397
Liabilities of discontinued operations		3,503
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets	$1,149

Discontinued_Operations_Restru

Discontinued Operations (Restructuring Activities) (Details) (Tranzyme Pharma Inc., USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	($68)	$859
Cash payments and other settlements		-357
Restructuring reserve at beginning of period	502
Cash payments and other settlements	-434
Settlement of certain restructuring charges	-68
Restructuring reserve at end of period	0	502
Post-Employment Benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		700
Cash payments and other settlements		-308
Restructuring reserve at beginning of period	392
Cash payments and other settlements	-392
Settlement of certain restructuring charges	0
Restructuring reserve at end of period	0	392
Moving and Shipping Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		114
Cash payments and other settlements		-15
Restructuring reserve at beginning of period	99
Cash payments and other settlements	-31
Settlement of certain restructuring charges	-68
Restructuring reserve at end of period	0	99
Operating Activities
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		45
Cash payments and other settlements		-34
Restructuring reserve at beginning of period	11
Cash payments and other settlements	-11
Settlement of certain restructuring charges	0
Restructuring reserve at end of period	$0	$11

License_Agreements_and_Acquire1

License Agreements and Acquired Development and Commericialization Rights (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2009	Mar. 31, 2008	Jul. 31, 2004	Dec. 31, 2008
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Royalty revenue	$141,000	$85,000
Impairment of intangibles	0	3,070,000
Licensing revenue	200,000	0
Open Biosystems, Inc.
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Royalty revenue	141,000	85,000
Long-term commitment, term	12 years
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Long-term commitment, term			2 years
Licensing Agreements | Kureha Corporation
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Up-front fee for licensing				500,000	1,500,000
Licensing Agreements | UCL Business PLC
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Up-front fee for licensing						1,000,000
Maximum future milestone payments	20,000,000
Licensing Agreements | OCR-002
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Maximum future milestone payments	35,000,000
Licensing Agreements | Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of intangibles		3,070,000
Intellectual Property And Licensing Agreements
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Licensing revenue	200,000
Contingent consideration, asset, range of outcomes, value, high	$25,000,000

Net_Loss_Per_Share_Schedule_of

Net Loss Per Share (Schedule of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Numerator
Net loss from continuing operations	($5,538)	($6,661)	($7,243)	($5,182)	($6,606)	($6,065)	($2,087)	($731)	($24,624)	($15,489)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations (including gain on disposal of $1,149 for the year ended December 31, 2014)									1,199	-2,025
Net loss	($5,534)	($6,603)	($7,223)	($4,065)	($7,294)	($7,402)	($2,087)	($731)	($23,425)	($17,514)
Denominator
Weighted average common shares outstanding used to compute net loss per share, basic and diluted	19,742,245	19,330,888	15,539,053	15,421,234	13,632,204	9,669,825	643,674	637,221	17,525,187	6,145,731
Net loss per share of common stock, basic and diluted:
Net loss per share from continuing operations, basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.28)	($0.34)	($0.46)	($0.34)	($0.48)	($0.63)	($3.24)	($1.15)	($1.41)	($2.52)
Net loss per share from discontinued operations, basic and diluted (in dollars per share)									$0.07	($0.33)
Net loss per share (in dollars per share)	($0.28)	($0.34)	($0.46)	($0.27)	($0.54)	($0.77)	($3.24)	($1.15)	($1.34)	($2.85)

Net_Loss_Per_Share_Schedule_of1

Net Loss Per Share (Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation) (Details)	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 15, 2013
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	2,825,873	3,499,967
Convertible Notes Payable
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock, shares			186,217
Convertible Preferred Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	0	2,604,305
Warrant | Convertible Preferred Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	0	11,243
Warrant | Common Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	938,743	259,908
Stock Options | Common Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	1,887,130	624,511

Convertible_Notes_Payable_Shor

Convertible Notes Payable (Short-term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 15, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 02, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Exercise price of warrants	0.67					0.67
Conversion price			$2.05
Debt discount, net and noncash interest expense	$0	$92,000
Convertible Notes Payable
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Accrued interest			200,000
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock, shares			-186,217
Debt discount, net and noncash interest expense		200,000
Convertible Notes Payable | March 2012 Notes
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Principal amount				1,500,000
Stated interest rate				6.00%
Convertible Notes Payable | October 2012 Notes
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Principal amount					1,500,000
Stated interest rate					6.00%
Series C Convertible Preferred Stock
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Conversion price			$2.05
Series C Convertible Preferred Stock | Convertible Notes Payable
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Conversion price							$2.05
March 2012 Warrants
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Exercise price of warrants						0.67
March 2012 Warrants | Convertible Notes Payable
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Warrants issued								65,731
Term of warrants				7 years
March 2012 Warrants | Common Stock
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Exercise price of warrants	0.67
March 2012 Warrants | Common Stock | Convertible Notes Payable
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Warrants issued								26,292
June 2012 Warrants | Convertible Notes Payable
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Term of warrants				7 years
June 2012 Warrants | Common Stock
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Exercise price of warrants	0.67
June 2012 Warrants | Common Stock | Convertible Notes Payable
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Warrants issued									39,439
October 2012 Warrants
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Exercise price of warrants						0.67
October 2012 Warrants | Convertible Notes Payable
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Warrants issued						65,731
Term of warrants					7 years
October 2012 Warrants | Common Stock
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Exercise price of warrants	0.67

Convertible_Notes_Payable_Long

Convertible Notes Payable (Long-term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 08, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Jul. 15, 2013	Oct. 02, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Exercise price of warrants		0.67		0.67
Warrants converted upon completion of merger			19,243
Convertible Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Warrants issued	788,177
Exercise price of warrants	7.663
Term of warrants	5 years
Value of units issued	$28
Common Stock | Convertible Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Units issued for stock and warrants	3,940,887

Convertible_Notes_Payable_Warr

Convertible Notes Payable (Warrants) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Nov. 08, 2013	Jul. 15, 2013	Oct. 02, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrants converted upon completion of merger			19,243
Exercise price of warrants	0.67			0.67
Class of warrant or right, exercised	6,347
March 2012 Warrants
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrants outstanding, value					$32,000
Exercise price of warrants				0.67
October 2012 Warrants
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrants outstanding, value						111,000
Exercise price of warrants				0.67
Common Stock
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Shares issued	5,604
Outstanding warrants	932,535						938,882
Common Stock | December 2008 Warrants
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Outstanding warrants	2,380						2,380
Exercise price of warrants	84
Common Stock | September 2010 Warrants
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Outstanding warrants	3,240						3,240
Exercise price of warrants	160.44
Common Stock | January 2012 Warrants
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Outstanding warrants	13,623						13,623
Exercise price of warrants	44.04
Common Stock | March 2012 Warrants
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Outstanding warrants	25,022						26,292
Exercise price of warrants	0.67
Common Stock | June 2012 Warrants
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Outstanding warrants	37,535						39,439
Exercise price of warrants	0.67
Common Stock | October 2012 Warrants
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Outstanding warrants	62,558						65,731
Exercise price of warrants	0.67
Common Stock | Warrants, Issued November Two Thousand Thirteen
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Outstanding warrants	788,177						788,177
Exercise price of warrants	7.66
Convertible Debt
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Value of units issued		$28,000,000
Exercise price of warrants		7.663

Stockholders_Equity_Deficit_Co

Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) (Convertible Preferred Stock) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 15, 2013
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Conversion price		$2.05
Private Ocera
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Shares issued upon conversion		8.354627887
Series C Convertible Preferred Stock
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Conversion price		$2.05
Common Stock
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock, shares	-5,026,542

Stockholders_Equity_Deficit_Co1

Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) (Common Stock) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Nov. 08, 2013	Apr. 23, 2013	Jul. 10, 2014	Oct. 02, 2012
Common Stock, Number of Shares, Par Value and Other Disclosures [Abstract]
Shares issued, value	$23,384,000	$46,425,000
Exercise price of warrants	0.67					0.67
Common Stock
Common Stock, Number of Shares, Par Value and Other Disclosures [Abstract]
Shares issued			3,940,887	3,317,976
Shares issued, value			28,000,000	20,000,000
Share price (usd per share)				$6.03
Adjustments to additional paid-in capital, issuance costs			1,500,000	26,000
Warrant | Common Stock
Common Stock, Number of Shares, Par Value and Other Disclosures [Abstract]
Shares issued			788,177
Exercise price of warrants			7.663
IPO | Common Stock
Common Stock, Number of Shares, Par Value and Other Disclosures [Abstract]
Shares issued					4,200,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock					25,200,000
Issuance costs charged to additional paid in capital					$1,800,000

Stockholders_Equity_Deficit_Co2

Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) (Common Stock Shares Reserved for Future Issuance) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Total shares reserved for future issuance	3,361,347
Stock Options
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock options outstanding	2,086,602	1,909,769	692,709
Shares available for grant under stock option plans	342,210	762,867	39,226

Stock_Options_Stock_Option_Act

Stock Options (Stock Option Activity) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Weighted-average Exercise Price Per Share
Aggregate Intrinsic value, options outstanding	$871	$11,818
Fair value of stock options vested	4,100
Stock Options
Shares Available for Grant
Shares available for grant	342,210	762,867	39,226
Stock options granted	-1,007,500	-1,414,650
Stock options cancelled	586,843	322,221
Stock Options Outstanding
Beginning balance, options	1,909,769	692,709
Stock options granted	-1,007,500	-1,414,650
Stock options exercised	-243,824	-88,465
Stock options cancelled	-586,843	-326,240
Ending balance, options	2,086,602	1,909,769	692,709
Stock options vested and expected to vest	2,010,354
Stock options exercisable	578,712
Weighted-average Exercise Price Per Share
Weighted-average exercise price, options outstanding	$8.77	$1.42
Grants in period	$7.44	$7.75
Exercises in period	$1.72	$0.92
Cancelled in period	$12.13	$14.68
Weighted-average exercise price, options outstanding	$8.01	$8.77	$1.42
Weighted-average exercise price, options exercisable	$8.03
Weighted-average exercise price, options vested and expected to vest	$9.04
Weighted-average remaining contractual life, options outstanding	8 years 7 months 17 days	8 years 6 months 29 days	6 years 1 month 17 days
Weighted-average remaining contractual life, options vested and expected to vest	8 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted-average remaining contractual life, options exercisable	6 years 9 months 22 days
Aggregate Intrinsic value, options outstanding	2,719	650	368
Fair value of stock options vested	864
Aggregate Intrinsic value, options exercisable	$762
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Additional Shares Authorized		2,000,000
Stock Options | 2011 Plan
Weighted-average Exercise Price Per Share
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Additional Shares Authorized		33,185
Tranzyme Inc. | Stock Options
Shares Available for Grant
Stock options granted		-217,115
Stock Options Outstanding
Stock options granted		-217,115
Weighted-average Exercise Price Per Share
Grants in period		$44.52

Stock_Options_Stockbased_compe

Stock Options (Stock-based compensation expense) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$4,686	$507
Research and Development
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	1,595	68
General and Administrative
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$3,091	$439

Stock_Options_Valuation_Assump

Stock Options (Valuation Assumptions) (Details) (Stock Options)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate	0.00%	0.00%
Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]
Risk free interest rate, minimum	1.74%	0.06%
Risk free interest rate, maximum	2.01%	2.02%
Expected term (in years)	6 years 0 months 29 days
Expected volatility, minimum	95.00%	52.00%
Expected volatility, maximum	102.00%	100.00%
Minimum
Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]
Expected term (in years)	6 years 0 months 29 days	3 months
Maximum
Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]
Expected term (in years)	6 years 7 months 13 days	6 years 0 months 29 days

Stock_Options_Additional_Infor

Stock Options (Additional Information) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Aug. 13, 2013	Jul. 15, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair value of stock options vested		$4,100,000
Stock-based compensation		4,686,000	507,000
Stock-based compensation expense		4,686,000	507,000
Stock compensation expense	51,000
Executive Officer
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued in period				61,653
Stock-based compensation			200,000
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares available for grant under stock option plans		342,210	762,867		39,226
Fair value of stock options vested		864,000
Shares issued in period		1,007,500	1,414,650
Fair value of stock options granted		5,700,000	15,800,000
Period for recognizing costs		2 years 11 months 19 days
Expected term (in years)		6 years 0 months 29 days
Compensation costs not yet recognized		$11,300,000
Stock Options | Executive Officer | Options Vesting Monthly Over A Year
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting term				1 year
Vesting percentage				50.00%
Stock Options | Non-Employee Director
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected term (in years)		6 years 7 months 13 days
Stock Options | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected term (in years)		6 years 0 months 29 days	3 months
Stock Options | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected term (in years)		6 years 7 months 13 days	6 years 0 months 29 days
2005 Plan | Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares available for grant under stock option plans		0
2011 Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares authorized for issuance						2,302,328	302,328
2011 Plan | Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares authorized for issuance						1,454,200
2011 Plan | Stock Options | Director
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares authorized for issuance						140,000

Income_Taxes_Geographical_Brea

Income Taxes (Geographical Breakdown of Consolidated Income) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
United States	($24,624)	($15,489)
Foreign	0	0
Total	($24,624)	($15,489)

Income_Taxes_Rate_Reconciliati

Income Taxes (Rate Reconciliation) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal statutory tax rate	34.00%	34.00%
Income tax (benefit) at statutory rate	($8,372)	($5,267)
State income tax, net of federal benefit	-4,411	-225
Permanent items	1,098	516
Credits	-2,810	-198
Refinement of §382 limitation	0	-23,816
Unrecognized tax benefits	0	1,840
Change in valuation allowance	14,610	26,549
Other	-115	601
Provision for income taxes	$0	$0

Income_Taxes_Deferred_Tax_Asse

Income Taxes (Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Net operating loss carryforwards	$36,066	$25,967
Credits	5,659	2,760
Equity compensation	2,121	531
Accrued expenses and other reserves	6	37
Gross deferred tax assets	43,852	29,295
Valuation allowance	-43,838	-29,228
Net deferred tax assets	14	67
Fixed assets	-7	-17
Intangible assets	-7	-50
Net deferred tax liabilities	-14	-67
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities):	$0	$0

Income_Taxes_Unrecognized_Tax_

Income Taxes (Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$1,840	$0
Increases in prior period positions	647	1,761
Increases in current period positions	1,286	79
Ending balance	$3,773	$1,840

Income_Taxes_Net_Operating_Los

Income Taxes (Net Operating Loss Carryforwards) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards	$400,000
Net operating loss carryforwards	36,066,000	25,967,000
Federal
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards	91,800,000
State | North Carolina
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards	5,400,000
State | California
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards	$69,000,000

Income_Taxes_Tax_Credit_Carryf

Income Taxes (Tax Credit Carryforwards) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Federal | Orphan Drug Credit
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforward, amount	$5.40
Federal | Research Tax Credit Carryforward
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforward, amount	2.5
State | California | Research Tax Credit Carryforward
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforward, amount	$2.40

Retirement_Savings_Plan_Detail

Retirement Savings Plan (Details) (401(k) Plan, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
401(k) Plan
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer matching contribution percentage	3.00%
Employer contribution amount	$107	$58

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Rent expense	$200,000	$300,000
Future Minimum Payments Due by Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2015	200,000
2016	18,000
Total	$218,000

Summary_of_Operations_by_Quart2

Summary of Operations by Quarter (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenue	$30	$233	$33	$45	$52	$33	$0	$0	$341	$85
Operating expenses	5,579	6,912	7,288	5,240	6,668	6,089	2,017	640	25,019	15,414
Net loss from continuing operations	-5,538	-6,661	-7,243	-5,182	-6,606	-6,065	-2,087	-731	-24,624	-15,489
Net loss	($5,534)	($6,603)	($7,223)	($4,065)	($7,294)	($7,402)	($2,087)	($731)	($23,425)	($17,514)
Net loss per share from continuing operations—basic and diluted	($0.28)	($0.34)	($0.46)	($0.34)	($0.48)	($0.63)	($3.24)	($1.15)	($1.41)	($2.52)
Net loss per share—basic and diluted	($0.28)	($0.34)	($0.46)	($0.27)	($0.54)	($0.77)	($3.24)	($1.15)	($1.34)	($2.85)
Shares used to compute net loss per share—basic and diluted	19,742,245	19,330,888	15,539,053	15,421,234	13,632,204	9,669,825	643,674	637,221	17,525,187	6,145,731