SELLAS Life Sciences (SLS) 10-K/A 11 Mar 16 2015 FY Annual report (amended) Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 29, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Document Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Galena Biopharma, Inc.
Trading Symbol	GALE
Entity Central Index Key	1,390,478
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K/A
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Public Float			$ 275,097,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		181,746,561

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 29,730	$ 23,650
Restricted cash	401	200
Inventories	0	655
Litigation settlement insurance recovery	21,700	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,398	1,237
Current assets of discontinued operations	392	27,013
Total current assets	53,621	52,100
Equipment and furnishings, net	335	285
GALE-401 rights	9,255	9,255
In-process research and development	12,864	12,864
Goodwill	5,898	5,897
Deposits and other assets	171	87
Total assets	82,144	80,488
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	1,597	1,886
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	5,292	8,885
Litigation settlement payable	25,000	0
Fair value of warrants potentially settleable in cash	14,518	5,383
Current portion of long-term debt	4,739	3,910
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	5,925	7,169
Total current liabilities	57,071	27,233
Deferred tax liability	5,418	5,053
Contingent purchase price consideration	6,142	6,651
Total long-term debt, net	0	4,492
Total liabilities	$ 68,631	$ 43,429
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 275,000,000 shares authorized, 162,581,753 shares issued and 161,906,753 shares outstanding at December 31, 2015; 200,000,000 shares authorized, 130,146,341 shares issued and 129,471,341 shares outstanding at December 31, 2014	$ 15	$ 12
Additional paid-in capital	296,730	256,377
Accumulated deficit	279,383	215,481
Less treasury shares at cost, 675,000 shares	(3,849)	(3,849)
Total stockholders’ equity	13,513	37,059
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 82,144	$ 80,488

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value (usd per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
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 (usd per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized	275,000,000	125,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	162,581,753	110,100,701
Common stock, shares outstanding	161,906,753	109,425,701
Treasury stock, shares	675,000	675,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Costs and expenses:
Research and development	$ 23,611	$ 27,674	$ 20,424
General and administrative	10,609	16,226	8,065
Total operating expenses	34,220	43,900	28,489
Operating loss	(34,220)	(43,900)	(28,489)
Non-operating income (expense):
Litigation settlement	(5,282)	0	0
Gain (loss) on warrant derivative liability	1,162	16,556	(44,001)
Interest expense, net	(760)	(1,110)	(807)
Other income	509	170	3,022
Total non-operating income (expense), net	(4,371)	15,616	(41,786)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(38,591)	(28,284)	(70,275)
Income tax expense	365	0	1,052
Loss from continuing operations	(38,956)	(28,284)	(71,327)
Loss from discontinued operations	(24,946)	(8,322)	(5,351)
Net loss	$ (63,902)	$ (36,606)	$ (76,678)
Net loss per common share:
Basic and diluted per share, continuing operations (usd per share)	$ (0.25)	$ (0.24)	$ (0.79)
Basic and diluted loss per share, discontinued operations (usd per share)	(0.16)	(0.07)	(0.06)
Basic and diluted net loss per share (usd per share)	$ (0.41)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.85)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding: basic and diluted	155,264,729	119,388,366	90,181,501
Comprehensive loss
Net loss	$ (63,902)	$ (36,606)	$ (76,678)
Reclassification of unrealized gain upon sale of marketable securities	0	0	(2,678)
Tax effect of reclassification of unrealized gain upon sale of marketable securities	0	0	1,052
Total comprehensive loss	$ (63,902)	$ (36,606)	$ (78,304)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCK

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	September 2013 Common Stock Offering [Member]	Long-term Debt Financing [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]September 2013 Common Stock Offering [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]Long-term Debt Financing [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012				83,595,837
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 27,756			$ 8	$ 132,168			$ 1,626	$ (102,197)	$ (3,849)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock, shares				20,125,000
Issuance of common stock	37,539			$ 2	37,537
Common stock warrants issued in connection with common stock offering		$ (8,238)	$ 351			$ (8,238)	$ 351
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of warrants, shares				5,320,669
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of warrants	22,064				22,064
Issuance of common stock in settlement of contingent purchase price consideration, shares				492,988
Issuance of common stock in settlement of contingent purchase price consideration	1,247				1,247
Issuance of common stock in connection with employee stock purchase plan, shares				52,532
Issuance of common stock in connection with employee stock purchase plan	163				163
Issuance of common stock in exchange for services, shares				99,998
Issuance of common stock in exchange for services	211				211
Stock based compensation for directors and employees	1,886				1,886
Stock based compensation for services	644				644
Reclassification of unrealized gain upon the sale of marketable securities, net of tax of $1,052	(1,626)							(1,626)
Exercise of stock options, shares				413,677
Exercise of stock options	567				567
Net loss	(76,678)								(76,678)
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013				110,100,701
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 5,886			$ 10	188,600			0	(178,875)	(3,849)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock, shares	1,400,000			6,633,008
Issuance of common stock	$ 10,705			$ 1	10,704
Issuance of common stock under milestone achievement, shares	4,381,215
Issuance of common stock under milestone achievement	$ 9,340
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of warrants, shares				5,467,027
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of warrants	37,742			$ 1	37,741
Issuance of common stock in connection with employee stock purchase plan, shares				114,630
Issuance of common stock in connection with employee stock purchase plan	263				263
Stock based compensation for directors and employees	5,253				5,253
Stock based compensation for services	134				134
Exercise of stock options, shares				3,449,760
Exercise of stock options	4,342				4,342
Net loss	(36,606)								(36,606)
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2014				130,146,341
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 37,059			$ 12	256,377			0	(215,481)	(3,849)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock, shares	1,400,000			32,158,685
Issuance of common stock	$ 47,416			$ 3	47,413
Common stock warrants issued in connection with common stock offering		$ (10,296)				$ (10,296)
Issuance of common stock in connection with employee stock purchase plan, shares	471,869			231,312
Issuance of common stock in connection with employee stock purchase plan	$ 309				309
Stock based compensation for directors and employees	$ 2,896				2,896
Exercise of stock options, shares	39,000			45,415
Exercise of stock options	$ 31				31
Net loss	(63,902)								(63,902)
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2015				162,581,753
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 13,513			$ 15	$ 296,730			$ 0	$ (279,383)	$ (3,849)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOC6

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Tax effect of reclassification of unrealized gain upon sale of marketable securities	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,052

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (38,956)	$ (28,284)	$ (71,327)
Adjustment to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	355	362	286
Gain on sale of marketable securities	0	0	(3,911)
Deferred taxes	365		1,052
Non-cash stock-based compensation	1,931	4,666	2,307
Litigation settlement payable in common stock	1,000	0	0
Fair value of common stock issued in exchange for services	0	0	211
Change in fair value of common stock warrants	(1,161)	(16,556)	44,001
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(509)	(170)	926
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(245)	(1,078)	437
Litigation settlement insurance recovery	(21,700)	0	0
Litigation settlement payable	24,000	0	0
Accounts payable	(289)	(21)	(69)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(3,593)	4,044	2,811
Net cash used in continuing operating activities	(38,802)	(37,037)	(23,276)
Net loss from discontinued operations	(24,946)	(8,322)	(5,351)
Loss on sale of commercial assets	4,549	0	0
Impairment charge from classification of assets held for sale	8,071	0	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities attributable to discontinued operations	2,968	2,490	(302)
Net cash used in discontinued operating activities	(9,358)	(5,832)	(5,653)
Net cash used in operating activities	(48,160)	(42,869)	(28,929)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Change in restricted cash	(201)		(99)
Cash paid for acquisition of GALE-401	0	(2,415)	0
Purchase of short-term investments	0	0	3,911
Cash paid for purchase of equipment and furnishings	(153)	(57)	(320)
Net cash used in continuing investing activities	(354)	(2,472)	3,492
Net proceeds received from sale of commercial assets	11,283	0	0
Cash paid for commercial assets	(534)	(3,056)	(15,532)
Net cash used in discontinued investing activities	10,749	(3,056)	(15,532)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	10,395	(5,528)	(12,040)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	47,416	10,704	37,539
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options	31	4,342	567
Proceeds from exercise of warrants	0	10,717	7,815
Proceeds from common stock issued in connection with ESPP	309	263	163
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	0	9,865
Principal payments on long-term debt	(3,911)	(1,766)	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	43,845	24,260	55,949
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	6,080	(24,137)	14,980
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period	23,650	47,787
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	29,730	23,650	47,787
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash received during the periods for interest	18	15	19
Cash paid during the periods for interest	541	800	547
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Fair value of warrants issued in connection with common stock recorded as cost of equity	10,296		8,238
Reclassification of warrant liabilities upon exercise		27,026	14,249
Common stock issued in settlement of contingent purchase price consideration			1,247
Change in fair value of marketable securities before settlement	0		(2,678)
Issuance of common stock in settlement of GALE-401 milestone	0	6,840	0
Fair value of shares issued to acquire Zuplenz rights	0	2,500	0
Future obligations for Zuplenz rights included in accrued expenses	$ 0	$ 2,716	$ 0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAS8

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash excluding from net assets acquired	$ 168

Business and Basis of Presentat

Business and Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Business and Basis of Presentation	Business and Basis of Presentation Overview Galena Biopharma, Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our,” “Galena” or the “Company”) is a biopharmaceutical company committed to the development and commercialization of targeted oncology therapeutics that address major unmet medical needs. Galena’s development portfolio is focused primarily on addressing the rapidly growing patient populations of cancer survivors by harnessing the power of the immune system to prevent cancer recurrence. The Company’s pipeline consists of multiple mid- to late-stage clinical assets, including novel cancer immunotherapy programs led by NeuVax™ (nelipepimut-S), GALE-301 and GALE-302. NeuVax is currently in a pivotal, Phase 3 breast cancer clinical trial with several concurrent Phase 2 trials ongoing both as a single agent and in combination with other therapies. GALE-301 is in a Phase 2a clinical trial in ovarian and endometrial cancers and in a Phase 1b clinical trial given sequentially with GALE-302. We are seeking to build value for shareholders through pursuit of the following objectives: • Develop novel cancer immunotherapies to address unmet medical needs through the use of peptide-based vaccines targeting well-established tumor antigens. One of our key strategies is to target the adjuvant setting in patients with higher risk of recurrence, who had their primary treatment for cancer and have no evidence of disease, and are more likely to benefit from treatment via immunotherapy. Our immunotherapy programs are currently targeting two key areas: secondary prevention intended to significantly decrease the risk of disease recurrence in breast, gastric, and ovarian cancers; and primary prevention intended to cease or delay ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) from becoming invasive breast cancer. • Expand our development pipeline by enhancing the clinical and geographic footprint of our technologies. We intend to accomplish this through the initiation of new clinical trials and potentially through acquisition of additional oncology programs. • Leverage partnerships and collaborations, as well as investigator-sponsored trial arrangements, to maximize the scope of potential clinical opportunities in a cost effective and efficient manner. • Focus our resources on our valuable and expanding clinical development programs. On November 19, 2015 we sold our Abstral ® (fentanyl) Sublingual Tablets product and related assets and on December 24, 2015 we sold Zuplenz (ondansetron) Oral Soluble Film product and related assets, and as of December 31, 2015, we ceased our commercial operations. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies The accompanying consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Galena pursuant to the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Unless the context otherwise indicates, references in these notes to the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer (i) to Galena, our wholly owned subsidiary, Apthera, Inc., or “Apthera,” and our wholly owned subsidiary, Mills Pharmaceuticals, Inc. or "Mills." Discontinued Operations - As described in Note 17, during the quarter ended September 30, 2015 the Company met the relevant criteria for reporting the commercial operations as held for sale and in discontinued operations, pursuant to FASB Topic 205-20, Presentation of Financial Statements - Discontinued Operations, and FASB Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment. The Company generally considers assets to be held for sale when (i) the transaction has been approved by the board of directors or management vested with authority to approve the transaction, (ii) the assets are available for immediate sale in their present condition, (iii) the company has initiated an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the assets, (iv) consummation of the transaction is probable, (v) the assets are being actively marketing for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to the current fair value, and (vi) the transaction is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale, within one year. Following the classification of property and equipment for sale, the Company discontinues depreciating the asset and writes down the asset to the lower of the carrying value or fair market value, if needed. During the quarter ended December 31, 2015, the Company completed the sale of the commercial products and the related assets. Uses of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements — The preparation of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Principles of Consolidation — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Galena and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. Reclassifications — Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net loss per share. Cash and Cash Equivalents — The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with an original maturity of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist primarily of amounts invested in money market accounts and demand deposits. Restricted Cash — Restricted cash consists of certificates of deposit on hand with the Company’s financial institutions as collateral for its corporate credit cards. Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and capital leases approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature and market rates of interest. Accounts Receivable - The Company maintains credit limits for all customers based upon several factors, including but not limited to financial condition and stability, payment history, published credit reports and use of credit references. Management performs analysis to evaluate accounts receivables to ensure recorded amounts reflect estimated net realizable value. Accounts receivable are classified as current assets held for sale as detailed in Note 17. Inventories — Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value and are determined using the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method. Inventories consist of Abstral work-in-process and finished goods. The Company had entered into manufacturing and supply agreements for the manufacture and packing of Abstral finished goods. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had inventories of $655,000 , consisting of $455,000 of work-in-process and $200,000 of finished goods. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had no inventory on hand with the sale of our commercial assets in the fourth quarter of 2015. Inventories are classified as current assets of discontinued operations as detailed in Note 17. Equipment and Furnishings — Equipment and furnishings are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives (generally three to five years for equipment and furniture) of the related assets. Goodwill and Intangible Assets — Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized but are tested annually for impairment at the reporting unit level, or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. Factors the company considers important that could trigger an interim review for impairment include, but are not limited to, the following: • Significant changes in the manner of its use of acquired assets or the strategy for its overall business; • Significant negative industry or economic trends; • Significant decline in stock price for a sustained period; and • Significant decline in market capitalization relative to net book value. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are evaluated for impairment first by a qualitative assessment to determine the likelihood of impairment. If it is determined that impairment is more likely than not, the Company will then proceed to the two step impairment test. The first step is to compare the fair value of the reporting unit to the carrying amount of the reporting unit (the “First Step”). If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, a second step must be followed to calculate impairment (the “Second Step”). Otherwise, if the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying amount, the goodwill is not considered to be impaired as of the measurement date. In its review of the carrying value of the goodwill for its single reporting unit and its indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company determines fair values of its goodwill using the market approach, and its indefinite-lived intangible assets using the income approach. Intangible assets not considered indefinite-lived are reviewed for impairment when facts or circumstances suggest that the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. The Company’s policy is to identify and record impairment losses, if necessary, on intangible product rights when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amounts of those assets. The company performed its review for impairment using the qualitative assessment for both goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, and has determined that there has been no impairment to these assets as of December 31, 2015. Assets and Liabilities of Discontinued Operations (Held for Sale) - Contingent Purchase Price Consideration — Contingent consideration is recorded at the estimated fair value as of the acquisition date. The fair value of the contingent consideration is remeasured at each reporting period with any adjustments in fair value included in our consolidated statement of comprehensive loss. Revenue Recognition - The Company recognized revenue from the sale of Abstral. Revenue is recognized when (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery has occurred and title has passed, (iii) the price is fixed or determinable and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. We sold Abstral product in the United States to wholesale pharmaceutical distributors and retail pharmacies, or collectively, our "customers," subject to rights of return. During the year ended December 31, 2013, we began recognizing Abstral product sales at the time title transfers to our customer, and providing for an estimate of future product returns. Revenue from product sales is recorded net of provisions for estimated returns, prompt pay discounts, wholesaler discounts, rebates, chargebacks, patient assistance program rebates and other deductions as needed. Net revenue is included in discontinued operations as detailed in Note 17. Returns - The Company estimates future returns based on historical return information, as well as information regarding prescription information and sell-through trends, in relation to the estimated amount of product in the sales channels and product expiration dates. The allowance for returns is recorded as a reduction to revenue in the period in which the revenue is recognized, with a corresponding allowance against accounts receivable. Product Sales Discounts and Allowances - The Company recognizes revenue at the point of sale to its wholesale pharmaceutical distributors and retail pharmacies and the allowances for product returns, rebates and allowances are recognized at the point of sale. The Company is required to make significant judgments and estimates in determining some of these allowances. If actual results differ from its estimates, the Company will be required to make adjustments to these allowances in the future. Prompt Pay Discounts - As an incentive for prompt payment, the Company offers a cash discount to customers, generally 2% of gross sales. The Company expects that all customers will comply with the contractual terms to earn the discount. The Company records the discount as an allowance against accounts receivable and a reduction of revenue. Wholesaler Discounts - The Company offers discounts to certain wholesalers and distributors based on contractually determined rates. The Company accrues the discount as a reduction of receivables due from the wholesalers upon shipment to the respective wholesale distributors and retail pharmacies and recognizes the discount as a reduction of revenue in the same period the related revenue is recognized. Rebates - The Company participates in certain rebate programs, which provide discounted prescriptions to members of group purchasing organizations and specialty pharmacies. Under these rebate programs, the Company pays a rebate to the third-party administrator of the program, generally two to three months after the quarter in which prescriptions subject to the rebate are filled. The Company estimates and accrues these rebates based on current contract prices, historical and estimated future percentages of product sold to qualifying member pharmacies and estimated levels of inventory in the distribution channel. Rebates are recognized as a reduction in the period that the related revenue is recognized. Chargebacks - The Company provides discounts primarily to authorized users of the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) of the General Services Administration under an FSS contract negotiated by the Department of Veterans Affairs and various organizations under Medicaid or Medicare contracts and regulations. These entities purchase products from the wholesale distributors at a discounted price, and the wholesale distributors then charge back to the Company the difference between the current retail price and the price the entity paid for the product. The Company estimates and accrues chargebacks based on estimated wholesaler inventory levels, current contract prices and historic chargeback activity. Chargebacks are recognized as a reduction of revenue in the period the related revenue is recognized. Patient Assistance Programs - The Company offers discount card programs to patients for Abstral in which patients receive discounts on their Abstral prescriptions that are reimbursed by the company. The Company estimates the total amount that will be recognized based on a percentage of actual redemption applied to inventory in the distribution and retail channel and recognizes the discount as a reduction of revenue and as an other current liability in the same period the related revenue is recognized. Acquisitions and In-Licensing — For all in-licensed products and technologies, we perform an analysis to determine whether we hold a variable interest or a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. On the basis of our interpretations and conclusions, we determine whether the acquisition falls under the purview of variable interest entity accounting and if so, consider the necessity to consolidate the acquisition. As of December 31, 2015, we determined there were no variable interest entities required to be consolidated. We also perform an analysis to determine if the assets and liabilities acquired in an acquisition qualify as a "business." The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired can only be recognized as goodwill in a business combination. The acquisition of the Abstral U.S. rights has been accounted for as an asset acquisition and not a business combination. The purchase price, including transaction costs, was recorded as an intangible asset related to the license and distribution rights acquired in the transaction. No other significant assets or liabilities were acquired or assumed in the transaction. The license and distribution rights will be amortized over ten years in a pattern based on our Abstral sales projections. The acquisition of the Zuplenz U.S. rights has been accounted for as a business combination. Refer to Note 14 for further information regarding the acquisition of Abstral U.S. rights and Zuplenz U.S. rights. Patents and Patent Application Costs — Although the Company believes that its patents and underlying technology have continuing value, the amount of future benefits to be derived from the patents is uncertain. Patent costs are, therefore, expensed as incurred. Legal Fees and Insurance Recoveries — There can be a significant time lag between the time that legal fees are incurred and the insurance reimbursement available to offset the related costs. The legal costs are recorded in the period they are incurred, and the insurance recoveries for those costs are recorded in the period when the insurance reimbursement is deemed probable. Share-based Compensation — The Company follows the provisions of the FASB ASC Topic 718, “ Compensation — Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”), which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all stock-based payment awards made to employees, non-employee directors, and consultants, including stock options and warrants. Stock compensation expense based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718 is recognized as an expense over the requisite service period. For stock options and warrants granted as consideration for services rendered by non-employees, the Company recognizes compensation expense in accordance with the requirements of FASB ASC Topic 505-50 (“ASC 505-50”), “ Equity Based Payments to Non- Employees .” Non-employee option and warrant grants that do not vest immediately upon grant are recorded as an expense over the vesting period. At the end of each financial reporting period prior to vesting, the value of these options and warrants, as calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, will be re-measured using the fair value of the company’s common stock and the non-cash compensation recognized during the period will be adjusted accordingly. Since the fair market value of options and warrants granted to non-employees is subject to change in the future, the amount of the future compensation expense will include fair value re-measurements until the stock options are fully vested. Research and Development Expenses — Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Included in research and development costs are wages, benefits and other operating costs, facilities, supplies, external services and overhead related to our research and development departments, and clinical trial expenses. Clinical trial expenses include direct costs associated with contract research organizations ("CROs"), as well as patient-related costs at sites at which our trials are being conducted. Direct costs associated with our CROs are generally payable on a time and materials basis, or when certain enrollment and monitoring milestones are achieved. Expense related to a milestone is recognized in the period in which the milestone is achieved or in which we determine that it is more likely than not that it will be achieved. The invoicing from clinical trial sites can lag several months. We accrue these site costs based on our estimate of upfront set-up costs upon the screening of the first patient at each site, and the patient related costs based on our knowledge of patient enrollment status at each site. Income Taxes — The Company recognizes liabilities or assets for the deferred tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets or liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements in accordance with FASB ASC 740-10, “ Accounting for Income Taxes” (“ASC 740-10”). These temporary differences will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years when the reported amounts of the assets or liabilities are recovered or settled. ASC 740-10 requires that a valuation allowance be established when management determines that it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred asset will not be realized. The Company evaluates the realizability of its net deferred income tax assets and valuation allowances as necessary, at least on an annual basis. During this evaluation, the company reviews its forecasts of income in conjunction with other positive and negative evidence surrounding the realizability of its deferred income tax assets to determine if a valuation allowance is required. Adjustments to the valuation allowance will increase or decrease the company’s income tax provision or benefit. The recognition and measurement of benefits related to the company’s tax positions requires significant judgment, as uncertainties often exist with respect to new laws, new interpretations of existing laws, and rulings by taxing authorities. Differences between actual results and the company’s assumptions or changes in the company’s assumptions in future periods are recorded in the period they become known. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2013, we recognized income tax of $365,000 and $1,052,000 , respectively. There was no income tax expense or benefit for the year ended December 31, 2014. We continue to maintain a full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets. Concentrations of Credit Risk — Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash balances in several accounts with two banks, which at times are in excess of federally insured limits. As of December 31, 2015 , the company’s cash equivalents were invested in money market mutual funds. The Company’s investment policy does not allow investment in any debt securities rated less than “investment grade” by national ratings services. The Company has not experienced any losses on its deposits of cash and cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2015 , we had approximately $30,432,000 in interest-bearing accounts above federally insured limits. Comprehensive Loss — Comprehensive loss consists of our net loss and other comprehensive income related to the unrealized gain (loss), net of tax, on our marketable securities, which were classified as available-for-sale.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pro

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers : Topic 606, or ASU 2014-09. ASU 2014-09 establishes the principles for recognizing revenue and develops a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP. The standard outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. In applying the new revenue recognition model to contracts with customers, an entity: (1) identifies the contract(s) with a customer; (2) identifies the performance obligations in the contract(s); (3) determines the transaction price; (4) allocates the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract(s); and (5) recognizes revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The accounting standards update applies to all contracts with customers except those that are within the scope of other topics in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The accounting standards update also requires significantly expanded quantitative and qualitative disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2016, which is effective for the Company for the year ending December 31, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the implementation of ASU 2014-09 will have on the Company’s financial statements. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern , or ASU 2014-15. ASU 2014-15 will explicitly require management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, and to provide related footnote disclosure in certain circumstances. The new standard will be effective for all entities in the first annual period ending after December 15, 2016. Earlier adoption is permitted. The Company is not early adopting ASU 2014-15. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the implementation of ASU 2014-15 will have on the Company’s financial statements, and the actual impact will be dependent upon the Company’s liquidity and the nature or significance of future events or conditions that exist upon adopting the updated standard. In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items , or ASU 2015-01. ASU 2015-01 eliminates from GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. ASU 2015-01 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect that the adoption of ASU 2015-01 will have a material impact on its financial statements. In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes or ASU 2015-17. ASU 2015-17 requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. Previous guidance required deferred tax liabilities and assets to be separated into current and noncurrent amounts on the balance sheet. The guidance will become effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2017 and may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. At the time of adoption, we will reclassify current deferred tax amounts on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as noncurrent. We are evaluating the impact of the method of adoption of this standard on our Consolidated Financial Statements. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10) or ASU 2016-01, which updates certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 will be effective for the Company beginning in its first quarter of 2019 and early adoption is not permitted. The Company does not believe the adoption of the new financial instruments standard will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements The Company follows ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” (“ASC 820”) for the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair value at each reporting period, and are re-measured and reported at fair value at least annually using a fair value hierarchy that is broken down into three levels. Level inputs are defined as follows: Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 — other significant observable inputs for the assets or liabilities through corroboration with market data at the measurement date. Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs that reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use to price the assets or liabilities at the measurement date. The Company categorized its cash equivalents and marketable securities as Level 1 inputs. The valuations for Level 1 were determined based on a “market approach” using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Valuation of these assets does not require a significant degree of judgment. The Company categorized its warrants potentially settleable in cash as Level 2 inputs. The warrants are measured at market value on a recurring basis and are being marked to market each quarter-end until they are completely settled. The warrants are valued using an appropriate pricing model, using assumptions consistent with our application of ASC 718. The contingent purchase price consideration is categorized as Level 3 inputs and is measured at its estimated fair value on a recurring basis and is adjusted at each quarter-end until it is completely settled. The contingent price consideration is valued based on the expected timing of milestones, the expected probability of success for each milestone and discount rates based on a corporate debt interest rate index publicly issued. The following tables present information about our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the condensed consolidated balance sheets (in thousands): December 31, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Cash equivalents $ 29,171 $ 29,171 $ — $ — Total assets measured and recorded at fair value $ 29,171 $ 29,171 $ — $ — Liabilities: Warrants potentially settleable in cash $ 14,518 $ — $ 14,518 $ — Contingent purchase price consideration 6,142 — — 6,142 Total liabilities measured and recorded at fair value $ 20,660 $ — $ 14,518 $ 6,142 December 31, 2014 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Cash equivalents $ 19,477 $ 19,477 $ — $ — Total assets measured and recorded at fair value $ 19,477 $ 19,477 $ — $ — Liabilities: Warrants potentially settleable in cash $ 5,383 $ — $ 5,383 $ — Contingent purchase price consideration 6,651 — — 6,651 Total liabilities measured and recorded at fair value $ 12,034 $ — $ 5,383 $ 6,651 The company has not transferred any financial instruments into or out of Level 3 classification during the years ended December 31, 2015 or 2014. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending Level 3 liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows (in thousands): Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Balance, January 1, 2014 $ 6,821 Change in the estimated fair value of the contingent purchase price consideration (170 ) Balance, December 31, 2014 6,651 Change in the estimated fair value of the contingent purchase price consideration (509 ) Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 6,142 The fair value of the contingent purchase price consideration is measured at the end of each reporting period using Level 3 inputs in a probability-weighted, discounted cash-outflow model. The significant unobservable assumptions include the probability of achieving each milestone, the date we expect to reach the milestone, and a determination of present value factors used to discount future expected cash outflows.

RXi Spin-off

RXi Spin-off	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
RXi Spin-off	RXi Spin-off On September 24, 2011, the Company entered into a contribution agreement with our former subsidiary, RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, or “RXi,” pursuant to which we assigned and contributed to RXi substantially all of the company’s RNAi-related technologies and assets. The contributed assets consisted primarily of our novel RNAi compounds and licenses relating to our RNAi technologies, as well as the lease of our Worcester, Massachusetts laboratory facility, fixed assets and other equipment located at the facility and our employment arrangements with certain scientific, corporate and administrative personnel who became employees of RXi. The Company also contributed $1.5 million of cash to the capital of RXi. Pursuant to the contribution agreement, RXi assumed certain accrued expenses of our former RXI-109 development program and all subsequent obligations under the contributed licenses, employment arrangements and other agreements. RXi also has agreed to make future milestone payments to us of up to $45 million , consisting of two one-time payments of $15 million and $30 million , respectively, if RXi achieves annual net sales equal to or greater than $500 million and $1 billion , respectively, of any covered products that may be developed with the contributed RNAi technologies. The Company agreed in the securities purchase agreement to distribute to our stockholders on a share-for-share basis a total of approximately 66,959,894 RXi shares, which distribution was made in April 2012. The Company retained 33,476,595 shares of common stock of RXi, which were subject to a one -year lock-up period that expired on April 27, 2013 . On July 24, 2013, RXi effected a 1-for- 30 reverse stock split of its outstanding shares of common stock, including RXi shares held by the Company. The Company fully liquidated its position in RXi common stock during the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company sold 1,115,887 RXi shares, on a post-split basis, for total proceeds of $3,911,000 , which is included in other income as realized gains on sale of marketable securities. There were no shares sold during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. The Company classified the RXi activities for previously reported periods as discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss retroactively for all periods presented. The net assets of RXi were removed from the consolidated balance sheet as of the date of the spin-off, and were recorded as an equity distribution.

Accrued Expenses and Other Curr

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities	Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following (in thousands): December 31, 2015 2014 Clinical development expense $ 3,294 $ 6,967 Compensation and related benefits 1,535 1,040 Professional fees 435 821 Interest expense 28 57 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities $ 5,292 $ 8,885

Long-term Debt

Long-term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	Long-term Debt On May 8, 2013 we entered into a loan and security agreement with Oxford Finance LLC, as collateral agent, and related lenders under which we may borrow up to $15 million (the “Loan”) in two tranches. We borrowed $10 million on May 8, 2013. The Loan payments included 12 months of interest-only payments at the fixed coupon rate of 8.45% , followed by 30 months of amortization of principal and interest until maturity in November 2016. In connection with the Loan, we paid the lender a 1% cash facility fee and a 5.5% cash final payment and granted to the lenders seven -year warrants to purchase up to 182,186 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $2.47 , which equaled a 20 -day average market price of our common stock prior to the date of the grant. As of December 31, 2015, future schedule principal payments to be made on long-term debt are as follows (in thousands): 2016 Principal Payments $ 4,254 Add - 5.5% cash final payment (less Unamortized debt issuance costs) 485 Carrying value of long-term debt $ 4,739

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Legal Proceedings On December 3, 2015, we agreed in principle to resolve and settle the consolidated shareholder derivative action, In re Galena Biopharma, Inc. Derivative Litigation , Civil Action No. 3:14-cv-00382-SI, currently pending in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon against us and certain of our current and former officers and directors. The settlement will not become effective until approved by the Court. The settlement includes a payment of $15 million in cash by our insurance carriers, which we will use to fund a portion of the class action settlement, and cancellation of 1,200,000 outstanding director stock options. The settlement also will require that we adopt and implement certain corporate governance measures and will provide that the plaintiffs’ counsel may apply to the court for an award of attorneys’ fees and expenses up to $5 million . Any fees and expenses awarded by the court to the plaintiffs’ counsel will be paid by our insurance carriers. The settlement will not include any admission of wrongdoing or liability on the part of us or the individual defendants and will include a full release of us and the individual defendants in connection with the allegations made in the consolidated federal derivative actions and state court derivative actions. On December 3, 2015, we also agreed in principal to resolve and settle the securities putative class action lawsuit, In re Galena Biopharma, Inc. Securities Litigation , Civil Action No. 3:14-cv-00367-SI, pending against us, certain of our current and former officers and directors and other defendants in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon. The agreement, which is subject to shareholder notice and Court approval, provides for a settlement payment of $20 million to the class and the dismissal of all claims against us and the other defendants in connection with the consolidated federal securities class actions. Of the $20 million settlement payment to the class, $16.7 million will be paid by our insurance carriers and $3.3 million will be paid by us through a combination of $2.3 million in cash and $1 million in shares of our common stock. In addition to the $3.3 million payable accrued as of December 31, 2015 the company paid $2.0 million in December 2015 in attorney fees outstanding as a condition of the settlement. We will be responsible for defense costs and any settlements or judgments incurred for any related opt-out lawsuits. The litigation settlement is summarized as follow (in thousands) Amount Class action settlement $ 20,000 Derivative settlement 5,000 Total settlement payable 25,000 Payable by the insurance carriers 21,700 Payable by the company in cash 2,300 Payable by the company in common stock 1,000 Total settlement payable $ 25,000 Commitments The Company acquires assets still in development and enters into research and development arrangements with third parties that often require milestone and royalty payments based on the progress of the asset through development stages. Milestone payments may be required, for example, upon approval of the product for marketing by a regulatory agency. In certain agreements, the Company is required to make royalty payments based upon a percentage of the sales. Because of the contingent nature of these payments, they are not included in the table of contractual obligations shown below. These arrangements may be material individually, and in the unlikely event that milestones for multiple products covered by these arrangements were reached in the same period, the aggregate charge to expense could be material to the results of operations. In addition, these arrangements often give the Company the discretion to unilaterally terminate development of the product, which would allow the company to avoid making the contingent payments; however, the company is unlikely to cease development if the compound successfully achieves clinical testing objectives. The Company’s contractual obligations that may require future cash payments as of December 31, 2015 are as follows (in thousands): Operating Leases (1) Non-Cancelable Employment Agreements (2) Subtotal Cancelable License Agreements (3) Total 2016 $ 316 $ 850 $ 1,166 $ 350 $ 1,516 2017 323 — 323 350 673 2018 316 — 316 350 666 2019 251 — 251 4,200 4,451 2020 and thereafter 236 — 236 2,965 3,201 Total $ 1,442 $ 850 $ 2,292 $ 8,215 $ 10,507 (1) Operating leases are primarily facility and equipment related obligations with third party vendors. Operating lease expenses during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 were approximately $116,000 , $72,000 and $77,000 , respectively. (2) Employment agreement obligations include management contracts, as well as scientific advisory board member compensation agreements. Certain agreements, which have been revised from time to time, provide for minimum salary levels, adjusted annually at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, as well as for minimum bonuses that are payable. (3) License agreements generally relate to the company’s obligations with The Board of Regents, University of Texas and Henry M. Jackson Foundation for our oncology therapies. The company continually assesses the progress of its licensed technology and the progress of its research and development efforts as it relates to its licensed technology and may terminate with notice to the licensor at any time. In the event these licenses are terminated, no amounts will be due. The Company applies the disclosure provisions FASB ASC Topic 460 (“ASC 460”), “ Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others," to its agreements that contain guarantee or indemnification clauses. TheCompany provides (i) indemnifications of varying scope and size to certain investors and other parties for certain losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party in connection with various types of third-party claims and (ii) indemnifications of varying scope and size to officers and directors against third party claims arising from the services they provide to us. These indemnifications give rise only to the disclosure provisions of ASC 460. To date, the Company has not incurred costs as a result of these obligations and does not expect to incur material costs in the future. Accordingly, the Company has not accrued any liabilities in its financial statements related to these indemnifications.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders’ Equity Preferred Stock — The Company has authorized up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share, for issuance. The preferred stock will have such rights, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, as shall be determined by the Company’s board of directors upon its issuance. To date, the Company has not issued any preferred shares. Common Stock — The Company has authorized up to 275,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, for issuance. Shares of common stock are reserved as follows: September 2013 Underwritten Public Offering - On September 18, 2013 the Company closed an underwritten public offering of 17,500,000 units at a price to the public of $2.00 per unit for gross proceeds of $35 million (the "September 2013 Offering"). Each unit consists of one share of common stock, and a warrant to purchase 0.35 of a share of common stock at an exercise price of $2.50 per share. The offering included an over-allotment option for the underwriters to purchase an additional 2,625,000 shares of common stock and/or warrants up to 918,750 share of common stock. On September 23, 2013, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in full. The additional gross proceeds to the company as a result of the full exercise of the over-allotment option were approximately $5.2 million . The total net proceeds of the September 2013 offering, including the exercise of the over-allotment option, were $37.5 million , after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by the company. November 2014 Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park Capital, LLC - On November 18, 2014, the Company entered into a purchase agreement with Lincoln Park Capital, LLC (LPC), pursuant to which the Company has the right to sell to LPC up to $50 million in shares of the Company's common stock, subject to certain limitations and conditions over the 36 month term of the purchase agreement. Pursuant to the purchase agreement, LPC initially purchased 2.5 million shares of the Company's common stock at $2.00 per share and the Company issued 631,221 shares of common stock to LPC as a commitment fee, which was recorded as a cost of capital. As a result of this initial issuance, the Company received initial net proceeds of $4.9 million , after deducting commissions and other offering expenses. In addition to the LPC’s initial purchase of our common stock under the purchase agreement, during 2014, we received net proceeds of $8.5 million from LPC’s subsequent purchases of a total of 4.6 million shares of our common stock, excluding the commitment fee shares. At Market Issuance Sales Agreements - On May 24, 2013 the Company entered into At Market Issuance Sales Agreements (ATM) with MLV & Co. LLC and Maxim Group LLC (the Agents). From time to time during the term of the ATM, we may issue and sell through the Agents, shares of our common stock, and the Agents collect a fee equal to 3% of the gross proceeds from the sale of shares, up to a total limit of $20 million in gross proceeds. The ATM is available to the Company until it is terminated by the Agents or the Company. During the year ended December 31, 2015 we received $2.3 million by issuing 1.4 million shares of our common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we received $2.3 million in net proceeds from the sale of 1.4 million shares of our common stock through the ATM. There were no sales of our common stock under the ATM in 2013. On December 4, 2015 we replenished the ATM limit up to $20 million in gross proceeds available for future sales of our common stock. March 2015 Underwritten Public Offering - On March 18, 2015 the Company closed an underwritten public offering of 24,358,974 units at a price to the public of $ 1.56 per unit for gross proceeds of $38 million (the "March 2015 Offering"). Each unit consists of one share of common stock, and a warrant to purchase 0.50 of a share of common stock at an exercise price of $2.08 per share. The March 2015 Offering included an over-allotment option for the underwriters to purchase an additional 3,653,846 shares of common stock and/or warrants to purchase up to 1,826,923 shares of common stock. On March 18, 2015, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option to purchase warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,826,923 shares of common stock. On April 10, 2015, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option to purchase 3,653,846 shares of common stock for additional net proceeds of $5.4 million . The total net proceeds of the March 2015 Offering, including the exercise of the over-allotment option to purchase the warrants, were $40.8 million , after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by the Company. Other Equity Transactions — During 2013, the Company issued a total of 492,988 shares of common stock to the holders of the Company's outstanding contingent value rights holders for a milestone payment with a total fair market value of $1,247,000 .

Stock Based Compensation

Stock Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation Options to Purchase Shares of Common Stock — The Company follows the provisions ASC 718, which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees, non-employee directors and consultants, including employee stock options. Stock compensation expense based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718 is recognized as an expense over the requisite service period. For stock options and warrants granted in consideration for services rendered by non-employees, the company recognizes compensation expense in accordance with the requirements of ASC Topic 505-50. Non-employee option and warrant grants that do not vest immediately upon grant are recorded as an expense over the vesting period. At the end of each financial reporting period prior to vesting, the value of these options and warrants, as calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, is being re-measured using the fair value of the company’s common stock and the non-cash compensation recognized during the period will be adjusted accordingly. Since the fair market value of options and warrants granted to non-employees is subject to change in the future, the amount of the future compensation expense will include fair value re-measurements until the stock options and warrants are fully vested. The following table summarizes the components of stock-based compensation expense in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014, and 2013 (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Research and development $ 350 $ 484 $ 754 General and administrative 1,591 4,903 2,150 Total stock-based compensation $ 1,941 $ 5,387 $ 2,904 The company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and the following weighted-average assumptions to determine the fair value of all its stock options granted: 2015 2014 2013 Risk free interest rate 1.67 % 2.01 % 1.57 % Volatility 73.97 % 79.37 % 77.98 % Expected lives (years) 6.16 6.16 6.25 Expected dividend yield 0.00 % 0.00 % 0.00 % The weighted-average fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was $1.07 and $1.74 per share, respectively. The company’s expected common stock price volatility assumption is based upon the volatility of a basket of comparable companies. The expected life assumptions for employee grants were based upon the simplified method provided for under ASC 718-10, which averages the contractual term of the Company’s options of ten years with the average vesting term of four years for an average of six years . The expected life assumptions for non-employees were based upon the contractual term of the option. The dividend yield assumption is zero, because the Company has never paid cash dividends and presently has no intention of paying cash dividends in the future. The risk-free interest rate used for each grant was also based upon prevailing short-term interest rates. The Company has estimated an annualized forfeiture rate of 15% for options granted to its employees, 8% for options granted to senior management and zero for non-employee directors. The Company will record additional expense if the actual forfeitures are lower than estimated and will record a recovery of prior expense if the actual forfeiture rates are higher than estimated. As of December 31, 2015 , there was $5,662,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding options that is expected to be recognized as a component of the Company’s operating expenses over a weighted-average period of 2.85 years. As of December 31, 2015 , an aggregate of 26,500,000 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance under the Company’s 2007 Incentive Plan, including 13,262,000 shares subject to outstanding common stock options granted under the plan and 8,177,000 shares available for future grants. The administrator of the plan determines the times when an option may become exercisable. Vesting periods of options granted to date have not exceeded four years . The options generally will expire, unless previously exercised, no later than ten years from the grant date. The following table summarizes option activity of the company: Total Number of Shares (In Thousands) Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding at December 31, 2014 8,590 $ 3.25 Granted 6,743 1.63 Exercised (39 ) 0.79 Cancelled (2,032 ) 2.31 Outstanding at December 31, 2015 13,262 $ 2.58 Options exercisable at December 31, 2015 7,192 $ 3.22 The weighted average remaining contractual life of options outstanding as of December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 was 7.63 , 7.35 , and 8.09 , respectively. The weighted average remaining contractual life of options exercisable as of December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 was 6.20 , 6.51 , and 6.76 , respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options as of December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 was $539,000 , $610,000 , and $30,537,000 , respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable options as of December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 was $518,000 , $509,000 , and $16,376,000 , respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated based on the positive difference between the closing fair market value of the Company's common stock and the exercise price of the underlying options. The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 was $37,000 , $13,429,000 , and $890,000 respectively. Employee Stock Purchase Plan — The Company also has an employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) which allows employees to contribute up to 15% of their cash earnings, subject to certain maximums, to be used to purchase shares of our common stock on each semi-annual purchase date. The purchase price is equal to 85% of the market value per share on either the first or last day of the semi-annual period, whichever is lower. Our ESPP is non-compensatory pursuant to the provisions of generally accepted accounting principles for share-based compensation expense. The ESPP contains an “evergreen provision” with annual increases in the number of shares available for issuance on the first day of each year through January 1, 2015 equal to the lesser of: (a) 250,000 shares increased on each anniversary of the adoption of the Plan by 1% of the total shares of stock then outstanding and (b) 1,000,000 shares. As of December 31, 2015, an aggregate of 528,131 shares of common stock were authorized and available for future issuance under the ESPP. The company has issued 471,869 shares under the ESPP through December 31, 2015. Restricted Stock Units — In addition to options to purchase shares of common stock, the Company may grant restricted stock units (“RSU”) as part of its compensation package. If granted, each RSU would be granted at the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. Vesting is determined on a grant-by-grant basis.

Warrants

Warrants	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Warrants and Rights Note Disclosure [Abstract]
Warrants	Warrants The following is a summary of warrant activity for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): March September 2013 Warrants December 2012 Warrants April 2011 Warrants Other Warrant Issuances Consultant and Oxford Warrants Total Outstanding, January 1, 2014 — 6,442 4,917 1,158 1,444 889 14,850 Granted — — — — — 300 300 Exercised — (2,469 ) (1,886 ) (543 ) (327 ) (469 ) (5,694 ) Expired — — — — (916 ) — (916 ) Outstanding, December 31, 2014 — 3,973 3,031 615 201 720 8,540 Granted 14,006 — — — — — 14,006 Expired — — — — — (238 ) (238 ) Outstanding, December 31, 2015 14,006 3,973 3,031 615 201 482 22,308 Expiration March 2020 September 2018 December 2017 April 2017 Varies 2014-2016 Varies 2014-2020 Warrants consist of warrants potentially settleable in cash, which are liability-classified warrants, and equity-classified warrants. Warrants classified as liabilities Liability-classified warrants consist of warrants to purchase common stock issued in connection with equity financings in March 2015, September 2013, December 2012, April 2011, March 2011, March 2010 and August 2009. These warrants are potentially settleable in cash and were determined not to be indexed to our common stock. The estimated fair value of outstanding warrants accounted for as liabilities is determined at each balance sheet date. Any decrease or increase in the estimated fair value of the warrant liability since the most recent balance sheet date is recorded in the consolidated statement of comprehensive loss as other income (expense). The fair value of the warrants is estimated using an appropriate pricing model with the following inputs: As of December 31, 2015 March 2015 Warrants September 2013 Warrants December 2012 Warrants April 2011 Warrants March 2011 Warrants March 2010 Warrants Strike price $ 2.08 $ 2.50 $ 1.83 $ 0.65 $ 0.65 $ 2.02 Expected term (years) 4.22 2.72 1.98 1.31 0.18 0.24 Volatility % 75.85 % 74.70 % 76.37 % 65.60 % 47.98 % 71.41 % Risk-free rate % 1.58 % 1.24 % 1.05 % 0.77 % — % — % As of December 31, 2014 September 2013 Warrants December 2012 Warrants April 2011 Warrants March 2011 Warrants March 2010 Warrants Strike price $ 2.50 $ 1.90 $ 0.65 $ 0.65 $ 2.15 Expected term (years) 3.72 2.98 2.31 1.18 1.24 Volatility % 75.60 % 76.85 % 78.24 % 77.38 % 77.12 % Risk-free rate % 1.30 % 1.09 % 0.80 % 0.32 % 0.35 % The Company’s expected volatility is based on a combination of implied volatilities of similar publicly traded entities. The expected life assumption is based on the remaining contractual terms of the warrants. The risk-free rate is based on the zero coupon rates in effect at the time of valuation. The dividend yield used in the pricing model is zero, because the company has no present intention to pay cash dividends. The changes in fair value of the warrant liability for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands): March September 2013 Warrants December 2012 Warrants April 2011 Warrants Other Warrant Issuances Total Warrant liability, January 1, 2014 $ — $ 22,950 $ 18,060 $ 5,069 $ 2,886 $ 48,965 Fair value of warrants granted — — — — — — Fair value of warrants exercised — (12,713 ) (10,086 ) (2,906 ) (1,321 ) (27,026 ) Change in fair value of warrants — (7,677 ) (5,947 ) (1,538 ) (1,394 ) (16,556 ) Warrant liability, December 31, 2014 — 2,560 2,027 625 171 5,383 Fair value of warrants granted 10,296 — — — — 10,296 Fair value of warrants exercised — — — — — — Change in fair value of warrants 41 (627 ) (462 ) (88 ) (25 ) (1,161 ) Warrant liability, December 31, 2015 $ 10,337 $ 1,933 $ 1,565 $ 537 $ 146 $ 14,518 Warrants classified as equity Equity-classified warrants consist of warrants issued in connection with consulting services provided to us. Additionally, on May 8, 2013 as a part of our Loan financing, we granted Oxford Financial LLC warrants to purchase 182,186 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.47 per share, which equaled to the 20 -day average market price of our common stock prior to the date of the grant. The warrants were valued using the Black Scholes model. The fair value assumptions for the grant included a volatility of 75.34% , expected term of seven years, risk free rate of 1.20% , and a dividend rate of 0.00% . The fair value of the warrants granted was $1.93 per share. These warrants are recorded in equity at fair value upon issuance, and not as liabilities, and are not subject to adjustment to fair value in subsequent reporting periods.

Other Income (Expense) (Notes)

Other Income (Expense) (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other Income (Expense)	Other Income Other income is summarized as follows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Realized gain on sale of marketable securities $ — $ — $ 3,911 Change in fair value of the contingent purchase price liability 509 170 (926 ) Miscellaneous other income — — 37 Total other income $ 509 $ 170 $ 3,022

Net Loss Per Share

Net Loss Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Loss Per Share	Net Loss Per Share The Company accounts for and discloses net loss per common share in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 260 “ Earnings per Share.” Basic net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares that would have been outstanding during the period assuming the issuance of common shares for all potential dilutive common shares outstanding. Potential common shares consist of shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants. The following table sets forth the potentially dilutive common shares excluded from the calculation of net loss per common share because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive (in thousands): December 31, 2015 2014 Warrants to purchase common stock 22,308 8,540 Options to purchase common stock 13,262 8,590 Total 35,570 17,130

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The components of federal and state income tax expense are as follows (in thousands): As of December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Current Federal $ — $ — $ — State — — — Total current — — — Deferred expense (benefit) Federal 332 — 894 State 33 — 158 Total deferred 365 — 1,052 Total income tax expense (benefit) $ 365 $ — $ 1,052 The components of net deferred tax assets are as follows (in thousands): As of December 31, 2015 2014 Net operating loss carryforwards $ 75,221 $ 53,950 Tax credit carryforwards 3,866 3,590 Stock based compensation 5,050 4,676 Other 1,430 190 Licensing deduction deferral 9,910 8,919 Gross deferred tax assets 95,477 71,325 Valuation allowance (95,477 ) (71,325 ) Net deferred tax asset $ — $ — The components of net deferred tax liabilities are as follows (in thousands): As of December 31, 2015 2014 In-process research and development not subject to future amortization for tax purposes $ 5,418 $ 5,053 Gross deferred tax liability $ 5,418 $ 5,053 The provision for income taxes differs from the provision computed by applying the federal statutory rate to net loss before income taxes as follows (in thousands): As of December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Expected federal income tax benefit $ (21,603 ) $ (12,447 ) $ (25,713 ) State income taxes after credits (2,375 ) (1,283 ) (3,676 ) Unrealized gain on marketable securities — — 1,052 Changes in warrant value (456 ) (6,503 ) 17,283 Stock compensation 508 3,996 813 Effect of change in valuation allowance 24,029 17,275 11,408 Income tax credits (276 ) (42 ) (240 ) Other 538 (996 ) 125 $ 365 $ — $ 1,052 The Company has incurred net operating losses from inception. At December 31, 2015, the Company had domestic federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $200.0 million and $183.5 million , respectively, available to reduce future taxable income, which expire at various dates beginning in 2015 through 2035 . The Company also had federal and state research and development tax credit carryforwards of approximately $2.5 million and $2.1 million , respectively, available to reduce future tax liabilities and which expire at various dates beginning in 2023 through 2035 . The income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2015 relates to indefinite lived deferred tax liabilities. The income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2013 relates to the realized gain on sale of marketable securities. At December 31, 2015, approximately $1.4 million of the Company's net operating loss carryforwards were generated as a result of deductions related to the exercises of stock options. If utilized, this portion of the Company's carryforwards, as tax effected, will be accounted for as a direct increase to contributed capital rather than as a reduction of that year's provision for income taxes. Net operating loss carryforwards created by excess tax benefits from the exercise of stock options are not recorded as deferred tax assets. The deferred tax assets related to net operating losses have been accordingly reduced by $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, certain substantial changes in the Company’s ownership may result in a limitation on the amount of net operating loss carryforwards and research and development credit carryforwards which could be utilized annually to offset future taxable income and taxes payable. Based on an assessment of all available evidence including, but not limited to the Company’s limited operating history in its core business and lack of profitability, uncertainties of the commercial viability of its technology, the impact of government regulation and healthcare reform initiatives, and other risks normally associated with biotechnology companies, the Company has concluded that it is more likely than not that these net operating loss carryforwards and credits will not be realized and, as a result, a 100% deferred income tax valuation allowance has been recorded against these assets. The valuation allowance increased by $24.0 million and $17.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal, Massachusetts, Colorado, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Oregon, and Texas jurisdictions. The Company is subject to tax examinations for the 2010 tax year and beyond. The Company does not believe there will be any material changes in its unrecognized tax positions over the next 12 months . The Company has not incurred any interest or penalties. In the event that the Company is assessed interest or penalties at some point in the future, they will be classified in the financial statements as general and administrative expense.

License Agreements

License Agreements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
License Agreements	License Agreements As part of its business, the Company enters into licensing agreements with third parties that often require milestone and royalty payments based on the progress of the licensed asset through development and commercial stages. Milestone payments may be required, for example, upon approval of the product for marketing by a regulatory agency, and the Company may be required to make royalty payments based upon a percentage of net sales of the product. The expenditures required under these arrangements in any period may be material and are likely to fluctuate from period to period. These arrangements sometimes permit the Company to unilaterally terminate development of the product and thereby avoid future contingent payments; however, the Company is unlikely to cease development if the compound successfully achieves clinical testing objectives. In conjunction with the acquisition of NeuVax TM , the Company acquired rights and assumed obligations under a license agreement among Apthera and The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (“MDACC”) and The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. (“HJF”) which grants exclusive worldwide rights to a U.S. patent covering the nelipepimut-S peptide and several U.S. and foreign patents and patent applications covering methods of using the peptide as a vaccine. Under the terms of this license, we are required to pay an annual maintenance fee of $200,000 , we paid a milestone payment of $200,000 upon commencing the Phase 3 PRESENT trial of NeuVax and other clinical milestone payments, as well as royalty payments based on sales of NeuVax or other therapeutic products developed from the licensed technologies. Effective December 3, 2012, we entered into a license and supply agreement with ABIC Marketing Limited, a subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceuticals (“ABIC”), under which we granted ABIC exclusive rights to seek marketing approval in Israel for our NeuVax product candidate for intradermal injection for the treatment of breast cancer following its approval by the FDA or the European Medicines Agency, and to market, sell and distribute NeuVax in Israel assuming such approval is obtained. ABIC’s rights also include a right of first refusal in Israel for all future indications for which NeuVax may be approved. Under the license and supply agreement, ABIC will assume responsibility for regulatory registration of NeuVax in Israel, provide financial support for local development, and commercialize the product in the region in exchange for making royalty payments to us based on future sales of NeuVax. ABIC also agrees in the license and supply agreement to purchase from us all supplies of NeuVax at a price determined according to a specified formula. On March 18, 2013, we acquired Abstral ® (fentanyl) sublingual tablets for sale and distribution in the United States from Orexo AB (ORX.ST), a specialty pharmaceutical company based in Sweden. Abstral has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is a transmucosal immediate-release fentanyl (TIRF) product. Under our agreement with Orexo, we assumed responsibility for the U.S. commercialization of Abstral and for all regulatory and reporting matters in the U.S. We also agreed to establish and maintain through 2015 a specified minimum commercial field force to market, sell and distribute Abstral and to use commercially reasonable efforts to reach the specified sales milestones. Orexo is entitled to reacquire the U.S. rights to Abstral from us for no consideration if we breach our obligations to establish and maintain the requisite sales force throughout the marketing period. We launched U.S. commercial sales of Abstral in the fourth quarter of 2013. In exchange for the U.S. rights to Abstral, (1) we paid Orexo $10 million in March 2013 and a $5 million milestone payment in cash in October 2013 upon the approval by the FDA of a specified U.S. manufacturer of Abstral; and (2) we agreed to pay to Orexo: (a) three one-time future cash milestone payments based on our net sales of Abstral; and (b) a low double-digit royalty on future net sales. No further milestone or royalty payments will be due after the date on which all claims of the last remaining licensed patents expire (currently 2019 ) or become invalidated by a governmental agency. On November 19, 2015, Galena Biopharma, Inc. (the “Company”) and Sentynl Therapeutics Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Sentynl”), entered into and closed upon an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to Sentynl and Sentynl agreed to purchase from the Company, certain assets of the Company related to and including its Abstral ® (fentanyl) sublingual tablets product (“Abstral”). The assets sold and assigned to Sentynl pursuant to the Purchase Agreement included all of the Company’s rights and interests in the Asset Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and Orexo AB (“Orexo”) dated March 15, 2013, and the License Agreement by and between the Company and Orexo dated March 18, 2013 (collectively, the “Orexo Agreements”). The Company’s future obligations under the Orexo Agreements were assumed by Sentynl pursuant to such assignment. The Purchase Agreement further provides that the Company will continue to be responsible for any pre-closing liabilities and obligations related to Abstral, as well for certain channel liabilities related to Abstral for a period of time post-closing. In connection with the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, the Company assigned to Sentynl all of its rights to and interests in the Orexo Agreements. In connection with such assignment, Orexo released the Company from any future liabilities and obligations under the Orexo Agreements. The total potential consideration payable to the Company under the Purchase Agreement is $12 million, comprised of an $8 million upfront payment and up to an aggregate of $4 million, consisting of two one-time payments based on Sentynl's achievement of "net sales" of Abstral in amounts ranging from $25 million to $35 million. On January 12, 2014, we acquired worldwide rights to anagrelide controlled release (CR) formulation, which we renamed GALE-401, through our acquisition of Mills Pharmaceuticals, LLC ("Mills"), and Mills became a wholly owned subsidiary. GALE-401 contains the active ingredient anagrelide, an FDA-approved product that has been in use since the late 1990s for the treatment of myleoproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Mills holds an exclusive license to develop and commercialize anagrelide CR formulation, pursuant to a license agreement with BioVascular, Inc. Under the terms of the license agreement, Mills has agreed to pay BioVascular, Inc. a mid-to-low single digit royalty on net revenue from the sale of licensed products as well as future cash milestone payments based on the achievement of specified regulatory milestones. We are responsible for patent prosecution and maintenance. On July 17, 2014, we entered into a definitive license and supply agreement with MonoSol Rx, LLC (MonoSol) for the U.S. commercial rights to Zuplenz ® (ondansetron) Oral Soluble Film, an FDA approved product in adult patients for the prevention of highly and moderately emetogenic chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), radiotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (RINV), and post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Zuplenz is also approved for pediatric patients with moderately emetogenic CINV. In exchange for the U.S. rights to Zuplenz, in connection with the effectiveness of the license and transfer to us of the New Drug Application (NDA) for Zuplenz, we paid MonoSol a total of $5 million in cash and shares of our common stock. In addition to these payments, we agreed to pay MonoSol $0.5 million upon the earlier of (a) the occurrence of a specified managed care milestone and (b) December 31, 2014, (ii) $0.25 million within 30 days after MonoSol’s payment of applicable fees relating to the notice of allowance by the United States Patent and Trademark Office of a U.S. patent with composition claims covering Zuplenz that extend beyond 2028 , (iii) future cash milestone payments of up to an aggregate of $16.5 million , consisting of six one-time payments based on our achievement of "net sales" of Zuplenz in amounts ranging from $20 million to $100 million , and (iv) a double-digit royalty on future “net sales.” Under the terms of the license agreement, we assumed responsibility for the commercialization of Zuplenz and for all regulatory and reporting matters in the U.S. We also agreed in the license and supply agreement to use our best commercial efforts to begin commercializing Zuplenz in the U.S. on or before December 31, 2014 in accordance with a joint commercialization plan to be established by the company and MonoSol. We also agreed that, until net sales of Zuplenz exceed a specified minimum amount or a competing product has been approved by the FDA and is placed into the market for sale, we will maintain a specified minimum number of field sales force personnel on specified terms. On December 17, 2015, Galena Biopharma, Inc. (the “Company”) and Midatech Pharma PLC, a public limited company organized under the laws of England and Wales (“Midatech”), entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to Midatech and Midatech agreed to purchase from the Company, certain assets of the Company related to and including its Zuplenz ® (ondansetron) Oral Soluble Film (“Zuplenz”). The assets to be sold and assigned to Midatech pursuant to the Purchase Agreement include all of the Company’s rights and interests in the License and Supply Agreement by and between the Company and MonoSol Rx, LLC (“MonoSol”) dated July 17, 2014 (the “MonoSol License”). The Company’s future obligations under the MonoSol agreement will be assumed by Midatech pursuant to such assignment. The Purchase Agreement further provides that the Company will continue to be responsible for any pre-closing liabilities and obligations related to Zuplenz, as well for certain channel liabilities related to Zuplenz for a period of time post-closing. The transaction was completed on December 24, 2015. The total potential consideration payable to the Company under the Purchase Agreement is $29.75 million, comprised of an $3.75 million upfront payment upon the closing and up to an aggregate of $26 million, consisting of four one-time payments based on Midatech's achievement of "net sales" of Zuplenz in amounts ranging from $12 million to $70 million. Through a separate agreement with MonoSol entered into on December 16, 2015 (the “MonoSol License Amendment”), (i) the Company and MonSol agreed to amend the MonoSol License in order to reduce the number of field representatives that the Company is required to maintain with respect to Zuplenz, and (ii) the Company agreed to pay MonoSol $900,000 of the upfront fee payable to the Company under the Purchase Agreement and 20% of any future milestone payments received by the Company under the Purchase Agreement. On December 24, 2015, the Company and Midatech closed upon the Purchase Agreement. In connection with the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, the Company assigned to Midatech all of its rights to and interests in the Company’s License and Supply Agreement, dated July 17, 2014 (the “MonoSol License”). As a result of such assignment, Midatech assumed all of the Company’s obligations under the MonoSol License.

Significant Customers and Conce

Significant Customers and Concentration of Credit Risk	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Significant Customer and Concentration of Credit Risk	Significant Customers and Concentration of Credit Risk The company is engaged in the business of developing and commercializing pharmaceutical products. The company has recognized revenue from only one commercial product, Abstral, available in six dosing strengths, and all sales reported are in the United States. The percentage of product sales to our customer that represented 10% or more of revenue in at least one of the periods presented, is as follows: Year ended December 31, 2014 2013 Customer A 43 % 25 % Customer B 18 % 6 % Customer C 14 % 26 % Customer D 11 % 34 % There were no product sales during the year ended December 31, 2012. The following accounts represented 10% or more of total accounts receivable in at least one of the periods presented: December 31, 2014 2013 Customer A 24 % 25 % Customer B 31 % 1 % Customer C 16 % 11 % Customer D 21 % 54 %

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions Since 2011, the Company has retained TroyGould PC as outside corporate counsel. Sanford J. Hillsberg, the Chairman of the Company, is a senior lawyer with TroyGould PC. The Company incurred $577,000 , $553,000 , and $577,000 for services provided by TroyGould PC during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respctively. At December 31, 2015 and 2014 Galena owed $20,000 and $97,000 , respectively, to TroyGould PC.

Employee Benefit Plan

Employee Benefit Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plan	Employee Benefit Plan The Company sponsors a 401(k) retirement savings plan (the “Plan”). Participation in the Plan is available to full-time employees who meet eligibility requirements. Eligible employees may defer a portion of their salary as defined by Internal Revenue Service regulations. The Company may make matching contributions on behalf of all participants in the 401(k) Plan in an amount determined by the Company’s board of directors. The Company may also make additional discretionary profit sharing contributions in amounts as determined by the Board of Directors, subject to statutory limitations. Matching and profit-sharing contributions, if any, are subject to a vesting schedule; all other contributions are at all times fully vested. The Company intends the 401(k) Plan, and the accompanying trust, to qualify under Sections 401(k) and 501 of the Internal Revenue Code so that contributions by employees to the 401(k) Plan, and income earned (if any) on plan contributions, are not taxable to employees until withdrawn from the 401(k) Plan, and so that the Company will be able to deduct its contributions, if any, when made. The trustee under the 401(k) Plan, at the direction of each participant, invests the assets of the 401(k) Plan in any of a number of investment options. The Company made matching contributions totaling $115,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015. For the years ending December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company made matching contributions totaling $70,000 and $35,000 , respectively

Selected Quarterly Financial Da

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) The following amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts: 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter 2015 Net revenue $ 2,750 $ 3,382 $ 2,166 $ 1,436 Gross profit on net revenue (1) $ 2,357 $ 2,914 $ 1,454 $ 1,229 Net loss $ (10,537 ) $ (15,660 ) $ (18,026 ) $ (19,678 ) Net loss per share $ (0.08 ) $ (0.10 ) $ (0.11 ) $ (0.12 ) 2014 Net revenue $ 2,173 $ 2,331 $ 1,620 $ 3,195 Gross profit on net revenue (1) $ 1,751 $ 1,886 $ 1,303 $ 2,536 Net loss $ (2,536 ) $ (19,941 ) $ (6,173 ) $ (7,506 ) Net loss per share $ (0.02 ) $ (0.17 ) $ (0.05 ) $ (0.06 )

Discontinued Operations, Assets

Discontinued Operations, Assets Held for Sale (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations,Assets Held for Sale	Discontinued Operations As part of the Company's strategic objective to focus its resources on its development pipeline, our management and board of directors decided and committed to pursue a plan to sell or otherwise divest the Company’s commercial business during the third quarter of 2015. The Company’s commercial business was comprised of two products: Abstral ® (fentanyl) Sublingual Tablets and Zuplenz ® (ondansetron) Oral Soluble Film. As described in Note 14, both products were sold in the fourth quarter of 2015. The Company met the relevant criteria for reporting the commercial business as held for sale and in discontinued operations in the accompanying financial statements as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 and for the years then ended, pursuant to FASB Topic 205-20, Presentation of Financial Statements--Discontinued Operations, and FASB Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment. The Company assessed the commercial business net asset group for impairment pursuant to FASB Topic 360, as discussed in Note 1, determining that the carrying value exceeded the fair value of the assets, therefore the company recorded a $8.1 million impairment charge as of September 30, 2015. The Company entered into an agreement with a third party firm to assist the company with the divestiture of its commercial operations including identifying potential acquirers. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, in the event the Company successfully completed a divestiture through the sale of its commercial operations to a third-party, the Company paid a success fee to the third party firm in an amount of $0.9 million , reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and agreed to pay 5% of realized future revenue and payment streams. The Company entered into compensatory arrangements related to the divestiture of our commercial business with certain members of commercial management. Under the terms of these arrangements, if the Company met certain sales and margin numbers in the fourth quarter of 2015 and successfully completes a divestiture through sale of its commercial operations to a third-party, the Company paid a retention fee to the three employees in a combined total amount equal to $352,000 or 3% of cash consideration received as upfront payment in the transactions. These employees will also receive severance payments equal to one month’s salary for between four and seven months. In addition to these compensatory agreements loss from discontinued operations includes one-time termination benefits provided to employees that were part of the commercial business and did not accept employment opportunities at the companies who purchased Abstral and Zuplenz. The following table describes the net proceeds from the sale and the assets and liabilities sold, net of selling costs (in thousands): Sale of Abstral and related assets on November 19, 2015 Sale of Zuplenz and related assets on December 24, 2015 Net proceeds from sales Total consideration $ 8,348 $ 3,750 Less selling costs* (815 ) (1,050 ) Proceeds from sale, net of selling costs $ 7,533 $ 2,700 *Note selling costs related to the sale of Zuplenz and related assets are included in accrued liabilities and were paid in the first quarter of 2016. In addition to the upfront proceeds received from the sale of Abstral and Zuplenz and their related assets, the Company is eligible to receive up to $30 million in future milestone payments based on future net revenue of the products. The additional consideration will be recognized in the period that the net revenue milestones are achieved. The following table presents a reconciliation of the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities of the commercial operations to assets held for sale in the balance sheets (in thousands): 2015 2014 Carrying amounts of assets included as part of discontinued operations: Accounts receivable $ 392 $ 1,535 Inventories — 655 Prepaid expenses and other current assets — 1,747 Equipment and furnishings, net — 270 Abstral rights, net — 14,533 Zuplenz rights — 8,101 Goodwill — 172 Total current assets of discontinued operations $ 392 $ 27,013 Carrying amounts of liabilities included as part of discontinued operations: Accounts payable $ 1,491 $ 385 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 4,434 6,784 Total current liabilities of discontinued operations $ 5,925 $ 7,169 The following table represents the components attributable to the commercial business in 2015, 2014, and 2013 that are presented in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss as discontinued operations (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Net revenue $ 9,734 $ 9,319 $ 2,487 Cost of revenue (1,780 ) (1,403 ) (520 ) Amortization of certain acquired intangible assets (921 ) (440 ) (131 ) Research and development (355 ) (680 ) (651 ) Selling, general, and administrative (17,655 ) (15,118 ) (6,536 ) Impairment charge form classification as held for sale (8,071 ) — — Loss on sale of commercial business assets (4,549 ) — — Severance and exit costs (1,349 ) — — Loss from discontinued operations $ (24,946 ) $ (8,322 ) $ (5,351 )

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events The Company evaluated all events or transactions that occurred after December 31, 2014 up through the date these financial statements were issued. Other than as disclosed elsewhere in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company did not have any material recognizable or unrecognizable subsequent events. January 2016 Underwritten Public Offering - On January 12, 2016 the cCompany closed an underwritten public offering of 19,772,727 units at a price to the public of $1.10 per unit for gross proceeds of $21.8 million (the January 2016 Offering"). Each unit consists of one share of common stock, and a warrant to purchase 0.60 of a share of common stock at an exercise price of $1.42 per share. The January 2016 Offering included an over-allotment option for the underwriters to purchase an additional 2,965,909 shares of common stock and/or warrants to purchase up to 1,779,545 shares of common stock. On January 12, 2016, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option to purchase warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,779,545 shares of common stock. The underwriters did not exercise their over-allotment option to purchase 2,965,909 shares of our common stock. The total net proceeds of the January 2016 Offering, including the exercise of the over-allotment option to purchase the warrants, were $20.1 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expense payable by the company.

Business and Basis of Present29

Business and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations	Discontinued Operations - As described in Note 17, during the quarter ended September 30, 2015 the Company met the relevant criteria for reporting the commercial operations as held for sale and in discontinued operations, pursuant to FASB Topic 205-20, Presentation of Financial Statements - Discontinued Operations, and FASB Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment. The Company generally considers assets to be held for sale when (i) the transaction has been approved by the board of directors or management vested with authority to approve the transaction, (ii) the assets are available for immediate sale in their present condition, (iii) the company has initiated an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the assets, (iv) consummation of the transaction is probable, (v) the assets are being actively marketing for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to the current fair value, and (vi) the transaction is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale, within one year. Following the classification of property and equipment for sale, the Company discontinues depreciating the asset and writes down the asset to the lower of the carrying value or fair market value, if needed. During the quarter ended December 31, 2015, the Company completed the sale of the commercial products and the related assets.
Uses of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements	Uses of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements — The preparation of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Galena and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications — Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net loss per share.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents — The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with an original maturity of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist primarily of amounts invested in money market accounts and demand deposits.
Restricted Cash	Restricted Cash — Restricted cash consists of certificates of deposit on hand with the Company’s financial institutions as collateral for its corporate credit cards
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and capital leases approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature and market rates of interest.
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable - The Company maintains credit limits for all customers based upon several factors, including but not limited to financial condition and stability, payment history, published credit reports and use of credit references. Management performs analysis to evaluate accounts receivables to ensure recorded amounts reflect estimated net realizable value. Accounts receivable are classified as current assets held for sale as detailed in Note 17.
Inventories	Inventories — Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value and are determined using the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method. Inventories consist of Abstral work-in-process and finished goods. The Company had entered into manufacturing and supply agreements for the manufacture and packing of Abstral finished goods. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had inventories of $655,000 , consisting of $455,000 of work-in-process and $200,000 of finished goods. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had no inventory on hand with the sale of our commercial assets in the fourth quarter of 2015. Inventories are classified as current assets of discontinued operations as detailed in Note 17.
Equipment and Furnishings	Equipment and Furnishings — Equipment and furnishings are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives (generally three to five years for equipment and furniture) of the related assets.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets — Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized but are tested annually for impairment at the reporting unit level, or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. Factors the company considers important that could trigger an interim review for impairment include, but are not limited to, the following: • Significant changes in the manner of its use of acquired assets or the strategy for its overall business; • Significant negative industry or economic trends; • Significant decline in stock price for a sustained period; and • Significant decline in market capitalization relative to net book value. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are evaluated for impairment first by a qualitative assessment to determine the likelihood of impairment. If it is determined that impairment is more likely than not, the Company will then proceed to the two step impairment test. The first step is to compare the fair value of the reporting unit to the carrying amount of the reporting unit (the “First Step”). If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, a second step must be followed to calculate impairment (the “Second Step”). Otherwise, if the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying amount, the goodwill is not considered to be impaired as of the measurement date. In its review of the carrying value of the goodwill for its single reporting unit and its indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company determines fair values of its goodwill using the market approach, and its indefinite-lived intangible assets using the income approach. Intangible assets not considered indefinite-lived are reviewed for impairment when facts or circumstances suggest that the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. The Company’s policy is to identify and record impairment losses, if necessary, on intangible product rights when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amounts of those assets. The company performed its review for impairment using the qualitative assessment for both goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, and has determined that there has been no impairment to these assets as of December 31, 2015.
Contingent Purchase Price Consideration	Contingent Purchase Price Consideration — Contingent consideration is recorded at the estimated fair value as of the acquisition date. The fair value of the contingent consideration is remeasured at each reporting period with any adjustments in fair value included in our consolidated statement of comprehensive loss.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition - The Company recognized revenue from the sale of Abstral. Revenue is recognized when (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery has occurred and title has passed, (iii) the price is fixed or determinable and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. We sold Abstral product in the United States to wholesale pharmaceutical distributors and retail pharmacies, or collectively, our "customers," subject to rights of return. During the year ended December 31, 2013, we began recognizing Abstral product sales at the time title transfers to our customer, and providing for an estimate of future product returns. Revenue from product sales is recorded net of provisions for estimated returns, prompt pay discounts, wholesaler discounts, rebates, chargebacks, patient assistance program rebates and other deductions as needed. Net revenue is included in discontinued operations as detailed in Note 17. Returns - The Company estimates future returns based on historical return information, as well as information regarding prescription information and sell-through trends, in relation to the estimated amount of product in the sales channels and product expiration dates. The allowance for returns is recorded as a reduction to revenue in the period in which the revenue is recognized, with a corresponding allowance against accounts receivable. Product Sales Discounts and Allowances - The Company recognizes revenue at the point of sale to its wholesale pharmaceutical distributors and retail pharmacies and the allowances for product returns, rebates and allowances are recognized at the point of sale. The Company is required to make significant judgments and estimates in determining some of these allowances. If actual results differ from its estimates, the Company will be required to make adjustments to these allowances in the future. Prompt Pay Discounts - As an incentive for prompt payment, the Company offers a cash discount to customers, generally 2% of gross sales. The Company expects that all customers will comply with the contractual terms to earn the discount. The Company records the discount as an allowance against accounts receivable and a reduction of revenue. Wholesaler Discounts - The Company offers discounts to certain wholesalers and distributors based on contractually determined rates. The Company accrues the discount as a reduction of receivables due from the wholesalers upon shipment to the respective wholesale distributors and retail pharmacies and recognizes the discount as a reduction of revenue in the same period the related revenue is recognized. Rebates - The Company participates in certain rebate programs, which provide discounted prescriptions to members of group purchasing organizations and specialty pharmacies. Under these rebate programs, the Company pays a rebate to the third-party administrator of the program, generally two to three months after the quarter in which prescriptions subject to the rebate are filled. The Company estimates and accrues these rebates based on current contract prices, historical and estimated future percentages of product sold to qualifying member pharmacies and estimated levels of inventory in the distribution channel. Rebates are recognized as a reduction in the period that the related revenue is recognized. Chargebacks - The Company provides discounts primarily to authorized users of the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) of the General Services Administration under an FSS contract negotiated by the Department of Veterans Affairs and various organizations under Medicaid or Medicare contracts and regulations. These entities purchase products from the wholesale distributors at a discounted price, and the wholesale distributors then charge back to the Company the difference between the current retail price and the price the entity paid for the product. The Company estimates and accrues chargebacks based on estimated wholesaler inventory levels, current contract prices and historic chargeback activity. Chargebacks are recognized as a reduction of revenue in the period the related revenue is recognized. Patient Assistance Programs - The Company offers discount card programs to patients for Abstral in which patients receive discounts on their Abstral prescriptions that are reimbursed by the company. The Company estimates the total amount that will be recognized based on a percentage of actual redemption applied to inventory in the distribution and retail channel and recognizes the discount as a reduction of revenue and as an other current liability in the same period the related revenue is recognized.
Acquisitions and In-Licensing	Acquisitions and In-Licensing — For all in-licensed products and technologies, we perform an analysis to determine whether we hold a variable interest or a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. On the basis of our interpretations and conclusions, we determine whether the acquisition falls under the purview of variable interest entity accounting and if so, consider the necessity to consolidate the acquisition. As of December 31, 2015, we determined there were no variable interest entities required to be consolidated. We also perform an analysis to determine if the assets and liabilities acquired in an acquisition qualify as a "business." The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired can only be recognized as goodwill in a business combination. The acquisition of the Abstral U.S. rights has been accounted for as an asset acquisition and not a business combination. The purchase price, including transaction costs, was recorded as an intangible asset related to the license and distribution rights acquired in the transaction. No other significant assets or liabilities were acquired or assumed in the transaction. The license and distribution rights will be amortized over ten years in a pattern based on our Abstral sales projections. The acquisition of the Zuplenz U.S. rights has been accounted for as a business combination. Refer to Note 14 for further information regarding the acquisition of Abstral U.S. rights and Zuplenz U.S. rights.
Patents and Patent Application Costs	Patents and Patent Application Costs — Although the Company believes that its patents and underlying technology have continuing value, the amount of future benefits to be derived from the patents is uncertain. Patent costs are, therefore, expensed as incurred.
Legal Fees and Insurance Recoveries	Legal Fees and Insurance Recoveries — There can be a significant time lag between the time that legal fees are incurred and the insurance reimbursement available to offset the related costs. The legal costs are recorded in the period they are incurred, and the insurance recoveries for those costs are recorded in the period when the insurance reimbursement is deemed probable.
Share-based Compensation	Share-based Compensation — The Company follows the provisions of the FASB ASC Topic 718, “ Compensation — Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”), which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all stock-based payment awards made to employees, non-employee directors, and consultants, including stock options and warrants. Stock compensation expense based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718 is recognized as an expense over the requisite service period. For stock options and warrants granted as consideration for services rendered by non-employees, the Company recognizes compensation expense in accordance with the requirements of FASB ASC Topic 505-50 (“ASC 505-50”), “ Equity Based Payments to Non- Employees .” Non-employee option and warrant grants that do not vest immediately upon grant are recorded as an expense over the vesting period. At the end of each financial reporting period prior to vesting, the value of these options and warrants, as calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, will be re-measured using the fair value of the company’s common stock and the non-cash compensation recognized during the period will be adjusted accordingly. Since the fair market value of options and warrants granted to non-employees is subject to change in the future, the amount of the future compensation expense will include fair value re-measurements until the stock options are fully vested.
Research and Development Expenses	Research and Development Expenses — Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Included in research and development costs are wages, benefits and other operating costs, facilities, supplies, external services and overhead related to our research and development departments, and clinical trial expenses. Clinical trial expenses include direct costs associated with contract research organizations ("CROs"), as well as patient-related costs at sites at which our trials are being conducted. Direct costs associated with our CROs are generally payable on a time and materials basis, or when certain enrollment and monitoring milestones are achieved. Expense related to a milestone is recognized in the period in which the milestone is achieved or in which we determine that it is more likely than not that it will be achieved. The invoicing from clinical trial sites can lag several months. We accrue these site costs based on our estimate of upfront set-up costs upon the screening of the first patient at each site, and the patient related costs based on our knowledge of patient enrollment status at each site.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes — The Company recognizes liabilities or assets for the deferred tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets or liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements in accordance with FASB ASC 740-10, “ Accounting for Income Taxes” (“ASC 740-10”). These temporary differences will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years when the reported amounts of the assets or liabilities are recovered or settled. ASC 740-10 requires that a valuation allowance be established when management determines that it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred asset will not be realized. The Company evaluates the realizability of its net deferred income tax assets and valuation allowances as necessary, at least on an annual basis. During this evaluation, the company reviews its forecasts of income in conjunction with other positive and negative evidence surrounding the realizability of its deferred income tax assets to determine if a valuation allowance is required. Adjustments to the valuation allowance will increase or decrease the company’s income tax provision or benefit. The recognition and measurement of benefits related to the company’s tax positions requires significant judgment, as uncertainties often exist with respect to new laws, new interpretations of existing laws, and rulings by taxing authorities. Differences between actual results and the company’s assumptions or changes in the company’s assumptions in future periods are recorded in the period they become known.
Concentrations of Credit Risk	Concentrations of Credit Risk — Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash balances in several accounts with two banks, which at times are in excess of federally insured limits. As of December 31, 2015 , the company’s cash equivalents were invested in money market mutual funds. The Company’s investment policy does not allow investment in any debt securities rated less than “investment grade” by national ratings services. The Company has not experienced any losses on its deposits of cash and cash equivalents.
Comprehensive Loss	Comprehensive Loss — Comprehensive loss consists of our net loss and other comprehensive income related to the unrealized gain (loss), net of tax, on our marketable securities, which were classified as available-for-sale.
Fair Value Measurement	Fair Value Measurements The Company follows ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” (“ASC 820”) for the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair value at each reporting period, and are re-measured and reported at fair value at least annually using a fair value hierarchy that is broken down into three levels. Level inputs are defined as follows: Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 — other significant observable inputs for the assets or liabilities through corroboration with market data at the measurement date. Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs that reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use to price the assets or liabilities at the measurement date. The Company categorized its cash equivalents and marketable securities as Level 1 inputs. The valuations for Level 1 were determined based on a “market approach” using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Valuation of these assets does not require a significant degree of judgment. The Company categorized its warrants potentially settleable in cash as Level 2 inputs. The warrants are measured at market value on a recurring basis and are being marked to market each quarter-end until they are completely settled. The warrants are valued using an appropriate pricing model, using assumptions consistent with our application of ASC 718. The contingent purchase price consideration is categorized as Level 3 inputs and is measured at its estimated fair value on a recurring basis and is adjusted at each quarter-end until it is completely settled. The contingent price consideration is valued based on the expected timing of milestones, the expected probability of success for each milestone and discount rates based on a corporate debt interest rate index publicly issued.
Net Loss Per Share	Net Loss Per Share The Company accounts for and discloses net loss per common share in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 260 “ Earnings per Share.” Basic net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares that would have been outstanding during the period assuming the issuance of common shares for all potential dilutive common shares outstanding. Potential common shares consist of shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants.

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Contingent Purchase Price Consideration, Measured at Estimated Fair Value on Recurring Basis	December 31, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Cash equivalents $ 29,171 $ 29,171 $ — $ — Total assets measured and recorded at fair value $ 29,171 $ 29,171 $ — $ — Liabilities: Warrants potentially settleable in cash $ 14,518 $ — $ 14,518 $ — Contingent purchase price consideration 6,142 — — 6,142 Total liabilities measured and recorded at fair value $ 20,660 $ — $ 14,518 $ 6,142 December 31, 2014 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Cash equivalents $ 19,477 $ 19,477 $ — $ — Total assets measured and recorded at fair value $ 19,477 $ 19,477 $ — $ — Liabilities: Warrants potentially settleable in cash $ 5,383 $ — $ 5,383 $ — Contingent purchase price consideration 6,651 — — 6,651 Total liabilities measured and recorded at fair value $ 12,034 $ — $ 5,383 $ 6,651
Reconciliation of Level 3 Liabilities	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending Level 3 liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows (in thousands): Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Balance, January 1, 2014 $ 6,821 Change in the estimated fair value of the contingent purchase price consideration (170 ) Balance, December 31, 2014 6,651 Change in the estimated fair value of the contingent purchase price consideration (509 ) Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 6,142

Accrued Expenses and Other Cu31

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Schedule of Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following (in thousands): December 31, 2015 2014 Clinical development expense $ 3,294 $ 6,967 Compensation and related benefits 1,535 1,040 Professional fees 435 821 Interest expense 28 57 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities $ 5,292 $ 8,885

Long-term Debt (Tables)

Long-term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Principal Payments	As of December 31, 2015, future schedule principal payments to be made on long-term debt are as follows (in thousands): 2016 Principal Payments $ 4,254 Add - 5.5% cash final payment (less Unamortized debt issuance costs) 485 Carrying value of long-term debt $ 4,739

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Litigation Settlement	The litigation settlement is summarized as follow (in thousands) Amount Class action settlement $ 20,000 Derivative settlement 5,000 Total settlement payable 25,000 Payable by the insurance carriers 21,700 Payable by the company in cash 2,300 Payable by the company in common stock 1,000 Total settlement payable $ 25,000
Schedule of Contractual Obligations and Future Cash Payments	The Company’s contractual obligations that may require future cash payments as of December 31, 2015 are as follows (in thousands): Operating Leases (1) Non-Cancelable Employment Agreements (2) Subtotal Cancelable License Agreements (3) Total 2016 $ 316 $ 850 $ 1,166 $ 350 $ 1,516 2017 323 — 323 350 673 2018 316 — 316 350 666 2019 251 — 251 4,200 4,451 2020 and thereafter 236 — 236 2,965 3,201 Total $ 1,442 $ 850 $ 2,292 $ 8,215 $ 10,507 (1) Operating leases are primarily facility and equipment related obligations with third party vendors. Operating lease expenses during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 were approximately $116,000 , $72,000 and $77,000 , respectively. (2) Employment agreement obligations include management contracts, as well as scientific advisory board member compensation agreements. Certain agreements, which have been revised from time to time, provide for minimum salary levels, adjusted annually at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, as well as for minimum bonuses that are payable. (3) License agreements generally relate to the company’s obligations with The Board of Regents, University of Texas and Henry M. Jackson Foundation for our oncology therapies. The company continually assesses the progress of its licensed technology and the progress of its research and development efforts as it relates to its licensed technology and may terminate with notice to the licensor at any time. In the event these licenses are terminated, no amounts will be due.

Stock Based Compensation (Table

Stock Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Stock-based Compensation Expense	The following table summarizes the components of stock-based compensation expense in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014, and 2013 (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Research and development $ 350 $ 484 $ 754 General and administrative 1,591 4,903 2,150 Total stock-based compensation $ 1,941 $ 5,387 $ 2,904
Assumptions for Option Grants Issued	The company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and the following weighted-average assumptions to determine the fair value of all its stock options granted: 2015 2014 2013 Risk free interest rate 1.67 % 2.01 % 1.57 % Volatility 73.97 % 79.37 % 77.98 % Expected lives (years) 6.16 6.16 6.25 Expected dividend yield 0.00 % 0.00 % 0.00 %
Stock Option Activity	The following table summarizes option activity of the company: Total Number of Shares (In Thousands) Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding at December 31, 2014 8,590 $ 3.25 Granted 6,743 1.63 Exercised (39 ) 0.79 Cancelled (2,032 ) 2.31 Outstanding at December 31, 2015 13,262 $ 2.58 Options exercisable at December 31, 2015 7,192 $ 3.22

Warrants (Tables)

Warrants (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Warrants and Rights Note Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Warrant Activity	The following is a summary of warrant activity for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): March September 2013 Warrants December 2012 Warrants April 2011 Warrants Other Warrant Issuances Consultant and Oxford Warrants Total Outstanding, January 1, 2014 — 6,442 4,917 1,158 1,444 889 14,850 Granted — — — — — 300 300 Exercised — (2,469 ) (1,886 ) (543 ) (327 ) (469 ) (5,694 ) Expired — — — — (916 ) — (916 ) Outstanding, December 31, 2014 — 3,973 3,031 615 201 720 8,540 Granted 14,006 — — — — — 14,006 Expired — — — — — (238 ) (238 ) Outstanding, December 31, 2015 14,006 3,973 3,031 615 201 482 22,308 Expiration March 2020 September 2018 December 2017 April 2017 Varies 2014-2016 Varies 2014-2020
Fair Value of Warrants is Estimated Using Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model	The fair value of the warrants is estimated using an appropriate pricing model with the following inputs: As of December 31, 2015 March 2015 Warrants September 2013 Warrants December 2012 Warrants April 2011 Warrants March 2011 Warrants March 2010 Warrants Strike price $ 2.08 $ 2.50 $ 1.83 $ 0.65 $ 0.65 $ 2.02 Expected term (years) 4.22 2.72 1.98 1.31 0.18 0.24 Volatility % 75.85 % 74.70 % 76.37 % 65.60 % 47.98 % 71.41 % Risk-free rate % 1.58 % 1.24 % 1.05 % 0.77 % — % — % As of December 31, 2014 September 2013 Warrants December 2012 Warrants April 2011 Warrants March 2011 Warrants March 2010 Warrants Strike price $ 2.50 $ 1.90 $ 0.65 $ 0.65 $ 2.15 Expected term (years) 3.72 2.98 2.31 1.18 1.24 Volatility % 75.60 % 76.85 % 78.24 % 77.38 % 77.12 % Risk-free rate % 1.30 % 1.09 % 0.80 % 0.32 % 0.35 %
Changes in Fair Value of Warrant Liability	The changes in fair value of the warrant liability for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands): March September 2013 Warrants December 2012 Warrants April 2011 Warrants Other Warrant Issuances Total Warrant liability, January 1, 2014 $ — $ 22,950 $ 18,060 $ 5,069 $ 2,886 $ 48,965 Fair value of warrants granted — — — — — — Fair value of warrants exercised — (12,713 ) (10,086 ) (2,906 ) (1,321 ) (27,026 ) Change in fair value of warrants — (7,677 ) (5,947 ) (1,538 ) (1,394 ) (16,556 ) Warrant liability, December 31, 2014 — 2,560 2,027 625 171 5,383 Fair value of warrants granted 10,296 — — — — 10,296 Fair value of warrants exercised — — — — — — Change in fair value of warrants 41 (627 ) (462 ) (88 ) (25 ) (1,161 ) Warrant liability, December 31, 2015 $ 10,337 $ 1,933 $ 1,565 $ 537 $ 146 $ 14,518

Other Income (Expense) (Tables)

Other Income (Expense) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Income (Expense)	Other Income Other income is summarized as follows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Realized gain on sale of marketable securities $ — $ — $ 3,911 Change in fair value of the contingent purchase price liability 509 170 (926 ) Miscellaneous other income — — 37 Total other income $ 509 $ 170 $ 3,022

Net Loss Per Share (Tables)

Net Loss Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Common Shares Excluded from Net Loss	The following table sets forth the potentially dilutive common shares excluded from the calculation of net loss per common share because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive (in thousands): December 31, 2015 2014 Warrants to purchase common stock 22,308 8,540 Options to purchase common stock 13,262 8,590 Total 35,570 17,130

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Federal and State Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	The components of federal and state income tax expense are as follows (in thousands): As of December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Current Federal $ — $ — $ — State — — — Total current — — — Deferred expense (benefit) Federal 332 — 894 State 33 — 158 Total deferred 365 — 1,052 Total income tax expense (benefit) $ 365 $ — $ 1,052
Components of Net Deferred Tax Assets	The components of net deferred tax assets are as follows (in thousands): As of December 31, 2015 2014 Net operating loss carryforwards $ 75,221 $ 53,950 Tax credit carryforwards 3,866 3,590 Stock based compensation 5,050 4,676 Other 1,430 190 Licensing deduction deferral 9,910 8,919 Gross deferred tax assets 95,477 71,325 Valuation allowance (95,477 ) (71,325 ) Net deferred tax asset $ — $ —
Components of Net Deferred Tax Liabilities	The components of net deferred tax liabilities are as follows (in thousands): As of December 31, 2015 2014 In-process research and development not subject to future amortization for tax purposes $ 5,418 $ 5,053 Gross deferred tax liability $ 5,418 $ 5,053
Schedule of Provision Computed by Applying Federal Statutory Rate	The provision for income taxes differs from the provision computed by applying the federal statutory rate to net loss before income taxes as follows (in thousands): As of December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Expected federal income tax benefit $ (21,603 ) $ (12,447 ) $ (25,713 ) State income taxes after credits (2,375 ) (1,283 ) (3,676 ) Unrealized gain on marketable securities — — 1,052 Changes in warrant value (456 ) (6,503 ) 17,283 Stock compensation 508 3,996 813 Effect of change in valuation allowance 24,029 17,275 11,408 Income tax credits (276 ) (42 ) (240 ) Other 538 (996 ) 125 $ 365 $ — $ 1,052

Significant Customers and Con39

Significant Customers and Concentration of Credit Risk (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Schedules of Concentration of Risk, by Risk Factor	The percentage of product sales to our customer that represented 10% or more of revenue in at least one of the periods presented, is as follows: Year ended December 31, 2014 2013 Customer A 43 % 25 % Customer B 18 % 6 % Customer C 14 % 26 % Customer D 11 % 34 % The following accounts represented 10% or more of total accounts receivable in at least one of the periods presented: December 31, 2014 2013 Customer A 24 % 25 % Customer B 31 % 1 % Customer C 16 % 11 % Customer D 21 % 54 %

Selected Quarterly Financial 40

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	The following amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts: 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter 2015 Net revenue $ 2,750 $ 3,382 $ 2,166 $ 1,436 Gross profit on net revenue (1) $ 2,357 $ 2,914 $ 1,454 $ 1,229 Net loss $ (10,537 ) $ (15,660 ) $ (18,026 ) $ (19,678 ) Net loss per share $ (0.08 ) $ (0.10 ) $ (0.11 ) $ (0.12 ) 2014 Net revenue $ 2,173 $ 2,331 $ 1,620 $ 3,195 Gross profit on net revenue (1) $ 1,751 $ 1,886 $ 1,303 $ 2,536 Net loss $ (2,536 ) $ (19,941 ) $ (6,173 ) $ (7,506 ) Net loss per share $ (0.02 ) $ (0.17 ) $ (0.05 ) $ (0.06 )

Discontinued Operations, Asse41

Discontinued Operations, Assets Held for Sale (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures	The following table describes the net proceeds from the sale and the assets and liabilities sold, net of selling costs (in thousands): Sale of Abstral and related assets on November 19, 2015 Sale of Zuplenz and related assets on December 24, 2015 Net proceeds from sales Total consideration $ 8,348 $ 3,750 Less selling costs* (815 ) (1,050 ) Proceeds from sale, net of selling costs $ 7,533 $ 2,700 *Note selling costs related to the sale of Zuplenz and related assets are included in accrued liabilities and were paid in the first quarter of 2016. The following table presents a reconciliation of the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities of the commercial operations to assets held for sale in the balance sheets (in thousands): 2015 2014 Carrying amounts of assets included as part of discontinued operations: Accounts receivable $ 392 $ 1,535 Inventories — 655 Prepaid expenses and other current assets — 1,747 Equipment and furnishings, net — 270 Abstral rights, net — 14,533 Zuplenz rights — 8,101 Goodwill — 172 Total current assets of discontinued operations $ 392 $ 27,013 Carrying amounts of liabilities included as part of discontinued operations: Accounts payable $ 1,491 $ 385 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 4,434 6,784 Total current liabilities of discontinued operations $ 5,925 $ 7,169 The following table represents the components attributable to the commercial business in 2015, 2014, and 2013 that are presented in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss as discontinued operations (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Net revenue $ 9,734 $ 9,319 $ 2,487 Cost of revenue (1,780 ) (1,403 ) (520 ) Amortization of certain acquired intangible assets (921 ) (440 ) (131 ) Research and development (355 ) (680 ) (651 ) Selling, general, and administrative (17,655 ) (15,118 ) (6,536 ) Impairment charge form classification as held for sale (8,071 ) — — Loss on sale of commercial business assets (4,549 ) — — Severance and exit costs (1,349 ) — — Loss from discontinued operations $ (24,946 ) $ (8,322 ) $ (5,351 )

Business and Basis of Present42

Business and Basis of Presentation (Additional Information) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule Of Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Highly-liquid debt instruments maturity days	90 days
Inventories	$ 0	$ 655
Inventory, work in process		455
Inventory finished goods		200
Prompt pay discount, percent of gross sales	2.00%
Amortization period of license and distribution rights	10 years
Income tax expense	$ 365	$ 0	$ 1,052
Interest bearing accounts	$ 30,432
Minimum [Member] | Equipment and Furnishings [Member]
Schedule Of Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Maximum [Member] | Equipment and Furnishings [Member]
Schedule Of Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	5 years

Business Combinations (Details)

Business Combinations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 5,898	$ 5,897

RXi Spin-off (Additional Inform

RXi Spin-off (Additional Information) (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of shares after spin-off	$ 3,911,000
RXi [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash contribution in capital			$ 1,500,000
Proceeds from technology revenue	45,000,000
Proceeds from technology revenue under condition one	15,000,000
Proceeds from technology revenue under condition two	30,000,000
Minimum estimated sales	500,000,000
Estimated sales	$ 1,000,000,000
Number of shares distributed to surrenders under spin-off		66,959,894
Number of shares retained by company under spin-off		33,476,595
Lock up period of shares under spin-off	1 year
Expiration date of shares under spin-off	Apr. 27, 2013
Number of shares sold by company after spin-off	1,115,887

Fair Value Measurements (Contin

Fair Value Measurements (Contingent Purchase Price Consideration, Measured at Estimated Fair Value on Recurring Basis) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$ 30,432
Liabilities:
Warrants potentially settleable in cash	14,518	$ 5,383
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Liabilities:
Contingent purchase price consideration	6,142	6,651	$ 6,821
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets:
Cash equivalents	29,171	19,477
Total assets	29,171	19,477
Liabilities:
Warrants potentially settleable in cash	14,518	5,383
Contingent purchase price consideration	6,142	6,651
Total liabilities	20,660	12,034
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]
Assets:
Cash equivalents	29,171	19,477
Total assets	29,171	19,477
Liabilities:
Warrants potentially settleable in cash	0	0
Contingent purchase price consideration	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Assets:
Cash equivalents	0	0
Total assets	0	0
Liabilities:
Warrants potentially settleable in cash	14,518	5,383
Contingent purchase price consideration	0	0
Total liabilities	14,518	5,383
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Assets:
Cash equivalents	0	0
Total assets	0	0
Liabilities:
Warrants potentially settleable in cash	0	0
Contingent purchase price consideration	6,142	6,651
Total liabilities	$ 6,142	$ 6,651

Fair Value Measurements (Reconc

Fair Value Measurements (Reconciliation of Level 3 Liabilities) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Change in the estimated fair value of the contingent purchase price consideration	$ 509	$ 170	$ (926)
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance Liabilities	6,651	6,821
Change in the estimated fair value of the contingent purchase price consideration	509	170
Ending Balance Liabilities	$ 6,142	$ 6,651	$ 6,821

Accrued Expenses and Other Cu47

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Clinical development expense	$ 3,294	$ 6,967
Compensation and related benefits	1,535	1,040
Professional fees	435	821
Interest expense	28	57
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$ 5,292	$ 8,885

Long-term Debt (Additional Info

Long-term Debt (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	May. 08, 2013	Sep. 18, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan, amount	$ 15
Term for interest only payments	12 months
Interest payments at the fixed coupon rate	8.45%
Term for principal and interest payments	30 months
Cash facility fee percentage	1.00%
Cash final payment percentage	5.50%
Warrant term	7 years
Number of shares availabe from warrants		0.35
Exercise price (usd per share)	$ 2.47	$ 2.50
Duration of average market price used for warrant exercise price	20 days
Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of shares availabe from warrants	182,186
First Tranche [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan, amount	$ 10

Long-term Debt (Schedule of Fut

Long-term Debt (Schedule of Future Principal Payments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2,015	$ 4,254
Add - 5.5% cash final payment (less Unamortized debt issuance costs)	485
Total debt	4,739
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	(4,739)	$ (3,910)
Total long-term debt, net	$ 0	$ 4,492

Commitments and Contingencies50

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Damages paid by insurance Companies	$ 21,700
Total number of shares cancelled			2,032,000
Payable by the company in cash	2,300
Litigation settlement payable in common stock	(1,000)		$ 1,000	$ 0	$ 0
Settled Litigation [Member] | Galena Biopharma, Inc. Securities Litigation, Civil Action No. 3:14-cv-00367-SI
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Settlement payment	20,000
Damages paid by insurance Companies	16,700
Damages paid	3,300
Payable by the company in cash	2,300
Litigation settlement payable in common stock	1,000
Attorney fees		$ 2,000
Maximum [Member] | Settled Litigation [Member] | Galena Biopharma, Inc. Derivative Litigation, Civil Action No. 3:14-cv-00382-SI
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Settlement payment	15,000
Legal fees	$ 5,000
Director [Member] | Settled Litigation [Member] | Galena Biopharma, Inc. Derivative Litigation, Civil Action No. 3:14-cv-00382-SI
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Total number of shares cancelled	1,200,000

Commitments and Contingencies51

Commitments and Contingencies (Funds of the Litigation Settlement) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation Settlement, Amount	$ 25,000
Payable by the insurance carriers	21,700
Payable by the company in cash	2,300
Payable by the company in common stock	1,000	$ (1,000)	$ 0	$ 0
Galena Biopharma, Inc. Securities Litigation, Civil Action No. 3:14-cv-00367-SI
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation Settlement, Amount	20,000
Galena Biopharma, Inc. Derivative Litigation, Civil Action No. 3:14-cv-00382-SI
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation Settlement, Amount	$ 5,000

Commitments and Contingencies52

Commitments and Contingencies (Schedule of Contractual Obligations and Future Cash Payments) (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Operating Leases - 2016	$ 316
Operating Leases - 2017	323
Operating Leases - 2018	316
Operating Leases - 2019	251
Operating Leases -2020	236
Total	1,442
2,016	1,516
2,017	673
2,018	666
2,019	4,451
2,020	3,201
Total	10,507
Non-Cancelable Employment Agreements [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
2,016	850
2,017	0
2,018	0
2,019	0
2,020	0
Total	850
Subtotal [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
2,016	1,166
2,017	323
2,018	316
2,019	251
2,020	236
Total	2,292
Cancelable License Agreements [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
2,016	350
2,017	350
2,018	350
2,019	4,200
2,020	2,965
Total	$ 8,215

Commitments and Contingencies53

Commitments and Contingencies (Schedule of Contractual Obligations and Future Cash Payments) (Footnotes) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating lease expenses	$ 116	$ 72	$ 77

Stockholders' Equity (Additiona

Stockholders' Equity (Additional Information) (Detail) - USD ($)	Dec. 04, 2015	Apr. 10, 2015	Mar. 18, 2015	Nov. 18, 2014	Sep. 23, 2013	Sep. 18, 2013	May. 24, 2013	Apr. 10, 2015	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	May. 08, 2013
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized										5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (usd per share)										$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized										275,000,000	125,000,000
Common stock, par value (usd per share)										$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Issuance of common stock, shares						17,500,000				1,400,000	1,400,000
Share price (usd per share)						$ 2
Proceeds from issuance of shares					$ 5,200,000	$ 35,000,000				$ 2,300,000	$ 2,300,000
Purchase Agreement Term				36 months
Number of shares per unit						1
Number of shares availabe from warrants						0.35
Exercise price (usd per share)						$ 2.50							$ 2.47
Proceeds from issuance of shares, net underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses									$ 37,500,000
Issuance of common stock										$ 47,416,000	$ 10,705,000	$ 37,539,000
Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares issued, overallotment option						2,625,000
Warrants to purchase common stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares issued, overallotment option						918,750
Lincoln Park Capital, LLC [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Issuance of common stock, shares										4,600,000
Share price (usd per share)				$ 2
Proceeds from issuance of shares				$ 4,900,000						$ 8,500,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Purchase of Assets				2,500,000
Lincoln Park Capital, LLC [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Issuance of common stock, shares				631,221
Proceeds from issuance of shares				$ 50,000,000
MLV & Co. LLC and Maxim Group LLC [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
At Market Issuance Sales Agreements, Percent of Gross Proceeds							3.00%
At Market Issuance Sales Agreements, Maximum Gross Proceeds	$ 20,000,000						$ 20,000,000
Kwang Dong Pharmaceutical Company [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Issuance of common stock										$ 1,247,000
Kwang Dong Pharmaceutical Company [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Issuance of common stock, shares										492,988
Subsequent Event [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized			3,653,846
Issuance of common stock, shares			24,358,974
Share price (usd per share)			$ 1.56
Proceeds from issuance of shares			$ 38,000,000
Number of shares availabe from warrants			0.50
Exercise price (usd per share)			$ 2.08
Shares issued, overallotment option			1,826,923
Proceeds from issuance of shares, net underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses		$ 5,400,000						$ 40,800,000

Stock Based Compensation (Compo

Stock Based Compensation (Components of Stock-based Compensation Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Research and Development Expense [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 350	$ 484	$ 754
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	1,591	4,903	2,150
Continuing Operations [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 1,941	$ 5,387	$ 2,904

Warrants (Schedule of Warrant A

Warrants (Schedule of Warrant Activity) (Detail) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Warrants outstanding , Beginning balance	8,540	14,850
Granted	14,006	300
Exercised	0	(5,694)
Expired	(238)	(916)
Warrants outstanding , Ending balance	22,308	8,540
March 2015 Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Warrants outstanding , Beginning balance	0	0
Granted	14,006	0
Exercised	0	0
Expired	0	0
Warrants outstanding , Ending balance	14,006	0
Expiration	Mar. 18, 2020
September 2013 Warrant [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Warrants outstanding , Beginning balance	3,973	6,442
Granted	0	0
Exercised	0	(2,469)
Expired	0	0
Warrants outstanding , Ending balance	3,973	3,973
Expiration	Sep. 18, 2018
December 2012 Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Warrants outstanding , Beginning balance	3,031	4,917
Granted	0	0
Exercised	0	(1,886)
Expired	0	0
Warrants outstanding , Ending balance	3,031	3,031
Expiration	Dec. 31, 2017
April 2011 Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Warrants outstanding , Beginning balance	615	1,158
Granted	0	0
Exercised	0	(543)
Expired	0	0
Warrants outstanding , Ending balance	615	615
Expiration	Apr. 30, 2017
Other Warrant Issues [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Warrants outstanding , Beginning balance	201	1,444
Granted	0	0
Exercised	0	(327)
Expired	0	(916)
Warrants outstanding , Ending balance	201	201
Other Warrant Issues [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Expiration	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Warrant Issues [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Expiration	Dec. 31, 2016
Consultant and Oxford Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Warrants outstanding , Beginning balance	720	889
Granted	0	300
Exercised	0	(469)
Expired	(238)	0
Warrants outstanding , Ending balance	482	720
Consultant and Oxford Warrants [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Expiration	Dec. 31, 2014
Consultant and Oxford Warrants [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Expiration	Dec. 31, 2020

Stock Based Compensation (Assum

Stock Based Compensation (Assumptions for Option Grants Issued) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Risk free interest rate	1.67%	2.01%	1.57%
Volatility	73.97%	79.37%	77.98%
Expected lives (years)	6 years 1 month 28 days	6 years 1 month 28 days	6 years 3 months
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Warrants (Fair Value of Warrant

Warrants (Fair Value of Warrants is Estimated Using Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model) (Detail) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
March 2015 Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Strike price	$ 2.08
Expected term (years)	4 years 2 months 19 days
Volatility %	75.85%
Risk-free rate %	1.58%
September 2013 Warrant [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Strike price	$ 2.50	$ 2.50
Expected term (years)	2 years 8 months 19 days	3 years 8 months 19 days
Volatility %	74.70%	75.60%
Risk-free rate %	1.24%	1.30%
December 2012 Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Strike price	$ 1.83	$ 1.90
Expected term (years)	1 year 11 months 23 days	2 years 11 months 23 days
Volatility %	76.37%	76.85%
Risk-free rate %	1.05%	1.09%
April 2011 Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Strike price	$ 0.65	$ 0.65
Expected term (years)	1 year 3 months 22 days	2 years 3 months 22 days
Volatility %	65.60%	78.24%
Risk-free rate %	0.77%	0.80%
March 2011 Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Strike price	$ 0.65	$ 0.65
Expected term (years)	2 months 5 days	1 year 2 months 5 days
Volatility %	47.98%	77.38%
Risk-free rate %	0.00%	0.32%
March 2010 Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Strike price	$ 2.02	$ 2.15
Expected term (years)	2 months 27 days	1 year 2 months 27 days
Volatility %	71.41%	77.12%
Risk-free rate %	0.00%	0.35%

Stock Based Compensation (Addit

Stock Based Compensation (Additional Information) (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average exercise price, granted	$ 1.07	$ 1.74
Averages contractual term	10 years
Estimated annualized forfeiture rate for options granted to employees	15.00%
Estimated annualized forfeiture rate for options granted to senior management	8.00%
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 5,662
Operating expenses weighted average period	2 years 10 months 6 days
Shares subject to outstanding common stock options granted	6,743,000
Weighted average contractual term for options outstanding	7 years 7 months 17 days	7 years 4 months 6 days	8 years 1 month 2 days
Weighted average contractual term for options exercisable	6 years 2 months 12 days	6 years 6 months 4 days	6 years 9 months 4 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value	$ 539	$ 610	$ 30,537
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value	518	509	16,376
Aggregate Intrinsic Value Of Stock Options Exercisable	$ 37	$ 13,429	$ 890
Issuance of common stock in connection with employee stock purchase plan, shares	471,869
Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Average vesting term	4 years
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Average vesting term	6 years
2007 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares of common stock reserved for issuance	26,500,000
Shares subject to outstanding common stock options granted	13,262,000
Shares available for future grants	8,177,000
Vesting periods of options granted	4 years
Options expire from date of grant	10 years
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares of common stock reserved for issuance	528,131
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Percentage Earning Of Participants		15.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Purchase Price of Common Stock, Percent		85.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Additional Shares Authorized	250,000
Percentage Increase In Number Of Shares Available For Future Issuance Under Stock Based Awards	1.00%
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Shares Issued	1,000,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity instrument granted	0	0

Warrants (Changes in Fair Value

Warrants (Changes in Fair Value of Warrant Liability) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Class of Warrant or Right, Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Warrant liability, Beginning balance	$ 5,383	$ 48,965
Fair Value of Warrants Granted	10,296	0
Fair value of warrants exercised	0	(27,026)
Change in fair value of warrants	(1,161)	(16,556)
Warrant liability, Ending balance	14,518	5,383
March 2015 Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Warrant liability, Beginning balance	0	0
Fair Value of Warrants Granted	10,296	0
Fair value of warrants exercised	0	0
Change in fair value of warrants	41	0
Warrant liability, Ending balance	10,337	0
September 2013 Warrant [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Warrant liability, Beginning balance	2,560	22,950
Fair Value of Warrants Granted	0	0
Fair value of warrants exercised	0	(12,713)
Change in fair value of warrants	(627)	(7,677)
Warrant liability, Ending balance	1,933	2,560
December 2012 Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Warrant liability, Beginning balance	2,027	18,060
Fair Value of Warrants Granted		0
Fair value of warrants exercised	0	(10,086)
Change in fair value of warrants	(462)	(5,947)
Warrant liability, Ending balance	1,565	2,027
April 2011 Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Warrant liability, Beginning balance	625	5,069
Fair Value of Warrants Granted		0
Fair value of warrants exercised	0	(2,906)
Change in fair value of warrants	(88)	(1,538)
Warrant liability, Ending balance	537	625
Other Warrant Issues [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Warrant liability, Beginning balance	171	2,886
Fair Value of Warrants Granted		0
Fair value of warrants exercised	0	(1,321)
Change in fair value of warrants	(25)	(1,394)
Warrant liability, Ending balance	$ 146	$ 171

Stock Based Compensation (Stock

Stock Based Compensation (Stock Option Activity) (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Total Number of Shares, outstanding Beginning Balance	8,590
Stock options activity, Total Number of Shares, Granted	6,743
Stock options activity, Total Number of Shares, Exercised	(39)
Stock options activity, Total Number of Shares, Cancelled	(2,032)
Total Number of Shares, outstanding Ending Balance	13,262	8,590
Total Number of Shares, exercisable	7,192
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Stock options activity, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning balance	$ 3.25
Stock options activity, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted	1.63
Stock options activity, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised	0.79
Stock options activity, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Cancelled	2.31
Stock options activity, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Ending balance	2.58	$ 3.25
Stock options activity, Weighted Average Exercise Price, exercisable	$ 3.22
Stock options activity, Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Beginning balance	$ 610	$ 30,537
Stock options activity, Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Ending balance	$ 539	$ 610

Warrants (Warrants Classified a

Warrants (Warrants Classified as Equity) (Details) - $ / shares	May. 08, 2013	Sep. 18, 2013
Warrants and Rights Note Disclosure [Abstract]
Warrants Granted, Number of Shares	182,186
Exercise price (usd per share)	$ 2.47	$ 2.50
Number of Days Averaged for Exercise Price	20 days
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	75.34%
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	7 years
Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate	1.20%
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate	0.00%
Fair Value of Warrants Granted, per Share	$ 1.93

Other Income (Expense) (Schedul

Other Income (Expense) (Schedule of Other Income (Expense)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Realized gain on sale of marketable securities	$ 0	$ 0	$ 3,911
Change in fair value of the contingent purchase price liability	509	170	(926)
Miscellaneous other income	0	0	37
Total other income	$ 509	$ 170	$ 3,022

Net Loss Per Share (Common Shar

Net Loss Per Share (Common Shares Excluded from Net Loss) (Detail) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise which were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share	35,570	17,130
Warrants to purchase common stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise which were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share	22,308	8,540
Options to purchase common stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise which were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share	13,262	8,590

Income Taxes (Components of Fed

Income Taxes (Components of Federal and State Income Tax Expense (Benefit)) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current
Federal	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
State	0	0	0
Total current	0	0	0
Deferred
Federal	332	0	894
State	33	0	158
Total deferred	365	0	1,052
Total income tax expense (benefit)	$ 365	$ 0	$ 1,052

Income Taxes (Components of Net

Income Taxes (Components of Net Deferred Tax Assets) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Net operating loss carryforwards	$ 75,221	$ 53,950
Tax credit carryforwards	3,866	3,590
Stock based compensation	5,050	4,676
Other	1,430	190
Licensing deduction deferral	9,910	8,919
Gross deferred tax assets	95,477	71,325
Valuation allowance	(95,477)	(71,325)
Net deferred tax asset	$ 0	$ 0

Income Taxes (Components of N67

Income Taxes (Components of Net Deferred Tax Liabilities) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
In-process research and development not subject to future amortization for tax purposes	$ 5,418	$ 5,053
Gross deferred tax liability	$ 5,418	$ 5,053

Income Taxes (Schedule of Provi

Income Taxes (Schedule of Provision Computed by Applying Federal Statutory Rate) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Expected federal income tax benefit	$ (21,603)	$ (12,447)	$ (25,713)
State income taxes after credits	(2,375)	(1,283)	(3,676)
Unrealized gain on marketable securities	0	0	1,052
Changes in warrant value	(456)	(6,503)	17,283
Stock compensation	508	3,996	813
Effect of change in valuation allowance	24,029	17,275	11,408
Income tax credits	(276)	(42)	240
Other	538	(996)	125
Total income tax expense (benefit)	$ 365	$ 0	$ 1,052

Income Taxes (Additional Inform

Income Taxes (Additional Information) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Federal operating loss carryforwards	$ 200
State operating loss carryforwards	183.5
Operating loss carryforwards, exercise of stock options	1.4
Decrease in deferred tax assets	(0.6)
Deferred income tax valuation		100.00%
Increase in valuation allowance	24	$ 17.4
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Research and development tax credit carryforwards	2.5
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Research and development tax credit carryforwards	$ 2.1

License Agreements License Agre

License Agreements License Agreements (Additional Information) (Detail)	Jul. 17, 2014USD ($)milestone_payment	Mar. 18, 2013milestone_payment	Mar. 30, 2013USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013USD ($)
License And Collaboration Agreements [Line Items]
Milestone payment				$ 5,000,000
Cash paid for acquisition of Abstral rights			$ 10,000,000
Phase one milestone payment				500,000
Phase two milestone payment				$ 250,000
Phase two milestone payment period				30 days
Zuplenz [Member]
License And Collaboration Agreements [Line Items]
Milestone payment	$ 16,500,000
Number of one-time future milestone payments | milestone_payment	6
Zuplenz [Member] | Minimum [Member]
License And Collaboration Agreements [Line Items]
Net sales target	$ 20,000,000
Zuplenz [Member] | Maximum [Member]
License And Collaboration Agreements [Line Items]
Net sales target	$ 100,000,000
Orexo [Member]
License And Collaboration Agreements [Line Items]
Remaining cash held of Abstral rights					$ 5,000,000
Number of one-time future milestone payments | milestone_payment		3
Estimated year of licensed patents expiration				2,019
M D Anderson Cancer Center [Member]
License And Collaboration Agreements [Line Items]
Annual maintenance fee				$ 200,000
Milestone payment				$ 200,000

Significant Customers and Con71

Significant Customers and Concentration of Credit Risk (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015productsdosing_strength	Dec. 31, 2014
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of commercial products | products	1
Number of dosing strengths | dosing_strength	6
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Product Line [Member] | Customer A [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	43.00%	25.00%
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Product Line [Member] | Customer B [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	18.00%	6.00%
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Product Line [Member] | Customer C [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	14.00%	26.00%
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Product Line [Member] | Customer D [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	11.00%	34.00%
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member] | Customer A [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	24.00%	25.00%
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member] | Customer B [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	31.00%	1.00%
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member] | Customer C [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	16.00%	11.00%
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member] | Customer D [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	21.00%	54.00%

Related Party Transactions (Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) - Troy Gould Pc [Member] - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Due to related party	$ 20,000	$ 97,000
Professional Fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	$ 577,000	$ 553,000	$ 577,000

Employee Benefit Plan (Details)

Employee Benefit Plan (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employer contribution	$ 115	$ 70	$ 35

Selected Quarterly Financial 74

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 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, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 1,436	$ 2,166	$ 3,382	$ 2,750	$ 3,195	$ 1,620	$ 2,331	$ 2,173
Gross profit on net revenue	1,229	1,454	2,914	2,357	2,536	1,303	1,886	1,751
Net loss	$ (19,678)	$ (18,026)	$ (15,660)	$ (10,537)	$ (7,506)	$ (6,173)	$ (19,941)	$ (2,536)	$ (63,902)	$ (36,606)	$ (76,678)
Net loss per share (usd per share)	$ (0.12)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.17)	$ (0.02)

Discontinued Operations, Asse75

Discontinued Operations, Assets Held for Sale (Details) - Commercial Business Segment [Member] - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Impairment charge	$ 8,100,000
Success fee contingently due to third party	900,000
Percent of realized future revenue		5.00%
Retention fees contingently due	$ 352,000
Retention fees contingently due (as percentage of consideration received)	3.00%
Abstral Rights and Zuplenz Rights [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Potential future milestone payments		$ 30,000,000

Discontinued Operations, Asse76

Discontinued Operations, Assets Held for Sale - Carrying Amounts of Assets and LIabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Total current liabilities held for sale	$ 5,925	$ 7,169
Commercial Business Segment [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Accounts receivable	392	1,535
Inventories	0	655
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0	1,747
Equipment and furnishings, net	0	270
Goodwill	0	172
Total current assets of discontinued operations	392	27,013
Accounts payable	1,491	385
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	4,434	6,784
Total current liabilities held for sale	5,925	7,169
Abstral Rights, Net [Member] | Commercial Business Segment [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Rights	0	14,533
Zuplenz Rights [Member] | Commercial Business Segment [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Rights	$ 0	$ 8,101

Discontinued Operations, Asse77

Discontinued Operations, Assets Held for Sale - Components Attributable to Commercial Business (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Impairment charge from classification as assets held for sale	$ (8,071)	$ 0	$ 0
Loss on sale of commercial business assets	(4,549)	0	0
Loss from discontinued operations	(24,946)	(8,322)	(5,351)
Commercial Business Segment [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net revenue	9,734	9,319	2,487
Cost of revenue	(1,780)	(1,403)	(520)
Amortization of certain acquired intangible assets	(921)	(440)	(131)
Research and development	(355)	(680)	(651)
Selling, general, and administrative	(17,655)	(15,118)	(6,536)
Impairment charge from classification as assets held for sale	(8,071)	0	0
Loss on sale of commercial business assets	(4,549)	0	0
Severance and exit costs	(1,349)	0	0
Loss from discontinued operations	$ (24,946)	$ (8,322)	$ (5,351)

Discontinued Operations, Asse78

Discontinued Operations, Assets Held for Sale - Significant Operating Non-cash and Capital Expenditures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization expense	$ 355	$ 362	$ 286
Purchases of property and equipment	$ (153)	$ (57)	$ (320)

Discontinued Operations, Asse79

Discontinued Operations, Assets Held for Sale - Net Proceeds from the Sale (Details) - Commercial Business Segment [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 24, 2015	Nov. 19, 2015
Abstral Rights, Net [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Consideration		$ 8,348
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Transaction Costs		(815)
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Consideration, Net		$ 7,533
Zuplenz Rights [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Consideration	$ 3,750
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Transaction Costs	(1,050)
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Consideration, Net	$ 2,700

Subsequent Events (Additional I

Subsequent Events (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Dec. 03, 2015	Apr. 10, 2015	Mar. 18, 2015	Sep. 23, 2013	Sep. 18, 2013	Apr. 10, 2015	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	May. 08, 2013
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Issuance of common stock, shares					17,500,000				1,400,000	1,400,000
Share price (usd per share)					$ 2
Proceeds from issuance of shares				$ 5,200	$ 35,000				$ 2,300	$ 2,300
Number of shares per unit					1
Exercise price (usd per share)					$ 2.50						$ 2.47
Common stock, shares authorized									275,000,000	125,000,000
Number of shares availabe from warrants					0.35
Proceeds from issuance of shares, net underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses							$ 37,500
Litigation settlement, amount	$ 25,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period									2,032,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Issuance of common stock, shares			24,358,974
Share price (usd per share)			$ 1.56
Proceeds from issuance of shares			$ 38,000
Exercise price (usd per share)			$ 2.08
Common stock, shares authorized			3,653,846
Number of shares availabe from warrants			0.50
Shares issued, overallotment option			1,826,923
Proceeds from issuance of shares, net underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses		$ 5,400				$ 40,800
Commercial Business Segment [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Impairment charge								$ 8,100
Galena Biopharma, Inc. Derivative Litigation, Civil Action No. 3:14-cv-00382-SI
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Litigation settlement, amount	5,000
Galena Biopharma, Inc. Securities Litigation, Civil Action No. 3:14-cv-00367-SI
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Litigation settlement, amount	$ 20,000