Catalyst Pharmaceuticals (CPRX) 10-K 19 Mar 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 14, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'CATALYST PHARMACEUTICAL PARTNERS, INC.	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001369568	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Smaller Reporting Company	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	54,145,633	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$32,240,770

Balance_Sheets

Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$2,215,958	$1,409,939
Certificates of deposit	4,011,576	6,502,825
Short-term investments	17,483,062	7,504,444
Prepaid expenses	1,609,442	1,309,470
Total current assets	25,320,038	16,726,678
Property and equipment, net	40,628	53,679
Deposits	8,888	8,888
Total assets	25,369,554	16,789,245
Current Liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	850,789	1,365,663
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	1,288,820	281,002
Total current liabilities	2,139,609	1,646,665
Accrued expenses and other liabilities, non-current	19,131	21,878
Warrants liability, at fair value	1,819,562	498,587
Total liabilities	3,978,302	2,167,130
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized: none issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2012	'	'
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 54,132,937 shares and 41,420,687 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively	54,133	41,421
Additional paid-in capital	75,670,718	56,759,697
Deficit accumulated during the development stage	-54,333,599	-42,179,003
Total stockholders' equity	21,391,252	14,622,115
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$25,369,554	$16,789,245

Balance_Sheets_Parenthetical

Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Preferred stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	'	'
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	54,132,937	41,420,687
Common stock, shares outstanding	54,132,937	41,420,687

Statements_of_Operations

Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended			144 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Revenues - government grant	'	'	'	$488,958
Operating costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Research and development	8,096,774	2,659,597	3,383,965	36,400,079
General and administrative	2,214,884	2,561,543	2,698,174	18,882,175
Total operating costs and expenses	10,311,658	5,221,140	6,082,139	55,282,254
Loss from operations	-10,311,658	-5,221,140	-6,082,139	-54,793,296
Interest income	47,421	14,976	10,985	1,540,186
Change in fair value of warrants liability	-1,890,359	1,129,778	-319,908	-1,080,489
Loss before income taxes	-12,154,596	-4,076,386	-6,391,062	-54,333,599
Provision for income taxes	'	'	'	'
Net loss	($12,154,596)	($4,076,386)	($6,391,062)	($54,333,599)
Net loss per share - basic and diluted	($0.27)	($0.14)	($0.29)	'
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted	45,452,447	30,033,108	21,728,292	'

Statement_of_Stockholders_Equi

Statement of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Preferred Stock Series "A" [Member]	Preferred Stock Series "B" [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Deficit Accumulated During the Development Stage [Member]
Beginning Balance at Jan. 04, 2002	$100,000	'	'	$21,888	$78,112	'
Issuance of common stock, net	125,000	'	'	7,296	117,704	'
Issuance of stock options for services	75,833	'	'	'	75,833	'
Net loss	-255,945	'	'	'	'	-255,945
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2002	44,888	'	'	29,184	271,649	-255,945
Issuance of preferred stock, net	670,457	700	'	'	669,757	'
Issuance of stock options for services	75,833	'	'	'	75,833	'
Net loss	-428,615	'	'	'	'	-428,615
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2003	362,563	700	'	29,184	1,017,239	-684,560
Issuance of stock options for services	294,833	'	'	'	294,833	'
Net loss	-539,820	'	'	'	'	-539,820
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2004	117,576	700	'	29,184	1,312,072	-1,224,380
Issuance of common stock, net	1,046,516	'	'	39,545	1,006,971	'
Issuance of common stock and stock options for services	1,087,750	'	'	146	1,087,604	'
Net loss	-1,805,380	'	'	'	'	-1,805,380
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2005	446,462	700	'	68,875	3,406,647	-3,029,760
Change in par value	'	-630	'	-61,988	62,618	'
Issuance of preferred stock Series "B", net	3,225,140	'	8	'	3,225,132	'
Issuance of common stock (IPO), net	17,638,020	'	'	3,350	17,634,670	'
Conversion of preferred stock Series "A" into common stock, upon closing of IPO	'	-70	'	1,022	-952	'
Conversion of preferred stock Series "B" into common stock, upon closing of IPO	'	'	-8	1,116	-1,108	'
Issuance of common stock and stock options for services	1,266,465	'	'	142	1,266,323	'
Net loss	-2,729,454	'	'	'	'	-2,729,454
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2006	19,846,633	'	'	12,517	25,593,330	-5,759,214
Issuance of common stock and stock options for services	579,687	'	'	11	579,676	'
Amortization of restricted stock for services	35,930	'	'	'	35,930	'
Net loss	-4,139,493	'	'	'	'	-4,139,493
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2007	16,322,757	'	'	12,528	26,208,936	-9,898,707
Issuance of common stock, net	4,087,900	'	'	1,488	4,086,412	'
Issuance of stock options for services	583,836	'	'	'	583,836	'
Issuance of restricted stock units for services, net	130,319	'	'	44	130,275	'
Net loss	-10,564,597	'	'	'	'	-10,564,597
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2008	10,560,215	'	'	14,060	31,009,459	-20,463,304
Issuance of common stock, net	3,698,135	'	'	3,973	3,694,162	'
Issuance of stock options for services	581,286	'	'	'	581,286	'
Issuance of restricted stock units for services, net	20,152	'	'	5	20,147	'
Net loss	-7,241,928	'	'	'	'	-7,241,928
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	7,617,860	'	'	18,038	35,305,054	-27,705,232
Issuance of common stock, net	1,456,153	'	'	1,352	1,454,801	'
Issuance of stock options for services	450,089	'	'	'	450,089	'
Issuance of restricted stock units for services, net	'	'	'	5	-5	'
Net loss	-4,006,323	'	'	'	'	-4,006,323
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	5,517,779	'	'	19,395	37,209,939	-31,711,555
Issuance of stock options for services	416,735	'	'	'	416,735	'
Issuance of common stock and warrants, net	4,217,246	'	'	5,306	4,211,940	'
Net loss	-6,391,062	'	'	'	'	-6,391,062
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	3,760,698	'	'	24,701	41,838,614	-38,102,617
Issuance of common stock, net	33,124	'	'	53	33,071	'
Issuance of stock options for services	340,039	'	'	'	340,039	'
Issuance of common stock and warrants, net	9,564,640	'	'	10,000	9,554,640	'
Issuance of common stock upon note conversion	5,000,000	'	'	6,667	4,993,333	'
Net loss	-4,076,386	'	'	'	'	-4,076,386
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	14,622,115	'	'	41,421	56,759,697	-42,179,003
Issuance of common stock, net	14,095,194	'	'	8,850	14,086,344	'
Issuance of stock options for services	175,855	'	'	'	175,855	'
Exercise of warrants for common stock	4,652,684	'	'	3,862	4,648,822	'
Net loss	-12,154,596	'	'	'	'	-12,154,596
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$21,391,252	'	'	$54,133	$75,670,718	($54,333,599)

Statements_of_Cash_Flows

Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended			144 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating Activities:	'	'	'	'
Net loss	($12,154,596)	($4,076,386)	($6,391,062)	($54,333,599)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	22,483	10,889	42,835	187,361
Stock-based compensation	175,855	340,039	416,735	6,138,055
Change in fair value of warrants liability	1,890,359	-1,129,778	319,908	1,080,489
(Increase) decrease in:	'	'	'	'
Government grant receivable	'	'	134,025	'
Prepaid expenses and deposits	-299,972	-1,110,354	-31,272	-1,618,330
Increase (decrease) in:	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	-514,874	1,101,729	158,001	850,789
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	1,005,071	-276,505	365,781	1,244,599
Net cash used in operating activities	-9,875,674	-5,140,366	-4,985,049	-46,450,636
Investing Activities:	'	'	'	'
Capital expenditures	-9,432	-52,382	-3,620	-164,640
Purchase of short-term investments	-9,978,618	-7,504,444	'	-17,483,062
Proceeds (purchase) of certificates of deposit	2,491,249	-6,502,825	'	-4,011,576
Net cash used in investing activities	-7,496,801	-14,059,651	-3,620	-21,659,278
Financing Activities:	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants, net	14,071,694	9,564,640	5,542,578	57,210,636
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock, net	'	'	'	3,895,597
Proceeds from issuance of convertible promissory note	'	5,000,000	'	5,000,000
Proceeds from exercise of warrants	4,083,300	16,249	'	4,099,549
Proceeds from exercise of options	23,500	'	'	23,500
Payment of employee withholding tax related to restricted stock units	'	'	'	-3,410
Net cash provided by financing activities	18,178,494	14,580,889	5,542,578	70,225,872
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	806,019	-4,619,128	553,909	2,115,958
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	1,409,939	6,029,067	5,475,158	100,000
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	2,215,958	1,409,939	6,029,067	2,215,958
Non-cash investing and financing activities:	'	'	'	'
Non-cash incentive received from lessor	'	'	'	52,320
Exercise of liability classified warrants for common stock	569,384	16,875	'	586,259
Conversion of note to common stock	'	$5,000,000	'	$5,000,000

Organization_and_Description_o

Organization and Description of Business	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Organization and Description of Business	'
	1	Organization and Description of Business
	Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc. (the “Company”) is a development-stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of prescription drugs targeting rare (orphan) neurological diseases and disorders, including Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS) and infantile spasms. The Company was incorporated in Delaware in July 2006. It is the successor by merger to Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc., a Florida corporation, which commenced operations in January 2002.
	The Company has incurred operating losses in each period from inception through December 31, 2013. The Company has been able to fund its cash needs to date through public and private offerings of its common stock and warrants and through government grants. See Note 11.
	Capital Resources
	On January 31, 2014, the Company filed a shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the 2014 Shelf Registration Statement) with the SEC to sell up to $100 million of common stock. The 2014 shelf Registration Statement has not yet been declared effective. See Note 15.
	While there can be no assurance, based on available information, the Company currently believes that it has sufficient resources to support its planned operations through at least the end of 2014. The Company will require additional capital to support its planned operations in periods after the end of 2014.
	The Company may raise in the future required funds through public or private equity offerings, debt financings, corporate collaborations, governmental research grants or other means. The Company may also seek to raise new capital to fund additional product development efforts, even if it has sufficient funds for its planned operations. Any sale by the Company of additional equity or convertible debt securities could result in dilution to the Company’s current stockholders. There can be no assurance that any required additional funding will be available to the Company at all or available on terms acceptable to the Company. Further, to the extent that the Company raises funds through collaborative arrangements, it may be necessary to relinquish some rights to the Company’s technologies or grant sublicenses on terms that are not favorable to the Company. If the Company is not able to secure additional funding when needed, the Company may have to delay, reduce the scope of, or eliminate one or more research and development programs, which could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	'
	2	Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
		a.	DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY. Since inception, the Company has devoted substantially all of its efforts to business planning, research and development, recruiting management and technical staff, acquiring operating assets and raising capital. Accordingly, the Company is considered to be in the development stage and the Company’s financial statements are presented in that manner in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Company’s primary focus is on the development and commercialization of its drug candidates.
		b.	USE OF ESTIMATES. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
		c.	CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS. The Company considers all highly liquid instruments, purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist mainly of U.S. Treasury bills, certificates of deposit and money market funds. The Company has substantially all of its cash and cash equivalents deposited with one financial institution.
		d.	CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT. The certificates of deposit were issued by a banking institution and are recorded at cost plus accrued interest. The original maturity was greater than three months but did not exceed one year. Interest income is recorded in the statement of operations as it is earned. Carrying value at December 31, 2013 and 2012 approximates fair value.
		e.	SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS. The Company invests in short-term investments in high credit-quality funds in order to obtain higher yields on its cash available for investments. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012 short-term investments consisted of a short-term bond fund. Such investments are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Short-term investments at December 31, 2013 and 2012 were considered trading securities. Trading securities are recorded at fair value based on the closing market price of the security. For trading securities, the Company charges realized gains and losses and unrealized gains and losses to earnings. Unrealized and realized losses on trading securities for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were nominal.
		f.	PREPAID EXPENSES. Prepaid expenses consist primarily of prepaid research fees, prepaid insurance and prepaid subscription fees. Prepaid research fees consist of advances for the Company’s drug development activities, including drug manufacturing, contracts for pre-clinical studies, clinical trials and studies, regulatory affairs and consulting. Such advances are recorded as expense as the related goods are received or the related services are performed.
		g.	PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT. Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is calculated to amortize the depreciable assets over their useful lives using the straight-line method and commences when the asset is placed in service. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease or the estimated life of the improvement, whichever is shorter. Useful lives generally range from three years for computer equipment to three to six years for furniture and equipment and leasehold improvements. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expenses as incurred.
		h.	OPERATING LEASES. The Company recognizes lease expense on a straight-line basis over the initial lease term. For leases that contain rent holidays, escalation clauses or tenant improvement allowances, the Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis and records the difference between the rent expense and rental amount payable as deferred rent. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had $21,877 and $22,643, respectively, of deferred rent in accrued expenses and other liabilities.
		i.	FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS. The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, certificates of deposit, short-term investments, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other liabilities, and warrants liability. At December 31, 2013, the fair value of these instruments approximated their carrying value.
		j.	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS. Current Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) fair value guidance emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. Therefore, a fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, current FASB guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within Levels 1 and 2 of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity’s own assumptions that it believes market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities (unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy).
	Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs may include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, as well as inputs that are observable for the asset or liability (other than quoted prices), such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which are typically based on an entity’s own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity. In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.
					Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
			Balances as of		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
			December 31,		Active Markets		Other		Unobservable
			2013		for Identical		Observable		Inputs
					Assets/Liabilities		Inputs		(Level 3)
					(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Money market funds		$	25,693	$	25,693	$	—	$	—
	Certificates of deposit		$	4,011,576	$	—	$	4,011,576	$	—
	Short-term investments		$	17,483,062	$	17,483,062	$	—	$	—
	Warrants liability		$	1,819,562	$	—	$	—	$	1,819,562
					Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
			Balances as of		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
			December 31,		Active Markets		Other		Unobservable
			2012		for Identical		Observable		Inputs
					Assets/Liabilities		Inputs		(Level 3)
					(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Certificates of deposit		$	6,502,825	$	—	$	6,502,825	$	—
	Short-term investments		$	7,504,444	$	7,504,444	$	—	$	—
	Warrants liability		$	498,587	$	—	$	—	$	498,587
		k.	WARRANTS LIABILITY. In October 2011, the Company issued 1,523,370 warrants (the 2011 warrants) to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock in connection with a registered direct offering under the 2010 Shelf Registration Statement. The Company accounted for these warrants as a liability measured at fair value due to a provision included in the warrants agreement that provides the warrants holders with an option to require the Company (or its successor) to purchase their warrants for cash in an amount equal to their Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model (the Black-Scholes Model) value, in the event that certain fundamental transactions, as defined, occur. The fair value of the warrants liability is estimated using the Black-Scholes Model which requires inputs such as the expected term of the warrants, share price volatility and risk-free interest rate. These assumptions are reviewed on a quarterly basis and changes in the estimated fair value of the outstanding warrants are recognized each reporting period in the “Change in fair value of warrants liability” line in the statement of operations. As of December 31, 2013, 1,254,870 of the 2011 warrants remained outstanding.
		l.	RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. Costs incurred in connection with research and development activities are expensed as incurred. These costs consist of direct and indirect costs associated with specific projects as well as fees paid to various entities that perform research related services for the Company.
		m.	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION. The Company recognizes expense in the statement of operations for the fair value of all stock-based payments to employees, directors and consultants, including grants of stock options and other share-based awards. For stock options, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option valuation model, the single-option award approach and straight-line attribution method. Using this approach, compensation cost is amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of each respective stock option, generally three to five years. The Company estimates forfeitures and adjusts this estimate periodically based on actual forfeitures.
	For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense as follows:
			2013		2012		2011
	Research and development		$	84,728	$	100,221	$	111,283
	General and administrative			91,127		239,818		305,452
	Total stock-based compensation		$	175,855	$	340,039	$	416,735
		n.	CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK. The financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk are cash equivalents (i.e. money market funds), short-term investments and certificates of deposit. The Company places its cash equivalents with high-credit quality financial institutions. These amounts at times may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any credit losses in these accounts.
		o.	INCOME TAXES. The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.
	The Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority.
	The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply. The Company is not subject to U.S. federal, state and local tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2010. If the Company were to subsequently record an unrecognized tax benefit, associated penalties and tax related interest expense would be reported as a component of income tax expense.
		p.	COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS). U.S. generally accepted accounting principles require that all components of comprehensive income (loss) be reported in the financial statements in the period in which they are recognized. Comprehensive income (loss) is net income (loss), plus certain other items that are recorded directly into stockholders’ equity. The Company has reported comprehensive income (loss) in the statement of stockholders’ equity as net income (loss).
		q.	NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE. Basic income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, plus the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents, such as convertible preferred stock, stock options and restricted stock units. For all periods presented, all common stock equivalents were excluded because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. The potential shares, which are excluded from the determination of basic and diluted net loss per share as their effect is anti-dilutive, are as follows, for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
			2013		2012		2011
	Options to purchase common stock			3,428,906		3,650,535		3,723,108
	Warrants to purchase common stock			4,848,620		8,710,870		1,523,370
	Potential equivalent common stock excluded			8,277,526		12,361,405		5,246,478
	Potentially dilutive options to purchase common stock as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 have exercise prices ranging from $0.47 to $6.00. Potentially dilutive warrants to purchase common stock as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 have exercise prices ranging from $1.04 to $2.08.
		r.	SEGMENT INFORMATION. Management has determined that the Company operates in one reportable segment, which is the development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products.
		s.	RECLASSIFICATIONS. Certain prior year amounts in the financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
		t.	RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS. There are no recent accounting pronouncements which the Company anticipates will have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Warrants_Liability_at_Fair_Val

Warrants Liability, at Fair Value	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Warrants Liability, at Fair Value	'
	3	Warrants Liability, at Fair Value
	2011 Warrants
	The Company allocated approximately $1.3 million of proceeds from its October 2011 registered direct offering to the fair value of common stock purchase warrants issued in connection with the offering that are classified as a liability (the 2011 warrants). The 2011 warrants are classified as a liability because of provisions in such warrants that allow for the net cash settlement of such warrants in the event of certain fundamental transactions (as defined in the warrant agreement). The valuation of the 2011 warrants is determined using the Black-Scholes Model. This model uses inputs such as the underlying price of the shares issued when the warrant is exercised, volatility, risk free interest rate and expected life of the instrument. The Company has determined that the 2011 warrants liability should be classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy by evaluating each input for the Black-Scholes Model against the fair value hierarchy criteria and using the lowest level of input as the basis for the fair value classification. There are six inputs: closing price of the Company’s common stock on the day of evaluation; the exercise price of the warrants; the remaining term of the warrants; the volatility of the Company’s common stock; annual rate of dividends; and the risk free rate of return. Of those inputs, the exercise price of the warrants and the remaining term are readily observable in the warrants agreement. The annual rate of dividends is based on the Company’s historical practice of not granting dividends. The closing price of the Company’s common stock would fall under Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy as it is a quoted price in an active market. The risk free rate of return is a Level 2 input, while the historical volatility is a Level 3 input in accordance with the fair value accounting guidance. Since the lowest level input is a Level 3, the Company determined the 2011 warrants liability is most appropriately classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. This liability is subject to fair value mark-to-market adjustment each reporting period. The calculated value of the 2011 warrants liability was determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
			December 31, 2013			December 31, 2012
	Risk free interest rate			0.94	%		0.6	%
	Expected term			3.34 years			4.34 years
	Expected volatility			108	%		136	%
	Expected dividend yield			0	%		0	%
	Expected forfeiture rate			0	%		0	%
	The following table rolls forward the fair value of the Company’s warrants liability activity for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
			2013			2012			2011
	Fair value, beginning of period		$	498,587		$	1,645,240		$	—
	Issuance of warrants			—			—			1,325,332
	Exercise of warrants			(569,384	)		(16,875	)		—
	Change in fair value			1,890,359			(1,129,778	)		319,908
	Fair value, end of period		$	1,819,562		$	498,587		$	1,645,240
	During 2013, 256,000 of the 2011 warrants were exercised, with proceeds to the Company of $332,800. During 2012, 12,500 of the 2011 warrants were exercised, with proceeds to the Company of $16,249. The Company recognizes the change in the fair value of the warrants liability as a non-operating income or loss in the accompanying statements of operations. See Note 15.

Prepaid_Expenses

Prepaid Expenses	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Prepaid Expenses	'
	4	Prepaid Expenses
	Prepaid expenses consist of the following as of December 31:
			2013		2012
	Prepaid research fees		$	1,334,149	$	1,138,185
	Prepaid insurance			219,651		143,520
	Prepaid subscriptions fees			24,643		12,369
	Prepaid rent			7,848		683
	Other			23,151		14,713
	Total prepaid expenses		$	1,609,442	$	1,309,470

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment	'
	5	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment, net consists of the following as of December 31:
			2013			2012
	Computer equipment		$	81,551		$	74,191
	Furniture and equipment			51,523			49,451
				133,074			123,642
	Less: Accumulated depreciation			(92,446	)		(69,963	)
	Total property and equipment, net		$	40,628		$	53,679
	Depreciation expense was $22,483, $10,889 and $42,835, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Lia

Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities	'
	6	Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities
	Accrued expenses and other liabilities consist of the following as of December 31:
			2013		2012
	Accrued pre-clinical and clinical trial expenses		$	1,083,749	$	197,572
	Accrued professional fees			117,240		51,050
	Accrued compensation and benefits			14,539		5,949
	Accrued license fees			65,000		15,000
	Deferred rent			2,746		765
	Other			5,546		10,666
	Current accrued expenses and other liabilities			1,288,820		281,002
	Deferred rent—non-current			19,131		21,878
	Non-current accrued expenses and other liabilities			19,131		21,878
	Total accrued expenses and other liabilities		$	1,307,951	$	302,880

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	7	Commitments and Contingencies
	The Company has contracted with drug manufacturers and other vendors, including the clinical research organization (CRO) overseeing the clinical trial of one of the Company’s drug candidates, to assist in the execution of the Company’s pre-clinical and clinical trials, analysis, and the preparation of material necessary for the future filings of new drug applications (NDA’s) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The contracts are cancelable at any time, but obligate the Company to reimburse the providers for any time or costs incurred through the date of termination.
	The Company has executed a noncancellable operating lease agreement for its corporate office. The lease has free and escalating rent payment provisions. The Company recognizes rent expense under such lease on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. As of December 31, 2013, future minimum lease payments under the operating lease agreement are as follows:
	2014		$	68,534
	2015			70,576
	2016			72,678
	2017			67,828
			$	279,616
	During June 2011, in connection with the renewal of the corporate office lease, the Company entered into the first amendment to the lease. The amendment extends the original lease term for five years and relocates the Company into another space within the same building. The corporate office lease is cancellable upon the payment of an early termination penalty during 2015. The relocation occurred in November 2011. The lease provides for fixed increases in minimum annual rent payments, as well as rent free periods. The total amount of rental payments due over the lease term is being charged to rent expense on the straight-line method over the term of the lease. The differences between rent expense recorded and the amount paid is credited or charged to accrued expenses and other liabilities in the accompanying balance sheets. Rent expense was $69,930, $65,310 and $61,653, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. The Company’s leases expire on various dates through November 2017. Subsequent to year end, during February 2014, the Company entered into the second amendment of the lease for an additional contiguous space under substantially the same terms.
	Securities Class Action Lawsuit
	In October 2013 and November 2013, three securities class action lawsuits were filed against the Company and certain of its executive officers and directors seeking unspecified damages in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida (the Court). The complaints, which were substantially identical, purported to state a claim for violation of federal securities laws on behalf of a class of those who purchased the Company’s common stock between October 31, 2012 and October 18, 2013. Two of the cases were voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiffs and the Court granted the Company’s motion to dismiss the third case on January 3, 2014. However, the Court granted leave to the plaintiffs to file an amended complaint within 20 days.
	On January 23, 2014, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint against the Company and one of its executive officers seeking unspecified damages. The amended complaint purports to state a claim for alleged misrepresentations regarding the development of Firdapse™ on behalf of a class of those who purchased the Company’s common stock between August 27, 2013 and October 18, 2013. The Company has filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint, which has not yet been ruled upon by the Court. The Company believes that the amended lawsuit, which is at a very early stage, is without merit, and the Company intends to vigorously defend this lawsuit. While there can be no assurance, the Company does not expect this lawsuit to have a material adverse effect on the Company, and no amounts have been accrued with respect to this potential contingent liability in the accompanying December 31, 2013 balance sheet.
	Obligations under capital leases are not significant.
	For commitments related to the Company’s license agreements with BioMarin (defined below), Brookhaven (defined below), and Northwestern (defined below), see Note 8.

Agreements

Agreements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Agreements	'
	8	Agreements
		a.	LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH BROOKHAVEN. The Company had a license agreement with Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC, as operator of Brookhaven National Laboratory under contract with the United States Department of Energy (“Brookhaven”), whereby the Company has obtained an exclusive license for several patents and patent applications in the U.S. and outside the U.S. relating to the use of vigabatrin as a treatment for cocaine and other addictions and obsessive-compulsive disorders. This license agreement ran concurrently with the term of the last to expire of the licensed patents, the last of which currently expires in 2023. The Company paid a fee to obtain the license in the amount of $50,000. Under the license agreement, the Company agreed to pay Brookhaven certain milestones and to reimburse them for certain patent related expenses.
	On November 8, 2013, effective October 1, 2013, the Company and Brookhaven entered into a termination agreement cancelling the license agreement. As part of that agreement, the Company and Brookhaven entered into mutual releases, including a release from any further obligation for the Company to reimburse Brookhaven for any of Brookhaven’s patent related expenses.
		b.	LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY. On August 27, 2009, the Company entered into a license agreement with Northwestern University (Northwestern), under which it acquired worldwide rights to commercialize new GABA aminotransferase inhibitors and derivatives of vigabatrin that have been discovered by Northwestern. Under the terms of the license agreement, Northwestern granted the Company an exclusive worldwide license to certain composition of matter patents related to the new class of inhibitors and a patent application relating to derivatives of vigabatrin. The Company has identified and designated the lead compound under this license as CPP-115.
	Under the license agreement with Northwestern, the Company will be responsible for continued research and development of any resulting product candidates. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had paid Northwestern $246,590 in connection with the license and had accrued license fees of $65,000 and $15,000 as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, in the accompanying balance sheets for expenses, maintenance fees and milestones. In addition, the Company is obligated to pay certain milestone payments in future years relating to clinical development activities with respect to CPP-115, and royalties on any products resulting from the license agreement. The next milestone payment of $150,000 is due on the earlier of successful completion of the first Phase 2 clinical trial for CPP-115 or August 27, 2015.
		c.	LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH NEW YORK UNIVERSITY AND THE FEINSTEIN INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH. On December 13, 2011, the Company entered into a license agreement with New York University (NYU) and the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research (FIMR) under which it acquired worldwide rights to commercialize GABA aminotransferase inhibitors in the treatment for Tourette’s Syndrome. The Company is obligated to pay certain milestone payments in future years relating to clinical development activities and royalties on any products resulting from the license agreement.
		d.	LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH BIOMARIN. On October 26, 2012, the Company entered into a strategic collaboration with BioMarin for Firdapse™. The key components of the collaboration include: (i) the Company licensed the exclusive North American rights to Firdapse™ pursuant to a License Agreement, dated as of October 26, 2012 (the License Agreement) between the Company and BioMarin, and (ii) BioMarin made a $5,000,000 investment in the Company pursuant to the terms of a Convertible Promissory Note and Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 26, 2012 (the Investment Agreement). The Investment Agreement provides that the Company will use the $5 million solely for the purpose of developing Firdapse™.
	Initially, the $5,000,000 investment from BioMarin was treated as a loan to the Company. However, on December 10, 2012, the loan automatically converted, at a conversion rate of $0.75 per share, into 6,666,667 shares of the Company’s authorized but unissued common stock.
	As part of the License Agreement, the Company has taken over a Phase 3 clinical trial previously being conducted by BioMarin and is obligated to use its diligent efforts to seek to obtain regulatory approval for and to commercialize Firdapse™ in the United States. The Company is obligated to use diligent efforts to complete the double-blind treatment phase of the Phase 3 trial within 24 months of entering into the License Agreement, and BioMarin has the right to terminate the License Agreement if such treatment phase has not been completed in such 24-month period (unless the Company is using diligent effort to pursue the completion of such treatment phase and has spent at least $5 million in connection with the conduct of the Phase 3 clinical trial during such 24 month period). As of December 31, 2013, the Company had disbursed approximately $4.1 million in connection with expenses related to the Phase 3 trial, and the Company anticipates that the remaining $0.9 million will be expended during 2014.
	As part of the License Agreement, the Company has agreed to (i) pay BioMarin certain royalty payments based on net sales in North America; (ii) to pay to a third-party licensor of the rights sublicensed certain royalty payments based on net sales in North America, and (iii) to pay certain milestone payments that BioMarin is obligated to make (approximately $2.6 million of which will be due upon acceptance by the FDA of a filing of an NDA for Firdapse™ for the treatment of LEMS, and approximately $7.2 million of which will be due on the unconditional approval by the FDA of an NDA for Firdapse™ for the treatment of LEMS). The Company has also agreed to share in the cost of certain post-marketing studies that are being conducted by BioMarin.
		e.	AGREEMENTS WITH CONTRACT MANUFACTURERS, CONTRACT RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS AND FOR LABORATORIES AND OTHER RELATED TRIAL TESTS. The Company has entered into agreements with contract manufacturers for the manufacture of drug and study placebo for the Company’s trials and studies; with contract research organizations (CROs) to conduct and monitor the Company’s trials and studies; and with various entities for laboratories and other testing related to the Company’s trials and studies. The contractual terms of the agreements vary, but most require certain advances as well as payments based on the achievement of milestones. Further, these agreements are cancellable at any time, but obligate the Company to reimburse the providers for any time or costs incurred through the date of termination.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	9	Related Party Transactions
	The Company has entered into consulting agreements with one of the Company’s officers and members of the Company’s Scientific Advisory Board. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company paid approximately $10,000, $42,000 and $93,000, respectively, in consulting fees to related parties.
	The Company has an employment agreement with Patrick J. McEnany, its Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. Under this agreement, Mr. McEnany will receive an annual base salary of approximately $425,000 in 2014, and may earn bonus compensation based on performance. This agreement expires in November 2016.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	10	Income Taxes
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had deferred tax assets of approximately $19,387,000 and $15,591,000, respectively, of which approximately $17,685,000 and $13,956,000 represent United States federal and state net operating loss carryforwards and start-up costs. The remaining temporary differences represent non-deductible stock option and equity expense. The related deferred tax asset has a 100% valuation allowance as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, as the Company believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The change in valuation allowance was approximately $3,796,000, $2,151,000 and $2,012,000 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. There are no other significant temporary differences. The net operating loss carry-forwards of approximately $30,675,000 as of December 31, 2013 will expire at various dates beginning in 2024 and ending in 2033. If an ownership change, as defined under Internal Revenue Code Section 382, occurs, the use of these carry-forwards may be subject to limitation. The effective tax rate of 0% in all periods presented differs from the statutory rate of 35% due to the valuation allowance and because the Company had no taxable income.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	11	Stockholders’ Equity
	Preferred Stock
	The Company has 5,000,000 shares of authorized preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share at December 31, 2013 and 2012. No shares of preferred stock were outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2012.
	Common Stock
	The Company has 100,000,000 shares of authorized common stock with a par value of $0.001 per share. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, 54,132,937 and 41,420,687 shares, respectively, of common stock were issued and outstanding. Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote of each share of common stock held of record on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote.
	2010 Shelf Registration Statement
	On December 3, 2010, the Company filed a shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the 2010 Shelf Registration Statement) with the SEC to sell up to $30 million of common stock and common stock purchase warrants. This registration statement (file No. 333-170945) was declared effective by the SEC on December 15, 2010. The Company has to date conducted the following sales of its securities under the 2010 Shelf Registration Statement:
		(a)	On March 8, 2011, the Company filed a prospectus supplement and offered for sale to institutional investors 2,259,943 shares of its common stock at a price of $1.12 per share and received gross proceeds of approximately $2.5 million, before underwriting commission and incurred expenses of approximately $300,000.
		(b)	On October 28, 2011, the Company filed a prospectus supplement and offered for sale to institutional investors 3,046,740 shares of its common stock together with common stock purchase warrants to purchase 1,523,370 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $1.15 per share and corresponding warrant and received gross proceeds of approximately $3.5 million, before underwriting commission and other expenses totaling approximately $335,000. The warrants issued in this offering, which expire on April 28, 2017 and have an exercise price of $1.30 per share, have been accounted for as a liability. See Note 3.
		(c)	On August 28, 2012, the Company filed a prospectus supplement and offered for sale to institutional investors 4,000,000 shares of its common stock together with common stock purchase warrants to purchase 1,200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $1.50 per share and corresponding warrant and received gross proceeds of approximately $6.0 million, before underwriting commission and other expenses totaling approximately $440,000. These warrants, which will expire on August 28, 2017 and have an exercise price of $2.08 per share, have been accounted for as equity instruments, since they do not contain features (such as cash settlement or anti-dilution features) that would preclude the Company from accounting for these warrants as equity.
		(d)	On September 5, 2013, the Company filed a prospectus supplement and offered for sale to institutional investors 8,800,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $1.72 per share and received gross proceeds of approximately $15.1 million before underwriting commissions and incurred expenses of approximately $1,064,000.
	The Company has no further availability under the 2010 Shelf Registration Statement.
	2012 Form S-1 Registration Statement
	On May 24, 2012, the Company sold 6,000,000 shares of its common stock together with common stock purchase warrants to purchase 6,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, at a price of $0.80 per share and corresponding warrant. These securities were issued pursuant to a Form S-1 registration statement that became effective on May 23, 2012 (file no. 333-180617). The Company received gross proceeds of approximately $4.8 million from this offering, before underwriting commission and other expenses totaling approximately $795,000. The May 2012 warrants, which expire five years from their date of issuance and have an exercise price of $1.04 per share, have been accounted for as equity instruments, since they do not contain features (such as net cash settlement or anti-dilution features) that would preclude the Company from accounting for these warrants as equity.
	BioMarin convertible promissory note automatic conversion into common stock shares
	On October 26, 2012, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement with BioMarin, pursuant to which the Company issued BioMarin a convertible promissory note in the principal amount of $5 million. (See Note 8). The $5 million note automatically converted into 6,666,667 shares of the Company’s common stock (at a price of $0.75 per share) on December 10, 2012.
	Nasdaq Listing
	The Company’s common stock currently trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market. On December 24, 2012, the Company received a staff deficiency letter from The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) notifying the Company that it was not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. The Nasdaq Listing Rules (the “Rules”) require listed securities to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share and, based on the then closing bid prices for the last 30 consecutive business days, the Company no longer met that requirement. Under the Rules, the Company had a grace period of 180 days, or until June 24, 2013, to regain compliance. On June 25, 2013, the Company received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Staff of the Nasdaq indicating that the Company had been granted an additional 180-day grace period (until December 23, 2013) to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement. On August 1, 2013, the Company received notice from the Nasdaq confirming that as a result of the Company’s common stock closing with a bid price of at least $1.00 for at least ten consecutive trading days, the Company had regained compliance with the $1.00 minimum bid price requirement for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market.
	Stockholder Rights Plan
	On September 20, 2011, the Board of Directors approved the Company’s adoption of a Stockholder Rights Plan. Under the Plan, a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a Right) was declared for each share of common stock of the Company that was outstanding on October 7, 2011. Each Right entitles the holder to purchase from the Company one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $7.80, subject to adjustment.
	The Rights will trade automatically with the common stock and will not be exercisable until a person or group has become an “acquiring person” by acquiring 17.5% or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock, or a person or group commences, or publicly announces a tender offer that will result in such a person or group owning 17.5% or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Upon announcement that any person or group has become an acquiring person, each Right will entitle all rightholders (other than the acquiring person) to purchase, for the exercise price of $7.80, a number of shares of the Company’s common stock having a market value equal to twice the exercise price. Rightholders would also be entitled to purchase common stock of the acquiring person having a value of twice the exercise price if, after a person had become an acquiring person, the Company were to enter into certain mergers or other transactions. If any person becomes an acquiring person, the Board of Directors may, at its option and subject to certain limitations, exchange one share of common stock for each Right.
	The Rights have certain anti-takeover effects, in that they would cause substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire a significant interest in the Company on terms not approved by the Board of Directors. In the event that the Board of Directors determines a transaction to be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, the Board of Directors may redeem the Rights for $0.001 per share at any time prior to a person or group becoming an acquiring person. The Rights will expire on September 20, 2016, unless earlier redeemed or exchanged.

Stock_Compensation_Plans

Stock Compensation Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock Compensation Plans	'
	12	Stock Compensation Plans
	The Company issues options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units (collectively, the “Awards”) to employees, directors, consultants and scientific advisors of the Company under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) (see Note 2). Prior to July 2006, the Company granted options pursuant to written agreements to purchase an aggregate of 2,352,254 shares of common stock. Under the Plan, 3,688,828 shares of the Company’s common stock were reserved for issuance. At December 31, 2013, 217,604 of these shares remained available for future issuance under the Plan.
	Stock Options
	The Company has granted stock options to employees, officers, directors, scientific advisors and consultants generally at exercise prices equal to the market price of the common stock at grant date. Share awards generally vest over a period of 2 to 4 years of continuous service and have contractual terms from 5 to 10 years. Certain awards provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control. The Company issues new shares as shares are required to be delivered upon exercise of outstanding stock options.
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, options to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were exercised with proceeds of $23,500. During the year ended December 31, 2012, options to purchase 195,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were exercised on a “cashless” basis, resulting in the issuance of an aggregate of 40,100 shares of the Company’s common stock.
	During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 the Company recorded non-cash stock-based compensation expense related to stock options totaling $175,855, $340,039 and $416,735, respectively.
	During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company granted five-year options to purchase an aggregate of 115,000 shares, 975,000 shares and 625,000 shares, respectively, of the Company’s common stock to certain of the Company’s officers, employees, directors and consultants.
	Stock option activity under the Company’s written stock option agreements and the Plan for the year ended December 31, 2013 is summarized as follows:
			Number of			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
			Options			Average			Average			Intrinsic
						Exercise			Remaining			Value
						Price			Contractual
									Term (in years)
	Outstanding at beginning of year			3,650,535		$	0.89
	Granted			115,000			0.6
	Exercised			(50,000	)		0.47
	Forfeited or cancelled			(170,333	)		1.2
	Expired			(116,296	)		3.04
	Outstanding at end of year			3,428,906		$	0.8			2.26		$	3,999,388
	Exercisable at end of year			3,088,905		$	0.83			2.06		$	3,511,386
	Other information pertaining to stock option activity during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was as follows:
			2013			2012			2011
	Weighted–average fair value of granted stock options		$	0.48		$	0.32		$	0.79
	Total fair value of vested stock options		$	166,633		$	348,815		$	438,139
	Total intrinsic value of exercised stock options		$	17,975		$	45,050		$	—
	The following table summarizes information about the Company’s options outstanding at December 31, 2013:
			Options Outstanding									Options Exercisable
	Range of		Number			Weighted			Weighted			Number		Weighted		Weighted
	Exercise		Outstanding			Average			Average			Exercisable		Average		Average
	Prices					Remaining			Exercise					Remaining		Exercise
						Contractual			Price					Contractual		Price
						Life (Years)								Life (Years)
	$0.47			1,000,000			3.96		$	0.47			699,999		3.95	$	0.47
	$0.69			729,610			1.17		$	0.69			729,610		1.17	$	0.69
	$0.85- $0.90			805,000			0.98		$	0.9			765,000		0.8	$	0.9
	$1.07- $1.09			860,000			2.48		$	1.08			860,000		2.48	$	1.08
	$2.55			27,000			0.05		$	2.55			27,000		0.05	$	2.55
	$6.00			7,296			0.67		$	6			7,296		0.67	$	6
				3,428,906			2.26		$	0.8			3,088,905		2.06	$	0.83
	As of December 31, 2013, there was approximately $111,000 of unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock option awards granted under the Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.45 years.
	The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options on the date of grant. This model derives the fair value of stock options based on certain assumptions related to the expected stock price volatility, expected option life, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. Expected volatility is based on reviews of historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. The estimated expected option life is based upon estimated employee exercise patterns and considers whether and the extent to which the options are in-the-money. The Company estimates the expected option life for options granted to employees and directors based upon the simplified method. Under this method, the expected life is presumed to be the mid-point between the vesting date and the end of the contractual term. The Company will continue to use the simplified method until it has sufficient historical exercise data to estimate the expected life of the options. The risk-free interest rate assumption is based upon the U.S. Treasury yield curve appropriate for the estimated life of the stock options awards. The expected dividend rate is zero. Stock–based compensation expense also includes an estimate, which the Company makes at grant date, of the number of awards that are expected to be forfeited. The Company revises this estimate in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
	Assumptions used during the years were as follows:
			Year ended December 31,
			2013			2012			2011
	Risk free interest rate			0.45% to 0.53	%		0.28% to 0.66	%		0.29% to 1.55	%
	Expected term			3 years			3 to 5 years			3 to 5 years
	Expected volatility			137	%		120	%		130	%
	Expected dividend yield			—	%		—	%		—	%
	Expected forfeiture rate			—	%		—	%		—	%

Benefit_Plan

Benefit Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Benefit Plan	'
	13	Benefit Plan
	The Company maintains an employee savings plan pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code covering all eligible employees. Subject to certain dollar limits, eligible employees may contribute up to 15% of their pre-tax annual compensation to the plan. The Company has elected to make discretionary matching contributions of employee contributions up to 4% of an employee’s gross salary. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company’s matching contributions were approximately $30,000, $28,000 and $34,000, respectively.

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio

Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited)	'
	14	Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited)
	The following table presents unaudited supplemental quarterly financial information for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
			Quarter Ended
			March 31,			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2013			2013			2013
	Revenues		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Loss from operations			(1,705,430	)		(2,653,529	)		(3,245,776	)		(2,706,923	)
	Change in fair value of warrants liability			(45,326	)		(498,587	)		(2,676,601	)		1,330,155
	Net loss			(1,744,289	)		(3,143,590	)		(5,912,059	)		(1,354,658	)
	Loss per share—basic and diluted		$	(0.04	)	$	(0.08	)	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.03	)
			March 31,			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,
			2012			2012			2012			2012
	Revenues		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Loss from operations			(1,364,710	)		(1,067,364	)		(1,283,713	)		(1,505,353	)
	Change in fair value of warrants liability			274,207			776,919			(1,340,566	)		1,419,218
	Net loss			(1,089,186	)		(289,080	)		(2,621,535	)		(76,585	)
	Loss per share—basic and diluted		$	(0.04	)	$	(0.01	)	$	(0.08	)	$	(0.00	)
	Quarterly basic and diluted net loss per common share were computed independently for each quarter and do not necessarily total to the full year basic and diluted net loss per common share.

Subsequent_Event

Subsequent Event	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Event	'
	15	Subsequent Event
	Subsequent to year end, on January 31, 2014, the Company filed a shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the 2014 Shelf Registration Statement) with the SEC to sell up to $100 million of common stock. This shelf registration statement (file No. 333-193699) has not yet been declared effective by the SEC. If this registration statement is declared effective, the Company will be able to sell up to $100 million of its common stock. However, if the Company’s public float (the market value of the Company’s common stock held by non-affiliates) falls below $75 million, the Company will also be subject to a further limitation under which the Company can sell no more than one third of the Company’s public float in any 12-month period. Further, the number of shares the Company can sell at any time may be limited to 20% of the Company’s common stock under applicable Nasdaq Marketplace Rules.
	Subsequent to year end, during February 2014, 12,696 of the 2011 warrants were exercised, with proceeds to the Company of $16,505. In addition, on February 27, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the adoption of the “Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc. 2014 Stock Incentive Plan” (the “2014 Plan”). The 2014 Plan will not become effective until it is approved by the Company’s stockholders. The Company expects to submit the 2014 Plan to its stockholders for approval at the Company’s 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign1

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Development Stage Company	'
	a.	DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY. Since inception, the Company has devoted substantially all of its efforts to business planning, research and development, recruiting management and technical staff, acquiring operating assets and raising capital. Accordingly, the Company is considered to be in the development stage and the Company’s financial statements are presented in that manner in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Company’s primary focus is on the development and commercialization of its drug candidates.
Use of Estimates	'
	b.	USE OF ESTIMATES. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	c.	CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS. The Company considers all highly liquid instruments, purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist mainly of U.S. Treasury bills, certificates of deposit and money market funds. The Company has substantially all of its cash and cash equivalents deposited with one financial institution.
Certificates of Deposit	'
	d.
	CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT. The certificates of deposit were issued by a banking institution and are recorded at cost plus accrued interest. The original maturity was greater than three months but did not exceed one year. Interest income is recorded in the statement of operations as it is earned. Carrying value at December 31, 2013 and 2012 approximates fair value.
Short-Term Investments	'
	e.
	SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS. The Company invests in short-term investments in high credit-quality funds in order to obtain higher yields on its cash available for investments. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012 short-term investments consisted of a short-term bond fund. Such investments are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Short-term investments at December 31, 2013 and 2012 were considered trading securities. Trading securities are recorded at fair value based on the closing market price of the security. For trading securities, the Company charges realized gains and losses and unrealized gains and losses to earnings. Unrealized and realized losses on trading securities for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were nominal.
Prepaid Expenses	'
	f.	PREPAID EXPENSES. Prepaid expenses consist primarily of prepaid research fees, prepaid insurance and prepaid subscription fees. Prepaid research fees consist of advances for the Company’s drug development activities, including drug manufacturing, contracts for pre-clinical studies, clinical trials and studies, regulatory affairs and consulting. Such advances are recorded as expense as the related goods are received or the related services are performed.
Property and Equipment	'
	g.	PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT. Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is calculated to amortize the depreciable assets over their useful lives using the straight-line method and commences when the asset is placed in service. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease or the estimated life of the improvement, whichever is shorter. Useful lives generally range from three years for computer equipment to three to six years for furniture and equipment and leasehold improvements. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expenses as incurred.
Operating Leases	'
	h.	OPERATING LEASES. The Company recognizes lease expense on a straight-line basis over the initial lease term. For leases that contain rent holidays, escalation clauses or tenant improvement allowances, the Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis and records the difference between the rent expense and rental amount payable as deferred rent. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had $21,877 and $22,643, respectively, of deferred rent in accrued expenses and other liabilities.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	i.	FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS. The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, certificates of deposit, short-term investments, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other liabilities, and warrants liability. At December 31, 2013, the fair value of these instruments approximated their carrying value.
Fair Value Measurements	'
		j.	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS. Current Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) fair value guidance emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. Therefore, a fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, current FASB guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within Levels 1 and 2 of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity’s own assumptions that it believes market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities (unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy).
	Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs may include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, as well as inputs that are observable for the asset or liability (other than quoted prices), such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which are typically based on an entity’s own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity. In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.
					Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
			Balances as of		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
			December 31,		Active Markets		Other		Unobservable
			2013		for Identical		Observable		Inputs
					Assets/Liabilities		Inputs		(Level 3)
					(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Money market funds		$	25,693	$	25,693	$	—	$	—
	Certificates of deposit		$	4,011,576	$	—	$	4,011,576	$	—
	Short-term investments		$	17,483,062	$	17,483,062	$	—	$	—
	Warrants liability		$	1,819,562	$	—	$	—	$	1,819,562
					Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
			Balances as of		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
			December 31,		Active Markets		Other		Unobservable
			2012		for Identical		Observable		Inputs
					Assets/Liabilities		Inputs		(Level 3)
					(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Certificates of deposit		$	6,502,825	$	—	$	6,502,825	$	—
	Short-term investments		$	7,504,444	$	7,504,444	$	—	$	—
	Warrants liability		$	498,587	$	—	$	—	$	498,587
Warrants Liability	'
	k.
	WARRANTS LIABILITY. In October 2011, the Company issued 1,523,370 warrants (the 2011 warrants) to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock in connection with a registered direct offering under the 2010 Shelf Registration Statement. The Company accounted for these warrants as a liability measured at fair value due to a provision included in the warrants agreement that provides the warrants holders with an option to require the Company (or its successor) to purchase their warrants for cash in an amount equal to their Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model (the Black-Scholes Model) value, in the event that certain fundamental transactions, as defined, occur. The fair value of the warrants liability is estimated using the Black-Scholes Model which requires inputs such as the expected term of the warrants, share price volatility and risk-free interest rate. These assumptions are reviewed on a quarterly basis and changes in the estimated fair value of the outstanding warrants are recognized each reporting period in the “Change in fair value of warrants liability” line in the statement of operations. As of December 31, 2013, 1,254,870 of the 2011 warrants remained outstanding.
Research and Development	'
	l.	RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. Costs incurred in connection with research and development activities are expensed as incurred. These costs consist of direct and indirect costs associated with specific projects as well as fees paid to various entities that perform research related services for the Company.
Stock-Based Compensation	'
		m.	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION. The Company recognizes expense in the statement of operations for the fair value of all stock-based payments to employees, directors and consultants, including grants of stock options and other share-based awards. For stock options, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option valuation model, the single-option award approach and straight-line attribution method. Using this approach, compensation cost is amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of each respective stock option, generally three to five years. The Company estimates forfeitures and adjusts this estimate periodically based on actual forfeitures.
	For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense as follows:
			2013		2012		2011
	Research and development		$	84,728	$	100,221	$	111,283
	General and administrative			91,127		239,818		305,452
	Total stock-based compensation		$	175,855	$	340,039	$	416,735
Concentration of Credit Risk	'
	n.	CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK. The financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk are cash equivalents (i.e. money market funds), short-term investments and certificates of deposit. The Company places its cash equivalents with high-credit quality financial institutions. These amounts at times may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any credit losses in these accounts.
Income Taxes	'
		o.	INCOME TAXES. The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.
	The Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority.
	The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply. The Company is not subject to U.S. federal, state and local tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2010. If the Company were to subsequently record an unrecognized tax benefit, associated penalties and tax related interest expense would be reported as a component of income tax expense.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	p.	COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS). U.S. generally accepted accounting principles require that all components of comprehensive income (loss) be reported in the financial statements in the period in which they are recognized. Comprehensive income (loss) is net income (loss), plus certain other items that are recorded directly into stockholders’ equity. The Company has reported comprehensive income (loss) in the statement of stockholders’ equity as net income (loss).
Net Income (Loss) Per Share	'
		q.	NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE. Basic income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, plus the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents, such as convertible preferred stock, stock options and restricted stock units. For all periods presented, all common stock equivalents were excluded because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. The potential shares, which are excluded from the determination of basic and diluted net loss per share as their effect is anti-dilutive, are as follows, for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
			2013		2012		2011
	Options to purchase common stock			3,428,906		3,650,535		3,723,108
	Warrants to purchase common stock			4,848,620		8,710,870		1,523,370
	Potential equivalent common stock excluded			8,277,526		12,361,405		5,246,478
	Potentially dilutive options to purchase common stock as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 have exercise prices ranging from $0.47 to $6.00. Potentially dilutive warrants to purchase common stock as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 have exercise prices ranging from $1.04 to $2.08.
Segment Information	'
	r.	SEGMENT INFORMATION. Management has determined that the Company operates in one reportable segment, which is the development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products.
Reclassifications	'
	s.	RECLASSIFICATIONS. Certain prior year amounts in the financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	'
	t.	RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS. There are no recent accounting pronouncements which the Company anticipates will have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign2

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurement Specific to Assets or Liability	'
	The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.
				Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
		Balances as of		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
		December 31,		Active Markets		Other		Unobservable
		2013		for Identical		Observable		Inputs
				Assets/Liabilities		Inputs		(Level 3)
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Money market funds	$	25,693	$	25,693	$	—	$	—
	Certificates of deposit	$	4,011,576	$	—	$	4,011,576	$	—
	Short-term investments	$	17,483,062	$	17,483,062	$	—	$	—
	Warrants liability	$	1,819,562	$	—	$	—	$	1,819,562
				Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
		Balances as of		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
		December 31,		Active Markets		Other		Unobservable
		2012		for Identical		Observable		Inputs
				Assets/Liabilities		Inputs		(Level 3)
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Certificates of deposit	$	6,502,825	$	—	$	6,502,825	$	—
	Short-term investments	$	7,504,444	$	7,504,444	$	—	$	—
	Warrants liability	$	498,587	$	—	$	—	$	498,587
Stock-Based Compensation Expense	'
	For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense as follows:
		2013		2012		2011
	Research and development	$	84,728	$	100,221	$	111,283
	General and administrative		91,127		239,818		305,452
	Total stock-based compensation	$	175,855	$	340,039	$	416,735
Potential Shares Excluded from Determination of Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share	'
	The potential shares, which are excluded from the determination of basic and diluted net loss per share as their effect is anti-dilutive, are as follows, for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
		2013		2012		2011
	Options to purchase common stock		3,428,906		3,650,535		3,723,108
	Warrants to purchase common stock		4,848,620		8,710,870		1,523,370
	Potential equivalent common stock excluded		8,277,526		12,361,405		5,246,478

Warrants_Liability_at_Fair_Val1

Warrants Liability, at Fair Value (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Calculated Value of Warrants Liability Determined Using Black-Scholes Option-Pricing Model	'
	The calculated value of the 2011 warrants liability was determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
		December 31, 2013			December 31, 2012
	Risk free interest rate		0.94	%		0.6	%
	Expected term		3.34 years			4.34 years
	Expected volatility		108	%		136	%
	Expected dividend yield		0	%		0	%
	Expected forfeiture rate		0	%		0	%
Summary of Company's Warrants Liability Activity	'
	The following table rolls forward the fair value of the Company’s warrants liability activity for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
		2013			2012			2011
	Fair value, beginning of period	$	498,587		$	1,645,240		$	—
	Issuance of warrants		—			—			1,325,332
	Exercise of warrants		(569,384	)		(16,875	)		—
	Change in fair value		1,890,359			(1,129,778	)		319,908
	Fair value, end of period	$	1,819,562		$	498,587		$	1,645,240

Prepaid_Expenses_Tables

Prepaid Expenses (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Prepaid Expenses	'
	Prepaid expenses consist of the following as of December 31:
		2013		2012
	Prepaid research fees	$	1,334,149	$	1,138,185
	Prepaid insurance		219,651		143,520
	Prepaid subscriptions fees		24,643		12,369
	Prepaid rent		7,848		683
	Other		23,151		14,713
	Total prepaid expenses	$	1,609,442	$	1,309,470

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment Net	'
	Property and equipment, net consists of the following as of December 31:
		2013			2012
	Computer equipment	$	81,551		$	74,191
	Furniture and equipment		51,523			49,451
			133,074			123,642
	Less: Accumulated depreciation		(92,446	)		(69,963	)
	Total property and equipment, net	$	40,628		$	53,679

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Lia1

Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities	'
	Accrued expenses and other liabilities consist of the following as of December 31:
		2013		2012
	Accrued pre-clinical and clinical trial expenses	$	1,083,749	$	197,572
	Accrued professional fees		117,240		51,050
	Accrued compensation and benefits		14,539		5,949
	Accrued license fees		65,000		15,000
	Deferred rent		2,746		765
	Other		5,546		10,666
	Current accrued expenses and other liabilities		1,288,820		281,002
	Deferred rent—non-current		19,131		21,878
	Non-current accrued expenses and other liabilities		19,131		21,878
	Total accrued expenses and other liabilities	$	1,307,951	$	302,880

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Future Minimum Lease Payments under Operating Lease Agreement	'
	As of December 31, 2013, future minimum lease payments under the operating lease agreement are as follows:
	2014	$	68,534
	2015		70,576
	2016		72,678
	2017		67,828
		$	279,616

Stock_Compensation_Plans_Table

Stock Compensation Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary of Stock Option Activity under the Company's Written Stock Option Agreements and the Plan	'
	Stock option activity under the Company’s written stock option agreements and the Plan for the year ended December 31, 2013 is summarized as follows:
		Number of			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
		Options			Average			Average			Intrinsic
					Exercise			Remaining			Value
					Price			Contractual
								Term (in years)
	Outstanding at beginning of year		3,650,535		$	0.89
	Granted		115,000			0.6
	Exercised		(50,000	)		0.47
	Forfeited or cancelled		(170,333	)		1.2
	Expired		(116,296	)		3.04
	Outstanding at end of year		3,428,906		$	0.8			2.26		$	3,999,388
	Exercisable at end of year		3,088,905		$	0.83			2.06		$	3,511,386
Schedule of Other Information Pertaining to Stock Option Activity	'
	Other information pertaining to stock option activity during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was as follows:
		2013			2012			2011
	Weighted–average fair value of granted stock options	$	0.48		$	0.32		$	0.79
	Total fair value of vested stock options	$	166,633		$	348,815		$	438,139
	Total intrinsic value of exercised stock options	$	17,975		$	45,050		$	—
Summary of Company's Stock Options Outstanding	'
	The following table summarizes information about the Company’s options outstanding at December 31, 2013:
		Options Outstanding									Options Exercisable
	Range of	Number			Weighted			Weighted			Number		Weighted		Weighted
	Exercise	Outstanding			Average			Average			Exercisable		Average		Average
	Prices				Remaining			Exercise					Remaining		Exercise
					Contractual			Price					Contractual		Price
					Life (Years)								Life (Years)
	$0.47		1,000,000			3.96		$	0.47			699,999		3.95	$	0.47
	$0.69		729,610			1.17		$	0.69			729,610		1.17	$	0.69
	$0.85- $0.90		805,000			0.98		$	0.9			765,000		0.8	$	0.9
	$1.07- $1.09		860,000			2.48		$	1.08			860,000		2.48	$	1.08
	$2.55		27,000			0.05		$	2.55			27,000		0.05	$	2.55
	$6.00		7,296			0.67		$	6			7,296		0.67	$	6
			3,428,906			2.26		$	0.8			3,088,905		2.06	$	0.83
Summary of Stock Options Awards Based on Certain Assumptions	'
	Assumptions used during the years were as follows:
		Year ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Risk free interest rate		0.45% to 0.53	%		0.28% to 0.66	%		0.29% to 1.55	%
	Expected term		3 years			3 to 5 years			3 to 5 years
	Expected volatility		137	%		120	%		130	%
	Expected dividend yield		—	%		—	%		—	%
	Expected forfeiture rate		—	%		—	%		—	%

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio1

Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information	'
	The following table presents unaudited supplemental quarterly financial information for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
		Quarter Ended
		March 31,			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2013			2013			2013
	Revenues	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Loss from operations		(1,705,430	)		(2,653,529	)		(3,245,776	)		(2,706,923	)
	Change in fair value of warrants liability		(45,326	)		(498,587	)		(2,676,601	)		1,330,155
	Net loss		(1,744,289	)		(3,143,590	)		(5,912,059	)		(1,354,658	)
	Loss per share—basic and diluted	$	(0.04	)	$	(0.08	)	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.03	)
		March 31,			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,
		2012			2012			2012			2012
	Revenues	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Loss from operations		(1,364,710	)		(1,067,364	)		(1,283,713	)		(1,505,353	)
	Change in fair value of warrants liability		274,207			776,919			(1,340,566	)		1,419,218
	Net loss		(1,089,186	)		(289,080	)		(2,621,535	)		(76,585	)
	Loss per share—basic and diluted	$	(0.04	)	$	(0.01	)	$	(0.08	)	$	(0.00	)

Organization_and_Description_o1

Organization and Description of Business - Additional Information (Detail) (2014 Shelf Registration Statement [Member], Subsequent Event [Member], USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
2014 Shelf Registration Statement [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]	'
Organization And Description Of Business [Line Items]	'
Maximum common stock to be issued under shelf registration statement	$100

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign3

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Segment

October 28, 2011 Warrants [Member]

October 28, 2011 Warrants [Member]

Computer Equipment [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

2010 Shelf Registration Statement [Member]

2010 Shelf Registration Statement [Member]

Furniture and Equipment [Member]

Leasehold Improvements [Member]

Furniture and Equipment [Member]

Leasehold Improvements [Member]

Summary Of Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum maturity period of cash and cash equivalent

'3 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturity period of certificates of deposit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'3 months

'

'

'

'

Useful life of assets

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'6 years

'6 years

'

'

'

'3 years

'3 years

Deferred rent in accrued expenses and other liabilities

$21,877

$22,643

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of warrants sold in offering

'

'

'

'

1,523,370

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Warrants outstanding

'

'

'

1,254,870

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum amortization period of compensation cost on straight line basis

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum amortization period of compensation cost on straight line basis

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock option exercise price range, Minimum

$0.47

$0.47

$0.47

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock option exercise price range, Maximum

$6

$6

$6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Potentially dilutive warrants to purchase common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.08

2.08

2.08

'

'

1.04

1.04

1.04

'

'

Number of reportable segment

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign4

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Fair Value Measurement Specific to Assets or Liability (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Money market funds	$25,693	'
Certificates of deposit	4,011,576	6,502,825
Short-term investments	17,483,062	7,504,444
Warrants liability	1,819,562	498,587
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities (Level 1) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Money market funds	25,693	'
Short-term investments	17,483,062	7,504,444
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Certificates of deposit	4,011,576	6,502,825
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Warrants liability	$1,819,562	$498,587

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign5

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			144 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation	$175,855	$340,039	$416,735	$6,138,055
Research and Development [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation	84,728	100,221	111,283	'
General and Administrative [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation	$91,127	$239,818	$305,452	'

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign6

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Potential Shares Excluded from Determination of Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Potential equivalent common stock excluded	8,277,526	12,361,405	5,246,478
Options to Purchase Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Potential equivalent common stock excluded	3,428,906	3,650,535	3,723,108
Warrants to Purchase Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Potential equivalent common stock excluded	4,848,620	8,710,870	1,523,370

Warrants_Liability_at_Fair_Val2

Warrants Liability, at Fair Value - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			144 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
					October 28, 2011 Warrants [Member]	October 28, 2011 Warrants [Member]	October 28, 2011 Warrants [Member]
					Warrant Liability [Member]	Warrant Liability [Member]	Warrant Liability [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Recognition of warrants fair value at date of issuance	'	'	$1,325,332	'	$1,300,000	'	'
Number of warrants exercised during the period	'	'	'	'	'	256,000	12,500
Proceeds from warrant exercises	$4,083,300	$16,249	'	$4,099,549	'	$332,800	$16,249

Warrants_Liability_at_Fair_Val3

Warrants Liability, at Fair Value - Calculated Value of Warrants Liability Determined Using Black-Scholes Option-Pricing Model (Detail) (Warrant [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Warrant [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Risk free interest rate	0.94%	0.60%
Expected term	'3 years 4 months 2 days	'4 years 4 months 2 days
Expected volatility	108.00%	136.00%
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%
Expected forfeiture rate	0.00%	0.00%

Warrants_Liability_at_Fair_Val4

Warrants Liability, at Fair Value - Summary of Company's Warrants Liability Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value, beginning of period	$498,587	$1,645,240	'
Issuance of warrants	'	'	1,325,332
Exercise of warrants	-569,384	-16,875	'
Change in fair value	1,890,359	-1,129,778	319,908
Fair value, end of period	$1,819,562	$498,587	$1,645,240

Prepaid_Expenses_Prepaid_Expen

Prepaid Expenses - Prepaid Expenses (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Prepaid research fees	$1,334,149	$1,138,185
Prepaid insurance	219,651	143,520
Prepaid subscriptions fees	24,643	12,369
Prepaid rent	7,848	683
Other	23,151	14,713
Total prepaid expenses	$1,609,442	$1,309,470

Property_and_Equipment_Propert

Property and Equipment - Property and Equipment, Net (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$133,074	$123,642
Less: Accumulated depreciation	-92,446	-69,963
Total property and equipment, net	40,628	53,679
Computer Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	81,551	74,191
Furniture and Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$51,523	$49,451

Property_and_Equipment_Additio

Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Depreciation expenses	$22,483	$10,889	$42,835

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Lia2

Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities - Schedule of Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Accrued pre-clinical and clinical trial expenses	$1,083,749	$197,572
Accrued professional fees	117,240	51,050
Accrued compensation and benefits	14,539	5,949
Accrued license fees	65,000	15,000
Deferred rent	2,746	765
Other	5,546	10,666
Current accrued expenses and other liabilities	1,288,820	281,002
Deferred rent-non-current	19,131	21,878
Non-current accrued expenses and other liabilities	19,131	21,878
Total accrued expenses and other liabilities	$1,307,951	$302,880

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies - Future Minimum Lease Payments under Operating Lease Agreement (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2014	$68,534
2015	70,576
2016	72,678
2017	67,828
Total	$279,616

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Oct. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Lawsuits	Lawsuits		Lawsuits
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Extension period of original lease term	'	'	'5 years	'	'	'
Rent expense	'	'	'	$69,930	$65,310	$61,653
Operating leases, expiration dates	'	'	'	'2017-11	'	'
Number of lawsuits filed	3	3	'	'	'	'
Number of lawsuits dismissed	'	'	'	2	'	'
Accrued contingent liability	'	'	'	$0	'	'

Agreements_Additional_Informat

Agreements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 10, 2012	Oct. 26, 2012
			Northwestern License Agreement [Member]	Northwestern License Agreement [Member]	License Agreement with Brookhaven [Member]	License Agreement with BioMarin [Member]	License Agreement with BioMarin [Member]	License Agreement with BioMarin [Member]
License Agreement [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expiry date of licensed patents	'	'	'	'	'2023	'	'	'
License fee paid	'	'	$246,590	'	$50,000	'	'	'
Accrued license fees	65,000	15,000	65,000	15,000	'	'	'	'
Milestone payments	'	'	150,000	'	'	'	'	'
Date on which strategic collaboration is entered into	'	'	'	'	'	26-Oct-12	'	'
Investment pursuant to strategic collaboration	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,000,000
Investment solely for purpose of developing Firdapse	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,000,000
Shares issued upon settlement of promissory convertible note	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,666,667	'
Convertible note price per share	'	'	'	'	'	'	$0.75	'
Minimum amount to be spent for Firdapse phase three trial	'	'	'	'	'	5,000,000	'	'
Estimated time from entering license agreement to completion of double blind treatment phase period of Firdapse phase three trial	'	'	'	'	'	'24 months	'	'
Paid costs in connection with Firdapse Phase 3 trial	'	'	'	'	'	4,100,000	'	'
Minimum amount to be spent on Firdapse Phase 3 trial	'	'	'	'	'	900,000	'	'
Milestone payment due upon NDA acceptance	'	'	'	'	'	2,600,000	'	'
Milestone payment due upon NDA approval	'	'	'	'	'	$7,200,000	'	'

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'	'	'
Consulting fees to related parties	$10,000	$42,000	$93,000
Annual base salary of related party	$425,000	'	'
Expiration date of employment agreement with CEO	'2016-11	'	'

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Deferred tax assets	$19,387,000	$15,591,000	'
Net operating loss carryforward and start-up costs	17,685,000	13,956,000	'
Valuation allowance	100.00%	100.00%	'
Change in valuation allowance	3,796,000	2,151,000	2,012,000
Net operating loss carryforwards	$30,675,000	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards expiration date	'Beginning in 2024 and ending in 2033	'	'
Effective tax rate	0.00%	'	'
Statutory rate	35.00%	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

144 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Sep. 20, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 20, 2011

Dec. 10, 2012

24-May-12

Sep. 05, 2013

Mar. 08, 2011

Dec. 03, 2010

Oct. 31, 2011

Aug. 28, 2012

Oct. 28, 2011

Nasdaq [Member]

Preferred Stock Series "A" [Member]

BioMarin Convertible Promissory Note [Member]

2012 Form S-1 Registration Statement [Member]

2010 Shelf Registration Statement [Member]

2010 Shelf Registration Statement [Member]

2010 Shelf Registration Statement [Member]

2010 Shelf Registration Statement [Member]

2010 Shelf Registration Statement [Member]

2010 Shelf Registration Statement [Member]

Warrant Equity [Member]

October 28, 2011 Warrants [Member]

Warrant Equity [Member]

Warrant Liability [Member]

May 24, 2012 Warrants [Member]

August 28, 2012 Warrants [Member]

October 28, 2011 Warrants [Member]

Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred stock, shares authorized

'

5,000,000

5,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred stock, par value

'

$0.00

$0.00

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred stock, shares outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock, shares authorized

'

100,000,000

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock, par value

'

$0.00

$0.00

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock, shares issued

'

41,420,687

54,132,937

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock, shares outstanding

'

41,420,687

54,132,937

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum common stock to be issued under shelf registration statement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$30,000,000

'

'

'

Number of common stock sold in offering

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,000,000

8,800,000

2,259,943

'

'

4,000,000

3,046,740

Common stock offer price per share

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1.72

$1.12

'

'

'

'

Gross proceeds from issuance of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,100,000

2,500,000

'

'

'

'

Offering expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,064,000

300,000

'

'

440,000

335,000

Number of warrants sold (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,000,000

'

'

'

1,523,370

1,200,000

1,523,370

Common stock and warrants offer price per share

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0.80

'

'

'

'

$1.50

$1.15

Gross proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,800,000

'

'

'

'

6,000,000

3,500,000

Warrants exercise price

'

'

'

'

7.8

'

1.04

'

'

'

'

2.08

1.3

Class of warrant or right expiration date

20-Sep-16

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

28-Aug-17

28-Apr-17

Underwriting commissions and other expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

795,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Warrant expiration period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

Conversion price per share

'

'

'

'

'

$0.75

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible promissory note, principal amount

'

$5,000,000

$5,000,000

'

'

$5,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible promissory note shares issued upon conversion

'

'

'

'

'

6,666,667

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Nasdaq listing minimum bid price required

'

'

'

$1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of consecutive business days for basis of bid price requirement

'

'

'

'30 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Nasdaq minimum price bid requirement grace period

'

'

'

'180 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Last date for compliance of minimum bid price requirement including grace period

'

'

'

24-Jun-13

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Nasdaq minimum price bid requirement additional grace period

'

'

'

'180 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Last date for compliance of minimum bid price requirement including grace period

'

'

'

23-Dec-13

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of consecutive business days above minimum price to regain minimum bid listing compliance

'

'

'

'10 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred share purchase right price

'

'

'

'

$7.80

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum percentage of outstanding stock acquired by a person or group to trigger Shareholder Rights Plan

'

'

'

'

17.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stockholders Rights Plan redemption price of right

'

'

'

'

$0.00

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock_Compensation_Plans_Addit

Stock Compensation Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			144 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock options granted	115,000	'	'	'
Stock option contractual term	'2 years 22 days	'	'	'
Number of stock options exercised	50,000	'	'	'
Proceeds from exercise of options	$23,500	'	'	$23,500
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	175,855	340,039	416,735	6,138,055
Expected dividend rate	'	'	'	'
2006 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock options granted	2,352,254	'	'	'
Common stock shares reserved for issuance under the Plan	3,688,828	'	'	3,688,828
Common stock shares available for future issuance under the Plan	217,604	'	'	217,604
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock options granted	115,000	975,000	625,000	'
Number of stock options exercised	50,000	195,000	'	'
Proceeds from exercise of options	23,500	'	'	'
Shares issued for cashless option exercise	'	40,100	'	'
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	175,855	340,039	416,735	'
Stock option granted, contractual term	'5 years	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock option awards granted under the Plan	$111,000	'	'	$111,000
Expected remaining weighted average vesting period	'1 year 5 months 12 days	'	'	'
Expected dividend rate	0.00%	'	'	'
Stock Options [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock option vesting period	'2 years	'	'	'
Stock option contractual term	'5 years	'	'	'
Stock Options [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock option vesting period	'4 years	'	'	'
Stock option contractual term	'10 years	'	'	'

Stock_Compensation_Plans_Summa

Stock Compensation Plans - Summary of Stock Option Activity under the Company's Written Stock Option Agreements and the Plan (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Number of options, Outstanding at beginning of year	3,650,535
Number of options, Granted	115,000
Number of options, Exercised	-50,000
Number of options, Forfeited or cancelled	-170,333
Number of options, Expired	-116,296
Number of options, Outstanding at end of year	3,428,906
Number of options, Exercisable at end of year	3,088,905
Weighted average exercise price, Outstanding at beginning of year	$0.89
Weighted average exercise price, Granted	$0.60
Weighted average exercise price, Exercised	$0.47
Weighted average exercise price, Forfeited or cancelled	$1.20
Weighted average exercise price, Expired	$3.04
Weighted average exercise price, Outstanding at end of year	$0.80
Weighted average exercise price, Exercisable at end of year	$0.83
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years), Outstanding at end of year	'2 years 3 months 4 days
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years), Exercisable at end of year	'2 years 22 days
Aggregate Intrinsic value, Outstanding at end of year	$3,999,388
Aggregate Intrinsic value, Exercisable at end of year	$3,511,386

Stock_Compensation_Plans_Sched

Stock Compensation Plans - Schedule of Other Information Pertaining to Stock Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Weighted average fair value of granted stock options	$0.48	$0.32	$0.79
Total fair value of vested stock options	$166,633	$348,815	$438,139
Total intrinsic value of exercised stock options	$17,975	$45,050	'

Stock_Compensation_Plan_Summar

Stock Compensation Plan - Summary of Company's Stock Options Outstanding (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices Lower Range	$0.47	$0.47	$0.47
Range of Exercise Prices Upper Range	$6	$6	$6
Number Outstanding, Options Outstanding	3,428,906	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Options Outstanding	'2 years 3 months 4 days	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding	$0.80	'	'
Number Exercisable Options Exercisable	3,088,905	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Options Exercisable	'2 years 22 days	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable	$0.83	'	'
$0.47 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices	$0.47	'	'
Number Outstanding, Options Outstanding	1,000,000	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Options Outstanding	'3 years 11 months 16 days	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding	$0.47	'	'
Number Exercisable Options Exercisable	699,999	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Options Exercisable	'3 years 11 months 12 days	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable	$0.47	'	'
$0.69 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices	$0.69	'	'
Number Outstanding, Options Outstanding	729,610	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Options Outstanding	'1 year 2 months 1 day	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding	$0.69	'	'
Number Exercisable Options Exercisable	729,610	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Options Exercisable	'1 year 2 months 1 day	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable	$0.69	'	'
$0.85 - $0.90 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices Lower Range	$0.85	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices Upper Range	$0.90	'	'
Number Outstanding, Options Outstanding	805,000	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Options Outstanding	'11 months 23 days	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding	$0.90	'	'
Number Exercisable Options Exercisable	765,000	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Options Exercisable	'9 months 18 days	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable	$0.90	'	'
$1.07 - $1.09 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices Lower Range	$1.07	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices Upper Range	$1.09	'	'
Number Outstanding, Options Outstanding	860,000	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Options Outstanding	'2 years 5 months 23 days	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding	$1.08	'	'
Number Exercisable Options Exercisable	860,000	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Options Exercisable	'2 years 5 months 23 days	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable	$1.08	'	'
$2.55 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices	$2.55	'	'
Number Outstanding, Options Outstanding	27,000	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Options Outstanding	'18 days	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding	$2.55	'	'
Number Exercisable Options Exercisable	27,000	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Options Exercisable	'18 days	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable	$2.55	'	'
$6.00 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices	$6	'	'
Number Outstanding, Options Outstanding	7,296	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Options Outstanding	'8 months 1 day	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding	$6	'	'
Number Exercisable Options Exercisable	7,296	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Options Exercisable	'8 months 1 day	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable	$6	'	'

Stock_Compensation_Plans_Summa1

Stock Compensation Plans - Summary of Stock Options Awards Based on Certain Assumptions (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Risk free interest rate, Minimum	0.45%	0.28%	0.29%
Risk free interest rate, Maximum	0.53%	0.66%	1.55%
Expected term	'3 years	'	'
Expected volatility	137.00%	120.00%	130.00%
Expected dividend yield	'	'	'
Expected forfeiture rate	'	'	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected term	'	'3 years	'3 years
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected term	'	'5 years	'5 years

Benefit_Plan_Additional_Inform

Benefit Plan - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Employees contribution of pre-tax annual compensation	15.00%	'	'
Discretionary matching contributions of employee contributions of an employee's gross salary	4.00%	'	'
Contributions	$30,000	$28,000	$34,000

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio2

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) - Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

144 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

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, 2013

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$488,958

Loss from operations

-2,706,923

-3,245,776

-2,653,529

-1,705,430

-1,505,353

-1,283,713

-1,067,364

-1,364,710

-10,311,658

-5,221,140

-6,082,139

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-54,793,296

Change in fair value of warrants liability

1,330,155

-2,676,601

-498,587

-45,326

1,419,218

-1,340,566

776,919

274,207

1,890,359

-1,129,778

319,908

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,080,489

Net loss

($1,354,658)

($5,912,059)

($3,143,590)

($1,744,289)

($76,585)

($2,621,535)

($289,080)

($1,089,186)

($12,154,596)

($4,076,386)

($6,391,062)

($4,006,323)

($7,241,928)

($10,564,597)

($4,139,493)

($2,729,454)

($1,805,380)

($539,820)

($428,615)

($255,945)

($54,333,599)

Loss per share-basic and diluted

($0.03)

($0.13)

($0.08)

($0.04)

$0

($0.08)

($0.01)

($0.04)

($0.27)

($0.14)

($0.29)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Subsequent_Event_Additional_In

Subsequent Event - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		144 Months Ended		2 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014
					Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
						2014 Shelf Registration Statement [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Maximum common stock to be issued under shelf registration statement	'	'	'	'	'	$100,000,000
Minimum required public float	'	'	'	32,240,770	'	75,000,000
Maximum percentage of company float allowed to sell under registration statement	'	'	'	'	'	33.00%
Maximum percentage of outstanding shares that company can sell under shelf registration statement	'	'	'	'	'	20.00%
Issuance of common stock for warrant exercises	'	'	'	'	12,696	'
Gross proceeds from issuance of common stock for exercise of warrants	$4,083,300	$16,249	$4,099,549	'	$16,505	'