Nephrogenex (NRXGQ) 10-Q 13 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	13-May-15
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	NephroGenex, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1338095
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		8,864,614
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1

Balance_Sheets

Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$16,362	$13,978
Short-term investments	7,603	14,698
Prepaid expenses and other assets	797	309
Total current assets	24,762	28,985
Property and equipment, net	42	36
Other assets	305	210
Total assets	25,109	29,231
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	1,897	1,750
Accrued and other liabilities	1,981	1,405
Current portion of note payable	880	293
Total current liabilities	4,758	3,448
Notes Payable, Noncurrent	5,897	6,442
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent	21	10
Liabilities	10,676	9,900
Stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock; $.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock; $.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 8,863,614 and 8,862,114 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	9	9
Additional paid-in capital	77,417	77,149
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-1	-8
Accumulated deficit	-62,992	-57,819
Total stockholders’ equity	14,433	19,331
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$25,109	$29,231

Balance_Sheets_Parenthetical

Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	8,863,614	8,862,114
Common stock, shares outstanding	8,863,614	8,862,114
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$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

Statements_of_Comprehensive_Lo

Statements of Comprehensive Loss (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Expenses:
Research and development	$3,369	$457
General and administrative	1,670	1,035
Total expenses	5,039	1,492
Loss from operations	-5,039	-1,492
Other income (expense):
Change in value of preferred stock warrants	0	-140
Interest expense	-143	-78
Interest income	9	10
Net loss	-5,173	-1,700
Net loss per share - basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.58)	($0.37)
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted (in shares)	8,863,103	4,587,498
Other comprehensive loss:
Unrealized gain on short-term investments	7	0
Comprehensive loss	($5,166)	($1,700)

Statement_of_Stockholders_Equi

Statement of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Deficit
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$19,331	$9	$77,149	($8)	($57,819)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		8,862,114
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock for restricted stock units (unaudited)		1,500
Stock based compensation (unaudited)	268		268
Other comprehensive income (unaudited)	7			7
Net loss	-5,173				-5,173
Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$14,433	$9	$77,417	($1)	($62,992)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2015		8,863,614

Statements_of_Cash_Flows

Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Operating activities
Net loss	($5,173)	($1,700)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash and cash equivalents used in operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	2	1
Change in fair value of preferred stock warrants	0	140
Non-cash interest expense	49	78
Accretion of premium on investment activities	20	0
Accrued interest receivable	17	0
Stock based compensation expense	268	101
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-590	-656
Accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities	734	-47
Net cash and cash equivalents used in operating activities	-4,673	-2,083
Investing activities
Sales of short-term investments	7,065	0
Property and equipment purchases	-8	-4
Net cash and cash equivalents provided by (used in) investing activities	7,057	-4
Financing activities
Payment of initial public offering costs	0	-3,732
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	0	37,200
Net cash and cash equivalents provided by financing activities	0	33,468
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	2,384	31,381
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	13,978
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	16,362
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities
Unrealized gain on investments	7	0
Conversion of convertible notes payable, accrued interest, preferred stock and warrants into common stock	0	15,793
Initial public offering costs included in accrued and other liabilities	$0	$6

The_Company

The Company	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
The Company	Description of Business
	Description of Business
	NephroGenex, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware on May 25, 2004. The Company is a drug development company focused on developing novel therapies for kidney disease. The Company acquired commercial rights to Pyridorin™ and has initiated a Phase 3 clinical study in patients with diabetic nephropathy.
	The Company’s primary efforts to date have been devoted to raising capital, recruiting senior management and staff and conducting research and development activities. The Company has experienced net losses since its inception and, as of March 31, 2015, had an accumulated deficit of $63.0 million.
	The Company currently has no commercially approved products and has recognized no revenue since its inception in 2004. The Company does not expect to generate revenue from product sales unless and until it successfully completes development and obtain marketing approval for one or more of its product candidates, which the Company expects will take a number of years and is subject to significant uncertainty. Developing and commercializing a product requires significant time and capital and is subject to regulatory review and approval. There can be no assurance that the Company’s current products in development, if approved, will be successfully commercialized due to a variety of factors, including competition from other biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
	Going Concern
	The Company's financial statements have been prepared on a basis which assumes that the Company will continue as a going concern and which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. The Company has incurred losses since its inception, expects to incur additional costs and requires additional capital to continue as a going concern. As a result, the Company will require additional funds and will continue to seek private or public equity, debt financing, research funding and revenue or expense sharing from collaborative agreements to meet its capital requirements. Even if the Company does not have an immediate need for additional cash, it may seek access to the private or public equity markets if and when conditions are favorable. If such funds are not available, management may need to reassess its business plans. There is no assurance that such additional funds will be available for the Company to finance its operations on acceptable terms, if at all.

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	Significant Accounting Policies
	Basis of Presentation
	The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
	Unaudited Interim Financial Information
	The accompanying interim financial statements and related disclosures are unaudited, have been prepared on the same basis as the annual financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations for the periods presented. The year-end balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or for any other future year or interim period.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of 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 disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Reverse Stock Split
	On February 6, 2014, the Company effected a 1-for-6.5 reverse stock split of its issued and outstanding shares of common stock and a proportional adjustment to the conversion ratio for the Company’s outstanding Series A Preferred Stock. All share and per share amounts for the three month period ended March 31, 2014 and notes thereto have been adjusted retroactively, where applicable, to reflect the reverse stock split and adjustment of the preferred share conversion ratios.
	Initial Public Offering
	On February 14, 2014, the Company completed its initial public offering of common stock (the “IPO”) pursuant to a registration statement that was declared effective on February 10, 2014. The Company sold 3,100,000 shares of its common stock, at a price of $12.00. The Company raised a total of $33.4 million in net proceeds after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses of approximately $3.8 million. Costs directly associated with the IPO were capitalized and recorded as deferred IPO costs prior to the closing of the IPO. These costs were recorded as a reduction of the proceeds received in arriving at the amount to be recorded as additional paid-in capital.
	Upon completion of the IPO, 3,644,354 shares of common stock were issued for the conversion of all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred stock, 1,197,289 shares of common stock were issued for the conversion of outstanding convertible notes and accrued interest and 593,589 aggregate shares of common stock were issued in connection with the settlement of the Company’s outstanding preferred stock warrant liability.
	Warrant Liability
	Certain warrants to purchase the Company’s capital stock had historically been classified as liabilities and were recorded at estimated fair value. At each reporting period, any change in fair value of the freestanding warrants was recorded as other (expense) income. The preferred stock warrant liability was settled upon the closing of the IPO.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
	Investments
	The Company invests in money market funds and certificates of deposits and considers all investments purchased with original maturity dates greater than three months and less than one year to be short-term investments. Those investments with original maturity dates greater than one year are considered to be long-term investments. As of March 31, 2015, all investments were classified as available-for-sale and had original maturity dates less than one year. These investments 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.
	Concentration of Credit Risk
	The Company invests its available cash balances in bank deposits, money market funds and certificates of deposit. The Company maintains deposits in federally insured financial institutions in excess of federally insured limits. Management believes that 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 approved investments and maturities of investments, which are designed to maintain safety and liquidity.
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment consists of furniture, fixtures and computers. Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the respective asset’s estimated useful life. Maintenance and repairs that do not improve or extend the life of assets are expensed as incurred. When an asset is retired or disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gains or losses are reflected within the statement of operations.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	As of March 31, 2015, financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, a note payable and accounts payable.
	The Company defines fair value (“FV”) as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability ("the exit price") in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The FV hierarchy for inputs maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. The Company uses the following hierarchy of inputs to measure FV:
	•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 in active markets; 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 values investments using the most observable inputs available that are current as of the measurement date and classifies them according to the lowest level of inputs used. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed from market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs are those which reflect the Company’s judgment concerning the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed from the best information available under the circumstances.
	The Company targets investments principally in Level 1 and Level 2 cash equivalents and financial instruments and records them at FV. The Company did not rely on Level 3 inputs for the valuation of any investments at March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014. The Company expects that the carrying values of cash equivalents will approximate FV because of their short maturities.
	The Company classifies as Level 2 investments in certificates of deposits and values them using the market approach based on significant other observable inputs including quoted prices in active markets for instruments that are similar or quoted prices in markets that are not traded on a daily basis for identical or similar instruments.
	The following table sets forth our financial instruments carried at FV within the ASC 820 hierarchy and using the lowest level of input as of March 31, 2015:
				Quoted Prices
				in Active		Significant
	(in thousands)			Markets		Other		Significant
		Balance		For Identical Assets		Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
	Assets:	31-Mar-15		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Certificates of Deposit	$	7,603	$	—	$	7,603	$	—
		$	7,603	$	—	$	7,603	$	—
	The following table sets forth our financial instruments carried at FV within the ASC 820 hierarchy and using the lowest level of input as of December 31, 2014:
				Quoted Prices
				in Active		Significant
	(in thousands)			Markets		Other		Significant
		Balance		For Identical Assets		Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
	Assets:	31-Dec-14		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Certificates of Deposit	$	16,765	$	—	$	16,765	$	—
		$	16,765	$	—	$	16,765	$	—
	Research and Development Costs
	Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenses include personnel costs associated with research and development activities including non-cash share-based compensation, costs for third-party contractors to perform research, conduct clinical trials and manufacture drug supplies and materials. The Company accrues for costs incurred by external service providers, including contract research organizations and clinical investigators, based on its estimates of service performed and costs incurred. These estimates include the level of services performed by the third parties, patient enrollment in clinical trials, administrative costs incurred by the third parties, and other indicators of the services completed. Based on the timing of amounts invoiced by service providers, the Company may also record payments made to those providers as prepaid expenses that will be recognized as expense in future periods as the related services are rendered.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company estimates the FV of stock options and stock purchase rights using a Black-Scholes option valuation 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 uses the simplified method for estimating the expected term as provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission's Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107. The simplified method calculates the expected term as the average time-to-vesting and the contractual life of the options. The expected stock price volatility assumption was determined by examining the historical volatilities of a group of industry peers. The FV of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model, and the resulting FV is expensed using the straight-line attribution method over the vesting period, which is the same as the requisite service period. Restricted stock units are measured at the FV of the Company's common stock on the date of grant and expensed over the period of vesting, which is the same as the requisite service period using the straight-line attribution method.
	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 August 2014, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern” (“ASU 2014-15”). ASU 2014-15 is intended to define management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures.  Specifically, ASU 2014-15 provides a definition of the term substantial doubt and requires an assessment for a period of one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). It also requires certain disclosures when substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of consideration of management’s plans and requires an express statement and other disclosures when substantial doubt is not alleviated.  The new standard will be effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted.  Management is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-14 on the Company's financial statements and disclosures.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, "Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs". The amendments in this ASU require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this ASU. The new standard will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted.  The amendments should be applied on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each individual period presented should be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. The Company does not expect ASU No. 2015-03 to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements upon adoption.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share
	Basic net loss per share is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding for the period, without consideration for common stock equivalents. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common share equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury-stock method. Under the treasury-stock method earnings per share data is computed as if the common share equivalents were outstanding at the beginning of the period (or at the time of issuance, if later) and as if the funds obtained from exercise of the common stock equivalents were used to purchase common stock at the average market price during the period. If there is little or no market for the common stock, a reasonable estimate of FV shall be used.
	For purposes of this calculation, preferred stock, stock options, restricted stock units and warrants to purchase capital stock are considered to be common stock equivalents and are only included in the calculation of diluted net loss per share when their effect is dilutive.
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share in thousands, except share and per share data:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Historical
	Numerator:
	Net loss	$	(5,173	)	$	(1,700	)
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding	8,863,103			4,587,498
	Net loss per share-basic and diluted	$	(0.58	)	$	(0.37	)
	Potentially dilutive securities not included in the calculation of diluted net loss per common share because to do so would be anti-dilutive are as follows (in common equivalent shares on a weighted-average basis):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	Common stock options	1,271,769		683,753
	Restricted stock units	16,000		24,000
	Common stock warrants	118,603		31,689
	In addition to the potentially dilutive securities noted above, the Company has excluded from the table above 3,644,354 shares of common stock that were issued for the conversion of all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred stock, 1,197,289 shares of common stock that were issued for convertible notes and accrued interest and 593,589 aggregate shares of common stock that were issued in connection with the settlement of the Company’s outstanding warrant obligations upon closing of the IPO.

Balance_Sheet_Items

Balance Sheet Items	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Balance Sheet Items	Balance Sheet Items
	Investments
	The following table summarizes the Company's available-for-sale investments as of March 31, 2015 (in thousands):
		Maturity	Amortized			Unrealized		Unrealized			Estimated
	Short-term Investments	(in years)	Cost			Gains		Loss			Fair Value
	Certificates of Deposit	1 or less	7,604			—		(1		)	7,603
	Total Investments		$	7,604		$	—	$	(1	)	$	7,603
	The following table summarizes the Company's available-for-sale investments as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Maturity	Amortized			Unrealized		Unrealized			Estimated
	Short-term Investments	(in years)	Cost			Gains		Loss			Fair Value
	Certificates of Deposit	1 or less	14,706			—		(8		)	14,698
	Total Investments		$	14,706		$	—	$	(8	)	$	14,698
	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.
	Accrued Liabilities
	Accrued liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Accrued clinical trial expenses	$	1,620		$	393
	Accrued compensation	307			909
	Other accruals	54			103
	Total	$	1,981		$	1,405

License_Agreements

License Agreements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
License Agreements [Abstract]
License Agreements	License Agreements
	The University of South Carolina Research Foundation, Corp.
	During 2007, the Company licensed certain technology from the University of South Carolina Research Foundation, Corp. (“USCRF”) to the Company. The license gives the Company worldwide rights to use the technology as defined in the agreement. The agreement was amended in August 2013. The Company is obligated to pay an annual licensing fee of $120,000. Upon the achievement of certain defined product development milestones for diabetic neuropathy or hyperlipidemia, the Company would be obligated to make up to $6.1 million of payments to USCRF. The Company will be obligated to pay USCRF a one-time fee of $35,000 upon execution of a sublicense and would pay to USCRF 25% of any non-royalty sublicense payments received from a sub-licensee. The term of the agreement expires on the expiration of the underlying USCRF patents. The Company can terminate the license at any time upon three months prior written notice to USCRF. As of March 31, 2015, no development milestones have been paid or accrued nor does the Company expect to achieve any development milestones during the next few years. The Company paid $30,000 for each of the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 for licensing fees due under this agreement.
	Vanderbilt University
	During 2006, the Company entered into a licensing agreement with Vanderbilt University (“Vanderbilt”) for the rights to use certain technology. The agreement, as amended, requires the Company to make milestone payments totaling approximately $1.1 million in the event certain defined events occur. Should the Company successfully develop a product using the licensed technology, Vanderbilt will be due royalties based on net sales at a rate of 5%. The Company must also pay Vanderbilt 25% of non‑royalty sub‑licensee payments received from a sub‑licensee. Annual minimum royalties due under the licensing agreement are $10,000 and will increase to $25,000 when a claim in the licensed patent rights is issued in a major market country, as defined. The licensing agreement expires when the underlying patents to the licensed technology expire. The Company may terminate the agreement upon sixty days written notice to Vanderbilt.
	Certain milestones can be paid in stock or are creditable against future royalties due based on net sales. As of March 31, 2015, no milestone or royalty payments have been paid or accrued.

Convertible_Notes_Payable

Convertible Notes Payable	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Convertible Notes Payable	Convertible Notes Payable
	On February 14, 2014, in connection with the closing of the Company’s IPO, $7.9 million of convertible promissory notes and $728,000 of accrued interest were converted into 1,197,289 shares of common stock.
	Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 relating to the notes was approximately $0, and $78,000, respectively.
	Term Loan
	On November 20, 2014, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the "Loan Agreement") with East West Bank ("East West") for a term loan (the “Initial Term Loan”) with an aggregate principal amount of $7.0 million and, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the agreement, a second term loan (the “Second Term Loan”) with an aggregate principal amount of $5.0 million. Each term loan shall accrue interest at a rate of 2.25% per annum plus the greater of 3.25% or the current prime rate. As of March 31, 2015, the interest rate on the loan was 5.5%. As security for its obligations under the Loan Agreement, the Company granted East West a lien on substantially all of its assets, including owned and licensed intellectual property.
	On November 20, 2014, East West funded the Initial Term Loan, which matures on October 1, 2018. Interest only payments are due during the first twelve months of the Initial Term Loan (the “Interest Only Term”) and beginning on November 1, 2015, the Company is required to make thirty-six (36) equal monthly payments of principal and interest. The Interest Only Term may be extended under the Loan Agreement if certain conditions are met. The Company paid a $120,000 facility fee which was recorded as a debt discount to be amortized as interest expense over the term of the loan using the effective interest rate method.
	At the Company’s option, the Company may borrow the Second Term Loan on or before May 29, 2015, if the Company has met certain clinical milestones. As of the date hereof, the Company does not believe that it will meet the clinical milestones for the Second Term Loan. However, the Company has made a proposal to East West to amend the clinical milestones necessary for incurrence of the Second Term Loan. The Company may prepay each term loan in full with no prepayment penalty. Upon payment of the final monthly installment of the loan, or the remaining balance in the case of a prepayment, the Company would pay an end-of-term fee of approximately $60,000.
	In connection with the Initial Term Loan, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 56,603 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $4.24 per share. The warrants are immediately exercisable and will expire on November 20, 2021. The Company determined the fair value of the warrants to be $192,450 using the Black-Scholes pricing model and recorded the warrants as a debt discount to be amortized as interest expense over the term of the Initial Term Loan Agreement using the effective interest rate method. The Company also paid $50,000 in debt issuance costs, which were capitalized as a deferred asset and are being amortized over the expected remaining life of the loan using the effective interest method.
	The Company recognized $142,000 in interest expense related to the term loan, including the amortization of the warrants, for the three month period ended March 31, 2015.

Term_Loan_Term_Loan

Term Loan Term Loan	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Term Loan	Convertible Notes Payable
	On February 14, 2014, in connection with the closing of the Company’s IPO, $7.9 million of convertible promissory notes and $728,000 of accrued interest were converted into 1,197,289 shares of common stock.
	Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 relating to the notes was approximately $0, and $78,000, respectively.
	Term Loan
	On November 20, 2014, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the "Loan Agreement") with East West Bank ("East West") for a term loan (the “Initial Term Loan”) with an aggregate principal amount of $7.0 million and, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the agreement, a second term loan (the “Second Term Loan”) with an aggregate principal amount of $5.0 million. Each term loan shall accrue interest at a rate of 2.25% per annum plus the greater of 3.25% or the current prime rate. As of March 31, 2015, the interest rate on the loan was 5.5%. As security for its obligations under the Loan Agreement, the Company granted East West a lien on substantially all of its assets, including owned and licensed intellectual property.
	On November 20, 2014, East West funded the Initial Term Loan, which matures on October 1, 2018. Interest only payments are due during the first twelve months of the Initial Term Loan (the “Interest Only Term”) and beginning on November 1, 2015, the Company is required to make thirty-six (36) equal monthly payments of principal and interest. The Interest Only Term may be extended under the Loan Agreement if certain conditions are met. The Company paid a $120,000 facility fee which was recorded as a debt discount to be amortized as interest expense over the term of the loan using the effective interest rate method.
	At the Company’s option, the Company may borrow the Second Term Loan on or before May 29, 2015, if the Company has met certain clinical milestones. As of the date hereof, the Company does not believe that it will meet the clinical milestones for the Second Term Loan. However, the Company has made a proposal to East West to amend the clinical milestones necessary for incurrence of the Second Term Loan. The Company may prepay each term loan in full with no prepayment penalty. Upon payment of the final monthly installment of the loan, or the remaining balance in the case of a prepayment, the Company would pay an end-of-term fee of approximately $60,000.
	In connection with the Initial Term Loan, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 56,603 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $4.24 per share. The warrants are immediately exercisable and will expire on November 20, 2021. The Company determined the fair value of the warrants to be $192,450 using the Black-Scholes pricing model and recorded the warrants as a debt discount to be amortized as interest expense over the term of the Initial Term Loan Agreement using the effective interest rate method. The Company also paid $50,000 in debt issuance costs, which were capitalized as a deferred asset and are being amortized over the expected remaining life of the loan using the effective interest method.
	The Company recognized $142,000 in interest expense related to the term loan, including the amortization of the warrants, for the three month period ended March 31, 2015.

Stockholders_equity_deficit

Stockholders' equity (deficit)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	Stockholders' equity
	Series A Preferred Stock
	In connection with the completion of the IPO, 3,644,354 shares of common stock were issued for the conversion of all outstanding shares of the Company’s Series A Preferred stock.
	Warrants
	On January 16, 2014, an agreement was reached among the Company’s significant shareholders to cancel warrants held by its majority shareholder, Care Capital Investments III, LP, together with its affiliates (collectively, Care Capital), and by funds affiliated with Rho Venture Partners (Rho). Pursuant to this agreement, an aggregate of 593,589 shares of the Company’s common stock were issued to Care Capital and Rho concurrently with the completion of the Company’s IPO in return for cancelling the warrants. In connection with the cancellation of the warrants, the Company settled the preferred stock warrant liability on its balance sheet.
	On February 10, 2014, the Company, in connection with the IPO, issued to employees of the underwriter warrants to purchase up to 62,000 shares of common stock. The warrants are exercisable at any time commencing one year from the effective date of the Company’s IPO. The warrants are exercisable at a price of $15.00 per share and expire on February 10, 2018.
	On November 20, 2014, the Company, in connection with the issuance of a term loan, issued warrants to East West to purchase up to an aggregate of 56,603 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $4.24 per share. The warrants are immediately exercisable and will expire on November 20, 2021.
	As of March 31, 2015, the following warrants to purchase common stock were outstanding:
				Exercise
	Issuance Date	Shares		Price			Expiration
	2/10/14	62,000		$	15		2/10/18
	11/20/14	56,603		$	4.24		11/20/21
	Total warrants outstanding	118,603
	Common Stock
	On February 14, 2014, the Company filed an Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation which authorizes the issuance of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, and 5,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock.
	For the three month period ended March 31, 2015, the Company issued 1,500 shares of common stock to its chief executive officer for restricted stock units that vested during the period.
	Shares Reserved for Future Issuance
	The Company has reserved shares of its common stock for future issuance as follows:
		31-Mar-15
	Stock options outstanding	1,271,321
	Shares available for grant under stock option plans	1,201,429
	Restricted stock units	15,500
	Common stock warrants	118,603
	Total shares reserved for future issuance	2,606,853
	Stock Based Compensation
	In 2005, the Company adopted the NephroGenex, Inc. 2005 Stock Option Plan. On May 15, 2014, the 2005 Stock Option Plan, was amended and restated to the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The amendment authorized an increase of 673,923 shares and provided for the granting of up to 1,283,226 shares of common stock to employees and consultants of the Company in the form of incentive and nonqualified stock options and shares of restricted stock.
	On March 24, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted, and stockholders subsequently approved, an amendment to the Company's Amended and Restated 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Stock Plan”) to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance of awards under the Stock Plan from 1,283,226 to an aggregate of 2,483,226 shares of common stock. As of March 31, 2015, there were 1,201,429 shares available for issuance under the Plan.
	The table below summarizes stock option activity for the three month period ended March 31, 2015:
		Number			Weighted
		of Shares			Average
					Exercise
					Price
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2014	1,272,581			$	4.19
	Granted	—			—
	Exercised	—			—
	Canceled	(1,260	)		32.5
	Outstanding as of March 31, 2015	1,271,321			$	4.16
	Exercisable as of March 31, 2015	620,520			$	2.5
	The weighted-average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes valuation model for equity awards granted during the three month period ended March 31, 2014 are shown in the table below. No stock options were issued during the three month period ended March 31, 2015.
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	Expected volatility	—	%	80	%
	Expected dividends	—		—
	Expected life in years	—		7
	Risk-free interest rate	—	%	2.14	%
	The Company determines the options’ life based upon the use of the simplified method.  As a newly public company, sufficient history to estimate the volatility and dividend yield of the Company's common stock is not available.  The Company uses a pool of comparable companies as a basis for the expected volatility assumption and dividend yield.  The Company intends to continue to consistently apply this process using the comparable companies until sufficient amount of historical information becomes available. The risk-free interest rate is based upon the yield of an applicable Treasury instrument.
	In November 2013, the Company issued 24,000 Restricted Stock Units (RSU) to its CEO in connection with his employment agreement. The RSU represent the right to receive shares of common stock, subject to the terms and conditions of a restricted stock unit agreement and grant notice and were not issued under the Plan. The RSU’s are subject to time-based vesting with 25% of the RSU’s vesting on October 21, 2014 and the remaining 75% vesting in equal monthly installments on the first day of each calendar month beginning on November 1, 2014. During the three month period ended March 31, 2015, the Company issued 1,500 shares of common stock for RSUs that vested during the period.
	The Company recognized non-cash share-based compensation expense in its research and development and general and administrative expenses as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	(in thousands)	2015			2014
	Research and development	$	70		$	17
	General and administrative	198			83
	Total	$	268		$	100

Commitments

Commitments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments	Commitments
	Lease
	On September 12, 2014, the Company entered into an agreement to lease office space at 3200 Beechleaf Court, Raleigh, North Carolina for the period from December 1, 2014 through May 31, 2020. These premises serve as the Company's corporate headquarters. The lease provides for abatement of rent during certain periods and escalating rent payments during the lease term. The Company records rent expense on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease.
	Rent expense was approximately $26,000 and $13,000 for each of the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions
	Prior to June 30, 2014, the Company reimbursed Care Capital, LLC (“Care”), an affiliate of the majority shareholder of the Company, for services of a Care employee and reimbursed Care for such personnel services incurred by Care on behalf of the Company. Total expense recognized in operating results for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 in connection with services provided by Care was $0 and $50,000, respectively.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
Unaudited Interim Financial Information	Unaudited Interim Financial Information
	The accompanying interim financial statements and related disclosures are unaudited, have been prepared on the same basis as the annual financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations for the periods presented. The year-end balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or for any other future year or interim period.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of 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 disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Warranty Liability	Warrant Liability
	Certain warrants to purchase the Company’s capital stock had historically been classified as liabilities and were recorded at estimated fair value. At each reporting period, any change in fair value of the freestanding warrants was recorded as other (expense) income. The preferred stock warrant liability was settled upon the closing of the IPO.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Investments	Investments
	The Company invests in money market funds and certificates of deposits and considers all investments purchased with original maturity dates greater than three months and less than one year to be short-term investments. Those investments with original maturity dates greater than one year are considered to be long-term investments. As of March 31, 2015, all investments were classified as available-for-sale and had original maturity dates less than one year. These investments 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.
Concentration of Credit Risk	Concentration of Credit Risk
	The Company invests its available cash balances in bank deposits, money market funds and certificates of deposit. The Company maintains deposits in federally insured financial institutions in excess of federally insured limits. Management believes that 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 approved investments and maturities of investments, which are designed to maintain safety and liquidity.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment consists of furniture, fixtures and computers. Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the respective asset’s estimated useful life. Maintenance and repairs that do not improve or extend the life of assets are expensed as incurred. When an asset is retired or disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gains or losses are reflected within the statement of operations.
Fair value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	As of March 31, 2015, financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, a note payable and accounts payable.
	The Company defines fair value (“FV”) as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability ("the exit price") in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The FV hierarchy for inputs maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. The Company uses the following hierarchy of inputs to measure FV:
	•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 in active markets; 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 values investments using the most observable inputs available that are current as of the measurement date and classifies them according to the lowest level of inputs used. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed from market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs are those which reflect the Company’s judgment concerning the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed from the best information available under the circumstances.
Research and Development Costs	Research and Development Costs
	Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenses include personnel costs associated with research and development activities including non-cash share-based compensation, costs for third-party contractors to perform research, conduct clinical trials and manufacture drug supplies and materials. The Company accrues for costs incurred by external service providers, including contract research organizations and clinical investigators, based on its estimates of service performed and costs incurred. These estimates include the level of services performed by the third parties, patient enrollment in clinical trials, administrative costs incurred by the third parties, and other indicators of the services completed. Based on the timing of amounts invoiced by service providers, the Company may also record payments made to those providers as prepaid expenses that will be recognized as expense in future periods as the related services are rendered.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company estimates the FV of stock options and stock purchase rights using a Black-Scholes option valuation 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 uses the simplified method for estimating the expected term as provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission's Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107. The simplified method calculates the expected term as the average time-to-vesting and the contractual life of the options. The expected stock price volatility assumption was determined by examining the historical volatilities of a group of industry peers. The FV of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model, and the resulting FV is expensed using the straight-line attribution method over the vesting period, which is the same as the requisite service period. Restricted stock units are measured at the FV of the Company's common stock on the date of grant and expensed over the period of vesting, which is the same as the requisite service period using the straight-line attribution method.
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 August 2014, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern” (“ASU 2014-15”). ASU 2014-15 is intended to define management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures.  Specifically, ASU 2014-15 provides a definition of the term substantial doubt and requires an assessment for a period of one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). It also requires certain disclosures when substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of consideration of management’s plans and requires an express statement and other disclosures when substantial doubt is not alleviated.  The new standard will be effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted.  Management is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-14 on the Company's financial statements and disclosures.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, "Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs". The amendments in this ASU require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this ASU. The new standard will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted.  The amendments should be applied on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each individual period presented should be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. The Company does not expect ASU No. 2015-03 to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements upon adoption.

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis	The following table sets forth our financial instruments carried at FV within the ASC 820 hierarchy and using the lowest level of input as of March 31, 2015:
				Quoted Prices
				in Active		Significant
	(in thousands)			Markets		Other		Significant
		Balance		For Identical Assets		Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
	Assets:	31-Mar-15		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Certificates of Deposit	$	7,603	$	—	$	7,603	$	—
		$	7,603	$	—	$	7,603	$	—
	The following table sets forth our financial instruments carried at FV within the ASC 820 hierarchy and using the lowest level of input as of December 31, 2014:
				Quoted Prices
				in Active		Significant
	(in thousands)			Markets		Other		Significant
		Balance		For Identical Assets		Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
	Assets:	31-Dec-14		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Certificates of Deposit	$	16,765	$	—	$	16,765	$	—
		$	16,765	$	—	$	16,765	$	—

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share in thousands, except share and per share data:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Historical
	Numerator:
	Net loss	$	(5,173	)	$	(1,700	)
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding	8,863,103			4,587,498
	Net loss per share-basic and diluted	$	(0.58	)	$	(0.37	)
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	Potentially dilutive securities not included in the calculation of diluted net loss per common share because to do so would be anti-dilutive are as follows (in common equivalent shares on a weighted-average basis):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	Common stock options	1,271,769		683,753
	Restricted stock units	16,000		24,000
	Common stock warrants	118,603		31,689

Balance_Sheet_Items_Tables

Balance Sheet Items (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities	The following table summarizes the Company's available-for-sale investments as of March 31, 2015 (in thousands):
		Maturity	Amortized			Unrealized		Unrealized			Estimated
	Short-term Investments	(in years)	Cost			Gains		Loss			Fair Value
	Certificates of Deposit	1 or less	7,604			—		(1		)	7,603
	Total Investments		$	7,604		$	—	$	(1	)	$	7,603
	The following table summarizes the Company's available-for-sale investments as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Maturity	Amortized			Unrealized		Unrealized			Estimated
	Short-term Investments	(in years)	Cost			Gains		Loss			Fair Value
	Certificates of Deposit	1 or less	14,706			—		(8		)	14,698
	Total Investments		$	14,706		$	—	$	(8	)	$	14,698
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities	Accrued liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Accrued clinical trial expenses	$	1,620		$	393
	Accrued compensation	307			909
	Other accruals	54			103
	Total	$	1,981		$	1,405

Stockholders_equity_deficit_Ta

Stockholders' equity (deficit) (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Warrants or Rights	As of March 31, 2015, the following warrants to purchase common stock were outstanding:
				Exercise
	Issuance Date	Shares		Price			Expiration
	2/10/14	62,000		$	15		2/10/18
	11/20/14	56,603		$	4.24		11/20/21
	Total warrants outstanding	118,603
Schedule of reserved shares for future issuance	The Company has reserved shares of its common stock for future issuance as follows:
		31-Mar-15
	Stock options outstanding	1,271,321
	Shares available for grant under stock option plans	1,201,429
	Restricted stock units	15,500
	Common stock warrants	118,603
	Total shares reserved for future issuance	2,606,853
Schedule of stock option activity	The table below summarizes stock option activity for the three month period ended March 31, 2015:
		Number			Weighted
		of Shares			Average
					Exercise
					Price
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2014	1,272,581			$	4.19
	Granted	—			—
	Exercised	—			—
	Canceled	(1,260	)		32.5
	Outstanding as of March 31, 2015	1,271,321			$	4.16
	Exercisable as of March 31, 2015	620,520			$	2.5
Schedule of stock option valuation assumptions	The weighted-average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes valuation model for equity awards granted during the three month period ended March 31, 2014 are shown in the table below. No stock options were issued during the three month period ended March 31, 2015.
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	Expected volatility	—	%	80	%
	Expected dividends	—		—
	Expected life in years	—		7
	Risk-free interest rate	—	%	2.14	%
Schedule of share-based compensation	The Company recognized non-cash share-based compensation expense in its research and development and general and administrative expenses as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	(in thousands)	2015			2014
	Research and development	$	70		$	17
	General and administrative	198			83
	Total	$	268		$	100

The_Company_Details

The Company (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Accumulated deficit	($62,992)	($57,819)

Significant_Accounting_Policie3

Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Feb. 06, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Issuance of common stock at IPO (in shares)	3,100,000
Share price	$12
Issuance of common stock at IPO	$33,400,000
Payment of initial public offering costs	$3,800,000	$0	$3,732,000
Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stockholders' Equity, Reverse Stock Split				1-for-6.5
Reverse stock split ratio				0.1538
Issuance of common stock for preferred stock (unaudited) (in shares)	3,644,354
Issuance of common stock for convertible notes and accrued interest (unaudited) (in shares)	1,197,289
Issuance of common stock for preferred stock warrant (unaudited) (in shares)	593,589

Significant_Accounting_Policie4

Significant Accounting Policies Assets Fair Value Hierarchy (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	$7,603	$16,765
Certificates of Deposit
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	7,603	16,765
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Certificates of Deposit
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	7,603	16,765
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Certificates of Deposit
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	7,603	16,765
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Certificates of Deposit
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	$0	$0

Earnings_Per_Share_Basic_and_D

Earnings Per Share - Basic and Diluted (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Numerator [Abstract]
Net loss	($5,173)	($1,700)
Denominator [Abstract]
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted (in shares)	8,863,103	4,587,498
Net loss per share - basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.58)	($0.37)

Earnings_Per_Share_Antidilutiv

Earnings Per Share - Antidilutive Securities (Details)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Shares issued for conversion of debt	1,197,289
Common Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Issuance of common stock for preferred stock (unaudited) (in shares)	3,644,354
Issuance of common stock for preferred stock warrant (unaudited) (in shares)	593,589
Common stock options
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities not included in calculation of diluted net loss per common share		1,271,769	683,753
Restricted stock units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities not included in calculation of diluted net loss per common share		16,000	24,000
Common stock warrants
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities not included in calculation of diluted net loss per common share		118,603	31,689

Balance_Sheet_Items_Investment

Balance Sheet Items - Investments in Equity Securities (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Amortized Cost	$7,604	$14,706
Unrealized Gains	0	0
Unrealized Loss	-1	-8
Short-term investments	7,603	14,698
Certificates of Deposit
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Amortized Cost	7,604	14,706
Unrealized Gains	0	0
Unrealized Loss	-1	-8
Short-term investments	$7,603	$14,698

Balance_Sheet_Items_Accrued_Li

Balance Sheet Items - Accrued Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]
Accrued clinical trial expenses	$1,620	$393
Accrued compensation	307	909
Other accruals	54	103
Total	$1,981	$1,405

License_Agreements_Details

License Agreements (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2006	Dec. 31, 2007
Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
License costs	$3,369,000	$457,000
USCRF
Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Annual licensing fee				120,000
Potential milestone payments	6,100,000
Payments upon execution of a sub license	35,000
Percentage of non-royalty based on sub-licensee payments received	25.00%
License costs	30,000
Vanderbilt
Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Potential milestone payments			1,100,000
Percentage of non-royalty based on sub-licensee payments received			25.00%
Royalty payment percentage			5.00%
Annual minimum royalties			10,000
Potential minimum annual royalties			$25,000

Convertible_Notes_Payable_Deta

Convertible Notes Payable (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible promissory notes converted	$7,900,000
Shares issued for conversion of debt	1,197,289
Interest expenses		143,000	78,000
Convertible Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible promissory notes accrued interest converted	728,000
Interest expenses		$0	$78,000

Term_Loan_Details

Term Loan (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 20, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of shares of stock to be acquired	56,603
Warrants exercisable price per share (in dollars per share)	$4.24
Warrants not settleable in cash, fair value disclosure	$192,450
Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.25%
Variable rate floor	3.25%
Interest rate, effective percentage		5.50%
Payments of debt issuance costs	50,000
Debt interest expense		142,000
Secured Debt [Member] | Initial Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	7,000,000
Number of monthly payments	36
Debt instrument fee amount	120,000
Periodic payment rerms, balloon payment to be paid	60,000
Secured Debt [Member] | Second Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$5,000,000

Stockholders_equity_deficit_Se

Stockholders' equity (deficit) - Series A Preferred Stock, Warrants, Common Stock (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Nov. 20, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of shares of stock to be acquired					56,603
Warrants exercisable price per share (in dollars per share)					$4.24
Common stock warrants			118,603
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000		100,000,000	100,000,000
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000		5,000,000	5,000,000
Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Issuance of common stock for preferred stock (unaudited) (in shares)	3,644,354
Issuance of common stock for preferred stock warrant (unaudited) (in shares)	593,589
Number of shares of stock to be acquired					56,603
Warrants exercisable price per share (in dollars per share)					$4.24
Underwriter | Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of shares of stock to be acquired	62,000
Period from effective date of initial public offering until warrants are exercisable	1 year
Warrants exercisable price per share (in dollars per share)	15
Warrant, February 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Warrants exercisable price per share (in dollars per share)			15
Common stock warrants			62,000
Warrant, November 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Warrants exercisable price per share (in dollars per share)			4.24
Common stock warrants			56,603
CEO | Restricted stock units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of award issued (in shares)		24,000	1,500

Stockholders_equity_deficit_Sh

Stockholders' equity (deficit) - Shared Reserved for Future Issuance (Details)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Stock options outstanding	1,271,321	1,272,581
Shares available for grant under stock option plans	1,201,429
Restricted stock units	15,500
Common stock warrants	118,603
Total shares reserved for future issuance	2,606,853

Stockholders_equity_deficit_St

Stockholders' equity (deficit) - Stock Option Plan (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	15-May-14	Mar. 24, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares available for grant under stock option plans	1,201,429
Number of Shares:
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	1,272,581
Granted (in shares)	0
Exercised (in shares)	0
Cancelled (in shares)	-1,260
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	1,271,321
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$4.19
Granted (in dollars per share)	$0
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$0
Cancelled (in dollars per share)	$32.50
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$4.16
Exercisable
Exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	620,520
Weighted average exercise price for exercisable options (in dollars per share)	$2.50
Assumptions used to determine the fair value of the stock options
Volatility (as a percent)		80.00%
Dividend yield		0.00%
Expected life in years		7 years
Risk free interest rate (as a percent)		2.14%
Stock based compensation expense	$268	$100
Research and development
Assumptions used to determine the fair value of the stock options
Stock based compensation expense	70	17
General and administrative
Assumptions used to determine the fair value of the stock options
Stock based compensation expense	$198	$83
Restricted stock units | CEO
Restricted stock units
Number of award issued (in shares)	1,500		24,000
Restricted stock units | Vesting on October 21, 2014 | CEO
Restricted stock units
Award vesting rights percentage			25.00%
Restricted stock units | Vesting Equal Monthly Installments after Nov 1, 2014 | CEO
Restricted stock units
Award vesting rights percentage			75.00%
2007 Equity Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Increase in number of shares authorized under the plan				673,923
Number of shares authorized under the plan				1,283,226	2,483,226
Shares available for grant under stock option plans	1,201,429

Commitments_Details

Commitments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Lease
Rent expense	$26	$13

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (Care Capital, LLC, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Care Capital, LLC
Related Party Transactions [Line Items]
Expense for services provided	$0	$50