Talphera (TLPH) 10-K 3 Mar 17 2016 FY Annual report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 23, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	ACELRX PHARMACEUTICALS INC
Entity Central Index Key	1,427,925
Trading Symbol	acrx
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		45,336,540
Entity Public Float			$ 94,586
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 80,310	$ 107,922
Short-term investments		5,542
Accounts receivable, net	5,833	3,286
Inventories	2,154	466
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	756	1,731
Total current assets	89,053	118,947
Property and equipment, net	10,712	8,610
Restricted cash	178	178
Other assets	50	50
Total Assets	99,993	127,785
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	1,558	1,561
Accrued liabilities	4,595	3,956
Long-term debt, current portion	2,912	4,541
Deferred revenue, current portion	362	2,604
Liability related to the sale of future royalties, current portion	764	118
Total current liabilities	10,191	12,780
Deferred rent, net of current portion	43	245
Long-term debt, net of current portion	18,637	16,381
Deferred revenue, net of current portion	3,824	593
Liability related to the sale of future royalties, net of current portion	72,223	63,494
Contingent put option liability	124	266
Warrant liability	288	913
Total liabilities	105,330	94,672
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value—100,000,000 shares authorized as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015; 45,333,790 and 45,273,772 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015	45	45
Additional paid-in capital	240,977	236,274
Accumulated deficit	(246,362)	(203,205)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	3	(1)
Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity	(5,337)	33,113
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity	$ 99,993	$ 127,785

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, issued (in shares)	45,333,790	45,273,772
Common stock, outstanding (in shares)	45,333,790	45,273,772

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenue:
Collaboration agreement	$ 6,440,000	$ 14,857,000	$ 5,217,000
Contract and other	10,917,000	4,406,000
Total revenue	17,357,000	19,263,000	5,217,000
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold	12,315,000	1,770,000
Research and development	21,402,000	22,488,000	24,520,000
General and administrative	15,597,000	14,203,000	18,346,000
Restructuring costs		756,000
Total operating costs and expenses	49,314,000	39,217,000	42,866,000
Loss from operations	(31,957,000)	(19,954,000)	(37,649,000)
Other (expense) income:
Interest expense	(2,770,000)	(2,977,000)	(2,639,000)
Interest income and other income (expense), net	918,000	1,720,000	6,935,000
Non-cash interest expense on liability related to sale of future royalties	(9,382,000)	(2,428,000)
Total other (expense) income	(11,234,000)	(3,685,000)	4,296,000
Net loss before income taxes	(43,191,000)	(23,639,000)	(33,353,000)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	34,000	(760,000)	0
Net loss	(43,157,000)	(24,399,000)	(33,353,000)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities	4,000	3,000	(5,000)
Comprehensive loss	$ (43,153,000)	$ (24,396,000)	$ (33,358,000)
Net loss per share of common stock, basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.95)	$ (0.55)	$ (0.77)
Net loss per share of common stock, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.95)	$ (0.60)	$ (0.91)
Shares used in computing net loss per share of common stock, basic (in shares)	45,313,118	44,300,099	43,427,111
Shares used in computing net loss per share of common stock, diluted –see Note 14 (in shares)	45,313,118	44,468,440	44,322,297

Consolidated Statements of Stoc

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]	Total
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	43,050,580
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 43	$ 218,568	$ (145,453)	$ 1	$ 73,159
Stock-based compensation		4,440			4,440
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options and in connection with restricted stock units (in shares)	487,124
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options and in connection with restricted stock units		1,507			$ 1,507
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock warrants (in shares)	91,488				91,488
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock warrants		546			$ 546
Issuance of common stock upon ESPP purchase (in shares)	83,171
Issuance of common stock upon ESPP purchase		362			362
Change in unrealized gains and losses on investments				(5)	(5)
Net loss			(33,353)		(33,353)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	43,712,363
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 43	225,423	(178,806)	(4)	46,656
Stock-based compensation		5,010			$ 5,010
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock warrants (in shares)	527,101				527,101
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock warrants	$ 1	2,543			$ 2,544
Issuance of common stock upon ESPP purchase (in shares)	95,811
Issuance of common stock upon ESPP purchase		429			429
Change in unrealized gains and losses on investments				3	3
Net loss			(24,399)		(24,399)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015	45,273,772
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 45	236,274	(203,205)	(1)	33,113
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options (in shares)	938,497
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options	$ 1	2,769			2,770
Modification of warrants		100			100
Stock-based compensation		4,479			4,479
Issuance of common stock upon ESPP purchase (in shares)	60,018
Issuance of common stock upon ESPP purchase		179			179
Change in unrealized gains and losses on investments				4	4
Net loss			(43,157)		(43,157)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016	45,333,790
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 45	240,977	(246,362)	3	$ (5,337)
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options (in shares)
Modification of warrants		$ 45			$ 45

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Net loss	$ (43,157)	$ (24,399)	$ (33,353)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Non-cash royalty revenue	(7)
Non-cash interest expense on liability related to royalty monetization	9,382	2,428
Depreciation and amortization	2,052	1,984	866
Amortization of premium/discount on investments, net	17	114	216
Non-cash interest expense related to debt financing	877	897	553
Stock-based compensation	4,479	5,010	4,440
Revaluation of put option and PIPE warrant liabilities	(767)	(2,136)	(7,040)
Loss on disposal and impairment of property and equipment		573
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(2,547)	(3,286)
Inventories	(1,688)	(466)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	975	(783)	137
Restricted cash		72
Accounts payable	(437)	(786)	90
Accrued liabilities	639	325	(126)
Deferred revenue	989	784	(217)
Deferred rent	(202)	(284)	(22)
Net cash used in operating activities	(29,395)	(19,953)	(34,456)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property and equipment	(3,720)	(1,456)	(5,505)
Purchase of investments	(996)	(7,266)	(17,430)
Proceeds from maturities of investments	6,525	16,925	17,159
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	1,809	8,203	(5,776)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net Proceeds From Sale Of Future Royalties		61,184
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt			10,000
Payment of long-term debt		(4,534)
Payment of debt modification transaction costs	(205)	(215)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock through equity plans and exercise of warrants	179	3,199	1,869
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(26)	59,634	11,869
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(27,612)	47,884	(28,363)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—Beginning of period	107,922	60,038	88,401
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—End of period	80,310	107,922	60,038
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest	1,893	2,115	1,752
Income taxes (refunded) paid	(55)	782
NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Issuance of common stock upon cashless exercise of warrants		2,544	546
Modification of warrants for common stock	45	100
Tenant improvement allowance receivable			239
Purchases of property and equipment in Accounts payable	532	98	182
Purchases of property and equipment in Accrued liabilities			$ 23

Note 1 - Organization and Summa

Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	1. The Company AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., or the Company or AcelRx, was incorporated in Delaware on July 13, 2005 January 2006, AcelRx is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of acute pain. AcelRx’s lead product candidate, DSUVIA (known as ARX- 04 The Company has two first, 30 3 December 2016. October 12, 2017. The Company’s other late-stage investigational product candidate, ZALVISO ® 15 July 25, 2014. IAP312, September 2016. 2017. IAP312 2017. On December 16, 2013, July 17, 2015 September 20, 2016, September 2015, 28 December 16, 2013, July 22, 2015, July 17, 2015, Grünenthal has initially deployed the ZALVISO System in a limited number of hospitals in targeted countries under a pilot program, whereby the hospital will use ZALVISO in a small number of post-operative patients. Pilot programs are expected to last several months after which ZALVISO may second 2017 2017. The Company has incurred recurring operating losses and negative cash flows from operating activities since inception and expects to continue to incur negative cash flows. Although ZALVISO has been approved for sale in the EU, the Company sold the majority of the royalty rights and certain commercial sales milestones it is entitled to receive under the Amended License Agreement with Grünenthal to PDL BioPharma, Inc., or PDL. As a result, the Company expects to continue to incur negative cash flows. When we refer to "we," "our," "us," the "Company" or "AcelRx" in this document, we mean the current Delaware corporation, or AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and its predecessor, as well as its consolidated subsidiary. Basis of Presentation The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Reclassifications Certain prior year amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation. Refer to “Recently Issued Accounting Standards” below for additional information. Principles of Consolidation The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, ARPI LLC, which was formed in September 2015 Grünenthal, pursuant to the Amended License Agreement, or the Royalty Monetization. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Refer to Note 8 Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Management evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis including critical accounting policies. Estimates are based on historical experience and on various other market-specific and other relevant assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity (at date of purchase) of three All marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale and consist of U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities. These securities are carried at estimated fair value, which is based on quoted market prices or observable market inputs of almost identical assets, with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The amortized cost of securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. Such amortization and accretion is included in interest income or expense. The cost of securities sold is based on specific identification. The Company’s investments are subject to a periodic impairment review for other-than-temporary declines in fair value. The Company’s review includes the consideration of the cause of the impairment including the creditworthiness of the security issuers, the number of securities in an unrealized loss position, the severity and duration of the unrealized losses and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in the market value. When the Company determines that the decline in fair value of an investment is below its accounting basis and this decline is other-than-temporary, it reduces the carrying value of the security it holds and records a loss in the amount of such decline. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The Company measures and reports its cash equivalents, investments and financial liabilities at fair value. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or an exit price paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy defines a three Level I—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level II—Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level I that are observable, unadjusted quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the related assets or liabilities; and Level III—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity for the related assets or liabilities. The categorization of a financial instrument within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Segment Information The Company operates in a single segment, the development and commercialization of product candidates for the treatment of pain. The Company’s contract revenue relates to sales in the United States. The Company’s collaboration revenue relates to the Amended License Agreement with Grünenthal to commercialize ZALVISO in the countries of the European Union, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway and Australia. Concentration of Risk The Company invests cash that is currently not being used for operational purposes in accordance with its investment policy in debt securities of U.S. government sponsored agencies and overnight deposits. The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of default by the institutions holding the cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities to the extent recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company relies on a single third third To date, the Company has had only two two 100% December 31, 2016, 2015 2014. One 71% 84% December 31, 2016 2015, December 31, 2014. The Company has not experienced any losses with respect to the collection of its accounts receivable and believes that the entire accounts receivable balance as of December 31, 2016 Accounts Receivable, Net The Company has receivables from its collaboration partner and the U.S. Department of Defense, or DoD. To date, the Company has not had a bad debt allowance because of the limited number of financially sound customers who have historically paid their balances timely. The need for a bad debt allowance is evaluated each reporting period based on the Company’s assessment of the credit worthiness of its customers or any other potential circumstances that could result in bad debt. Inventories Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first first third Indirect overhead costs in excess of normal capacity are recorded as period costs in the period incurred. The Company's policy is to write down inventory that has become obsolete, inventory that has a cost basis in excess of its expected net realizable value and inventory in excess of expected requirements. The Company periodically evaluates the carrying value of inventory on hand for potential excess amount over demand using the same lower of cost or market approach as that used to value the inventory. Because selling prices to Grünenthal are set to recover only direct costs with minimal mark up, all inventories are carried at net realizable value. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally three five Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company periodically assesses the impairment of long-lived assets and, if indicators of asset impairment exist, the Company assesses the recoverability of the affected long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value of such assets can be recovered through an analysis of the undiscounted future expected operating cash flows. If impairment is indicated, the Company records the amount of such impairment for the excess of the carrying value of the asset over its estimated fair value. For example, purchased equipment and manufacturing-related facility improvements the Company has made at Patheon’s facility in Ohio, are utilized for continued research and development, commercial manufacturing of ZALVISO for Grünenthal and potential commercialization of its other product candidates. If the Company does not receive regulatory approval for its other product candidates, the Company may September 30, 2015, $0.5 December 31, 2015, December 31, 2016, not Restricted Cash Under the Company’s facility lease and corporate credit card agreements, the Company is required to maintain letters of credit as security for performance under these agreements. The letters of credit are secured by certificates of deposit in amounts equal to the letters of credit, which are classified as restricted cash on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Debt Issuance Costs Debt issuance costs, which are included in long-term debt, net of current portion, are amortized as interest expense over the contractual terms of the related credit facilities. Contingent put option The contingent put option associated with the Company’s loan and security agreement with Hercules Technology II, L.P. and Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc., collectively referred to as the Lenders, is recorded as a liability. Changes in the fair value of the contingent put option are recognized as interest income and other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. For additional information regarding the contingent put option, see Note 7 Warrants Warrants issued in connection with the Company’s Private Placement, completed in June 2012, 9 Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue when all of the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; the fee is fixed or determinable; and collectability is reasonably assured. Collaboration Revenue Collaboration revenue, which is earned under license agreements with third may AcelRx accounts for multiple-element arrangements in accordance with ASC Topic 605 25, Revenue Recognition—Multiple-Element Arrangements 605 25.The For revenue agreements with multiple-element arrangements, such as the collaboration and license agreement with Grünenthal, the Company allocates revenue to each non-contingent element based on the relative selling price of each element. When applying the relative selling price method, the Company determines the selling price for each deliverable using vendor-specific objective evidence, or VSOE, of selling price or third TPE, of selling price. If neither exists the Company uses best estimated selling price, or BESP, for that deliverable. Revenue allocated is then recognized when the four VSOE is based on the price charged when the element is sold separately and is the price actually charged for that deliverable. Establishing VSOE may may When AcelRx is unable to establish the selling price of an element using VSOE or TPE, BESP is utilized in the allocation of the elements of the arrangement. The objective of the BESP is to determine the price at which AcelRx would transact a sale if the element of the license arrangement were sold on a standalone basis. The process for determining BESPs involves management’s judgment. AcelRx’ process considers multiple factors such as discounted cash flows, estimated direct expenses and other costs and available data, which may one AcelRx recognizes a contingent milestone payment as revenue in its entirety upon our achievement of the milestone. A milestone is substantive if the consideration earned from the achievement of the milestone (i) is consistent with performance required to achieve the milestone or the increase in value to the delivered item, (ii) relates solely to past performance and (iii) is reasonable relative to all of the other deliverables and payments within the arrangement. Contract and Other Revenue In May 2015, may Cost of Goods Sold Under the Amended Agreements with Grünenthal, the Company will sell ZALVISO to Grünenthal at direct cost with minimal markup and will recognize indirect costs as period costs where they are in excess of normal capacity and not realizable on a lower of cost or market basis. Cost of goods sold for ZALVISO shipped to Grünenthal includes the inventory costs of API, third Research and Development Expenses Research and development costs are charged to expense when incurred. Research and development expenses include salaries, employee benefits, including stock-based compensation, consultant fees, laboratory supplies, costs associated with clinical trials and manufacturing, including contract research organization fees, other professional services and allocations of corporate costs. The Company reviews and accrues clinical trial expenses based on work performed, which relies on estimates of total costs incurred based on patient enrollment, completion of patient studies and other events. Stock-Based Compensation Compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors, including employee stock options and restricted stock units related to the 2011 2011 2011 The Black-Scholes option pricing model requires inputs such as expected term, expected volatility and risk-free interest rate. These inputs are subjective and generally require significant analysis and judgment to develop. Estimates of expected life are primarily determined using the simplified method in accordance with guidance provided by the SEC. Such method was utilized as the Company did not believe its historical option exercise experience, which was limited, provided a reasonable basis upon which to estimate expected term. Volatility is derived from historical volatilities of several public companies within AcelRx’s industry that are deemed to be comparable to AcelRx’s business because AcelRx’s has insufficient history on the volatility of its common stock relative to the expected life assumptions used by the Company. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant commensurate with the expected life assumption. Further, the Company estimates forfeitures at the time of grant and revises those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Restructuring Costs The Company's restructuring costs consist of employee termination benefit costs. Liabilities for costs associated with the cost reduction plan are recognized when the liability is incurred and are measured at fair value. One-time termination benefits are expensed at the date the entity notifies the employee, unless the employee must provide future service, in which case the benefits are expensed ratably over the future service period. Non-Cash Interest Expense on Liability Related to Sale of Future Royalties In September 2015, sold certain royalty and milestone payment rights from the sales of ZALVISO in the European Union by its commercial partner, Grünenthal, pursuant to the Collaboration and License Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2013, $65.0 Grünenthal. Under the relevant accounting guidance, because of the Company’s significant continuing involvement, the Royalty Monetization has been accounted for as a liability that will be amortized using the interest method over the life of the arrangement. In order to determine the amortization of the liability, the Company is required to estimate the total amount of future royalty and milestone payments to be received by PDL and payments the Company is required to make to PDL, up to a capped amount of $195.0 $195.0 $61.2 14%. The Company will record non-cash royalty revenues and non-cash interest expense within its Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss over the term of the PDL agreement. Comprehensive Loss Comprehensive loss is comprised of net loss and other comprehensive income (loss) and is disclosed in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. For the Company, other comprehensive income (loss) consists of changes in unrealized gains and losses on the Company’s investments. Income Taxes Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured based on differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Company records a valuation allowance for the full amount of deferred assets, which would otherwise be recorded for tax benefits relating to operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, as realization of such deferred tax assets cannot be determined to be more likely than not. Net Loss per Share of Common Stock The Company’s basic net loss per share of common stock is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. The diluted net loss per share of common stock is computed by giving effect to all potential common stock equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury stock method. For purposes of this calculation, convertible preferred stock, options to purchase common stock, restricted stock subject to repurchase, warrants to purchase convertible preferred stock and warrants to purchase common stock were considered to be common stock equivalents. In periods with a reported net loss, such common stock equivalents are excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share of common stock if their effect is antidilutive. For additional information regarding the net loss per share, see Note 14 Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncement In August 2014, 2014 15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern one December 15, 2016, 2014 15 December 31, 2016, Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In November 2016, 2016 18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): 2016 18 2016 18 January 1, 2018, 2016 18 In August 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016 15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): eight December 31, 2017, In March 2016, 2016 09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) December 15, 2016, In February 2016, 2016 02, Leases (Topic 842) December 15, 2018, In July 2015, 2015 11, Inventory (Topic 330) first first 2017, 2017. 2014 11 In May 2014, 2014 09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers 2014 09 may August 2015, 2015 14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): December 15, 2017. 2014 09 first 2018. first 2017 2014 09 2014 09 ● ASU No. 2016 08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): ● ASU No. 2016 10, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing (Topic 606) ; ● ASU No. 2016 11, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) 815): 2014 09 2014 16 March 3, 2016 ; ● ASU No. 2016 12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): The Company currently anticipates adoption of the new standard effective January 1, 2018 may may

Note 2 - Investments and Fair V

Note 2 - Investments and Fair Value Measurement	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Investments And Fair Value Measurement Disclosure [Text Block]	2. Investments The Company classifies its marketable securities as available-for-sale and records its investments at fair value. Available-for-sale securities are carried at estimated fair value based on quoted market prices or observable market inputs of almost identical assets, with the unrealized holding gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income. Marketable securities which have maturities beyond one The table below summarizes the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and investments (in thousands): As of December 31 , 2016 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gross Unrealized Fair Cash and cash equivalents: Cash $ 49,833 $ — $ — $ 49,833 U.S. government agency securities 30,474 3 — 30,477 Total cash and cash equivalents 80,307 3 — 80,310 Total cash, cash equivalents and investments $ 80,307 $ 3 $ — $ 80,310 As of December 31, 2015 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gross Unrealized Fair Cash and cash equivalents: Cash $ 83,112 $ — $ — $ 83,112 U.S. government agency securities 24,809 1 — 24,810 Total cash and cash equivalents 107,921 1 — 107,922 Marketable securities: U.S. government agency securities 5,544 — (2 ) 5,542 Total marketable securities 5,544 — (2 ) 5,542 Total cash, cash equivalents and investments $ 113,465 $ 1 $ (2 ) $ 113,464 None no December 31, 2016 2015. no December 31, 2016 2015. no December 31, 2016 2015. As of December 31, 2016 2015, one Fair Value Measurement The Company’s financial instruments consist of Level II assets and Level III liabilities. Level II instruments, the Company estimates fair value by utilizing third December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015, June 29, 2011, 7 . The Company’s estimate of fair value of the contingent put option liability was determined by using a risk-neutral valuation model, wherein the fair value of the underlying debt facility is estimated both with and without the presence of the default provisions, holding all other assumptions constant. The resulting difference between the two December 31, 2016 2015, June 2012. 11 September 30, 2015, $0.5 December 31, 2015, The following table sets forth the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities by level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands): As of December 31 , 2016 Fair Value Level I Level II Level III Assets U.S. government agency obligations $ 30,477 $ — $ 30,477 $ — Total assets measured at fair value $ 30,477 $ — $ 30,477 $ — Liabilities PIPE warrants $ 288 — — $ 288 Contingent put option liability 124 — — 124 Total liabilities measured at fair value $ 412 $ — $ — $ 412 As of December 31, 2015 Fair Value Level I Level II Level III Assets U.S. government agency obligations $ 30,352 $ — $ 30,352 $ — Total assets measured at fair value $ 30,352 $ — $ 30,352 $ — Liabilities PIPE warrants $ 913 — — $ 913 Contingent put option liability 266 — — 266 Total liabilities measured at fair value $ 1,179 $ — $ — $ 1,179 The following table sets forth the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of the PIPE warrants as of December 31, 2016 2015: As of December 31, 6 As of December 31, Market Price $ 2.60 $ 3.85 Exercise Price $ 3.40 $ 3.40 Risk-free interest rate 0.85 % 1.06 % Expected volatility 81.0 % 80.0 % Expected life (in years) 0.92 1.92 Expected dividend yield 0.0 % 0.0 % The following table sets forth a summary of the changes in the fair value of the Company’s Level III financial liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2016 2015 Year Ended 6 Fair value—beginning of period $ 1,179 Change in fair value of PIPE warrants (625 ) Change in fair value of contingent put option associated with Original Loan Agreement (142 ) Fair value—end of period $ 412 Year Ended Fair value—beginning of period $ 5,859 Change in fair value of PIPE warrants (2,120 ) Exercise of PIPE warrants (2,544 ) Change in fair value of contingent put option associated with Original Loan Agreement (16 ) Fair value—end of period $ 1,179

Note 3 - Inventories

Note 3 - Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]	3. Inventories consist of finished goods, raw materials and work in process and are stated at the lower of cost or market and consist of the following (in thousands): As of December 31, 201 6 201 5 Raw materials $ 1,126 $ 140 Work-in-process 296 181 Finished goods 732 145 Inventories $ 2,154 $ 466

Note 4 - Property and Equipment

Note 4 - Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	4. Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands): As of December 31, 201 6 2015 Laboratory equipment $ 3,775 $ 3,522 Leasehold improvements 4,469 4,609 Computer equipment and software 266 266 Construction in process 7,816 3,950 Tooling 1,074 1,062 Furniture and fixtures 48 55 17,448 13,464 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (6,736 ) (4,854 ) Property and equipment, net $ 10,712 $ 8,610 Depreciation and amortization expense was $2.1 $2.0 $0.9 December 31, 2016, 2015 2014, December 31, 2016 2015, $1.5 $3.0

Note 5 - U.S. Department of Def

Note 5 - U.S. Department of Defense Funding	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Long-term Contracts or Programs Disclosure [Text Block]	5. On May 11, 2015, agreed to provide up to $17.0 DSUVIA (sufentanil sublingual tablet, 30 non-invasive, single-use tablet in a disposable, pre-filled single-dose applicator, or SDA, for the treatment of moderate-to-severe acute pain, referred to as the DoD Contract. The DoD Contract supports development of DSUVIA. Under the terms of the contract, the DoD has and continues to reimburse the Company for costs incurred for development, manufacturing, regulatory and clinical costs outlined in the contract in order to submit an NDA to the FDA, including reimbursement for certain personnel and overhead expenses. The period of performance under the contract began on May 11, 2015. On March 2, 2016, to approve enrollment of additional patients in the SAP302 SAP303 four November 10, 2016 March 9, 2017, SAP302 SAP303 DSUVIA is approved by the FDA, the DoD has the option to purchase a certain number of units of commercial product pursuant to the terms of the contract. Revenue is recognized based on expenses incurred by the Company in conducting research and development activities, including overhead, as set forth in the agreement. Revenue attributable to the work performed under the DoD Contract, recorded as Contract and other revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss, was $10.9 $4.4 December 31, 2016 2015, no December 31, 2014.

Note 6 - Collaboration Agreemen

Note 6 - Collaboration Agreement	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Collaborative Arrangement Disclosure [Text Block]	6. On December 16, 2013, July 17, 2015 September 20, 2016, July 17, 2015, In the Amended Agreements, the parties amended the Product supply configurations and packaging of Product components and accessories, and associated pricing therefor, which the Company will manufacture and supply to Grünenthal for the Territory. The parties agreed to increase the pricing of the Product components and accessories in exchange for a reduction of $5.5 $171.5 $166.0 $0.7 $3.7 Amended License Agreement Under the terms of the Amended License Agreement, Grünenthal has the exclusive right to commercialize the Product in the Field in the Territory. The Company retains control of clinical development, while Grünenthal and the Company will be responsible for certain development activities pursuant to a development plan as agreed between the parties. The Company will not receive separate payment for such development activities, apart from the $0.7 July 2014, (15 fourth 2014 September 2015, 28 April 2016, first The Company received an upfront non-refundable cash payment of $30.0 December 2013, and a milestone payment of $5.0 third 2014, $15.0 September 2015. $194.5 ($28.5 ($166.0 A portion of the tiered royalty payment, exclusive of the supply and trademark fee payments, will be paid to PDL in connection with the Royalty Monetization. For additional information on the Royalty Monetization with PDL, see Note 7 Amended MSA Under the terms of the Amended MSA, the Company will manufacture and supply the Product for use in the Field for the Territory exclusively for Grünenthal. Grünenthal shall purchase from AcelRx, during the first five 100% 80% third third Unless earlier terminated, the Amended MSA continues in effect until the later of the expiration of the obligation of Grünenthal to make royalty and supply and trademark fee payments or the end of any transition period for manufacturing obligations due to the expiration or termination of the Amended License Agreement. The Amended MSA is subject to earlier termination in connection with certain termination events in the Amended License Agreement, in the event the parties mutually agree, by a party in the event of an uncured material breach by the other party or upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of either party. The Company identified the following four 1) 2) 3) 4) At the time the Amended Agreements were executed, with the exception of the intellectual property license, these obligations remained partially undelivered. Additionally, the Company identified the following three 1) 2) 3) The Company considered the provisions of the multiple-element arrangement guidance in determining whether the deliverables outlined above have standalone value and thus should be treated as separate units of accounting. The Company’s management determined that the license under the original License Agreement had standalone value and represented a separate unit of accounting because the rights conveyed permitted Grünenthal to perform all efforts necessary to commercialize and begin selling the product upon regulatory approval. In addition, Grünenthal has the appropriate development, regulatory and commercial expertise with products similar to the product licensed under the agreement and has the ability to engage third third The Company believes that none of the deliverables have vendor-specific objective evidence, or VSOE, or sufficient third third The Company’s management determined the best estimate of selling price for the license based on Grünenthal’s estimated future cash flows arising from the arrangement. Embedded in the estimate were significant assumptions regarding regulatory expenses, revenue, including potential customer market for the product and product price, costs to manufacture the product and the discount rate. The Company’s management determined the best estimate of selling price of the research and development services and committee participation based on the nature and timing of the services to be performed and in consideration of personnel and other costs incurred in the delivery of the services. For the discount on manufacturing services, the Company’s management estimated the selling price based on the market level of contract manufacturing margin it could have received if it were engaged to supply products to a customer in a separate transaction, the estimated cost of manufacturing, and the anticipated volume of Grünenthal’s orders over the course of the agreement, to which the discount would apply. For the ZALVISO demonstration devices and the obligation to manufacture and deliver Product, the Company’s management estimated the selling price based on the binding volume of such devices and Products, the estimated cost of manufacturing, and the market level of contract manufacturing margin. BESP of the license, research and development and committee participation services and the discount on manufacturing services were updated at the time the Amended Agreements were executed for purposes of allocating the amended arrangement consideration. The Amended Agreements entitle the Company to receive additional payments upon the achievement of certain development and sales milestones. Based on ASC Topic 605 28, Revenue Recognition — Milestone Method (1) (2) The substantive milestone payments will be recognized as revenue in their entirety upon the achievement of each substantive milestone. Based on the criteria noted above, the identified substantive milestones in the original Agreements pertain to post approval product enhancements, expanded market opportunities and manufacturing efficiencies for ZALVISO. Each of these potential achievements is based primarily on the Company’s performance and involves substantive uncertainty as achievement of these milestones requires future research, development and regulatory activities, which are inherently uncertain in nature. The Company determined that the consideration for each milestone was commensurate with the Company’s performance to achieve the milestone, including future research, development, manufacturing and regulatory activities and that the consideration is reasonable relative to all of the other deliverables and payments within the arrangement. Aggregate potential payments for these milestones total $28.5 In addition to substantive milestones, two $20.0 July 2014, first two $5.0 September 2015, second two $15.0 The Amended Agreements also include milestone payments related to specified net sales targets, totaling $166.0 2010 17 At the time the Amended Agreements were executed, approximately $33.3 $1.7 $35.0 $54.4 $0.7 $3.7 $15.0 September 2015 $13.2 $0.5 $4.4 February 2016, 2029. $0.2 2018. $2.3 $0.5 Below is a summary of revenue recognized under the Amended Agreements during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, 2014 Years Ended December 31, 201 6 2015 2014 License $ — $ 13,167 $ 4,560 Product sales 5,742 — — Joint steering committee, research and development services 688 1,690 657 Non-cash royalty revenue related to Royalty Monetization (See Note 8) 7 — — Royalty revenue 3 — — Total $ 6,440 $ 14,857 $ 5,217 As of December 31, 2016, $0.4 $3.8

Note 7 - Long-term Debt

Note 7 - Long-term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Long-term Debt [Text Block]	7. Amended Loan and Security Agreement In June 2011, $20.0 two $10.0 . The Company borrowed the first $10.0 June 29, 2011 second $10.0 December 2011. first September 16, 2008. 8.50%. seven 274,508 $3.06 On December 16, 2013, $40.0 three 2013 June 29, 2011. first $15.0 December 16, 2013, second $10.0 June 16, 2014 . The Company used approximately $8.6 first $24.9 December 31, 2014. 176,730 $6.79 On September 24, 2014, 1 1 third $15.0 March 15, 2015 August 1, 2015, August 1, 2015 third On September 18, 2015, 2, 2, 2 October 1, 2015 March 31, 2016, September 30, 2016 third 2015 September 30, 2016. October 1, 2017. 2, 176,730 $6.79 $3.88 On September 30, 2016, 3 3 October 1, 2016 April 1, 2017. 3, 176,730 $3.88 $3.07 March 2, 2017, 36 six March 2020. 19 In addition, subject to the achievement of certain milestones, the Company may September 2020 March 2021 12 18 $10 granted or withheld at such committee’s sole discretion). Currently, the interest rate for each tranche is calculated at a rate equal to the greater of either (i) 9.55% 3.50%, 9.55%. October 1, 2017 April 1, 2018 shall have received at least $40 04 March 2, 2017 December 31, 2017 October 1, 2018 2 March 1, 2020 September 1, 2020 March 1, 2021 2 $1.7 October 1, 2017, 6.5% If the Company prepays the loan prior to the maturity date, it will pay the Lenders a prepayment charge, based on a percentage of the then outstanding principal balance, equal to 3% March 2, 2018, 2% March 2, 2018, March 2, 2019, 1% March 2, 2019. The Amended Loan Agreement includes customary affirmative and restrictive covenants, but does not include any financial maintenance covenants, and also includes standard events of default, including payment defaults, breaches of covenants following any applicable cure period, a material impairment in the perfection or priority of the Lenders’ security interest or in the value of the collateral, and events relating to bankruptcy or insolvency. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, a default interest rate of an additional 5% may the Lenders may Upon an event of default, including a change of control, the Lenders had the option to accelerate repayment of the Original Loan Agreement, including payment of any applicable prepayment charges. This option was considered a contingent put option liability, as the holder of the loan had the ability to exercise the option in the event of default, and was considered an embedded derivative, which must be valued and separately accounted for in the Company’s financial statements. As the Original Loan Agreement entered into on December 16, 2013 $32,000 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015, $124,000 $266,000, two other income (expense), net in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. The Company performed an analysis of Amendments No. 2 3 2 3 The accrued balance due under the Original Loan Agreement was $21.5 December 31, 2016, $20.9 December 31, 2015. $2.8 $3.0 $2.6 December 31, 2016, 2015 2014, Future Payments on Long-Term Debt The following table summarizes our outstanding future payments associated with the Company’s long-term debt as of December 31, 2016 2017 $ 5,678 2018 9,235 2019 9,235 2020 3,679 Total payments 27,827 Less amount representing interest (4,126 ) Notes payable, gross 23,701 Unamortized portion of final payment (2,143 ) Unamortized discount on notes payable (9 ) 21,549 Less current portion of notes payable, including unamortized discount (2,912 ) Long-term debt, current portion $ 18,637 We reclassified these obligations from current liabilities to long-term debt as of December 31, 2016, 10 19

Note 8 - Liability Related to S

Note 8 - Liability Related to Sale of Future Royalties	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Liability Related To Sale Of Future Royalties Disclosure [Text Block]	8. On September 18, 2015, $65.0 $195.0 75% 80% first four $35.6 80% $44.5 25% 20% first four 100% $43.5 $15.0 The Company and ARPI LLC continue to retain certain duties and obligations under the Amended License Agreement. These include the collection of the royalty and milestones amounts due and enforcement of related provisions under the Amended License Agreement, among others. In addition, the Company must prepare a quarterly distribution report relating to the Amended License Agreement, containing among other items, the amount of royalty and milestone payments received, reimbursable expenses and set-offs. The Company and ARPI LLC must also provide PDL with notice of certain communications, events or actions with respect to the Amended License Agreement and infringement of any underlying intellectual property. The Company has significant continuing involvement in the Royalty Monetization primarily due to an obligation to act as the intermediary for the supply of ZALVISO to Grünenthal. Under the relevant accounting guidance, because of its significant continuing involvement, the Royalty Monetization has been accounted for as a liability that will be amortized using the interest method over the life of the arrangement. In order to determine the amortization of the liability, the Company is required to estimate the total amount of future royalty and milestone payments to be received by PDL and payments the Company is required to make to PDL, up to a capped amount of $195.0 $195.0 $61.2 14%. The Company will periodically assess the expected royalty and milestone payments using a combination of historical results, internal projections and forecasts from external sources. To the extent such payments are greater or less than our initial estimates or the timing of such payments is materially different than our original estimates, the Company will prospectively adjust the amortization of the liability and the interest rate. The following table shows the activity within the liability account during the year ended December 31, 2016 Year ended 6 Period from inception to 6 Liability related to sale of future royalties — beginning balance $ 63,612 $ — Proceeds from sale of future royalties — 61,184 Non-cash royalty revenue (7 ) (7 ) Non-cash interest expense recognized 9,382 11,810 Liability related to sale of future royalties as of December 31, 2016 72,987 72,987 Less: current portion (764 ) (764 ) Liability related to sale of future royalties — net of current portion $ 72,223 $ 72,223 As royalties are remitted to PDL from ARPI LLC, as described in Note 1

Note 9 - Warrants

Note 9 - Warrants	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Warrants Disclosure [Text Block]	9. Series A Warrants As of December 31, 2016, 3,425 March 2017. Amended and Restated Loan Agreement Warrants In connection with the Original Loan Agreement, executed in December 2013, 176,730 $6.79 2 $6.79 $3.88 3 $3.88 $3.07 Each Warrant may five $1.1 $6.79, $9.67, five 1.55%, 71% 0% $0.1 September 2015 $45,000 September 2016 As of December 31, 2016, 176,730 December 2018. 2012 In connection with the Private Placement, completed in June 2012, 2,630,103 $3.40 May 29, 2012, six five tender 50% may 2 Upon execution of the Purchase Agreement, the fair value of the PIPE warrants was estimated to be $5.8 December 31, 2016, $0.3 December 31, 2016, 2015, 2014, $0.6 $2.1 $7.0 During the year ended December 31, 2015, 847,058 527,101 December 31, 2014, 135,000 91,488 December 31, 2016, 512,456 November 2017.

Note 10 - Commitments and Conti

Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	10. Contingencies Operating Leases In December 2011, 13,787 April 2012. December 2011, In May 2014, December 21, 2011, 13,787 301 twenty (20) twenty two (22) January 31, 2018, 12,106 42 August 1, 2014 , On October 2, 2015, 11,871 301 26 December 1, 2015. first two $2.05 $301,000 $25,000 December 31, 2017 2018, Rent expense was $0.3 $0.6 $0.5 December 31, 2016, 2015 2014, Future minimum payments under the lease agreement as of December 31, 2016, Year Ending December 31: 2017 $ 737 2018 62 Total minimum payments $ 799 In addition, the Company will pay the Landlord specified percentages of certain operating expenses and taxes related to the leased facility incurred by the Landlord. Litigation From time to time the Company may

Note 11 - Stockholders' Equity

Note 11 - Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	11. Common Stock 201 6 ATM Agreement On June 21, 2016, SM 2016 may $40.0 December 31, 2016, 2016 Stock Plans 2006 In August 2006, 2006 342,000 February 2008, 375,000 2006 November 2009, 1,376,059 2006 2006 10% 110% may 2006 2011 In January 2011, 2011 2011 2006 2011 February 10, 2011. February 10, 2011, may 2006 2006 2006 51,693 2006 2011 The initial aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock that may 2011 1,875,000 51,693 2006 1,823,307 2011 January 1st January 1, 2012 January 1, 2020, 4% December 31 10 2011 four 10 2011 Additionally, in January 2011, 2011 Initially, 250,000 January 1st January 1, 2012 January 1, 2020, (1) 2% December 31 (2) As of December 31, 2016, 410,166 1,136,142 2016, 2015 2014 $2.98, $4.48 $4.35

Note 12 - Stock-based Compensat

Note 12 - Stock-based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	12. The Company recorded total stock-based compensation expense for stock options, stock awards and the ESPP as follows (in thousands): December 31, 6 December 31, 5 December 31, 4 Cost of goods sold $ 302 $ 67 $ — Research and development 2,308 2,587 2,252 General and administrative 1,869 2,356 2,188 Total $ 4,479 $ 5,010 $ 4,440 The following table summarizes option activity under the 2011 2006 Number Weighted- Weighted- Aggregate (in thousands) December 31, 2015 4,618,949 $ 5.77 Granted 1,891,650 3.25 Forfeited (135,313 ) 5.65 Expired (67,530 ) 7.70 Exercised — — December 31, 2016 6,307,756 $ 5.00 7.1 $ 124 Vested and exercisable options—December 31, 2016 3,854,199 $ 5.32 6.0 $ 124 Vested and expected to vest—December 31, 2016 6,162,353 $ 5.02 7.0 $ 124 As of December 31, 2016, 2,774,854 2011 January 2017, 1,813,352 2011 Additional information regarding the Company’s stock options outstanding and vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2016 Options Outstanding Options Vested and Exercisable Exercise Prices Number of Weighted-Average Weighted-Average Shares Subject Weighted-Average $1.20 - $2.56 462,897 3.1 $ 2.33 462,897 $ 2.33 $2.80 - $4.24 3,170,953 7.8 $ 3.41 1,383,802 $ 3.56 $4.73 - $7.35 1,775,906 6.7 $ 5.85 1,335,300 $ 5.68 $8.18 - $10.55 898,000 7.2 $ 10.30 672,200 $ 10.29 6,307,756 7.1 $ 5.00 3,854,199 $ 5.32 The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 2014 $2.24, $2.69 $5.57 December 31, 2016, $6.7 2.4 December 31, 2016, 2015 2014 $3.9 $5.4 $3.2 December 31, 2016, 2015 2014 $0, $1.3 $2.3 The Company used the following assumptions to calculate the fair value of each employee stock option: Year Ended December 31, 201 6 201 5 201 4 Expected term (in years) 5.25 - 6.25 5.25 - 6.25 5.25 - 6.25 Risk-free interest rate 1.24% - 1.47% 1.35% - 1.82% 1.76% - 1.92% Expected volatility 80% 72% 69 - 72% Expected dividend rate 0% 0% 0% Restricted Stock Units In March 2011, 343,815 2011 $3.45. three 25% 6 25% 12 25% 24 25% 36 December 31, 2016, 2015 2014, December 31, 2016, 2015 2014 $0, $0 $56,000,

Note 13 - Restructuring Costs

Note 13 - Restructuring Costs	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	13. On March 19, 2015, 19 36% first 2015. $756,000 December 31, 2015. December 31, 2015.

Note 14 - Net Loss per Share of

Note 14 - Net Loss per Share of Common Stock	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	14. The Company’s basic net loss per share of common stock is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. The diluted net loss per share of common stock is computed by giving effect to all potential common stock equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury stock method. For purposes of this calculation, options to purchase common stock and warrants to purchase common stock were considered to be common stock equivalents. In periods with a reported net loss, common stock equivalents are excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share of common stock if their effect is antidilutive. During the year ended December 31, 2016, December 31, 2016. December 31, 2015 2014, December 31, 2015 2014, December 31, 2014 2013, December 31, 2015 2014. The following table is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used in the calculation of basic and diluted net loss per share computations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 2014: Years Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) Numerator: Net loss used to compute net loss per share Basic $ (43,157 ) $ (24,399 ) $ (33,353 ) Adjustments for change in fair value of warrant liability — (2,120 ) (6,988 ) Diluted $ (43,157 ) $ (26,519 ) $ (40,341 ) Denominator: Weighted average shares outstanding used to compute net loss per share: Basic 45,313,118 44,300,099 43,427,111 Dilutive effect of warrants — 168,341 895,186 Diluted 45,313,118 44,468,440 44,322,297 Net loss per share—basic $ (0.95 ) $ (0.55 ) $ (0.77 ) Net loss per share—diluted $ (0.95 ) $ (0.60 ) $ (0.91 ) The following outstanding shares of common stock equivalents were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share of common stock for the periods presented because including them would have been antidilutive: Year Ended December 31, 201 6 2015 2014 ESPP and stock options to purchase common stock 6,395,879 4,699,121 6,411,003 Convertible debt into common stock 553,763 553,763 553,763 Common stock warrants 692,611 180,155 180,155

Note 15 - Accrued Liabilities

Note 15 - Accrued Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block]	15. Accrued liabilities consist of the following (in thousands): December 31, 201 6 2015 Accrued compensation and employee benefits $ 2,556 $ 2,876 Inventory and other contract manufacturing accruals 1,218 272 Other accrued liabilities 821 808 Total accrued liabilities $ 4,595 $ 3,956

Note 16 - 401(k) Plan

Note 16 - 401(k) Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	16. 401(k) The Company sponsors a 401(k) 401(k) 401(k) 4% $276,000, $263,000 $201,000 December 31, 2016, 2015 2014,

Note 17 - Related Party Transac

Note 17 - Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	17. Stephen Hoffman is a Senior Advisor to PDL and a member of the Company's Board of Directors, or the Board. The Board was aware of Dr. Hoffman’s status as an interested party in the Royalty Monetization and Dr. Hoffman recused himself from all deliberations and actions taken by the Board with respect to the Royalty Monetization. Dr. Hoffman’s consulting compensation from PDL is composed, in part, of a success fee which is formula driven based on a minimum dollar value of deals and the total dollar value of the deals, his relative contribution to each of the concluded deals, and the total dollar value deployed in 2015. December 31, 2015 $260,000. 8

Note 18 - Income Taxes

Note 18 - Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	18. The Company recorded a benefit for income taxes of $34,000 December 31, 2016, $760,000 December 31, 2015. not December 31, 2014. December 31, 2016 2015 December 31, 6 December 31, 5 Deferred tax assets: Accruals and other $ 3,746 $ 3,162 Research credits 5,670 5,105 Net operating loss carryforward 36,224 30,294 Section 59(e) R&D expenditures 16,782 12,785 Deferred revenue 24,836 21,677 AMT credit 703 742 Total deferred tax assets 87,961 73,765 Valuation allowance (87,961 ) (73,765 ) Net deferred tax assets $ — $ — Reconciliations of the statutory federal income tax to the Company’s effective tax during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 2014 Year Ended December 31, 201 6 2015 2014 Tax at statutory federal rate $ (14,685 ) $ (8,037 ) $ (11,392 ) State tax—net of federal benefit (73 ) 2,853 (2,501 ) PIPE Warrant liability (260 ) (726 ) (2,393 ) General Business credits (360 ) (455 ) (628 ) Stock Options 1,115 1,559 543 Other 33 73 20 Change in valuation allowance 14,196 5,493 16,351 (Benefit) provision for income taxes $ (34 ) $ 760 $ — ASC 740 $14.2 $5.5 $16.4 December 31, 2016, 2015 2014, As of December 31, 2016, $91.5 2029. December 31, 2016, $106.6 2017. As of December 31, 2016, $2.9 $2.0 As of December 31, 2016, $0.7 As of December 31, 2016, $5.4 2026. December 31, 2016, $3.2 Under Section 382 1986, 50% three may December 31, 2013, two first 2006 $1.4 $26,000 second July 2013 Uncertain Tax Positions A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the unrecognized tax benefits during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 2014 Year Ended December 31, 201 6 201 5 2014 Unrecognized benefit—beginning of period $ 1,939 $ 1,667 $ 1,341 Gross decreases—prior period tax positions — — — Gross increases—current period tax positions 223 272 326 Unrecognized benefit—end of period $ 2,162 $ 1,939 $ 1,667 The entire amount of the unrecognized tax benefits would not impact the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized. Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are classified as income tax expense and were immaterial. The Company files income tax returns in the United States and in California. The tax years 2005 2016 12

Note 19 - Subsequent Events

Note 19 - Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	19. On March 2, 2017, 2014 1 may $30.466 two December 16, 2013, The Company borrowed the first $20.466 March 2, 2017. first second $10.0 April 1, 2017 December 31, 2017, 04 December 31, 2017, 2 second 9.55% 3.50%, 9.55%. October 1, 2017 April 1, 2018 $40.0 March 2, 2017 December 31, 2017, October 1, 2018 2 March 1, 2020 September 1, 2020 March 1, 2021 2 $1.7 October 1, 2017, 6.5% If the Company prepays the loan prior to the maturity date, it will pay the Lenders a prepayment charge, based on a percentage of the then outstanding principal balance, equal to 3% March 2, 2018, 2% March 2, 2018, March 2, 2019, 1% March 2, 2019. The Amended Loan Agreement includes customary affirmative and restrictive covenants, but does not include any financial maintenance covenants, and also includes standard events of default, including payment defaults, breaches of covenants following any applicable cure period, a material impairment in the perfection or priority of Lenders’ security interest or in the value of the collateral, and events relating to bankruptcy or insolvency. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, a default interest rate of an additional 5% may may

Note 20 - Unaudited Quarterly F

Note 20 - Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]	20 . Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data The following table sets forth certain unaudited quarterly financial data for the eight December 31, 2016. 201 6 201 5 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Revenues $ 3,025 $ 4,531 $ 3,366 $ 6,435 $ 181 $ 1,924 $ 15,428 $ 1,730 Operating costs and expenses $ 11,547 $ 12,853 $ 11,341 $ 13,573 $ 11,581 $ 10,047 $ 8,323 $ 9,266 Net income / (loss) $ (10,981 ) $ (11,092 ) $ (11,402 ) $ ( 9,682 ) $ (10,026 ) $ (8,896 ) $ 5,069 $ (10,546 ) Net income / (loss) per share (basic) $ (0.24 ) $ (0.24 ) $ (0.25 ) $ (0.21 ) $ (0.23 ) $ (0.20 ) $ 0.11 $ (0.24 ) Net income / (loss) per share (diluted) $ (0.25 ) $ (0.24 ) $ (0.25 ) $ (0.21 ) $ (0.27 ) $ (0.20 ) $ 0.11 $ (0.24 )

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Business Description Of Entity [Policy Text Block]	The Company AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., or the Company or AcelRx, was incorporated in Delaware on July 13, 2005 January 2006, AcelRx is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of acute pain. AcelRx’s lead product candidate, DSUVIA (known as ARX- 04 The Company has two first, 30 3 December 2016. October 12, 2017. The Company’s other late-stage investigational product candidate, ZALVISO ® 15 July 25, 2014. IAP312, September 2016. 2017. IAP312 2017. On December 16, 2013, July 17, 2015 September 20, 2016, September 2015, 28 December 16, 2013, July 22, 2015, July 17, 2015, Grünenthal has initially deployed the ZALVISO System in a limited number of hospitals in targeted countries under a pilot program, whereby the hospital will use ZALVISO in a small number of post-operative patients. Pilot programs are expected to last several months after which ZALVISO may second 2017 2017. The Company has incurred recurring operating losses and negative cash flows from operating activities since inception and expects to continue to incur negative cash flows. Although ZALVISO has been approved for sale in the EU, the Company sold the majority of the royalty rights and certain commercial sales milestones it is entitled to receive under the Amended License Agreement with Grünenthal to PDL BioPharma, Inc., or PDL. As a result, the Company expects to continue to incur negative cash flows. When we refer to "we," "our," "us," the "Company" or "AcelRx" in this document, we mean the current Delaware corporation, or AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and its predecessor, as well as its consolidated subsidiary.
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Basis of Presentation The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Principles of Consolidation The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, ARPI LLC, which was formed in September 2015 Grünenthal, pursuant to the Amended License Agreement, or the Royalty Monetization. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Refer to Note 8
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Management evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis including critical accounting policies. Estimates are based on historical experience and on various other market-specific and other relevant assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Fair Value of Financial Instruments The Company measures and reports its cash equivalents, investments and financial liabilities at fair value. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or an exit price paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy defines a three Level I—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level II—Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level I that are observable, unadjusted quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the related assets or liabilities; and Level III—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity for the related assets or liabilities. The categorization of a financial instrument within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Segment Information The Company operates in a single segment, the development and commercialization of product candidates for the treatment of pain. The Company’s contract revenue relates to sales in the United States. The Company’s collaboration revenue relates to the Amended License Agreement with Grünenthal to commercialize ZALVISO in the countries of the European Union, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway and Australia.
Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Concentration of Risk The Company invests cash that is currently not being used for operational purposes in accordance with its investment policy in debt securities of U.S. government sponsored agencies and overnight deposits. The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of default by the institutions holding the cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities to the extent recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company relies on a single third third To date, the Company has had only two two 100% December 31, 2016, 2015 2014. One 71% 84% December 31, 2016 2015, December 31, 2014. The Company has not experienced any losses with respect to the collection of its accounts receivable and believes that the entire accounts receivable balance as of December 31, 2016
Receivables, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Accounts Receivable, Net The Company has receivables from its collaboration partner and the U.S. Department of Defense, or DoD. To date, the Company has not had a bad debt allowance because of the limited number of financially sound customers who have historically paid their balances timely. The need for a bad debt allowance is evaluated each reporting period based on the Company’s assessment of the credit worthiness of its customers or any other potential circumstances that could result in bad debt.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Inventories Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first first third Indirect overhead costs in excess of normal capacity are recorded as period costs in the period incurred. The Company's policy is to write down inventory that has become obsolete, inventory that has a cost basis in excess of its expected net realizable value and inventory in excess of expected requirements. The Company periodically evaluates the carrying value of inventory on hand for potential excess amount over demand using the same lower of cost or market approach as that used to value the inventory. Because selling prices to Grünenthal are set to recover only direct costs with minimal mark up, all inventories are carried at net realizable value.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally three five
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Restricted Cash Under the Company’s facility lease and corporate credit card agreements, the Company is required to maintain letters of credit as security for performance under these agreements. The letters of credit are secured by certificates of deposit in amounts equal to the letters of credit, which are classified as restricted cash on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Debt, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Debt Issuance Costs Debt issuance costs, which are included in long-term debt, net of current portion, are amortized as interest expense over the contractual terms of the related credit facilities.
Contingent Put Option, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Contingent put option The contingent put option associated with the Company’s loan and security agreement with Hercules Technology II, L.P. and Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc., collectively referred to as the Lenders, is recorded as a liability. Changes in the fair value of the contingent put option are recognized as interest income and other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. For additional information regarding the contingent put option, see Note 7
Warrants, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Warrants Warrants issued in connection with the Company’s Private Placement, completed in June 2012, 9
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue when all of the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; the fee is fixed or determinable; and collectability is reasonably assured. Collaboration Revenue Collaboration revenue, which is earned under license agreements with third may AcelRx accounts for multiple-element arrangements in accordance with ASC Topic 605 25, Revenue Recognition—Multiple-Element Arrangements 605 25.The For revenue agreements with multiple-element arrangements, such as the collaboration and license agreement with Grünenthal, the Company allocates revenue to each non-contingent element based on the relative selling price of each element. When applying the relative selling price method, the Company determines the selling price for each deliverable using vendor-specific objective evidence, or VSOE, of selling price or third TPE, of selling price. If neither exists the Company uses best estimated selling price, or BESP, for that deliverable. Revenue allocated is then recognized when the four VSOE is based on the price charged when the element is sold separately and is the price actually charged for that deliverable. Establishing VSOE may may When AcelRx is unable to establish the selling price of an element using VSOE or TPE, BESP is utilized in the allocation of the elements of the arrangement. The objective of the BESP is to determine the price at which AcelRx would transact a sale if the element of the license arrangement were sold on a standalone basis. The process for determining BESPs involves management’s judgment. AcelRx’ process considers multiple factors such as discounted cash flows, estimated direct expenses and other costs and available data, which may one AcelRx recognizes a contingent milestone payment as revenue in its entirety upon our achievement of the milestone. A milestone is substantive if the consideration earned from the achievement of the milestone (i) is consistent with performance required to achieve the milestone or the increase in value to the delivered item, (ii) relates solely to past performance and (iii) is reasonable relative to all of the other deliverables and payments within the arrangement. Contract and Other Revenue In May 2015, may
Cost of Sales, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cost of Goods Sold Under the Amended Agreements with Grünenthal, the Company will sell ZALVISO to Grünenthal at direct cost with minimal markup and will recognize indirect costs as period costs where they are in excess of normal capacity and not realizable on a lower of cost or market basis. Cost of goods sold for ZALVISO shipped to Grünenthal includes the inventory costs of API, third
Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Research and Development Expenses Research and development costs are charged to expense when incurred. Research and development expenses include salaries, employee benefits, including stock-based compensation, consultant fees, laboratory supplies, costs associated with clinical trials and manufacturing, including contract research organization fees, other professional services and allocations of corporate costs. The Company reviews and accrues clinical trial expenses based on work performed, which relies on estimates of total costs incurred based on patient enrollment, completion of patient studies and other events.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans, Director Policy [Policy Text Block]	Stock-Based Compensation Compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors, including employee stock options and restricted stock units related to the 2011 2011 2011 The Black-Scholes option pricing model requires inputs such as expected term, expected volatility and risk-free interest rate. These inputs are subjective and generally require significant analysis and judgment to develop. Estimates of expected life are primarily determined using the simplified method in accordance with guidance provided by the SEC. Such method was utilized as the Company did not believe its historical option exercise experience, which was limited, provided a reasonable basis upon which to estimate expected term. Volatility is derived from historical volatilities of several public companies within AcelRx’s industry that are deemed to be comparable to AcelRx’s business because AcelRx’s has insufficient history on the volatility of its common stock relative to the expected life assumptions used by the Company. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant commensurate with the expected life assumption. Further, the Company estimates forfeitures at the time of grant and revises those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities or Restructurings, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Restructuring Costs The Company's restructuring costs consist of employee termination benefit costs. Liabilities for costs associated with the cost reduction plan are recognized when the liability is incurred and are measured at fair value. One-time termination benefits are expensed at the date the entity notifies the employee, unless the employee must provide future service, in which case the benefits are expensed ratably over the future service period.
Interest Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Non-Cash Interest Expense on Liability Related to Sale of Future Royalties In September 2015, sold certain royalty and milestone payment rights from the sales of ZALVISO in the European Union by its commercial partner, Grünenthal, pursuant to the Collaboration and License Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2013, $65.0 Grünenthal. Under the relevant accounting guidance, because of the Company’s significant continuing involvement, the Royalty Monetization has been accounted for as a liability that will be amortized using the interest method over the life of the arrangement. In order to determine the amortization of the liability, the Company is required to estimate the total amount of future royalty and milestone payments to be received by PDL and payments the Company is required to make to PDL, up to a capped amount of $195.0 $195.0 $61.2 14%. The Company will record non-cash royalty revenues and non-cash interest expense within its Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss over the term of the PDL agreement.
Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Comprehensive Loss Comprehensive loss is comprised of net loss and other comprehensive income (loss) and is disclosed in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. For the Company, other comprehensive income (loss) consists of changes in unrealized gains and losses on the Company’s investments.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Income Taxes Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured based on differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Company records a valuation allowance for the full amount of deferred assets, which would otherwise be recorded for tax benefits relating to operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, as realization of such deferred tax assets cannot be determined to be more likely than not.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Net Loss per Share of Common Stock The Company’s basic net loss per share of common stock is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. The diluted net loss per share of common stock is computed by giving effect to all potential common stock equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury stock method. For purposes of this calculation, convertible preferred stock, options to purchase common stock, restricted stock subject to repurchase, warrants to purchase convertible preferred stock and warrants to purchase common stock were considered to be common stock equivalents. In periods with a reported net loss, such common stock equivalents are excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share of common stock if their effect is antidilutive. For additional information regarding the net loss per share, see Note 14
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncement In August 2014, 2014 15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern one December 15, 2016, 2014 15 December 31, 2016, Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In November 2016, 2016 18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): 2016 18 2016 18 January 1, 2018, 2016 18 In August 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016 15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): eight December 31, 2017, In March 2016, 2016 09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) December 15, 2016, In February 2016, 2016 02, Leases (Topic 842) December 15, 2018, In July 2015, 2015 11, Inventory (Topic 330) first first 2017, 2017. 2014 11 In May 2014, 2014 09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers 2014 09 may August 2015, 2015 14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): December 15, 2017. 2014 09 first 2018. first 2017 2014 09 2014 09 ● ASU No. 2016 08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): ● ASU No. 2016 10, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing (Topic 606) ; ● ASU No. 2016 11, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) 815): 2014 09 2014 16 March 3, 2016 ; ● ASU No. 2016 12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): The Company currently anticipates adoption of the new standard effective January 1, 2018 may may
Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Reclassifications Certain prior year amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation. Refer to “Recently Issued Accounting Standards” below for additional information.
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities [Policy Text Block]	Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity (at date of purchase) of three All marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale and consist of U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities. These securities are carried at estimated fair value, which is based on quoted market prices or observable market inputs of almost identical assets, with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The amortized cost of securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. Such amortization and accretion is included in interest income or expense. The cost of securities sold is based on specific identification. The Company’s investments are subject to a periodic impairment review for other-than-temporary declines in fair value. The Company’s review includes the consideration of the cause of the impairment including the creditworthiness of the security issuers, the number of securities in an unrealized loss position, the severity and duration of the unrealized losses and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in the market value. When the Company determines that the decline in fair value of an investment is below its accounting basis and this decline is other-than-temporary, it reduces the carrying value of the security it holds and records a loss in the amount of such decline.
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company periodically assesses the impairment of long-lived assets and, if indicators of asset impairment exist, the Company assesses the recoverability of the affected long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value of such assets can be recovered through an analysis of the undiscounted future expected operating cash flows. If impairment is indicated, the Company records the amount of such impairment for the excess of the carrying value of the asset over its estimated fair value. For example, purchased equipment and manufacturing-related facility improvements the Company has made at Patheon’s facility in Ohio, are utilized for continued research and development, commercial manufacturing of ZALVISO for Grünenthal and potential commercialization of its other product candidates. If the Company does not receive regulatory approval for its other product candidates, the Company may September 30, 2015, $0.5 December 31, 2015, December 31, 2016, not

Note 2 - Investments and Fair28

Note 2 - Investments and Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes Tables
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments [Table Text Block]	As of December 31 , 2016 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gross Unrealized Fair Cash and cash equivalents: Cash $ 49,833 $ — $ — $ 49,833 U.S. government agency securities 30,474 3 — 30,477 Total cash and cash equivalents 80,307 3 — 80,310 Total cash, cash equivalents and investments $ 80,307 $ 3 $ — $ 80,310 As of December 31, 2015 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gross Unrealized Fair Cash and cash equivalents: Cash $ 83,112 $ — $ — $ 83,112 U.S. government agency securities 24,809 1 — 24,810 Total cash and cash equivalents 107,921 1 — 107,922 Marketable securities: U.S. government agency securities 5,544 — (2 ) 5,542 Total marketable securities 5,544 — (2 ) 5,542 Total cash, cash equivalents and investments $ 113,465 $ 1 $ (2 ) $ 113,464
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]	As of December 31 , 2016 Fair Value Level I Level II Level III Assets U.S. government agency obligations $ 30,477 $ — $ 30,477 $ — Total assets measured at fair value $ 30,477 $ — $ 30,477 $ — Liabilities PIPE warrants $ 288 — — $ 288 Contingent put option liability 124 — — 124 Total liabilities measured at fair value $ 412 $ — $ — $ 412 As of December 31, 2015 Fair Value Level I Level II Level III Assets U.S. government agency obligations $ 30,352 $ — $ 30,352 $ — Total assets measured at fair value $ 30,352 $ — $ 30,352 $ — Liabilities PIPE warrants $ 913 — — $ 913 Contingent put option liability 266 — — 266 Total liabilities measured at fair value $ 1,179 $ — $ — $ 1,179
Fair Value Of Warrants [Table Text Block]	As of December 31, 6 As of December 31, Market Price $ 2.60 $ 3.85 Exercise Price $ 3.40 $ 3.40 Risk-free interest rate 0.85 % 1.06 % Expected volatility 81.0 % 80.0 % Expected life (in years) 0.92 1.92 Expected dividend yield 0.0 % 0.0 %
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	Year Ended 6 Fair value—beginning of period $ 1,179 Change in fair value of PIPE warrants (625 ) Change in fair value of contingent put option associated with Original Loan Agreement (142 ) Fair value—end of period $ 412 Year Ended Fair value—beginning of period $ 5,859 Change in fair value of PIPE warrants (2,120 ) Exercise of PIPE warrants (2,544 ) Change in fair value of contingent put option associated with Original Loan Agreement (16 ) Fair value—end of period $ 1,179

Note 3 - Inventories (Tables)

Note 3 - Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes Tables
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	As of December 31, 201 6 201 5 Raw materials $ 1,126 $ 140 Work-in-process 296 181 Finished goods 732 145 Inventories $ 2,154 $ 466

Note 4 - Property and Equipme30

Note 4 - Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes Tables
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	As of December 31, 201 6 2015 Laboratory equipment $ 3,775 $ 3,522 Leasehold improvements 4,469 4,609 Computer equipment and software 266 266 Construction in process 7,816 3,950 Tooling 1,074 1,062 Furniture and fixtures 48 55 17,448 13,464 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (6,736 ) (4,854 ) Property and equipment, net $ 10,712 $ 8,610

Note 6 - Collaboration Agreem31

Note 6 - Collaboration Agreement (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes Tables
Revenue Recognition Amended Agreements [Table Text Block]	Years Ended December 31, 201 6 2015 2014 License $ — $ 13,167 $ 4,560 Product sales 5,742 — — Joint steering committee, research and development services 688 1,690 657 Non-cash royalty revenue related to Royalty Monetization (See Note 8) 7 — — Royalty revenue 3 — — Total $ 6,440 $ 14,857 $ 5,217

Note 7 - Long-term Debt (Tables

Note 7 - Long-term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes Tables
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	2017 $ 5,678 2018 9,235 2019 9,235 2020 3,679 Total payments 27,827 Less amount representing interest (4,126 ) Notes payable, gross 23,701 Unamortized portion of final payment (2,143 ) Unamortized discount on notes payable (9 ) 21,549 Less current portion of notes payable, including unamortized discount (2,912 ) Long-term debt, current portion $ 18,637

Note 8 - Liability Related to33

Note 8 - Liability Related to Sale of Future Royalties (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes Tables
Other Liabilities [Table Text Block]	Year ended 6 Period from inception to 6 Liability related to sale of future royalties — beginning balance $ 63,612 $ — Proceeds from sale of future royalties — 61,184 Non-cash royalty revenue (7 ) (7 ) Non-cash interest expense recognized 9,382 11,810 Liability related to sale of future royalties as of December 31, 2016 72,987 72,987 Less: current portion (764 ) (764 ) Liability related to sale of future royalties — net of current portion $ 72,223 $ 72,223

Note 10 - Commitments and Con34

Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes Tables
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	Year Ending December 31: 2017 $ 737 2018 62 Total minimum payments $ 799

Note 12 - Stock-based Compens35

Note 12 - Stock-based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes Tables
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block]	December 31, 6 December 31, 5 December 31, 4 Cost of goods sold $ 302 $ 67 $ — Research and development 2,308 2,587 2,252 General and administrative 1,869 2,356 2,188 Total $ 4,479 $ 5,010 $ 4,440
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	Number Weighted- Weighted- Aggregate (in thousands) December 31, 2015 4,618,949 $ 5.77 Granted 1,891,650 3.25 Forfeited (135,313 ) 5.65 Expired (67,530 ) 7.70 Exercised — — December 31, 2016 6,307,756 $ 5.00 7.1 $ 124 Vested and exercisable options—December 31, 2016 3,854,199 $ 5.32 6.0 $ 124 Vested and expected to vest—December 31, 2016 6,162,353 $ 5.02 7.0 $ 124
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable Activity [Table Text Block]	Options Outstanding Options Vested and Exercisable Exercise Prices Number of Weighted-Average Weighted-Average Shares Subject Weighted-Average $1.20 - $2.56 462,897 3.1 $ 2.33 462,897 $ 2.33 $2.80 - $4.24 3,170,953 7.8 $ 3.41 1,383,802 $ 3.56 $4.73 - $7.35 1,775,906 6.7 $ 5.85 1,335,300 $ 5.68 $8.18 - $10.55 898,000 7.2 $ 10.30 672,200 $ 10.29 6,307,756 7.1 $ 5.00 3,854,199 $ 5.32
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	Year Ended December 31, 201 6 201 5 201 4 Expected term (in years) 5.25 - 6.25 5.25 - 6.25 5.25 - 6.25 Risk-free interest rate 1.24% - 1.47% 1.35% - 1.82% 1.76% - 1.92% Expected volatility 80% 72% 69 - 72% Expected dividend rate 0% 0% 0%

Note 14 - Net Loss per Share 36

Note 14 - Net Loss per Share of Common Stock (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes Tables
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	Years Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) Numerator: Net loss used to compute net loss per share Basic $ (43,157 ) $ (24,399 ) $ (33,353 ) Adjustments for change in fair value of warrant liability — (2,120 ) (6,988 ) Diluted $ (43,157 ) $ (26,519 ) $ (40,341 ) Denominator: Weighted average shares outstanding used to compute net loss per share: Basic 45,313,118 44,300,099 43,427,111 Dilutive effect of warrants — 168,341 895,186 Diluted 45,313,118 44,468,440 44,322,297 Net loss per share—basic $ (0.95 ) $ (0.55 ) $ (0.77 ) Net loss per share—diluted $ (0.95 ) $ (0.60 ) $ (0.91 )
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	Year Ended December 31, 201 6 2015 2014 ESPP and stock options to purchase common stock 6,395,879 4,699,121 6,411,003 Convertible debt into common stock 553,763 553,763 553,763 Common stock warrants 692,611 180,155 180,155

Note 15 - Accrued Liabilities (

Note 15 - Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes Tables
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]	December 31, 201 6 2015 Accrued compensation and employee benefits $ 2,556 $ 2,876 Inventory and other contract manufacturing accruals 1,218 272 Other accrued liabilities 821 808 Total accrued liabilities $ 4,595 $ 3,956

Note 18 - Income Taxes (Tables)

Note 18 - Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes Tables
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets [Table Text Block]	December 31, 6 December 31, 5 Deferred tax assets: Accruals and other $ 3,746 $ 3,162 Research credits 5,670 5,105 Net operating loss carryforward 36,224 30,294 Section 59(e) R&D expenditures 16,782 12,785 Deferred revenue 24,836 21,677 AMT credit 703 742 Total deferred tax assets 87,961 73,765 Valuation allowance (87,961 ) (73,765 ) Net deferred tax assets $ — $ —
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	Year Ended December 31, 201 6 2015 2014 Tax at statutory federal rate $ (14,685 ) $ (8,037 ) $ (11,392 ) State tax—net of federal benefit (73 ) 2,853 (2,501 ) PIPE Warrant liability (260 ) (726 ) (2,393 ) General Business credits (360 ) (455 ) (628 ) Stock Options 1,115 1,559 543 Other 33 73 20 Change in valuation allowance 14,196 5,493 16,351 (Benefit) provision for income taxes $ (34 ) $ 760 $ —
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block]	Year Ended December 31, 201 6 201 5 2014 Unrecognized benefit—beginning of period $ 1,939 $ 1,667 $ 1,341 Gross decreases—prior period tax positions — — — Gross increases—current period tax positions 223 272 326 Unrecognized benefit—end of period $ 2,162 $ 1,939 $ 1,667

Note 20 - Unaudited Quarterly39

Note 20 - Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes Tables
Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]	201 6 201 5 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Revenues $ 3,025 $ 4,531 $ 3,366 $ 6,435 $ 181 $ 1,924 $ 15,428 $ 1,730 Operating costs and expenses $ 11,547 $ 12,853 $ 11,341 $ 13,573 $ 11,581 $ 10,047 $ 8,323 $ 9,266 Net income / (loss) $ (10,981 ) $ (11,092 ) $ (11,402 ) $ ( 9,682 ) $ (10,026 ) $ (8,896 ) $ 5,069 $ (10,546 ) Net income / (loss) per share (basic) $ (0.24 ) $ (0.24 ) $ (0.25 ) $ (0.21 ) $ (0.23 ) $ (0.20 ) $ 0.11 $ (0.24 ) Net income / (loss) per share (diluted) $ (0.25 ) $ (0.24 ) $ (0.25 ) $ (0.21 ) $ (0.27 ) $ (0.20 ) $ 0.11 $ (0.24 )

Note 1 - Organization and Sum40

Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	Sep. 18, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Proceeds From Sale Of Royalty And Milestone Rights	$ 65,000	$ 65,000
Royalty Arrangment Maximum Payments	$ 195,000	195,000
Net Proceeds From Sale Of Future Royalties		$ 61,200		$ 61,184		$ 61,184
Effective Annual Interest Rate	14.00%	14.00%
Interest Income [Member]
Asset Impairment Charges			$ 0	$ 500
Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			3 years
Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			5 years
Sales Revenue, Net [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Number of Major Customers			2	2	2
Sales Revenue, Net [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Two Customers [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage			100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Accounts Receivable [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Number of Major Customers			1	1
Accounts Receivable [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | One Customer [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage			71.00%	84.00%

Note 2 - Investments and Fair41

Note 2 - Investments and Fair Value Measurement (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Available For Sale Securities, Gross, Unrealized Gain (Loss) Accumulated In Investments	$ 0	$ 0
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss)	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Transfers from Held-to-maturity to Available-for-Sale Securities, Net of Tax	0	0
Interest Income [Member]
Asset Impairment Charges	$ 0	$ 500

Note 2 - Investments and Fair42

Note 2 - Investments and Fair Value Measurement - Summary of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Amortized Cost	$ 80,307	$ 113,465
Gross Unrealized Gains	3	1
Gross Unrealized Losses		(2)
Fair Value	80,310	113,464
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Amortized Cost	80,307	107,921
Gross Unrealized Gains	3	1
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fair Value	80,310	107,922
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Cash [Member]
Amortized Cost	49,833	83,112
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fair Value	49,833	83,112
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | U.S. Government Agency Securities [Member]
Amortized Cost	30,474	24,809
Gross Unrealized Gains	3	1
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fair Value	$ 30,477	24,810
Marketable Securities [Member]
Amortized Cost		5,544
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized Losses		(2)
Fair Value		5,542
Marketable Securities [Member] | U.S. Government Agency Securities [Member]
Amortized Cost		5,544
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized Losses		(2)
Fair Value		$ 5,542

Note 2 - Investments and Fair43

Note 2 - Investments and Fair Value Measurement - Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities by Level Within Fair Value Hierarchy (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Total assets measured at fair value	$ 30,477	$ 30,352
Total liabilities measured at fair value	412	1,179
Contingent Put Option Liability [Member]
Total liabilities measured at fair value	124	266
PIPE Warrants [Member]
Total liabilities measured at fair value	288	913
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Total assets measured at fair value
Total liabilities measured at fair value
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Contingent Put Option Liability [Member]
Total liabilities measured at fair value
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | PIPE Warrants [Member]
Total liabilities measured at fair value
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Total assets measured at fair value	30,477	30,352
Total liabilities measured at fair value
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Contingent Put Option Liability [Member]
Total liabilities measured at fair value
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | PIPE Warrants [Member]
Total liabilities measured at fair value
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Total assets measured at fair value
Total liabilities measured at fair value	412	1,179
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Contingent Put Option Liability [Member]
Total liabilities measured at fair value	124	266
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | PIPE Warrants [Member]
Total liabilities measured at fair value	288	913
U.S. Government Agency Obligations [Member]
Total assets measured at fair value	30,477	30,352
U.S. Government Agency Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Total assets measured at fair value
U.S. Government Agency Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Total assets measured at fair value	30,477	30,352
U.S. Government Agency Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Total assets measured at fair value

Note 2 - Investments and Fair44

Note 2 - Investments and Fair Value Measurement - Assumptions Used in Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model to Estimate Fair Value of Pipe Warrants (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Market Price (in dollars per share)	$ 2.60	$ 3.85
Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 3.40	$ 3.40
Risk-free interest rate	0.85%	1.06%
Expected volatility	81.00%	80.00%
Expected life (in years) (Year)	335 days	1 year 335 days
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Note 2 - Investments and Fair45

Note 2 - Investments and Fair Value Measurement - Summary of Changes in Fair Value of Level III Financial Liabilities (Details) - Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Balance, fair value	$ 1,179	$ 5,859
Change in fair value of PIPE warrants	(625)	(2,120)
Balance, fair value	412	1,179
Exercise of PIPE warrants		(2,544)
Hercules 2011 Loan and Security Agreement [Member]
Change in fair value of contingent put option associated with Original Loan Agreement	$ (142)	$ (16)

Note 3 - Inventories - Inventor

Note 3 - Inventories - Inventory Components (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Raw materials	$ 1,126	$ 140
Work-in-process	296	181
Finished goods	732	145
Inventories	$ 2,154	$ 466

Note 4 - Property and Equipme47

Note 4 - Property and Equipment (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Depreciation	$ 2,100	$ 2,000	$ 900
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	17,448	13,464
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	7,816	3,950
Construction in Progress [Member] | Patheon Cincinnati Facility [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 1,500	$ 3,000

Note 4 - Property and Equipme48

Note 4 - Property and Equipment - Components of Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Property and Equipment, Gross	$ 17,448	$ 13,464
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(6,736)	(4,854)
Property and equipment, net	10,712	8,610
Laboratory Equipment [Member]
Property and Equipment, Gross	3,775	3,522
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property and Equipment, Gross	4,469	4,609
Computer Equipment and Software [Member]
Property and Equipment, Gross	266	266
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property and Equipment, Gross	7,816	3,950
Tooling [Member]
Property and Equipment, Gross	1,074	1,062
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property and Equipment, Gross	$ 48	$ 55

Note 5 - U.S. Department of D49

Note 5 - U.S. Department of Defense Funding (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 02, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	May 11, 2015
Government Contract Receivable					$ 17,000
Contracts Revenue		$ 10,917	$ 4,406
Government [Member]
Award Contract Renewal Term	120 days
Government [Member] | Contract and Other Revenue [Member]
Contracts Revenue		$ 10,900	$ 4,400	$ 0

Note 6 - Collaboration Agreem50

Note 6 - Collaboration Agreement (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 17, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Jul. 17, 2015	Jul. 16, 2015
Payments In Exchange For Services Under Collaboration Agreement	$ 700
Amount Of Binding Product Forecast Revenue	3,700
Revenue Recognition, Milestone Method, Revenue Recognized		$ 15,000		$ 30,000	$ 5,000			$ 33,300
Revenue Recognition Milestone Method Agreed, Additional Amount, Based On Efforts And Targets							$ 194,500
Manufacturing Agreement, Percentage For Five Years							100.00%
Manufacturing Agreement, Percentage, Thereafter							80.00%
Revenue Recognition Milestone Method Agreed, Additional Amount		$ 15,000
Deferred Revenue	54,400							54,400	$ 1,700
Collaboration Agreement Consideration, Amount								35,000
Discount On Manufacturing Services						$ 4,400
Committee Participation Sercices Recognized						200
Manufacturing Services Revenues Related To Binding Forecast						2,300
Deferred Revenue, Current						2,604	$ 362
Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent						$ 593	3,824
AUSTRALIA
Revenue Recognition, Milestone Method, Revenue Recognized							166,000
Zalviso [Member]
Revenue Recognition, Milestone Method, Revenue Recognized							28,500
Milestone Payments Received			$ 5,000
Zalviso [Member] | Europe [Member]
Revenue Recognition, Milestone Method, Revenue Recognized							20,000
Based upon Net Sales Target Achievements [Member]
Increase (Decrease) In Milestone Payments Related To Net Sales Target	(5,500)
Potential Milestone Payments Related To Net Sales Target	166,000								$ 171,500
Revenue Recognition Milestone Method Agreed, Additional Amount, Based On Efforts And Targets							166,000
Based upon Successful Regulatory and Product Development Efforts [Member]
Revenue Recognition Milestone Method Agreed, Additional Amount, Based On Efforts And Targets							$ 28,500
Previously Delivered License [Member]
Revenue Recognition Milestone Method Agreed, Additional Amount	13,200							13,200
Research and Development and Committee Participation Services [Member]
Revenue Recognition Milestone Method Agreed, Additional Amount	$ 500							$ 500

Note 6 - Collaboration Agreem51

Note 6 - Collaboration Agreement - A Summary of Revenue Recognized Under the Amended Agreements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended			15 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016
Non-cash royalty revenue related to Royalty Monetization (See Note 8)	$ 7			$ 7
Collaboration agreement	6,440	14,857	5,217
Collaborative Arrangement [Member]
License		13,167	4,560
Revenue Recognized	688	1,690	657
Non-cash royalty revenue related to Royalty Monetization (See Note 8)	7
Royalty revenue	3
Collaboration agreement	6,440	14,857	5,217
Collaborative Arrangement [Member] | Zalviso [Member] | Grunenthal [Member]
Revenue Recognized	$ 5,742

Note 7 - Long-term Debt (Detail

Note 7 - Long-term Debt (Details Textual)	Sep. 18, 2015$ / sharesshares	Dec. 16, 2013USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2013$ / sharesshares	Jun. 30, 2011$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)$ / shares	Jun. 30, 2016$ / shares	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2011USD ($)	Sep. 17, 2015$ / shares	Sep. 24, 2014USD ($)	Jun. 16, 2014USD ($)	Jun. 29, 2011USD ($)
Repayments of Long-term Debt										$ 4,534,000
Common Stock Warrants Exercised | shares										847,058	135,000
Fair Value Of Contingent Put Option, Liability						$ 124,000			124,000	$ 266,000
Interest Expense									$ 2,770,000	$ 2,977,000	$ 2,639,000
Hercules Warrants [Member]
Warrant Exercisable Term								5 years
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Warrants or Options Issued | shares					274,508
Investment Warrants, Exercise Price | $ / shares			$ 3.07	$ 6.79	$ 3.06	$ 3.07	$ 3.88			$ 3.88
Common Stock Warrants Exercised | shares	176,730	176,730	176,730	176,730
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights | $ / shares	$ 3.88	$ 6.79		$ 9.67									$ 6.79
Hercules Loan and Security Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount																$ 20,000,000
Number of Tranches for Loan and Security Agreement																2
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage												8.50%
Additional Default Interest Rate									5.00%
Fair Value Of Contingent Put Option, Liability		$ 32,000				$ 124,000			$ 124,000	$ 266,000
Long-term Line of Credit						$ 21,500,000			21,500,000	20,900,000
Interest Expense									$ 2,800,000	$ 3,000,000	2,600,000
Hercules Loan and Security Agreement [Member] | Prior to March 2, 2018 [Member]
Prepayment Charge Of Term Loan Percentage									3.00%
Hercules Loan and Security Agreement [Member] | After March 2, 2018 [Member]
Prepayment Charge Of Term Loan Percentage									2.00%
Hercules Loan and Security Agreement [Member] | After March 2, 2019 [Member]
Prepayment Charge Of Term Loan Percentage									1.00%
Hercules Loan and Security Agreement [Member] | Hercules Warrants [Member]
Warrant Exercisable Term												7 years
Hercules Loan and Security Agreement [Member] | First Tranche [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount																$ 10,000,000
Hercules Loan and Security Agreement [Member] | Second Tranche [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount												$ 10,000,000
Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			$ 10,000,000
Number of Tranches for Loan and Security Agreement		3
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		$ 40,000,000
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure											$ 24,900,000
Debt Instrument, Variable Rate Threshold						9.55%			9.55%
Debt Instrument, Percentage Used To Calculate Variable Rate						3.50%			3.50%
Debt Instrument, Minimum Trigger Amount to Extend Period of Interest Only Payments						$ 40,000,000			$ 40,000,000
Long-term Debt Maturities Balloon Payments						$ 1,700,000			$ 1,700,000
Debt Instrument, Final Payment, Percentage of Aggregate Principal Amount						6.50%			6.50%
Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement [Member] | First Tranche [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		15,000,000
Repayments of Long-term Debt		$ 8,600,000
Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement [Member] | Second Tranche [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount															$ 10,000,000
Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement [Member] | Third Tranche [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity														$ 15,000,000

Note 7 - Long-term Debt - Outst

Note 7 - Long-term Debt - Outstanding Future Payments of Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
2,017	$ 5,678
2,018	9,235
2,019	9,235
2,020	3,679
Total payments	27,827
Less amount representing interest	(4,126)
Notes payable, gross	23,701
Unamortized portion of final payment	(2,143)
Unamortized discount on notes payable	(9)
	21,549
Less current portion of notes payable, including unamortized discount	(2,912)	$ (4,541)
Long-term debt, current portion	$ 18,637	$ 16,381

Note 8 - Liability Related to54

Note 8 - Liability Related to Sale of Future Royalties (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 18, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Proceeds From Sale Of Royalty And Milestone Rights	$ 65,000	$ 65,000
Royalty Arrangment Maximum Payments	$ 195,000	195,000
Revenue Recognition Milestone Method Agreed, Additional Amount		$ 15,000
Effective Annual Interest Rate	14.00%	14.00%
First Four Commercial Milestones [Member]
Percentage Of Royalties And Rights Under Agreement	20.00%
Royalties [Member]
Percentage Of Royalties And Rights Under Agreement	25.00%
Remaining Commercial and All Development Milestone[Member]
Percentage Of Royalties And Rights Under Agreement	100.00%
Commercial Milestones Value	$ 43,500
MAA Aproval [Member]
Revenue Recognition Milestone Method Agreed, Additional Amount	15,000
PDL [Member]
Proceeds From Sale Of Royalty And Milestone Rights	$ 61,200
Percentage Of Royalties And Rights Under Agreement	75.00%
PDL [Member] | First Four Commercial Milestones [Member]
Percentage Of Royalties And Rights Under Agreement	80.00%
Commercial Milestones Value Maximum Amount Available	$ 35,600
AcelRX [Member] | First Four Commercial Milestones [Member]
Commercial Milestones Value Maximum Amount Available	$ 44,500

Note 8 - Liability Related to55

Note 8 - Liability Related to Sale of Future Royalties - Activity of Liability Related to Sale of Future Royalties (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			15 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Balance, liability related to sale of future royalties		$ 63,612
Proceeds from sale of future royalties	$ 61,200		$ 61,184		61,184
Non-cash royalty revenue		(7)			(7)
Non-cash interest expense recognized		9,382	2,428		11,810
Liability related to sale of future royalties as of December 31, 2016		$ 63,612	63,612			$ 72,987
Less: current portion			(118)			(764)
Liability related to sale of future royalties — net of current portion			$ 63,494			$ 72,223

Note 9 - Warrants (Details Text

Note 9 - Warrants (Details Textual)	Sep. 18, 2015$ / sharesshares	Dec. 16, 2013$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2016$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)$ / shares$ / itemshares	Jun. 30, 2012$ / sharesshares	Jun. 30, 2011$ / shares	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Jun. 30, 2016$ / shares	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)shares	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 17, 2015$ / shares
Common Stock Warrants Exercised											847,058	135,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Common Stock Warrants Exercised											527,101	91,488
Hercules Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding							176,730			176,730
Common Stock Warrants Exercised	176,730	176,730	176,730	176,730
Investment Warrants, Exercise Price | $ / shares			$ 3.07	$ 6.79		$ 3.06	$ 3.07	$ 3.88			$ 3.88
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights | $ / shares	$ 3.88	$ 6.79		$ 9.67										$ 6.79
Warrant Exercisable Term									5 years
Fair Value Of Warrant On Date Of Issuance | $				$ 1,100,000									$ 45,000
Derivative, Price Risk Option Strike Price | $ / item				6.79
Class of Warrant or Right Fair Value Assumption Risk Free Interest Rate				1.55%
Class of Warrant or Right Fair Value Assumption Stock Volatility				71.00%
Class of Warrant or Right Fair Value Assumption Expected Dividend Yield				0.00%
PIPE Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding					2,630,103		512,456			512,456
Investment Warrants, Exercise Price | $ / shares					$ 3.40
Warrant Exercisable Term					5 years
Warrants Vesting Condition Description					50%
Series Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding											3,425
2012 Private Placement [Member]
Fair Value of Warrant Upon Execution of Securities Purchase Agreement | $													$ 5,800,000
Estimated Fair Value of Warrant | $							$ 300,000			$ 300,000
Other Income | $										$ 600,000	$ 2,100,000	$ 7,000,000

Note 10 - Commitments and Con57

Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual)	Oct. 02, 2015ft²$ / item	Oct. 02, 2015ft²	May 31, 2014ft²	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	May 31, 2014a	Dec. 31, 2011ft²
Rental Rate Per Square Foot | $ / item	2.05
Future Minimum Sublease Rentals, Sale Leaseback Transactions, Next Twelve Months				$ 301,000
Future Minimum Sublease Rentals, Sale Leaseback Transactions, within Two Years				25,000
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net				$ 300,000	$ 600,000	$ 500,000
Redwood City, California [Member]
Area of Operating Lease | ft²	11,871	11,871						13,787
Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract		2 years 60 days
Lease Extended Term [Member]
Area of Operating Lease			13,787				12,106
Lease Agreement, Term			3 years 180 days
Lease Commencement Date			Aug. 1, 2014

Note 10 - Commitments and Con58

Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies - Future Minimum Payments Under Lease Agreement (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
2,017	$ 737
2,018	62
Total minimum payments	$ 799

Note 11 - Stockholders' Equity

Note 11 - Stockholders' Equity (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Jun. 23, 2013	Feb. 10, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Nov. 30, 2009	Feb. 29, 2008	Aug. 31, 2006	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period			3 years
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Shares Issued, Weighted Average Fair Value							$ 2.98	$ 4.48	$ 4.35
2006 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized						342,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Additional Shares Authorized				1,376,059	375,000
2006 Equity Incentive Plan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Common Stock Voting Rights Percentage						10.00%
Fair Value of Common Stock as Percentage of Option Exercise Price						110.00%
2011 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized										1,823,307
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Outstanding		51,693								1,875,000
Stock Option Plan Option Reserve Annual Increase as Percentage of Outstanding Shares Allowed										4.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period										4 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant							2,774,854
2011 Equity Incentive Plan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period										10 years
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized							250,000
Share-based Payment Award Number of Shares Authorized							2.00%
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans							410,166
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant							1,136,142
Public Offering [Member]
Proceeds from Issuance Initial Public Offering	$ 40

Note 12 - Stock-based Compens60

Note 12 - Stock-based Compensation (Details Textual) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value			$ 2.24	$ 2.69	$ 5.57
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized			$ 6,700,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition			2 years 146 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value			$ 3,900,000	$ 5,400,000	$ 3,200,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value			0	1,300,000	2,300,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period		343,815
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		$ 3.45
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period		3 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Percentage		25.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vesting Percentage, Year One		25.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vesting Percentage, Year Two		25.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vesting Percentage, Year Three		25.00%
Restricted Stock or Unit Expense			$ 0	$ 0	$ 56,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number			0	0	0
Subsequent Event [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Additional Shares Authorized	1,813,352
2011 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant			2,774,854
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period						4 years

Note 12 - Stock-based Compens61

Note 12 - Stock-based Compensation - Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 4,479	$ 5,010	$ 4,440
Cost of Sales [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense	302	67
Research and Development Expense [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense	2,308	2,587	2,252
General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 1,869	$ 2,356	$ 2,188

Note 12 - Stock-based Compens62

Note 12 - Stock-based Compensation - Option Activity (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Outstanding (in shares) | shares	4,618,949
Outstanding, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 5.77
Granted (in shares) | shares	1,891,650
Granted, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 3.25
Forfeited (in shares) | shares	(135,313)
Forfeited, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 5.65
Expired (in shares) | shares	(67,530)
Expired, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 7.70
Exercised (in shares) | shares
Exercised, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares
Outstanding (in shares) | shares	6,307,756
Outstanding, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 5
Outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual life (Year)	7 years 36 days
Outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value | $	$ 124
Vested and exercisable options (in shares) | shares	3,854,199
Vested and exercisable options, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 5.32
Vested and exercisable options, weighted-average remaining contractual life (Year)	6 years
Vested and exercisable options, aggregate intrinsic value | $	$ 124
Vested and expected to vest (in shares) | shares	6,162,353
Vested and expected to vest, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 5.02
Vested and expected to vest, weighted-average remaining contractual life (Year)	7 years
Vested and expected to vest, aggregate intrinsic value | $	$ 124

Note 12 - Stock-based Compens63

Note 12 - Stock-based Compensation - Stock Options Outstanding, Vested and Exercisable (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Number of Stock Options Outstanding (in shares)	6,307,756	4,618,949
Weighted-average Remaining Contractual LIfe (Year)	7 years 36 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted-average Exercise Price Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 5	$ 5.77
Shares Subject to Stock Options (in shares)	3,854,199
Options Vested and Exercisable, Weighted-average Exercise Price Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 5.32
Exercise Price Range 1 [Member]
Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit (in dollars per share)	1.20
Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit (in dollars per share)	$ 2.56
Number of Stock Options Outstanding (in shares)	462,897
Weighted-average Remaining Contractual LIfe (Year)	3 years 36 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted-average Exercise Price Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.33
Shares Subject to Stock Options (in shares)	462,897
Options Vested and Exercisable, Weighted-average Exercise Price Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.33
Exercise Price Range 2 [Member]
Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit (in dollars per share)	2.80
Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit (in dollars per share)	$ 4.24
Number of Stock Options Outstanding (in shares)	3,170,953
Weighted-average Remaining Contractual LIfe (Year)	7 years 292 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted-average Exercise Price Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 3.41
Shares Subject to Stock Options (in shares)	1,383,802
Options Vested and Exercisable, Weighted-average Exercise Price Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 3.56
Exercise Price Range 3 [Member]
Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit (in dollars per share)	4.73
Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit (in dollars per share)	$ 7.35
Number of Stock Options Outstanding (in shares)	1,775,906
Weighted-average Remaining Contractual LIfe (Year)	6 years 255 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted-average Exercise Price Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 5.85
Shares Subject to Stock Options (in shares)	1,335,300
Options Vested and Exercisable, Weighted-average Exercise Price Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 5.68
Exercise Price Range 4 [Member]
Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit (in dollars per share)	8.18
Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit (in dollars per share)	$ 10.55
Number of Stock Options Outstanding (in shares)	898,000
Weighted-average Remaining Contractual LIfe (Year)	7 years 73 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted-average Exercise Price Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 10.30
Shares Subject to Stock Options (in shares)	672,200
Options Vested and Exercisable, Weighted-average Exercise Price Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 10.29

Note 12 - Stock-based Compens64

Note 12 - Stock-based Compensation - Assumptions to Calculate Fair Value of Each Employee Stock Option (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Expected volatility	80.00%	72.00%
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Minimum [Member]
Expected term (in years) (Year)	5 years 91 days	5 years 91 days	5 years 91 days
Risk-free interest rate	1.24%	1.35%	1.76%
Expected volatility			69.00%
Maximum [Member]
Expected term (in years) (Year)	6 years 91 days	6 years 91 days	6 years 91 days
Risk-free interest rate	1.47%	1.82%	1.92%
Expected volatility			72.00%

Note 13 - Restructuring Costs (

Note 13 - Restructuring Costs (Details Textual)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Restructuring and Related Cost, Number of Positions Eliminated	19
Restructuring and Related Cost, Number of Positions Eliminated, Period Percent	36.00%
Restructuring Charges			$ 756,000

Note 14 - Net Loss Per Share 66

Note 14 - Net Loss Per Share of Common Stock - Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share of Common (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Net loss	$ (9,682)	$ (11,402)	$ (11,092)	$ (10,981)	$ (10,546)	$ 5,069	$ (8,896)	$ (10,026)	$ (43,157)	$ (24,399)	$ (33,353)
Adjustments for change in fair value of warrant liability										(2,120)	(6,988)
Diluted									$ (43,157)	$ (26,519)	$ (40,341)
Shares used in computing net loss per share of common stock, basic (in shares)									45,313,118	44,300,099	43,427,111
Dilutive effect of warrants (in shares)										168,341	895,186
Diluted (in shares)									45,313,118	44,468,440	44,322,297
Net loss per share of common stock, basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.25)	$ (0.24)	$ (0.24)	$ (0.24)	$ 0.11	$ (0.20)	$ (0.23)	$ (0.95)	$ (0.55)	$ (0.77)
Net loss per share of common stock, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.25)	$ (0.24)	$ (0.25)	$ (0.24)	$ 0.11	$ (0.20)	$ (0.27)	$ (0.95)	$ (0.60)	$ (0.91)

Note 14 - Net Loss Per Share 67

Note 14 - Net Loss Per Share of Common Stock - Outstanding Shares of Common Stock Equivalents Excluded From Computation of Diluted Net Loss Per Share (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Shares of common stock equivalents excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share of common stock (in shares)	6,395,879	4,699,121	6,411,003
Convertible Debt Securities [Member]
Shares of common stock equivalents excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share of common stock (in shares)	553,763	553,763	553,763
Warrant [Member]
Shares of common stock equivalents excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share of common stock (in shares)	692,611	180,155	180,155

Note 15 - Accrued Liabilities -

Note 15 - Accrued Liabilities - Accrued Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accrued compensation and employee benefits	$ 2,556	$ 2,876
Inventory and other contract manufacturing accruals	1,218	272
Other accrued liabilities	821	808
Accrued liabilities	$ 4,595	$ 3,956

Note 16 - 401(k) Plan (Details

Note 16 - 401(k) Plan (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Discretionary Contribution Percentage	4.00%
Contributions by Employer to Postemployment Benefit Obligations	$ 276,000	$ 263,000	$ 201,000

Note 17 - Related Party Trans70

Note 17 - Related Party Transactions (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Royalty Monetization [Member] | Dr. Hoffman [Member]
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction	$ 260,000

Note 18 - Income Taxes (Details

Note 18 - Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ (34,000)	$ 760,000	$ 0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Period Increase (Decrease)	14,200,000	5,500,000	$ 16,400,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Alternative Minimum Tax	$ 703,000	$ 742,000
Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Open Tax Year	2,005
Latest Tax Year [Member]
Open Tax Year	2,016
Subject to Expiration [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 1,400,000
Research Tax Credit Carryforward [Member] | Subject to Expiration [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount	26,000
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	91,500,000
Operating Loss Carryforward Attributable to Stock Based Compensation	2,900,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Alternative Minimum Tax	700,000
Domestic Tax Authority [Member] | Research Tax Credit Carryforward [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount	5,400,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	106,600,000
Operating Loss Carryforward Attributable to Stock Based Compensation	2,000,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Research Tax Credit Carryforward [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount	$ 3,200,000

Note 18 - Income Taxes - Net De

Note 18 - Income Taxes - Net Deferred Tax Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accruals and other	$ 3,746	$ 3,162
Research credits	5,670	5,105
Net operating loss carryforward	36,224	30,294
Section 59(e) R&D expenditures	16,782	12,785
Deferred revenue	24,836	21,677
AMT credit	703	742
Total deferred tax assets	87,961	73,765
Valuation allowance	(87,961)	(73,765)
Net deferred tax assets	$ 0	$ 0

Note 18 - Income Taxes - Reconc

Note 18 - Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Statutory Federal Income Tax (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Tax at statutory federal rate	$ (14,685,000)	$ (8,037,000)	$ (11,392,000)
State tax—net of federal benefit	(73,000)	2,853,000	(2,501,000)
PIPE Warrant liability	(260,000)	(726,000)	(2,393,000)
General Business credits	(360,000)	(455,000)	(628,000)
Stock Options	1,115,000	1,559,000	543,000
Other	33,000	73,000	20,000
Change in valuation allowance	14,196,000	5,493,000	16,351,000
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	$ (34,000)	$ 760,000	$ 0

Note 18 - Income Taxes - Reco74

Note 18 - Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Balance of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Unrecognized benefit—beginning of period	$ 1,939	$ 1,667	$ 1,341
Gross decreases—prior period tax positions
Gross increases—current period tax positions	223	272	326
Unrecognized benefit—end of period	$ 2,162	$ 1,939	$ 1,667

Note 19 - Subsequent Events (De

Note 19 - Subsequent Events (Details Textual) - Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement [Member]	Mar. 02, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 01, 2019	Mar. 01, 2018	Mar. 01, 2020	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 16, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 16, 2013USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity								$ 40,000,000
Number of Tranches for Loan and Security Agreement								3
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						$ 10,000,000
Debt Instrument, Variable Rate Threshold					9.55%
Debt Instrument, Percentage Used To Calculate Variable Rate					3.50%
Debt Instrument, Minimum Trigger Amount to Extend Period of Interest Only Payments					$ 40,000,000
Long-term Debt Maturities Balloon Payments					$ 1,700,000
Debt Instrument, Final Payment, Percentage of Aggregate Principal Amount					6.50%
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Prepayment Charge Of Term Loan Percentage		2.00%	3.00%	1.00%
First Tranche [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount								$ 15,000,000
Second Tranche [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							$ 10,000,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 30,466,000
Number of Tranches for Loan and Security Agreement	2
Debt Instrument, Variable Rate Threshold	9.55%
Debt Instrument, Percentage Used To Calculate Variable Rate	3.50%
Debt Instrument, Minimum Trigger Amount to Extend Period of Interest Only Payments	$ 40
Long-term Debt Maturities Balloon Payments	$ 1,700,000
Debt Instrument, Final Payment, Percentage of Aggregate Principal Amount	6.50%
Additional Default Interest Rate	5.00%
Subsequent Event [Member] | First Tranche [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 20,466,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Second Tranche [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 10,000,000

Note 20 - Unaudited Quarterly76

Note 20 - Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data - Quarterly Financial Data (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Total revenue	$ 6,435	$ 3,366	$ 4,531	$ 3,025	$ 1,730	$ 15,428	$ 1,924	$ 181	$ 17,357	$ 19,263	$ 5,217
Total operating costs and expenses	13,573	11,341	12,853	11,547	9,266	8,323	10,047	11,581	49,314	39,217	42,866
Net income / (loss)	$ (9,682)	$ (11,402)	$ (11,092)	$ (10,981)	$ (10,546)	$ 5,069	$ (8,896)	$ (10,026)	$ (43,157)	$ (24,399)	$ (33,353)
Net income / (loss) per share (basic) (in dollars per share)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.25)	$ (0.24)	$ (0.24)	$ (0.24)	$ 0.11	$ (0.20)	$ (0.23)	$ (0.95)	$ (0.55)	$ (0.77)
Net income / (loss) per share (diluted) (in dollars per share)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.25)	$ (0.24)	$ (0.25)	$ (0.24)	$ 0.11	$ (0.20)	$ (0.27)	$ (0.95)	$ (0.60)	$ (0.91)