Celator Pharmaceuticals (CPXX) 10-Q 12 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 06, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'CELPHAP	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Celator Pharmaceuticals Inc	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001327467	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Smaller Reporting Company	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	26,026,793

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$27,641,470	$9,648,008
Restricted cash	288,861	40,205
Other receivables	9,425	2,000,357
Prepaid expenses and deposits	282,452	148,275
Assets held for sale	74,086	251,269
Other current assets	530,391	'
Total current assets	28,826,685	12,088,114
Property and equipment, net	1,177,516	1,245,025
Other assets	30,838	105,805
Total assets	30,035,039	13,438,944
Current liabilities	'	'
Accounts payable	677,193	699,858
Accrued liabilities	1,402,735	1,194,998
Current portion of deferred revenue	542,986	615,384
Current portion of loans	'	1,200,000
Total current liabilities	2,622,914	3,710,240
Deferred revenue	723,982	1,076,924
Deferred rent	23,148	'
Loans payable	'	1,800,000
Total liabilities	3,370,044	6,587,164
Stockholders' equity	'	'
Common stock Authorized 255,000,000 shares, par value $0.001 Issued and outstanding 26,026,793 shares as of September 30, 2013 and 13,673,160 shares as of December 31, 2012	26,027	13,673
Warrants	1,083,193	1,083,193
Additional paid-in capital	155,712,593	118,509,395
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-1,133,266	-1,133,266
Deficit accumulated during the development stage	-129,023,552	-111,621,215
Total stockholders' equity	26,664,995	6,851,780
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$30,035,039	$13,438,944

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock, authorized shares	255,000,000	255,000,000
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, issued shares	26,026,793	13,673,160
Common stock, outstanding shares	26,026,793	13,673,160

Consolidated_Statement_of_Loss

Consolidated Statement of Loss and Comprehensive Loss (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		167 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Expenses	'	'	'	'	'
Research and development	$2,325,891	$1,512,855	$5,995,866	$3,295,702	$86,413,531
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society funding	-135,746	-153,846	-425,339	-288,846	-5,881,761
Research collaboration income	'	'	'	-19,440	-2,240,720
General and administrative	1,434,436	945,926	3,922,084	2,845,095	41,122,804
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment	-12,059	30,853	126,633	50,352	898,719
Amortization and depreciation	51,239	80,977	148,291	252,656	4,822,521
Operating loss	-3,663,761	-2,416,765	-9,767,535	-6,135,519	-125,135,094
Other income (expenses)	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign exchange (loss) gain	-16,745	'	-21,229	-12,413	522,019
Interest and miscellaneous income	3,094	-4,763	6,560	2,127	2,768,529
Gain on settlement in exchange of preferred stock	'	268	'	'	1,562,689
Non-cash derivative instrument charge	'	'	-7,473,108	'	-7,473,108
Interest expense	'	-3,793,634	-147,025	-4,220,970	-6,036,317
Loss before income taxes	-3,677,412	-6,214,894	-17,402,337	-10,366,775	-133,791,282
Income tax benefit	'	'	'	'	6,243,583
Net loss incurred in the development stage	-3,677,412	-6,214,894	-17,402,337	-10,366,775	-127,547,699
Other comprehensive loss attributable to foreign exchange translation	'	'	'	'	-1,133,266
Comprehensive loss	-3,677,412	-6,214,894	-17,402,337	-10,366,775	-128,680,965
Accretion on preferred stock	'	'	'	'	-1,475,853
Total comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders	-3,677,412	-6,214,894	-17,402,337	-10,366,775	-130,156,818
Net loss incurred in the development stage	-3,677,412	-6,214,894	-17,402,337	-10,366,775	-127,547,699
Accretion on preferred stock	'	'	'	'	-1,475,853
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	($3,677,412)	($6,214,894)	($17,402,337)	($10,366,775)	($129,023,552)
Net loss per share	'	'	'	'	'
Basic and diluted	($0.14)	($0.47)	($0.87)	($0.87)	'
Weighted average of common shares outstanding	'	'	'	'	'
Basic and diluted	26,026,793	13,319,077	19,977,071	11,931,885	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Restricted Stock [Member]	Warrants Amount [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Deficit Accumulated During The Development Stage [Member]
Beginning balance at Nov. 18, 1999	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance, shares at Nov. 18, 1999	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Issued on incorporation	3,256	26	'	'	3,230	'	'
Issued on incorporation, shares	'	25,802	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for technology	202	2	'	'	200	'	'
Issued for technology, shares	'	1,602	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash, net of costs, shares	'	8,479	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash, net of costs	402,697	8	'	'	402,689	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-1,987	'	'	'	'	-1,987	'
Net loss	-200,050	'	'	'	'	'	-200,050
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2000	204,118	36	'	'	406,119	-1,987	-200,050
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2000	'	35,883	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash, net of costs, shares	'	7,467	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash on exercise of stock options, shares	'	55	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash on exercise of stock options	3,722	'	'	'	3,722	'	'
Issued for cash, net of costs	1,084,824	7	'	'	1,084,817	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-20,689	'	'	'	'	-20,689	'
Net loss	-773,668	'	'	'	'	'	-773,668
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2001	498,307	43	'	'	1,494,658	-22,676	-973,718
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2001	'	43,405	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash, net of costs, shares	'	1,118	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash, net of costs	137,736	1	'	'	137,735	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	13,861	'	'	'	'	13,861	'
Net loss	-1,497,719	'	'	'	'	'	-1,497,719
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2002	-847,815	44	'	'	1,632,393	-8,815	-2,471,437
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2002	'	44,523	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash on exercise of stock options, shares	'	3,522	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash on exercise of stock options	8,517	4	'	'	8,513	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-484,668	'	'	'	'	-484,668	'
Net loss	-3,506,027	'	'	'	'	'	-3,506,027
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2003	-4,829,993	48	'	'	1,640,906	-493,483	-5,977,464
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2003	'	48,045	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash on exercise of stock options, shares	'	6,410	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash on exercise of stock options	15,470	6	'	'	15,464	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-811,423	'	'	'	'	-811,423	'
Net loss	-5,445,046	'	'	'	'	'	-5,445,046
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2004	-11,070,992	54	'	'	1,656,370	-1,304,906	-11,422,510
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2004	'	54,455	'	'	'	'	'
Warrants issued on conversion of bridge loan	425,000	'	'	425,000	'	'	'
Warrants issued on conversion of bridge loan, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Issued on reorganization or for cash	9,496,690	844	'	'	9,495,846	'	'
Issued on reorganization or for cash, shares	'	844,173	'	'	'	'	'
Issued on conversion of debt	2,777,144	247	'	'	2,776,897	'	'
Issued on conversion of debt, shares	'	246,864	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash, net of costs, shares	'	3,308,789	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash on exercise of stock options, shares	'	12,054	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash on exercise of stock options	33,146	12	'	'	33,134	'	'
Issued for cash, net of costs	36,465,348	3,309	'	'	36,462,039	'	'
Issued for cash on exercise of warrants	1,220	'	'	'	1,220	'	'
Issued for cash on exercise of warrants, shares	'	108	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	171,640	'	'	'	'	171,640	'
Net loss	-8,913,249	'	'	'	'	'	-8,913,249
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2005	29,385,947	4,466	'	425,000	50,425,506	-1,133,266	-20,335,759
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2005	'	4,466,443	'	'	'	'	'
Stock based compensation	201,989	'	'	'	201,989	'	'
Issued for cash on exercise of stock options, shares	'	1,705	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash on exercise of stock options	4,677	2	'	'	4,675	'	'
Net loss	-14,588,786	'	'	'	'	'	-14,588,786
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2006	15,003,827	4,468	'	425,000	50,632,170	-1,133,266	-34,924,545
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2006	'	4,468,148	'	'	'	'	'
Stock based compensation	243,340	'	'	'	243,340	'	'
Issued for cash, net of costs, shares	'	888,914	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash on exercise of stock options, shares	'	13,748	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash on exercise of stock options	31,203	14	'	'	31,189	'	'
Issued for cash, net of costs	9,977,557	889	'	'	9,976,668	'	'
Net loss	-16,761,805	'	'	'	'	'	-16,761,805
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2007	8,494,122	5,371	'	425,000	60,883,367	-1,133,266	-51,686,350
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2007	'	5,370,810	'	'	'	'	'
Issued on reorganization or for cash	4,499	1	'	'	4,498	'	'
Issued on reorganization or for cash, shares	'	1,334	'	'	'	'	'
Stock based compensation	186,578	'	'	'	186,578	'	'
Issued for cash, net of costs, shares	'	2,014,365	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash on exercise of stock options, shares	'	1,159	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash on exercise of stock options	2,662	2	'	'	2,660	'	'
Issued for cash, net of costs	22,566,293	2,014	'	'	22,564,279	'	'
Issued for cash, restricted stock	13,501	'	4	'	13,497	'	'
Issued for cash, restricted stock, shares	'	'	4,000	'	'	'	'
Net loss	-14,028,617	'	'	'	'	'	-14,028,617
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2008	17,239,038	7,388	4	425,000	83,654,879	-1,133,266	-65,714,967
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2008	'	7,387,668	4,000	'	'	'	'
Stock based compensation	200,522	'	'	'	200,522	'	'
Issued for cash on exercise of stock options, shares	'	1,432	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash on exercise of stock options	3,473	1	'	'	3,472	'	'
Restricted stock transferred to common stock	'	1	-1	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock transferred to common stock, shares	'	1,333	-1,333	'	'	'	'
Warrants issued on signing of loan agreement	9,333	'	'	9,333	'	'	'
Warrants issued on signing of loan agreement, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net loss	-10,022,979	'	'	'	'	'	-10,022,979
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2009	7,429,387	7,390	3	434,333	83,858,873	-1,133,266	-75,737,946
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2009	'	7,390,433	2,667	'	'	'	'
Stock based compensation	169,424	'	'	'	169,424	'	'
Issued for cash, net of costs, shares	'	2,877,777	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash on exercise of stock options, shares	'	423	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash on exercise of stock options	1,435	'	'	'	1,435	'	'
Issued for cash, net of costs	14,827,612	2,878	'	'	14,824,734	'	'
Restricted stock transferred to common stock	-1	1	-2	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock transferred to common stock, shares	'	1,334	-1,334	'	'	'	'
Warrants expired, April 30, 2010	'	'	'	-425,000	425,000	'	'
Warrants expired, shares April 30, 2010	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net loss	-10,814,788	'	'	'	'	'	-10,814,788
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2010	11,613,069	10,269	1	9,333	99,279,466	-1,133,266	-86,552,734
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010	'	10,269,967	1,333	'	'	'	'
Stock based compensation	114,089	'	'	'	114,089	'	'
Issued for cash, net of costs, shares	'	959,261	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash, net of costs	4,992,861	960	'	'	4,991,901	'	'
Restricted stock transferred to common stock	'	1	-1	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock transferred to common stock, shares	'	1,333	-1,333	'	'	'	'
Net loss	-14,159,754	'	'	'	'	'	-14,159,754
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2011	2,560,265	11,230	'	9,333	104,385,456	-1,133,266	-100,712,488
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011	'	11,230,561	'	'	'	'	'
Stock based compensation	3,210	'	'	'	3,210	'	'
Issued for cash, net of costs, shares	'	1,202,276	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash on exercise of stock options, shares	'	107	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash on exercise of stock options	240	'	'	'	240	'	'
Issued for cash, net of costs	5,925,265	1,203	'	'	5,924,062	'	'
Investor note converted to common stock	6,842,144	1,240	'	'	6,840,904	'	'
Investor note converted to common stock, shares	'	1,240,216	'	'	'	'	'
Conversion of warrant liability and issuance of warrants	1,073,860	'	'	1,073,860	'	'	'
Beneficial conversion option	1,355,523	'	'	'	1,355,523	'	'
Net loss	-10,908,727	'	'	'	'	'	-10,908,727
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2012	6,851,780	13,673	'	1,083,193	118,509,395	-1,133,266	-111,621,215
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	13,673,160	13,673,160	'	'	'	'	'
Stock based compensation	322,069	'	'	'	322,069	'	'
Issued for cash, net of costs, shares	'	12,353,633	'	'	'	'	'
Issued for cash, net of costs	29,420,375	12,354	'	'	29,408,021	'	'
Derivative liability reclassification	7,473,108	'	'	'	7,473,108	'	'
Net loss	-17,402,337	'	'	'	'	'	-17,402,337
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$26,664,995	$26,027	'	$1,083,193	$155,712,593	($1,133,266)	($129,023,552)
Ending balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2013	26,026,793	26,026,793	'	'	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended		167 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Operating activities	'	'	'
Net loss	($17,402,337)	($10,366,775)	($129,023,552)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities	'	'	'
Amortization and depreciation	148,291	252,656	4,822,521
Accretion on preferred stock	'	'	1,475,853
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	322,069	2,408	1,441,221
Gain on settlement of preferred stock	'	'	-1,562,689
Loss on disposal of property and equipment	126,633	50,352	898,719
Non-cash derivative instrument charge	7,473,108	'	7,473,108
Non-cash financing costs	74,751	4,193,698	4,771,178
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	'	'	'
Other receivables	1,990,932	1,113,711	-9,425
Prepaid expenses and deposits	-134,177	-101,561	-282,452
Restricted cash	-250,037	-1,859	-250,037
Other current assets	-530,391	'	-530,391
Other assets	'	-54,818	-105,805
Accounts payable	-22,332	322,238	677,529
Accrued liabilities	208,124	37,631	1,412,054
Deferred rent liability	23,148	'	23,148
Deferred revenue	-425,339	1,846,154	1,266,968
Cash used in operating activities	-8,397,557	-2,706,165	-107,502,051
Investing activities	'	'	'
Purchase of property and equipment	-82,009	-17,912	-7,420,007
Proceeds on disposals of property and equipment	51,776	31,402	447,164
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities	-30,233	13,490	-6,972,843
Financing activities	'	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and on options exercised	32,499,986	6,221,345	41,015,267
Proceeds from issuance of warrants and warrant derivatives	'	242	500
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock	'	'	102,157,702
Payment of share issuance costs	-3,079,611	-781,931	-4,971,345
Proceeds from loans payable	'	5,423,390	17,898,295
Repayments of capital lease obligation	'	'	-163,242
Repayments of loans payable	-3,000,000	'	-12,735,054
Cash provided by financing activities	26,420,375	10,863,046	143,202,123
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes	877	'	-1,085,759
Net change in cash	17,993,462	8,170,371	27,641,470
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	9,648,008	3,226,778	'
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	27,641,470	11,397,149	27,641,470
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information	'	'	'
Interest paid	79,388	21,847	1,123,204
Income taxes paid	'	'	172,451
Property and equipment purchased under capital lease	'	'	449,744
Preferred stock issued on conversion of debt	'	'	5,337,417
Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information	'	'	'
Common stock issued on conversion of debt	'	$6,842,144	$6,842,144

Nature_of_Business_and_Liquidi

Nature of Business and Liquidity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Nature of Business and Liquidity	'
	1	Nature of Business and Liquidity
	Celator Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Celator” or the “Company”) is a development stage company focused on new therapeutic products for cancer treatment using proprietary technology that recognizes and controls the delivery of efficacious fixed ratios of drug combinations to tumor sites.
	The Company has incurred recurring losses and negative cash flows from operations since inception. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $129.0 million. The Company expects operating losses and negative cash flows to continue for the foreseeable future until such time, if ever, that it can generate significant revenues from its product candidates currently in development. At September 30, 2013, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $27.6 million. Management believes that the cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2013 will be sufficient to meet estimated working capital requirements and fund planned operations into the second half of 2015.
	The Company is subject to those risks associated with any pharmaceutical company that has substantial expenditures for research and development. There can be no assurance that the Company’s research and development projects will be successful, that products developed will obtain necessary regulatory approval, or that any approved product will be commercially viable. In addition, the Company operates in an environment of rapid technological change and is largely dependent on the services of its employees and consultants.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	2	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and related disclosures have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) have been omitted.
	In the opinion of management of the Company, the interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, operating results and cash flows of the interim periods. All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full year.
	Basis of consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Celator and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Celator Pharmaceuticals Corp. (“CPC”) and Celator UK Ltd. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
	Use of estimates: The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Significant areas requiring management estimates in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements include, among other things, assessment of other receivables, accrued liabilities, impairment and amortization of property and equipment, valuation allowance for deferred income taxes, valuation of stock-based compensation and contingencies.
	New Accounting Pronouncement: In March 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an amendment to the accounting guidance on foreign currency matters in order to clarify the guidance for the release of cumulative translation adjustments. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2013. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	3	Fair Value Measurements
	Financial instruments of the Company consist of cash deposits, money market investments, other receivables, accounts payable, certain accrued liabilities and debt. The carrying value of these financial instruments generally approximates fair value due to their short-term nature.
	FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. ASC 820-10 establishes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
	Level 1 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability, such as: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
	Level 3 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
	ASC 820 requires disclosures about transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 and separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements relating to Level 3 measurements. It also clarifies existing fair value disclosures regarding the level of disaggregation and the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value.
	The Company recognizes transfers between input levels as of the actual date of event. There were no transfers between levels and the following table provides the assets carried at fair value:
			Fair Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	September 30, 2013
	Assets:
	Certificates of Deposit		$	15,001,448	$	15,001,448
	Money Market Fund			11,097,252		11,097,252
	Total		$	26,098,700	$	26,098,700	$	—	$	—
	December 31, 2012
	Assets:
	Money Market Fund		$	9,107,500	$	9,107,500	$	—	$	—

Other_Receivables

Other Receivables	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Other Receivables	'
	4	Other Receivables
	Other receivables as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, consist of the following:
			September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Receivables related to the sale of New Jersey net operating losses		$	—	$	1,363,559
	Receivables related to value added tax recovery			—		95,910
	Receivables related to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society funding			—		500,000
	Other receivables			9,425		40,888
			$	9,425	$	2,000,357

Other_Current_Assets

Other Current Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Other Current Assets	'
	5	Other Current Assets
	Other current assets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consist of the following:
			September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Clinical trial materials		$	530,391	$	—

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment	'
	6	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 including assets held under capital lease, consists of the following:
			September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	Computer and equipment		$	125,373		$	103,858
	Furniture and office equipment			97,068			145,499
	Laboratory equipment			1,760,632			1,779,188
	Capital lease equipment			155,523			155,520
	Leaseholds			37,789			73,060
				2,176,385			2,257,125
	Less: Accumulated depreciation			(998,869	)		(1,012,100	)
			$	1,177,516		$	1,245,025
			Three months ended						Nine months ended
			September 30						September 30
			2013			2012			2013		2012
	Depreciation and amortization		$	51,239		$	80,977		$	148,291	$	252,656
	In February 2012, the Company closed a laboratory in Canada and consigned certain property and equipment for sale with net book value of $507,622. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the net book values of the remaining consigned equipment were $74,086 and $251,269, respectively, and consisted solely of scientific equipment which is presented as assets held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 assets held for sale with a net book value of $177,428 were sold for proceeds of $51,776 resulting in a loss on disposal of $125,422.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company wrote off other property and equipment and incurred a loss of $1,211.

Accrued_Liabilities

Accrued Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accrued Liabilities	'
	7	Accrued Liabilities
	Accrued liabilities as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
			September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Accrued bonuses		$	481,429	$	458,177
	Accrued salaries and vacation			277,147		198,817
	Accrued professional fees			15,918		265,802
	Accrued clinical trial expenses			550,396		188,057
	Accrued trade payables other			77,845		84,145
			$	1,402,735	$	1,194,998

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	8	Stockholders’ Equity
	April 2013 Final Closing of Private Placement
	On April 29, 2013, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement and subscription agreements with certain accredited investors for the issuance and sale in the final round of a private placement of 10,430,034 shares of common stock, which the Company sold at a price of $3.116 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of $32,499,986. Warrants to purchase 0.28 shares of common stock at $3.58 per share were issued for each share of common stock purchased. The net proceeds totaled $29,420,375 for this financing.
	In connection with this final closing of the financing, 1,923,599 shares of common stock and 161,327 warrants to purchase shares of common stock at $5.21 and 1,056,898 warrants to purchase shares of common stock at $3.58 per share were issued to certain existing stockholders of the Company who participated in earlier closings of this financing. The fair value of these common shares and warrants was recognized as a derivative liability with a corresponding charge to the statement of loss. The derivative liability was fair valued at $7,473,108 and the fair value was measured using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). Upon the final closing of the April 2013 private placement, the derivative liability was reclassified into stockholders’ equity as the obligation to issue additional securities no longer existed.
	Warrants
	The following table summarizes the warrants outstanding to purchase common stock as of September 30, 2013:
	Issue date		Number of		Exercise		Term
			warrants		price
	Mar-09			12,445	$	11.25		7 years
	Dec-11			123,585		5.21		7 years
	Feb-12			3,700		5.21		6 years
	Jun-12			17,267		5.21		7 years
	Aug-12			112,536		5.21		7 years
	Apr-13			161,327		5.21		7 years
	Apr-13			3,977,290		3.58		7 years
				4,408,150

Stock_Based_Compensation

Stock Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock Based Compensation	'
	9	Stock Based Compensation
	The following table provides a summary of option activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
			Number of			Exercise
			options			price
	December 31, 2012			806,788		$	2.52
	Granted			1,549,150			3.12
	Cancelled			(5,190	)		2.42
	September 30, 2013			2,350,748		$	2.91
	Exercisable at September 30, 2013			798,531		$	2.52
	The following table provides information regarding stock options activity during the periods:
			Three months ended					Nine months ended
			September 30					30-Sep
			2013			2012		2013			2012
	Stock compensation expense recognized		$	235,289		$	803	$	322,069		$	2,408
	Weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options issued (per share)		$	2.11		$	—	$	2.14		$	—
	Grant-date fair value of stock options issued		$	59,080		$	—	$	3,314,341		$	—
	Volatility			117	%		—		118.3	%		—
	Risk-free interest rate			1.6	%		—		1.9	%		—
	Dividend yield			0	%		—		0	%		—
	Expected life in years			6			—		6.2			—
	The grant-date fair value of stock options is estimated using the Black Scholes option pricing model. The Company determined the options’ life based on the simplified method and determined the options’ expected volatility based on peer group volatility and dividend yield based on the historical dividend payments. The risk free interest rate is based on the yield of an applicable term Treasury instrument.
	The Company amortizes the grant-date fair value of stock options on a straight-line basis over the applicable requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the vesting period. At September 30, 2013, the total compensation cost related to non-vested awards not yet recognized and weighted average period over which it will be recognized was $3,031,299 and 3.5 years, respectively.

Geographic_Segment_Information

Geographic Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Geographic Segment Information	'
	10	Geographic Segment Information
	The Company operates in the United States and Canada. The Company’s CPX-351 clinical trial materials are manufactured by a third party using the Company’s equipment located in Germany. Geographic net loss information is based on the location whereby the expenses were incurred. The geographic information about total assets is based on the physical location of the assets.
			Total Assets
			September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	United States		$	28,227,117		$	11,578,590
	Canada			701,664			717,250
	Germany			1,106,258			1,143,104
	Total Assets		$	30,035,039		$	13,438,944
			Net Loss
			Three months ended September 30						Nine months ended
									30-Sep
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	United States			(3,274,731	)		(5,770,908	)		(15,649,089	)		(8,733,523	)
	Canada			(402,681	)		(443,986	)		(1,753,248	)		(1,633,252	)
	Total Net Loss		$	(3,677,412	)	$	(6,214,894	)	$	(17,402,337	)	$	(10,366,775	)

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	11	Commitments and Contingencies
	In February 2013, the Company renewed its office lease agreements for office space in Vancouver, British Columbia, effective April 1, 2013 which expires in June 2016. The Company’s lease commitment is $226,000.
	In March 2013, the Company entered into an office lease agreement for office space in Ewing, New Jersey, which commenced in July 2013 with a term of sixty months. The Company’s lease commitment is $643,000.
	Under the Ewing, New Jersey lease agreement, the Company will be obligated to maintain a letter of credit from a bank with respect to its security deposit obligations in the amount of $200,000 during the first year of the Agreement, which amount will be reduced by $40,000 per year on each of December 1, 2014, 2015, and 2016 and by $60,000 on December 1, 2017.
	The Company has a worldwide exclusive license agreement with Princeton University dated June 2007 that provides the Company with exclusive rights to some aspects of its nanoparticle polymer technology arising from research sponsored by the Company at Princeton University between 2003 and 2007. These inventions are generally characterized as particulate constructs for release of active agents for medical application. Of the products currently in Celator’s pipeline, only the hydrophobic docetaxel prodrug nanoparticle (HDPN) formulation is subject to this agreement. The Company is obligated to pay a royalty on net sales to Princeton University of a low single-digit percentage if any invention is sold by the Company or a company to which the product covered by the invention was licensed by the Company, which was generated under the exclusive licensing agreement. No royalty or other product/sub-license-related payments have been made to date. The Company is obligated to provide Princeton University a percentage within the range of 45% to 55% of proceeds obtained from a sub-license of the intellectual property to a third party in cases where the Company has not conducted any research or development activities and is solely licensing out the original intellectual property jointly developed by the Company and Princeton University. The Company may terminate the agreement at any time by giving 90 days written notice to Princeton University. Princeton may terminate the agreement if the Company should breach or fail to perform under the agreement, with written notice of default provided by Princeton University to the Company and only if the Company fails to cure the default within 60 days. The Company is obligated under the agreement to provide an annual progress report to Princeton University on any developments of the licensed technology as well as prosecution of the patents covering the technology and the use of commercially reasonable efforts to develop licensed products.
	The Company has a collaborative research agreement dated May 2001 with the British Columbia Cancer Agency (“BCCA”) whereby in consideration for the license and conditional assignment of all Company-sponsored intellectual property to the Company by BCCA, the Company will pay to BCCA a royalty in the low single digits on net sales of royalty-bearing products in territories so long as a valid claim exists for inventions made between June 2000 and June 2005 under the agreement. All obligations relating to the conduct of the research and assignment of intellectual property have been completed. No payments of royalties have been made to date. Either party may terminate the agreement if the other party commits a material breach or default and such breach or default is not reasonably cured within 45 days.
	In consideration of funding by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ® (“LLS”) and transfer to the Company of any rights LLS may have to any project inventions developed during the term of the agreement, the Company may be required to pay LLS a multiple on the LLS funding, (LLS funding is the $5 million in support of the Phase 3 study in addition to the approximately $4.1 million the Company received in support of the Phase 2 study). Subject to exclusions under the agreement, the Company is obligated to pay LLS an amount equal to 50% of the cash payments the Company receives from out-licenses and transfers of rights to the product or other liquidity event, as defined in the agreement, until LLS has received an amount equal to 1.5 times the amount of funding the Company receives from LLS. The total amount payable by the Company to LLS will not exceed 3.55 times the amount of funding received from LLS, with the specific amount depending on when the payment(s) occur relative to the timing of the research program and product commercialization. The payments may take the form of cash payments or royalties (not to exceed 5% of net sales) but will not exceed the maximum amount referred to in the preceding sentence.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of consolidation	'
	Basis of consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Celator and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Celator Pharmaceuticals Corp. (“CPC”) and Celator UK Ltd. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
Use of estimates	'
	Use of estimates: The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Significant areas requiring management estimates in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements include, among other things, assessment of other receivables, accrued liabilities, impairment and amortization of property and equipment, valuation allowance for deferred income taxes, valuation of stock-based compensation and contingencies.
New Accounting Pronouncement	'
	New Accounting Pronouncement: In March 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an amendment to the accounting guidance on foreign currency matters in order to clarify the guidance for the release of cumulative translation adjustments. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2013. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Assets	'
	the following table provides the assets carried at fair value:
		Fair Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	September 30, 2013
	Assets:
	Certificates of Deposit	$	15,001,448	$	15,001,448
	Money Market Fund		11,097,252		11,097,252
	Total	$	26,098,700	$	26,098,700	$	—	$	—
	December 31, 2012
	Assets:
	Money Market Fund	$	9,107,500	$	9,107,500	$	—	$	—

Other_Receivables_Tables

Other Receivables (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Other Receivables	'
	Other receivables as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, consist of the following:
		September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Receivables related to the sale of New Jersey net operating losses	$	—	$	1,363,559
	Receivables related to value added tax recovery		—		95,910
	Receivables related to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society funding		—		500,000
	Other receivables		9,425		40,888
		$	9,425	$	2,000,357

Other_Current_Assets_Tables

Other Current Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of Other Current Assets	'
	Other current assets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consist of the following:
		September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Clinical trial materials	$	530,391	$	—

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Property and Equipment, including Assets Held under Capital Lease	'
	Property and equipment as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 including assets held under capital lease, consists of the following:
		September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	Computer and equipment	$	125,373		$	103,858
	Furniture and office equipment		97,068			145,499
	Laboratory equipment		1,760,632			1,779,188
	Capital lease equipment		155,523			155,520
	Leaseholds		37,789			73,060
			2,176,385			2,257,125
	Less: Accumulated depreciation		(998,869	)		(1,012,100	)
		$	1,177,516		$	1,245,025
Schedule of Depreciation and Amortization	'
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30						September 30
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Depreciation and amortization	$	51,239		$	80,977		$	148,291	$	252,656

Accrued_Liabilities_Tables

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'
Summary of Accrued Liabilities	'
	Accrued liabilities as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
		September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Accrued bonuses	$	481,429	$	458,177
	Accrued salaries and vacation		277,147		198,817
	Accrued professional fees		15,918		265,802
	Accrued clinical trial expenses		550,396		188,057
	Accrued trade payables other		77,845		84,145
		$	1,402,735	$	1,194,998

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Summary of Warrants Outstanding to Purchase Common Stock	'
	The following table summarizes the warrants outstanding to purchase common stock as of September 30, 2013:
	Issue date	Number of		Exercise		Term
		warrants		price
	Mar-09		12,445	$	11.25		7 years
	Dec-11		123,585		5.21		7 years
	Feb-12		3,700		5.21		6 years
	Jun-12		17,267		5.21		7 years
	Aug-12		112,536		5.21		7 years
	Apr-13		161,327		5.21		7 years
	Apr-13		3,977,290		3.58		7 years
			4,408,150

Stock_Based_Compensation_Table

Stock Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary of Activity of Company's Stock Option Plans	'
	The following table provides a summary of option activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
		Number of			Exercise
		options			price
	December 31, 2012		806,788		$	2.52
	Granted		1,549,150			3.12
	Cancelled		(5,190	)		2.42
	September 30, 2013		2,350,748		$	2.91
	Exercisable at September 30, 2013		798,531		$	2.52
Schedule of Stock Options Activity	'
	The following table provides information regarding stock options activity during the periods:
		Three months ended					Nine months ended
		September 30					30-Sep
		2013			2012		2013			2012
	Stock compensation expense recognized	$	235,289		$	803	$	322,069		$	2,408
	Weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options issued (per share)	$	2.11		$	—	$	2.14		$	—
	Grant-date fair value of stock options issued	$	59,080		$	—	$	3,314,341		$	—
	Volatility		117	%		—		118.3	%		—
	Risk-free interest rate		1.6	%		—		1.9	%		—
	Dividend yield		0	%		—		0	%		—
	Expected life in years		6			—		6.2			—

Geographic_Segment_Information1

Geographic Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Geographical Information about Net Loss and Total Assets	'
	The geographic information about total assets is based on the physical location of the assets.
		Total Assets
		September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	United States	$	28,227,117		$	11,578,590
	Canada		701,664			717,250
	Germany		1,106,258			1,143,104
	Total Assets	$	30,035,039		$	13,438,944
		Net Loss
		Three months ended September 30						Nine months ended
								30-Sep
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	United States		(3,274,731	)		(5,770,908	)		(15,649,089	)		(8,733,523	)
	Canada		(402,681	)		(443,986	)		(1,753,248	)		(1,633,252	)
	Total Net Loss	$	(3,677,412	)	$	(6,214,894	)	$	(17,402,337	)	$	(10,366,775	)

Nature_of_Business_and_Liquidi1

Nature of Business and Liquidity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated deficit	($129,023,552)	($111,621,215)	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$27,641,470	$9,648,008	$11,397,149	$3,226,778

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value of Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets:	'	'
Total	$26,098,700	'
Certificates of Deposit [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Certificates of Deposit	15,001,448	'
Money Market Fund [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Money Market Fund	11,097,252	9,107,500
Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total	26,098,700	'
Level 1 [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Certificates of Deposit	15,001,448	'
Level 1 [Member] | Money Market Fund [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Money Market Fund	11,097,252	9,107,500
Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total	'	'
Level 2 [Member] | Money Market Fund [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Money Market Fund	'	'
Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total	'	'
Level 3 [Member] | Money Market Fund [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Money Market Fund	'	'

Other_Receivables_Schedule_of_

Other Receivables - Schedule of Other Receivables (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other Receivables Net Current [Abstract]	'	'
Receivables related to the sale of New Jersey net operating losses	'	$1,363,559
Receivables related to value added tax recovery	'	95,910
Receivables related to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society funding	'	500,000
Other receivables	9,425	40,888
Other receivables, net	$9,425	$2,000,357

Other_Current_Assets_Component

Other Current Assets - Components of Other Current Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Assets [Abstract]	'
Clinical trial materials	$530,391

Property_and_Equipment_Schedul

Property and Equipment - Schedule of Property and Equipment, including Assets Held under Capital Lease (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$2,176,385	$2,257,125
Less: Accumulated depreciation	-998,869	-1,012,100
Property and equipment, net	1,177,516	1,245,025
Computer and equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	125,373	103,858
Furniture and office equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	97,068	145,499
Laboratory equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	1,760,632	1,779,188
Capital lease equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	155,523	155,520
Leaseholds [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$37,789	$73,060

Property_and_Equipment_Schedul1

Property and Equipment - Schedule of Depreciation and Amortization (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		167 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	$51,239	$80,977	$148,291	$252,656	$4,822,521

Property_and_Equipment_Additio

Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		167 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Feb. 29, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
						Property and Equipment [Member]	Scientific Equipment [Member]	Scientific Equipment [Member]	Assets Held for Sale [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net book value of assets, held for sale	'	'	'	'	'	$507,622	$74,086	$251,269	'
Assets Disposals, Written Off Net Book Value	'	'	1,211	'	'	'	'	'	177,428
Proceeds from sale of assets	'	'	51,776	31,402	447,164	'	'	'	51,776
Loss on disposal of property and equipment	$12,059	($30,853)	($126,633)	($50,352)	($898,719)	'	'	'	$125,422

Accrued_Liabilities_Summary_of

Accrued Liabilities - Summary of Accrued Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Accrued bonuses	$481,429	$458,177
Accrued salaries and vacation	277,147	198,817
Accrued professional fees	15,918	265,802
Accrued clinical trial expenses	550,396	188,057
Accrued trade payables other	77,845	84,145
Accrued liabilities	$1,402,735	$1,194,998

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended				9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Apr. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Apr. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Apr. 29, 2013
				Private placement [Member]	Private placement [Member]	Private placement [Member]	Private placement [Member]	Private placement [Member]
					Warrants Exercise Price at $5.21 [Member]	Warrants Exercise Price at $5.21 [Member]	Warrants Exercise Price at $3.58 [Member]	Warrants Exercise Price at $3.58 [Member]
Schedule Of Shareholders Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance and sale of common stock in private placement	'	26,026,793	13,673,160	10,430,034	'	'	'	'
Sale of stock, price per share	'	'	'	$3.12	'	'	'	'
Gross proceeds from issuance of private placement	$32,499,986	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Warrants to purchase of common stock issued	'	'	'	0.28	'	'	'	'
Warrants to purchase of common stock issued, price per share	'	'	'	3.58	'	5.21	'	3.58
Net proceeds from Issuance of Private Placement	29,420,375	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares of common stock and warrants issued	'	'	'	1,923,599	'	'	'	'
Warrants to purchase shares of common stock	'	'	'	'	161,327	'	1,056,898	'
Fair value of derivative liability	'	$7,473,108	'	'	'	'	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_Summary_of

Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Warrants Outstanding to Purchase Common Stock (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]	'
Number of warrants	4,408,150
March 2009 [Member]	'
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]	'
Issue date	'March 2009
Number of warrants	12,445
Exercise price	11.25
Term	'7 years
December 2011 [Member]	'
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]	'
Issue date	'December 2011
Number of warrants	123,585
Exercise price	5.21
Term	'7 years
February 2012 [Member]	'
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]	'
Issue date	'February 2012
Number of warrants	3,700
Exercise price	5.21
Term	'6 years
June 2012 [Member]	'
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]	'
Issue date	'June 2012
Number of warrants	17,267
Exercise price	5.21
Term	'7 years
August 2012 [Member]	'
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]	'
Issue date	'August 2012
Number of warrants	112,536
Exercise price	5.21
Term	'7 years
April 2013 [Member] | Warrants Exercise Price at $5.21 [Member]	'
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]	'
Issue date	'April 2013
Number of warrants	161,327
Exercise price	5.21
Term	'7 years
April 2013 [Member] | Warrants Exercise Price at $3.58 [Member]	'
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]	'
Issue date	'April 2013
Number of warrants	3,977,290
Exercise price	3.58
Term	'7 years

Stock_Based_Compensation_Summa

Stock Based Compensation - Summary of Activity of Company's Stock Option Plans (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Number of options, Beginning balance	806,788
Number of options, Granted	1,549,150
Number of options, Cancelled	-5,190
Number of options, Ending balance	2,350,748
Number of options, Exercisable	798,531
Exercise price, Beginning balance	$2.52
Exercise price, Granted	$3.12
Exercise price, Cancelled	$2.42
Exercise price, Ending balance	$2.91
Exercise price, Exercisable	$2.52

Stock_Based_Compensation_Sched

Stock Based Compensation - Schedule of Stock Options Activity (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

167 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2009

Dec. 31, 2008

Dec. 31, 2007

Dec. 31, 2006

Sep. 30, 2013

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock compensation expense recognized

$235,289

$803

$322,069

$2,408

$3,210

$114,089

$169,424

$200,522

$186,578

$243,340

$201,989

$1,441,221

Weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options issued (per share)

$2.11

'

$2.14

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Grant-date fair value of stock options issued

$59,080

'

$3,314,341

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Volatility

117.00%

'

118.30%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Risk-free interest rate

1.60%

'

1.90%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Dividend yield

0.00%

'

0.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expected life in years

'6 years

'

'6 years 2 months 12 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock_Based_Compensation_Addit

Stock Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (Non-vested Awards [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Non-vested Awards [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Total compensation cost related to non-vested awards not yet recognized	$3,031,299
Weighted average period over which total compensation cost will be recognized	'3 years 6 months

Geographic_Segment_Information2

Geographic Segment Information - Geographical Information about Net Loss and Total Assets (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

13 Months Ended

167 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2009

Dec. 31, 2008

Dec. 31, 2007

Dec. 31, 2006

Dec. 31, 2005

Dec. 31, 2004

Dec. 31, 2003

Dec. 31, 2002

Dec. 31, 2001

Dec. 31, 2000

Sep. 30, 2013

Total Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets

$30,035,039

'

$30,035,039

'

$13,438,944

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$30,035,039

Net loss

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net loss

-3,677,412

-6,214,894

-17,402,337

-10,366,775

-10,908,727

-14,159,754

-10,814,788

-10,022,979

-14,028,617

-16,761,805

-14,588,786

-8,913,249

-5,445,046

-3,506,027

-1,497,719

-773,668

-200,050

-129,023,552

United States [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets

28,227,117

'

28,227,117

'

11,578,590

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

28,227,117

Net loss

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net loss

-3,274,731

-5,770,908

-15,649,089

-8,733,523

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Canada [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets

701,664

'

701,664

'

717,250

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

701,664

Net loss

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net loss

-402,681

-443,986

-1,753,248

-1,633,252

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Germany [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets

$1,106,258

'

$1,106,258

'

$1,143,104

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,106,258

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended				1 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
	Princeton University Agreement [Member]	Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Agreement [Member]	Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Agreement [Member]	Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Agreement [Member]	Vancouver, British Columbia [Member]	Ewing, New Jersey [Member]	Ewing, New Jersey [Member]	British Columbia Cancer Agency [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]	Maximum [Member]
			Phase 3 study [Member]	Phase 2 study [Member]					Princeton University Agreement [Member]	Princeton University Agreement [Member]	Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Agreement [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Lease commencement date	'	'	'	'	'April 1, 2013	'July 1, 2013	'	'	'	'	'
Lease expiration date	'	'	'	'	30-Jun-16	'	'	'	'	'	'
Lease commitments	'	'	'	'	$226,000	$643,000	'	'	'	'	'
Lease expiration term	'	'	'	'	'	'60 months	'	'	'	'	'
Obligation to maintain letter of credit from bank with respect to security deposit	'	'	'	'	'	'	200,000	'	'	'	'
Contractual obligation of letters of credit payment as on December 1, 2014	'	'	'	'	'	'	40,000	'	'	'	'
Contractual obligation of letters of credit payment as on December 1, 2015	'	'	'	'	'	'	40,000	'	'	'	'
Contractual obligation of letters of credit payment as on December 1, 2016	'	'	'	'	'	'	40,000	'	'	'	'
Contractual obligation of letters of credit payment as on December 1, 2017	'	'	'	'	'	'	60,000	'	'	'	'
Percentage of royalty payable from the amount received from out-licenses and transfers	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	45.00%	55.00%	'
Agreement termination notice period	'90 days	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Rectification of default period	'60 days	'	'	'	'	'	'	'45 days	'	'	'
Funding for project inventions	'	'	$5,000,000	$4,100,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of royalty payable from the amount received from out-licenses and transfers	'	50.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of times amount payable under research funding program	'	1.5	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3.55
Maximum Percentage On Net Sales For Cash Payment Or Royalties	'	5.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'