Catalyst Pharmaceuticals (CPRX) 10-Q 15 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	13-May-14
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
Entity Registrant Name	'CATALYST PHARMACEUTICAL PARTNERS, INC.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001369568	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Smaller Reporting Company	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	67,169,383

CONDENSED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$1,072,465	$2,215,958
Certificates of deposit	3,712,961	4,011,576
Short-term investments	16,499,324	17,483,062
Prepaid expenses	883,293	1,609,442
Total current assets	22,168,043	25,320,038
Property and equipment, net	52,649	40,628
Deposits	8,888	8,888
Total assets	22,229,580	25,369,554
Current Liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	932,105	850,789
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	1,504,621	1,288,820
Total current liabilities	2,436,726	2,139,609
Accrued expenses and other liabilities, non-current	18,011	19,131
Warrants liability, at fair value	2,136,539	1,819,562
Total liabilities	4,591,276	3,978,302
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized: none issued and outstanding	'	'
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 54,145,633 shares and 54,132,937 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	54,146	54,133
Additional paid-in capital	75,728,876	75,670,718
Deficit accumulated during the development stage	-58,144,718	-54,333,599
Total stockholders' equity	17,638,304	21,391,252
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$22,229,580	$25,369,554

CONDENSED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Paren

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Preferred stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	54,145,633	54,132,937
Common stock, shares outstanding	54,145,633	54,132,937

CONDENSED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPERAT

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		147 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'
Revenues-government grant	'	'	$488,958
Operating costs and expenses:	'	'	'
Research and development	2,748,683	1,092,301	39,148,762
General and administrative	759,682	613,129	19,641,857
Total operating costs and expenses	3,508,365	1,705,430	58,790,619
Loss from operations	-3,508,365	-1,705,430	-58,301,661
Interest income	32,760	6,467	1,572,946
Change in fair value of warrants liability	-335,514	-45,326	-1,416,003
Loss before income taxes	-3,811,119	-1,744,289	-58,144,718
Provision for income taxes	'	'	'
Net loss	($3,811,119)	($1,744,289)	($58,144,718)
Net loss per share - basic and diluted	($0.07)	($0.04)	'
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted	54,138,580	41,420,687	'

CONDENSED_STATEMENT_OF_STOCKHO

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (unaudited) (USD $)	Total	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Deficit Accumulated During Development Stage [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$21,391,252	'	$54,133	$75,670,718	($54,333,599)
Issuance of stock options for services	23,130	'	'	23,130	'
Exercise of warrants for common stock	35,041	'	13	35,028	'
Net loss	-3,811,119	'	'	'	-3,811,119
Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	$17,638,304	'	$54,146	$75,728,876	($58,144,718)

CONDENSED_STATEMENTS_OF_CASH_F

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		147 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
Operating Activities:	'	'	'
Net loss	($3,811,119)	($1,744,289)	($58,144,718)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	5,285	5,364	192,646
Stock-based compensation	23,130	41,752	6,161,185
Change in fair value of warrants liability	335,514	45,326	1,416,003
(Increase) decrease in:	'	'	'
Prepaid expenses and deposits	726,149	66,685	-892,181
Increase (decrease) in:	'	'	'
Accounts payable	81,316	-798,478	932,105
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	214,681	134,436	1,459,280
Net cash used in operating activities	-2,425,044	-2,249,204	-48,875,680
Investing Activities:	'	'	'
Capital expenditures	-17,306	-9,433	-181,946
Proceeds (purchase) of short term investments	983,738	-2,702	-16,499,324
Proceeds (purchase) of certificates of deposit	298,615	1,497,445	-3,712,961
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	1,265,047	1,485,310	-20,394,231
Financing Activities:	'	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants, net	'	'	57,210,636
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock, net	'	'	3,895,597
Proceeds from issuance of convertible promissory note	'	'	5,000,000
Proceeds from exercise of warrants	16,504	'	4,116,053
Proceeds from exercise of options	'	'	23,500
Payment of employee withholding tax related to restricted stock units	'	'	-3,410
Net cash provided by financing activities	16,504	'	70,242,376
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-1,143,493	-763,894	972,465
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	2,215,958	1,409,939	100,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1,072,465	646,045	1,072,465
Non-cash investing and financing activity	'	'	'
Non-cash incentive received from lessor	'	'	52,320
Exercise of liability classified warrants for common stock	18,537	'	604,796
Conversion of note for common stock	'	'	$5,000,000

Organization_and_Description_o

Organization and Description of Business	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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 has incurred operating losses in each period from inception through March 31, 2014. The Company has been able to fund its cash needs to date through several public and private offerings of its common stock and warrants, through government grants, and through an investment by a strategic purchaser. See Note 9.
	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. This registration statement (file No. 333-193699) was declared effective by the SEC on March 19, 2014. Subsequent to quarter end, on April 3, 2014, the Company offered for sale 13,023,750 shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering under the 2014 Shelf Registration Statement, raising net proceeds of approximately $26.8 million. See Note 12. While there can be no assurance, based on currently available information, the Company estimates that it has sufficient working capital (excluding the proceeds of its recently completed public offering) to support its operations through the end of 2014.
	The Company may raise 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 such 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 additional funds through collaborative arrangements, it may be necessary to relinquish some rights to the Company’s drug candidates 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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 accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles applicable to a development stage company. The Company’s primary focus is on the development and commercialization of its drug candidates.
		b.	INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for reporting of interim financial information. Pursuant to such rules and regulations, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. have been condensed or omitted.
	In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim financial statements of the Company contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of the dates and for the periods presented. Accordingly, these statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in the 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the Company with the SEC. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period or for the full 2014 fiscal year.
		c.	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.
		d.	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 money market funds. The Company has substantially all of its cash and cash equivalents deposited with one financial institution.
		e.	CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT. The certificates of deposit are issued by a banking institution and are recorded at cost plus accrued interest. The original maturity is greater than three months but does not exceed one year. Interest income is recorded in the statement of operations as it is earned. Carrying value at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 approximates fair value.
		f.	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 March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 short-term investments consisted of money market funds and a short-term bond fund. Such investments are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Short-term investments at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 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 recognizes realized gains and losses and unrealized gains and losses to earnings. Realized and unrealized gains(losses) for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were nominal.
		g.	PREPAID EXPENSES. Prepaid expenses consist primarily of prepaid research fees, prepaid insurance and prepaid subscription fees. Prepaid research fees consists of advances for the Company’s product development activities, including drug manufacturing, contracts for pre-clinical studies, clinical trials, regulatory affairs and consulting. Such advances are recorded as expense as the related goods are received or the related services are performed.
		h.	FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS. The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, certificates of deposit, short-term investments, accounts payables, accrued expenses and other liabilities, and warrants liability. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the fair value of these instruments approximated their carrying value.
		i.	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 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 is 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
			March 31,		Active Markets		Other		Unobservable
			2014		for Identical		Observable		Inputs
					Assets/Liabilities		Inputs		(Level 3)
					(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Money market funds		$	7,831	$	7,831	$	—	$	—
	Certificates of deposit		$	3,712,961	$	—	$	3,712,961	$	—
	Short-term investments		$	16,499,324	$	16,499,324	$	—	$	—
	Warrants liability		$	2,136,539	$	—	$	—	$	2,136,539
			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
		j.	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 Company’s 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 March 31, 2014, 1,242,174 of the 2011 warrants remained outstanding.
		k.	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION. The Company recognizes expense in the statement of operations for the fair value of all share-based payments to employees, directors, consultants and scientific advisors, 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 the 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.
	As of March 31, 2014, there were outstanding stock options to purchase 3,426,906 shares of common stock, of which stock options to purchase 3,086,905 shares of common stock were exercisable as of March 31, 2014.
	For the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense as follows:
			Three months ended March 31,
			2014		2013
	Research and development		$	11,873	$	18,763
	General and administrative			11,257		22,989
	Total stock-based compensation		$	23,130	$	41,752
		l.	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. For all periods presented, the Company’s net loss equals comprehensive loss, since the Company has no items which are considered other comprehensive income (loss).
		m.	NET LOSS PER SHARE. Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The calculation of basic and diluted net loss per share is the same for all periods presented, as the effect of potential common stock equivalents is anti-dilutive due to the Company’s net loss position for all periods presented. 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:
			March 31,
			2014		2013
	Options to purchase common stock			3,426,906		3,656,535
	Warrants to purchase common stock			4,835,924		8,710,870
	Potential equivalent common stock excluded			8,262,830		12,367,405
	Potentially dilutive options to purchase common stock as of March 31, 2014 and 2013 have exercise prices ranging from $0.47 to $6.00. Potentially dilutive warrants to purchase common stock as of March 31, 2014 and 2013 have exercise prices ranging from $1.04 to $2.08.
		n.	RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS. There are no recent accounting pronouncements which we anticipate will have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Warrants_Liability_at_Fair_Val

Warrants Liability, at Fair Value	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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 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 Model with the following assumptions:
			March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Risk free interest rate			0.94	%		0.94	%
	Expected term			3.09 years			3.34 years
	Expected volatility			111	%		108	%
	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 three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
			Three months ended March 31,
			2014			2013
	Fair value, beginning of period		$	1,819,562		$	498,587
	Issuance of warrants			—			—
	Exercise of warrants			(18,537	)		—
	Change in fair value			335,514			45,326
	Fair value, end of period		$	2,136,539		$	543,913
	During the three month period ended March 31, 2014, 12,696 of the 2011 warrants were exercised, with proceeds to the Company of $16,504. 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.

Prepaid_Expenses

Prepaid Expenses	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Prepaid Expenses	'
	4	Prepaid Expenses.
	Prepaid expenses consist of the following:
			March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Prepaid research fees		$	534,139	$	1,334,149
	Prepaid insurance			170,617		219,651
	Prepaid subscription fees			46,145		24,643
	Prepaid offering costs			66,880		—
	Prepaid rent			6,686		7,848
	Other			58,826		23,151
	Total prepaid expenses		$	883,293	$	1,609,442

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment	'
	5	Property and Equipment.
	Property and equipment, net consists of the following:
			March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Computer equipment		$	81,551		$	81,551
	Furniture and equipment			63,001			51,523
				144,552			133,074
	Less: Accumulated depreciation			(91,903	)		(92,446	)
	Total property and equipment, net		$	52,649		$	40,628
	Depreciation expense was $5,285 and $5,364, respectively, for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. The Company has executed a noncancellable operating lease agreement for its corporate offices. During February 2014, the Company entered into the second amendment of the lease for an additional contiguous space under substantially the same terms.

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Lia

Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities	'
	6	Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities.
	Accrued expenses and other liabilities consist of the following:
			March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Accrued pre-clinical and clinical trial expenses		$	1,139,264	$	1,083,749
	Accrued professional fees			224,285		117,240
	Accrued compensation and benefits			54,671		14,539
	Accrued license fees			78,750		65,000
	Deferred rent			3,254		2,746
	Other			4,397		5,546
	Current accrued expenses and other liabilities			1,504,621		1,288,820
	Deferred rent- non-current			18,011		19,131
	Non-current accrued expenses and other liabilities			18,011		19,131
	Total accrued expenses and other liabilities		$	1,522,632	$	1,307,951

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	7	Commitments and Contingencies.
		a.	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 March 31, 2014, the Company has paid $246,590 in connection with the license and has accrued license fees of $78,750 in the accompanying March 31, 2014 condensed balance sheet 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 of CPP-115 or August 27, 2015.
		b.	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 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.
		c.	LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH BIOMARIN. On October 26, 2012, the Company entered into a strategic collaboration with BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc. (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 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 Trial during such 24 month period). As of March 31, 2014, the Company had disbursed more than $5 million in connection with expenses related to the Phase 3 Trial.
	As part of the License Agreement, the Company has agreed: (i) to 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. Subsequent to quarter-end, during April 2014 the Company entered into an amendment to the BioMarin license. See Note 12.
		d.	AGREEMENTS FOR DRUG DEVELOPMENT, PRE-CLINICAL AND CLINICAL STUDIES. 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 (CRO) 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.
	Securities Class Action Lawsuit
	In October 2013 and November 2013, three securities class action lawsuit 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). These 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 on 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 purchase the Company’s common stock between August 27, 2013 and October 18, 2013. In February 2014, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint, which was granted in part and denied in part by the Court. We are vigorously defending 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 March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 balance sheets.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	8	Income Taxes.
	The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states 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 any 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.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	9	Stockholders’ Equity.
	2014 Shelf Registration Statement
	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 registration statement (file No. 333-193699) was declared effective by the SEC on March 19, 2014. Subsequent to quarter end, on April 3, 2014 the Company conducted a public offering under the 2014 Shelf Registration Statement. See Note 12.
	Following the April 2014 offering, there is approximately $71.2 million available for future sale under the 2014 Shelf Registration Statement. If the Company’s public float (the market value of its common stock held by non-affiliate stockholders) falls below $75 million, the Company will be subject to a further limitation under which it can sell no more than one-third (1/3) of its public float during any 12-month period. Further, the number of shares that the Company can sell at any one time may be limited under certain circumstances to 20% of the outstanding common stock under applicable NASDAQ marketplace rules.
	Warrant Exercises
	During the three month period ended March 31, 2014, the Company issued an aggregate of 12,696 shares of its authorized but unissued common stock upon the exercise of previously issued common stock purchase warrants, raising gross proceeds of $16,504.

Stock_Compensation

Stock Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock Compensation	'
	10	Stock Compensation.
	Stock Options
	During the three month period ended March 31, 2014, the Company granted five-year options to purchase an aggregate of 25,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to a consultant. During the three month period ended March 31, 2013, the Company granted five-year options to purchase an aggregate of 75,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to certain employees. The Company recorded stock-based compensation related to stock options totaling $23,130 and $41,752, respectively, during the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. During the three month period ended March 31, 2014, 25,000 options vested. No options vested during the three month period ended March 31, 2013.
	As of March 31, 2014, there was approximately $134,000 of unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock compensation awards granted under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.35 years.
	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 submitted the 2014 Plan to its stockholders for approval at the Company’s 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	11	Related Party Transactions.
	The Company has consulting arrangements with its Chief Medical Officer, its Chief Commercial Officer and with several members of its Scientific Advisory Board. During both the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company paid approximately $2,500 in consulting fees to related parties.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	12	Subsequent Events.
	Subsequent to quarter end, on April 3, 2014, the Company filed a prospectus supplement and offered for sale 13,023,750 shares of its common stock at a price of $2.21 per share in an underwritten public offering. The Company received gross proceeds in the public offering of approximately $28.8 million before underwriting commission and incurred expenses of approximately $2 million.
	In addition, subsequent to quarter end, on April 15, 2014, effective as of April 8, 2014, the Company and BioMarin entered into Amendment No. 1 to the License Agreement, amending in certain respects the License Agreement, dated October 26, 2012, between the Company and BioMarin.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign1

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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 accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles applicable to a development stage company. The Company’s primary focus is on the development and commercialization of its drug candidates.
INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	'
	b.	INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for reporting of interim financial information. Pursuant to such rules and regulations, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. have been condensed or omitted.
	In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim financial statements of the Company contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of the dates and for the periods presented. Accordingly, these statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in the 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the Company with the SEC. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period or for the full 2014 fiscal year.
USE OF ESTIMATES	'
	c.
	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	'
	d.
	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 money market funds. The Company has substantially all of its cash and cash equivalents deposited with one financial institution.
CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT	'
	e.
	CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT. The certificates of deposit are issued by a banking institution and are recorded at cost plus accrued interest. The original maturity is greater than three months but does not exceed one year. Interest income is recorded in the statement of operations as it is earned. Carrying value at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 approximates fair value.
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS	'
	f.	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 March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 short-term investments consisted of money market funds and a short-term bond fund. Such investments are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Short-term investments at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 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 recognizes realized gains and losses and unrealized gains and losses to earnings. Realized and unrealized gains(losses) for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were nominal.
PREPAID EXPENSES	'
	g.
	PREPAID EXPENSES. Prepaid expenses consist primarily of prepaid research fees, prepaid insurance and prepaid subscription fees. Prepaid research fees consists of advances for the Company’s product development activities, including drug manufacturing, contracts for pre-clinical studies, clinical trials, regulatory affairs and consulting. Such advances are recorded as expense as the related goods are received or the related services are performed.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	'
	h.
	FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS. The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, certificates of deposit, short-term investments, accounts payables, accrued expenses and other liabilities, and warrants liability. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the fair value of these instruments approximated their carrying value.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	'
		i.	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 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 is 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
			March 31,		Active Markets		Other		Unobservable
			2014		for Identical		Observable		Inputs
					Assets/Liabilities		Inputs		(Level 3)
					(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Money market funds		$	7,831	$	7,831	$	—	$	—
	Certificates of deposit		$	3,712,961	$	—	$	3,712,961	$	—
	Short-term investments		$	16,499,324	$	16,499,324	$	—	$	—
	Warrants liability		$	2,136,539	$	—	$	—	$	2,136,539
			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
WARRANTS LIABILITY	'
		j.	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 Company’s 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 March 31, 2014, 1,242,174 of the 2011 warrants remained outstanding.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	'
		k.	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION. The Company recognizes expense in the statement of operations for the fair value of all share-based payments to employees, directors, consultants and scientific advisors, 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 the 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.
	As of March 31, 2014, there were outstanding stock options to purchase 3,426,906 shares of common stock, of which stock options to purchase 3,086,905 shares of common stock were exercisable as of March 31, 2014.
	For the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense as follows:
			Three months ended March 31,
			2014		2013
	Research and development		$	11,873	$	18,763
	General and administrative			11,257		22,989
	Total stock-based compensation		$	23,130	$	41,752
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	'
	l.
	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. For all periods presented, the Company’s net loss equals comprehensive loss, since the Company has no items which are considered other comprehensive income (loss).
NET LOSS PER SHARE	'
		m.	NET LOSS PER SHARE. Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The calculation of basic and diluted net loss per share is the same for all periods presented, as the effect of potential common stock equivalents is anti-dilutive due to the Company’s net loss position for all periods presented. 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:
			March 31,
			2014		2013
	Options to purchase common stock			3,426,906		3,656,535
	Warrants to purchase common stock			4,835,924		8,710,870
	Potential equivalent common stock excluded			8,262,830		12,367,405
	Potentially dilutive options to purchase common stock as of March 31, 2014 and 2013 have exercise prices ranging from $0.47 to $6.00. Potentially dilutive warrants to purchase common stock as of March 31, 2014 and 2013 have exercise prices ranging from $1.04 to $2.08.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	'
	n.
	RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS. There are no recent accounting pronouncements which we anticipate will have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign2

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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
			March 31,		Active Markets		Other		Unobservable
			2014		for Identical		Observable		Inputs
					Assets/Liabilities		Inputs		(Level 3)
					(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Money market funds		$	7,831	$	7,831	$	—	$	—
	Certificates of deposit		$	3,712,961	$	—	$	3,712,961	$	—
	Short-term investments		$	16,499,324	$	16,499,324	$	—	$	—
	Warrants liability		$	2,136,539	$	—	$	—	$	2,136,539
			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
Stock-Based Compensation Expense	'
	For the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense as follows:
			Three months ended March 31,
			2014		2013
	Research and development		$	11,873	$	18,763
	General and administrative			11,257		22,989
	Total stock-based compensation		$	23,130	$	41,752
Potential Shares Excluded from Determination of Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share	'
		m.	NET LOSS PER SHARE. Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The calculation of basic and diluted net loss per share is the same for all periods presented, as the effect of potential common stock equivalents is anti-dilutive due to the Company’s net loss position for all periods presented. 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:
			March 31,
			2014		2013
	Options to purchase common stock			3,426,906		3,656,535
	Warrants to purchase common stock			4,835,924		8,710,870
	Potential equivalent common stock excluded			8,262,830		12,367,405

Warrants_Liability_at_Fair_Val1

Warrants Liability, at Fair Value (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Summary of Company's Warrants Liability Activity	'
	The following table rolls forward the fair value of the Company’s warrants liability activity for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Fair value, beginning of period	$	1,819,562		$	498,587
	Issuance of warrants		—			—
	Exercise of warrants		(18,537	)		—
	Change in fair value		335,514			45,326
	Fair value, end of period	$	2,136,539		$	543,913
Warrant [Member]	'
Summary of Assumptions Used in Black-Scholes Model to Calculate Fair Value of Warrants Liability	'
	The calculated value of the 2011 warrants liability was determined using the Black-Scholes Model with the following assumptions:
		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Risk free interest rate		0.94	%		0.94	%
	Expected term		3.09 years			3.34 years
	Expected volatility		111	%		108	%
	Expected dividend yield		0	%		0	%
	Expected forfeiture rate		0	%		0	%

Prepaid_Expenses_Tables

Prepaid Expenses (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Prepaid Expenses	'
	Prepaid expenses consist of the following:
		March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Prepaid research fees	$	534,139	$	1,334,149
	Prepaid insurance		170,617		219,651
	Prepaid subscription fees		46,145		24,643
	Prepaid offering costs		66,880		—
	Prepaid rent		6,686		7,848
	Other		58,826		23,151
	Total prepaid expenses	$	883,293	$	1,609,442

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment Net	'
	Property and equipment, net consists of the following:
		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Computer equipment	$	81,551		$	81,551
	Furniture and equipment		63,001			51,523
			144,552			133,074
	Less: Accumulated depreciation		(91,903	)		(92,446	)
	Total property and equipment, net	$	52,649		$	40,628

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Lia1

Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities	'
	Accrued expenses and other liabilities consist of the following:
		March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Accrued pre-clinical and clinical trial expenses	$	1,139,264	$	1,083,749
	Accrued professional fees		224,285		117,240
	Accrued compensation and benefits		54,671		14,539
	Accrued license fees		78,750		65,000
	Deferred rent		3,254		2,746
	Other		4,397		5,546
	Current accrued expenses and other liabilities		1,504,621		1,288,820
	Deferred rent- non-current		18,011		19,131
	Non-current accrued expenses and other liabilities		18,011		19,131
	Total accrued expenses and other liabilities	$	1,522,632	$	1,307,951

Organization_and_Description_o1

Organization and Description of Business - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 03, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Apr. 03, 2014
	Subsequent Event [Member]	2014 Shelf Registration Statement [Member]	2014 Shelf Registration Statement [Member]	2014 Shelf Registration Statement [Member]
	Underwritten Public Offering [Member]			Subsequent Event [Member]
				Underwritten Public Offering [Member]
Organization And Description Of Business [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Maximum common stock to be issued under shelf registration statement	'	'	$100	'
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	'	'	'	$26.80
Date of public offering	'	3-Apr-14	'	3-Apr-14
Number of common stock sold in offering	13,023,750	'	'	13,023,750

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign3

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
			October 28, 2011 Warrants [Member]	October 28, 2011 Warrants [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]	Maximum [Member]
			2010 Shelf Registration Statement [Member]	2010 Shelf Registration Statement [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	'	'	'	'	'3 months	'	'1 year	'
Number of warrants sold in offering	'	'	1,523,370	'	'	'	'	'
Warrants outstanding	'	'	'	1,242,174	'	'	'	'
Method used for fair value assumption	'	'	'	'Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model	'	'	'	'
Minimum amortization period of compensation cost on straight line basis	'3 years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Maximum amortization period of compensation cost on straight line basis	'5 years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of options outstanding	3,426,906	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of options exercisable	3,086,905	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock option exercise price range, Minimum	$0.47	$0.47	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock option exercise price range, Maximum	$6	$6	'	'	'	'	'	'
Potentially dilutive warrants to purchase common stock	'	'	'	'	1.04	1.04	2.08	2.08

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign4

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Fair Value Measurement Specific to Assets or Liability (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Money market funds	$7,831	$25,693
Certificates of deposit	3,712,961	4,011,576
Short-term investments	16,499,324	17,483,062
Warrants liability	2,136,539	1,819,562
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	7,831	25,693
Certificates of deposit	'	'
Short-term investments	16,499,324	17,483,062
Warrants liability	'	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Money market funds	'	'
Certificates of deposit	3,712,961	4,011,576
Short-term investments	'	'
Warrants liability	'	'
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Money market funds	'	'
Certificates of deposit	'	'
Short-term investments	'	'
Warrants liability	$2,136,539	$1,819,562

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign5

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		147 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation	$23,130	$41,752	$6,161,185
Research and Development [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation	11,873	18,763	'
General and Administrative [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation	$11,257	$22,989	'

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)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Potential equivalent common stock excluded	8,262,830	12,367,405
Options to Purchase Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Potential equivalent common stock excluded	3,426,906	3,656,535
Warrants to Purchase Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Potential equivalent common stock excluded	4,835,924	8,710,870

Warrants_Liability_at_Fair_Val2

Warrants Liability, at Fair Value - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		147 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2014
				October 28, 2011 Warrants [Member]	October 28, 2011 Warrants [Member]
				Warrant Liability [Member]	Warrant Liability [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Recognition of warrants fair value at date of issuance	'	'	'	$1,300,000	'
Number of warrants exercised during the period	'	'	'	'	12,696
Proceeds from exercise of warrants	$16,504	'	$4,116,053	'	$16,504

Warrants_Liability_at_Fair_Val3

Warrants Liability, at Fair Value - Calculated Value of Warrants Liability Determined Using Black-Scholes Model (Detail) (Warrant [Member])	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Warrant [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Risk free interest rate	0.94%	0.94%
Expected term	'3 years 1 month 2 days	'3 years 4 months 2 days
Expected volatility	111.00%	108.00%
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 $)	3 Months Ended		147 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value, beginning of period	$1,819,562	$498,587	'
Issuance of warrants	'	'	'
Exercise of warrants	-18,537	'	'
Change in fair value	335,514	45,326	1,416,003
Fair value, end of period	$2,136,539	$543,913	$2,136,539

Prepaid_Expenses_Prepaid_Expen

Prepaid Expenses - Prepaid Expenses (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Prepaid research fees	$534,139	$1,334,149
Prepaid insurance	170,617	219,651
Prepaid subscription fees	46,145	24,643
Prepaid offering costs	66,880	'
Prepaid rent	6,686	7,848
Other	58,826	23,151
Total prepaid expenses	$883,293	$1,609,442

Property_and_Equipment_Propert

Property and Equipment - Property and Equipment Net (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$144,552	$133,074
Less: Accumulated depreciation	-91,903	-92,446
Total property and equipment, net	52,649	40,628
Computer Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	81,551	81,551
Furniture and Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$63,001	$51,523

Property_and_Equipment_Additio

Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		147 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Depreciation expenses	$5,285	$5,364	$192,646

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Lia2

Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities - Schedule of Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Accrued pre-clinical and clinical trial expenses	$1,139,264	$1,083,749
Accrued professional fees	224,285	117,240
Accrued compensation and benefits	54,671	14,539
Accrued license fees	78,750	65,000
Deferred rent	3,254	2,746
Other	4,397	5,546
Current accrued expenses and other liabilities	1,504,621	1,288,820
Deferred rent- non-current	18,011	19,131
Non-current accrued expenses and other liabilities	18,011	19,131
Total accrued expenses and other liabilities	$1,522,632	$1,307,951

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 10, 2012	Oct. 26, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014
	Lawsuits	Lawsuits	Lawsuits		Northwestern License Agreement [Member]	License Agreement with BioMarin [Member]	License Agreement with BioMarin [Member]	License Agreement with BioMarin [Member]	License Agreement with BioMarin [Member]
									Minimum [Member]
Commitments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
License fee paid	'	'	'	'	$246,590	'	'	'	'
Accrued license fees	'	'	78,750	65,000	78,750	'	'	'	'
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 3 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	'	'	'
Costs paid in connection with Firdapse Phase 3 trial	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,000,000
Milestone payment due upon NDA acceptance	'	'	'	'	'	2,600,000	'	'	'
Milestone payment due upon NDA approval	'	'	'	'	'	7,200,000	'	'	'
Number of lawsuits filed	3	3	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of lawsuits dismissed	'	'	2	'	'	'	'	'	'
Date of dismissal of lawsuits	'	'	3-Jan-14	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of days granted to plaintiffs to file an amended complaint	'	'	'20 days	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accrued contingent liability	'	'	$0	$0	'	'	'	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		147 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
				2014 Shelf Registration Statement [Member]	2014 Shelf Registration Statement [Member]
Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Maximum common stock to be issued under shelf registration statement	'	'	'	$100,000,000	'
Date of public offering	'	'	'	'	3-Apr-14
Maximum percentage of outstanding shares that company can sell under shelf registration statement	'	'	'	20.00%	'
Common stock available for future sale	'	'	'	71,200,000	'
Value of public float below which agreed limitation arise	'	'	'	75,000,000	'
Issuance of common stock for warrant exercises	12,696	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from exercise of warrants	$16,504	'	$4,116,053	'	'

Stock_Compensation_Additional_

Stock Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		147 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	$23,130	$41,752	$6,161,185
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock option granted, contractual term	'5 years	'5 years	'
Stock options granted during the period	25,000	75,000	'
Stock-based compensation	23,130	41,752	'
Stock option vested during the period	25,000	0	'
Unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock option awards granted under the Plan	$134,000	'	$134,000
Expected remaining weighted average vesting period	'1 year 4 months 6 days	'	'

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'	'
Consulting fees to related parties	$2,500	$2,500

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (Subsequent Event [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 03, 2014
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Offering expenses	$2
Underwritten Public Offering [Member]	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Number of common stock sold in offering	13,023,750
Common stock issued, price per share	$2.21
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	$28.80