Sophiris Bio (SPHS) 10-Q 14 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 05, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'SPHS	'
Entity Registrant Name	'SOPHIRIS BIO INC.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001563855	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Non-accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	16,149,871

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$54,739	$9,721
Other receivables	30	71
Deferred financing costs	'	937
Prepaid expenses	3,212	593
Total current assets	57,981	11,322
Property and equipment, net	102	163
Other long-term assets	19	44
Total assets	58,102	11,529
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	1,600	1,774
Accrued expenses	1,233	2,839
Current portion of promissory notes	6,724	5,895
Total current liabilities	9,557	10,508
Long-term promissory notes, less current portion	1,693	6,126
Warrant liability	1,376	'
Total liabilities	12,626	16,634
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit):	'	'
Common stock, unlimited authorized shares, no par value; 16,149,871 and 3,149,871 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	111,218	54,215
Common share purchase warrants	'	6,045
Contributed surplus	13,567	8,379
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) gain	99	-46
Deficit accumulated during development stage	-79,408	-73,698
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	45,476	-5,105
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)	$58,102	$11,529

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized	'unlimited	'unlimited
Common stock, par value	'	'
Common stock, shares issued	16,149,871	3,149,871
Common stock, shares outstanding	16,149,871	3,149,871

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		141 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues:	'	'	'	'	'
License revenue	'	'	$5,000	'	$8,000
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'	'
Research and development	2,117	3,411	6,143	10,193	55,788
General and administrative	883	1,980	3,009	4,342	27,487
Total operating expenses	3,000	5,391	9,152	14,535	83,275
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'	'
Interest income (expense), net	-313	-445	-1,064	-1,450	-2,977
Other income (expense), net	361	206	5	122	-341
Total other income (expense)	48	-239	-1,059	-1,328	-3,318
Net loss before income taxes	-2,952	-5,630	-5,211	-15,863	-78,593
Income tax expense	'	'	-500	'	-815
Net loss	-2,952	-5,630	-5,711	-15,863	-79,408
Basic and diluted loss per share	($0.31)	($1.79)	($1.08)	($5.25)	'
Weighted average number of outstanding shares - basic and diluted	9,509	3,150	5,293	3,021	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) Currency translation adjustment	-154	211	146	108	99
Total comprehensive loss	($3,106)	($5,419)	($5,565)	($15,755)	($79,309)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended		141 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows used in operating activities	'	'	'
Net loss for the period	($5,711)	($15,863)	($79,408)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used by operating activities:	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	715	488	5,052
Accretion of debt discount	299	391	1,029
Depreciation of property and equipment	63	61	586
Amortization of intangible assets	'	149	1,205
Amortization of promissory note issuance costs	86	119	310
Impairment loss	'	176	176
Change in fair value warrant liability	-195	'	-195
Foreign exchange (gain) loss	216	-109	-1,453
Loss on disposal of assets	'	'	25
Other	'	'	182
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
Other receivables	36	142	21
Prepaid expenses	-2,680	81	-3,483
Deferred financing costs	'	'	-936
Other long-term assets	6	-15	-38
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	-1,657	-637	2,675
Net cash used in operating activities	-8,822	-15,017	-74,252
Cash flows used in investing activities	'	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-3	-26	-725
Proceeds from the disposal of property and equipment	'	'	11
Acquisition of intangible assets	'	'	-1,372
Maturity of marketable securities	'	'	1,112
Purchases of marketable securities	'	'	-1,112
Net cash flows used in investing activities	-3	-26	-2,086
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'	'
Issuance of common shares from private placement, net of issuance cost	'	8,285	50,179
Issuance of common shares from public offering, net of issuance cost	57,816	'	60,844
Issuance of preferred shares, net of issuance cost	'	'	465
Cash acquired on reverse acquisition	'	'	818
Issuance of common shares on exercise of warrants	'	'	8,702
Issuance of common shares on exercise of stock options	'	'	514
Cash received from the issuance of promissory notes	'	'	15,000
Principal payments on notes payable	-3,903	-1,801	-7,092
Increase in lease obligations	'	'	120
Capital lease payments	'	'	-120
Deferred financing costs	'	'	'
Other	'	'	4
Net cash provided by financing activities	53,913	6,484	129,433
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-70	375	1,644
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	45,018	-8,184	54,739
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	9,721	23,410	'
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$54,739	$15,226	$54,739

Nature_of_the_business_liquidi

Nature of the business, liquidity risk and going concern	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Nature of the business, liquidity risk and going concern	'
	1. Nature of the business, liquidity risk and going concern
	Company
	Sophiris Bio Inc. (the “Company” or “Sophiris”) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical development stage company. The Company is currently developing PRX302 for treatment of the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (“BPH” or enlarged prostate). The Company is incorporated under the Company Act of British Columbia. The Company began operations on January 11, 2002. The Company’s operations were initially located in Vancouver, British Columbia. In April 2011, the Company relocated its core activities and headquarters from Vancouver, British Columbia to San Diego, California. Effective April 2, 2012, the Company changed its name from Protox Therapeutics Inc. to Sophiris Bio Inc.
	Since its inception, the Company has devoted substantially all of its efforts to research and development, recruiting management and technical staff, acquiring assets and raising capital. In addition, the Company has not begun to commercialize or generate revenues from any product candidate. Accordingly, the Company is considered to be in the development stage, as defined in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 915-10.
	The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Sophiris Bio Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Sophiris Bio Corp. and Sophiris Bio Holding Corp., both of which are incorporated in the state of Delaware.
	Share Consolidation
	On August 9, 2013, the Company’s board of directors approved a 52-for-1 share consolidation of the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares. Accordingly, all share and per share amounts for all periods presented in these financial statements and notes thereto have been adjusted retroactively to reflect the share consolidation. The Company’s stock option plan and outstanding warrants provide for a pro-rata adjustment to the number of shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants in the event of a share consolidation. The effects of the share consolidation have been given retroactive effect to the related disclosures of outstanding stock options and warrants.

Summary_of_significant_account

Summary of significant accounting policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of significant accounting policies	'
	2. Summary of significant accounting policies
	Significant accounting policies followed by the Company in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements are as follows:
	Basis of consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, Sophiris Bio Corp. and Sophiris Bio Holding Corp. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated for purposes of consolidation.
	Basis of presentation and use of estimates
	The accompanying condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) related to quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and disclosures required by GAAP for annual audited financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Amendment No. 8 to the Company’s Form S-1 for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed with the SEC on August 15, 2013 (“Form S-1”). The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 included in this report has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Form S-1. In the opinion of management, these condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair statement of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The results of operations for the interim periods shown in this report are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period, including the full year.
	GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and judgments that may affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and related disclosures. The Company bases estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The significant estimates in these condensed consolidated interim financial statements include revenue recognition, stock-based compensation expense, functional currency, and accrued research and development expenses, including accruals related to the Company’s ongoing clinical trial. The Company’s actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The Company evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis. Changes in estimates are reflected in reported results in the period in which they become known by the Company’s management.
	Foreign currency
	Functional currency
	Historically, the functional currency of Sophiris Bio Inc. has been the Canadian dollar and the functional currency of Sophiris Bio Corp. and Sophiris Bio Holding Corp. has been the U.S. dollar. Subsequent to the completion of the Company’s initial public offering on the NASDAQ Global Market the Company reviewed the underlying indicators of the primary economic environment in which Sophiris Bio Inc. operates. Based upon this review, the Company determined that the functional currency of Sophiris Bio Inc. changed from the Canadian dollar to the U.S. dollar effective August 16, 2013, the date of the Company’s U.S. initial public offering.
	Reclassification of Warrants
	Historically, the Company issued common stock warrants in connection with the issuance of common stock through private placements with exercise prices denominated in Canadian dollars. Upon the issuance of these warrants, the Company allocated the net proceeds to common stock and warrants based on their relative fair values, and calculated the fair value of the issued common stock warrants utilizing the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The allocated fair value was then recorded as Common Share Purchase Warrants within stockholders’ equity on the consolidated balance sheet. The fair value was not remeasured in periods subsequent to the date of issuance.
	The change in the functional currency of Sophiris Bio Inc. to the U.S. dollar effective August 16, 2013 effects how the Company accounts for its warrants which have exercise prices denominated in Canadian dollars, a currency that is not the Company’s functional currency. Upon the change in functional currency, the Company calculated the fair value of its warrants with exercise prices in Canadian dollars as $1.6 million utilizing the Black Scholes pricing model and classified this fair value as a long term liability in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”. The fair value of $1.6 million was deducted from the original fair value calculated on the issuance date of the warrants. The issuance date fair value in excess of the $1.6 million was reclassified to Contributed Surplus. At each reporting period subsequent to August 16, 2013, the Company will adjust the fair value of the warrant liability and any corresponding increase or decrease to the warrant liability will be recorded as a component of other income (expense) on the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. The estimated fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model based on the estimated value of the underlying common stock at the valuation measurement date, the remaining contractual term of the warrants, risk-free interest rates, expected dividends and expected volatility of the price of the underlying common stock. The fair value of the warrant liability was $1.4 million at September 30, 2013 and the Company recorded a gain of $0.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 which is included in other income (expense) in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.
	Reporting currency
	Prior to the change in the functional currency of Sophiris Bio Inc., as discussed above, the consolidated financial statements had been presented in a currency other than the parent’s functional currency as management had determined that the U.S. dollar was the common currency in which the Company’s peers, being international drug and pharmaceutical companies, present their financial statements. For presentation purposes, the assets and liabilities of the Company were translated to U.S. dollars at exchange rates at the reporting date. The historical equity transactions had been translated using historical rates in effect on the date that each transaction occurred. The income and expenses were translated to U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate for the period in which the transaction arose. Exchange differences arising were recognized in a separate component of equity titled accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
	Transactions and balances
	Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of foreign currency transactions and from the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than an entities’ functional currency are recognized as a component of other income (expense), net.
	Cash and cash equivalents
	Cash equivalents are short-term, highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.
	Concentration of credit risk
	Financial instruments that subject the Company to credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents in accredited financial institutions and therefore the Company’s management believes these funds are subject to minimal credit risk. The Company has no significant off-balance sheet concentrations of credit risk such as foreign currency exchange contracts, option contracts or other hedging arrangements.
	Property and equipment
	Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method, based on their estimated useful lives as follows:
	Asset classification		Estimated useful life (in years)
	Equipment		5-Mar
	Computer hardware		3
	Software		5-Mar
	Leasehold improvements		Lesser of useful life or lease term
	Furniture and fixtures		5
	Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
	The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of assets may not be fully recoverable or that the useful lives of these assets are no longer appropriate. Each impairment test is based on a comparison of the undiscounted cash flow to the recorded value of the asset. If impairment is indicated, the asset will be written down to its estimated fair value on a discounted cash flow basis. The Company has not recognized any impairment losses through September 30, 2013.
	Promissory notes
	Promissory notes are recognized initially at fair value. Promissory notes are subsequently carried at amortized cost; any difference between the proceeds and the redemption value is recognized in the statement of operations and comprehensive loss over the period of the notes payable using the effective interest method.
	The fair value of the promissory notes when issued with equity is recognized initially at the fair value of similar promissory notes issued on a standalone basis. The equity that is issued with borrowings is valued at fair value using the Black-Scholes valuation model.
	Revenue recognition
	The Company may enter into product development agreements with collaborative partners for the research and development of products for the treatment of urological diseases. The terms of the agreements may include nonrefundable signing and licensing fees, milestone payments and royalties on any product sales derived from collaborations. These multiple element arrangements are analyzed to determine whether the deliverables can be separated or whether they must be accounted for as a single unit of accounting. License fees are recognized as revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the fee is fixed or determinable, delivery or performance has substantially completed and collection is reasonably assured.
	The Company recognizes up front license payments as revenue upon delivery of the license only if the license has stand-alone value to the customer and if the agreement includes a general right of return, the delivery or performance of undelivered items is considered probable and within the control of the Company. The payment is generally allocated to the separate units of accounting based on their relative selling prices. The selling price of each deliverable is determined using vendor specific objective evidence of selling prices, if it exists; otherwise, third-party evidence of selling prices. If neither vendor specific objective evidence or third-party evidence exists, the Company uses its’ best estimate of the selling price for each deliverable. The payment allocated is limited to the amount that is not contingent on the delivery of additional items or fulfillment of other performance conditions.
	Whenever the Company determines that an arrangement should be accounted for as a single unit of accounting, it must determine the period over which the performance obligations will be performed and revenue will be recognized. If the Company cannot reasonably estimate the timing and the level of effort to complete its performance obligations under the arrangement, then revenue under the arrangement is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period the Company is expected to complete its performance obligations.
	The Company evaluates milestone payments on an individual basis and recognizes revenue from non-refundable milestone payments when the earnings process is complete and the payment is reasonably assured. Non-refundable milestone payments related to arrangements under which the Company has continuing performance obligations are recognized as revenue upon achievement of the associated milestone, provided that (i) the milestone event is substantive and its achievability was not reasonably assured at the inception of the agreement and (ii) the amount of the milestone payment is reasonable in relation to the effort expended or the risk associated with the milestone event. Any amounts received under agreements in advance of performance, if deemed substantive, are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized as revenue as the Company completes its performance obligations. A milestone event is considered substantive if (i) the milestone is commensurate with either (a) the Company’s performance to achieve the milestone or (b) the enhancement of the value of the delivered item(s) as a result of a specific outcome resulting from the Company’s performance to achieve the milestone; (ii) it relates solely to past performance and (iii) it is reasonable relative to all of the deliverables and payment terms (including other potential milestone consideration) within the arrangement. If any portion of the milestone payment does not relate to the Company’s performance, does not relate solely to past performance or is refundable or adjustable based on future performance, the milestone is not considered to be substantive. Milestone payments are not bifurcated into substantive and non-substantive components. Payments related to the achievement of non-substantive milestones is deferred and recognized over the Company’s remaining performance period.
	Royalty revenue will be recognized upon the sale of the related products provided the Company has no remaining performance obligations under the arrangement.
	Research and development expenses
	Research and development expenses are charged to expense as incurred. Research and development expenses comprise costs incurred in performing research and development activities, including personnel-related costs, stock-based compensation, facilities, research-related overhead, clinical trial costs, contracted services, manufacturing, license fees and other external costs. The Company accounts for nonrefundable advance payments for goods and services that will be used in future research and development activities as expenses when the service has been performed or when the goods have been consumed rather than when the payment is made.
	Accrued research and development expenses
	Clinical trial costs are recorded as a component of research and development expenses. The Company accrues and expenses clinical trial activities performed by third parties based upon estimates of the percentage of work completed over the life of the individual study in accordance with agreements established with clinical research organizations and clinical trial sites. The Company determines the estimates through discussions with internal clinical personnel and external service providers as to the progress or stage of completion of trials or services and the agreed-upon fee to be paid for such services based on facts and circumstances known to the Company as of each balance sheet date. However, actual costs and timing of clinical trials are highly uncertain, subject to risks and may change depending upon a number of factors, including the Company’s clinical development plan. The process of estimating clinical trial costs may become more complex as the Company’s planned Phase 3 clinical trials will involve larger numbers of patients and clinical sites.
	If the actual timing of the performance of services or the level of effort varies from the estimate, the Company will adjust the accrual accordingly. Adjustments to prior period estimates have not been material for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Examples of estimated accrued research and development expenses include:
		•		fees paid to clinical research organizations in connection with clinical studies;
		•		fees paid to investigative sites in connection with clinical studies;
		•		fees paid to vendors in connection with preclinical development activities;
		•		fees paid to vendors associated with the development of companion diagnostics; and
		•		fees paid to vendors related to product manufacturing, development and distribution of clinical supplies.
	Nonrefundable advance payments for goods and services that will be used or rendered in future research and development activities, are recorded as a prepaid expense and recognized as expense in the period that the related goods are consumed or services are performed.
	Stock-based compensation
	The Company expenses the fair value of employee stock options over the vesting period. Compensation expense is measured using the fair value of the award at the grant date, net of estimated forfeitures, and is adjusted annually to reflect actual forfeitures. The fair value of each stock-based award is estimated using the Black-Scholes valuation model and is expensed using graded amortization over the vesting period.
	Compensation expense for performance-based awards is estimated using the Black-Scholes valuation model and is expensed using the accelerated method. Compensation expense for performance-based awards reflects the estimated probability that the performance condition will be met.
	The Company accounts for stock options granted to non-employees, which primarily consist of members of the Company’s scientific advisory board and consultants, using the fair value approach. Stock options granted to non-employees are subject to revaluation each reporting period over their vesting terms.
	Income taxes
	The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted rates in effect for the year in which these temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Valuation allowances are provided if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
	The Company provides reserves for potential payments of tax to various tax authorities related to uncertain tax positions and other issues. Reserves are based on a determination of whether and how much of a tax benefit taken by the Company in its tax filing is more likely than not to be realized following resolution of any potential contingencies present related to the tax benefit. Potential interest and penalties associated with such uncertain tax positions are recorded as components of income tax expense. To date, the Company has not taken any uncertain tax positions or recorded any reserves, interest or penalties.
	Segment reporting
	Operating segments are identified as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision-maker, or CODM. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer serves as its CODM. The Company views its operations and manages its business as one segment operating primarily in the United States. As of September 30, 2013, all of the Company’s assets were located in the United States of America with the exception of $0.6 million of cash and cash equivalents and $42 thousand of other assets which were located in Canada. All of the Company’s property and equipment was located within the United States as of September 30, 2013.
	Fair value of financial instruments
	The Company measures certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid for to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, and accounts payable and accrued expenses, approximate fair value due to their short maturities.
The Company follows ASC 820-10, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” which among other things, defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure for each major asset and liability category measured at fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis. Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, a three-tier fair value hierarchy has been established, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
Level 1 – Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.
Level 2 – Inputs (other than quoted prices included in Level 1) are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability through correlation with market data at the measurement date and for the duration of the instrument’s anticipated life.
Level 3 – Inputs reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. Consideration is given to the risk inherent in the valuation technique and the risk inherent in the inputs to the model.
Recent accounting pronouncements
In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists” (“ASU No. 2013-11”), which concludes that, under most circumstances, an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. ASU No. 2013-11 will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2014. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Net_loss_per_common_share

Net loss per common share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Net loss per common share	'
	3. Net loss per common share
	Basic net loss per share is calculated by dividing the net loss attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, without consideration for common stock equivalents. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common share equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury-stock method. For purposes of this calculation, stock options and warrants are considered to be common share equivalents and are only included in the calculation of diluted net loss per share when their effect is dilutive.
	The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Net loss per share:
	Net loss	$	(2,952	)	$	(5,630	)	$	(5,711	)	$	(15,863	)
	Weighted-average common shares – basic and diluted		9,509			3,150			5,293			3,021
	Net loss per share – basic and diluted per share	$	(0.31	)	$	(1.79	)	$	(1.08	)	$	(5.25	)
	The following potentially dilutive securities have been excluded from the computation of diluted weighted-average shares outstanding as of the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 as the Company recorded a net loss in all periods and, therefore, they would be anti-dilutive (in thousands):
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Options to purchase common shares		270			160			290			169
	Common share purchase warrants		919			919			919			842

Fair_value_measurement_and_fin

Fair value measurement and financial instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair value measurement and financial instruments	'
	4. Fair value measurement and financial instruments
	The following tables present information about the Company’s warrant liability which is measured at fair value on a recurring basis and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques the Company utilized to determine such fair value (in thousands):
		September 30, 2013			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
	Liabilities:
	Warrant liability	$	1,376		$	—		$	—	$	1,376
	The Company did not have any assets or liabilities at December 31, 2012 which were measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
	The Company calculates the fair value of the common stock warrants at each reporting date utilizing a Black-Scholes pricing model. The following inputs were utilized in the Black-Scholes pricing model at the initial recognition date of the warrant liability, the date of the Company’s U.S. IPO, and September 30, 2013.
		Initial			September 30, 2013
		Recognition
	Risk-free interest rate		0.72	%		0.59	%
	Volatility		111.86	%		113.21	%
	Dividend yield		0	%		0	%
	Expected life in years		2.89			2.77
	There were no transfers of assets or liabilities between the fair value measurement classifications.
	The following table presents a reconciliation of the warrant liability measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) from its initial recognition date to September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
		Three months ended			Nine months ended
		Sep-13			Sep-13
	Liabilities:
	Balance at beginning of period:	$	—		$	—
	Calculation of initial warrant liability fair value		1,571			1,571
	Change in fair value of warrant liability included in other (expense)/income		(195	)		(195	)
	Balance at end of period:	$	1,376		$	1,376

Intangible_assets

Intangible assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Intangible assets	'
	5. Intangible assets
	The Company held intangible assets that consist of patents and technology rights relating to the HUMxin and INxin platforms.
	In 2012 the Company decided to focus its future development efforts solely on PRX302 for the treatment of BPH and has provided written notice to U.S. Public Health Services (“PHS”) of the Company’s intention to terminate its license agreements with PHS which were being utilized to develop the Company’s HUMxin and INxin technology platforms. Due to the change in the development focus and the termination of the license agreements the Company determined there is no longer any economic value of the intangible assets associated with the HUMxin and INxin platforms. Accordingly, included in research and development expense for the three and nine month ended September 30, 2012 is a $0.2 million write-off associated with the impairment of these intangible assets.
	Amortization expense for the Company’s intangible assets was $50 thousand and $0.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.

Prepaid_expenses

Prepaid expenses	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Prepaid expenses	'
	6. Prepaid expenses
	Prepaid expenses as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Prepaid insurance	$	400	$	90
	Prepaid research and development expenses		2,686		326
	Other prepaid expenses		126		177
		$	3,212	$	593

Property_and_equipment

Property and equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and equipment	'
	7. Property and equipment
	Property and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Equipment	$	7		$	7
	Computer hardware and software		44			42
	Leasehold improvements		155			155
	Furniture and fixtures		76			76
			282			280
	Less: accumulated depreciation		(180	)		(117	)
		$	102		$	163
	Depreciation expense was $21 thousand for both the three months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012. Depreciation expense was $63 thousand and $61 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Accrued_expenses

Accrued expenses	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accrued expenses	'
	8. Accrued expenses
	Accrued expenses as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Accrued personnel related costs	$	204	$	753
	Accrued interest		63		93
	Accrued research and development expenses		599		1,066
	Other accrued expenses		367		927
		$	1,233	$	2,839

Promissory_notes

Promissory notes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Promissory notes	'
	9. Promissory notes
	On July 15, 2011, the Company entered into a $15 million Loan and Security Agreement, as amended (the “Oxford Loan”) with Oxford Finance LLC (“Oxford”). Under the terms of the Oxford Loan, the Company made interest only payments for nine months at a fixed rate of 9.5%. Beginning in June 2012, the note began to amortize with principal and interest payments due through the remaining term of the loan. On July 31, 2013, the Company and Oxford entered into a second amendment to the Oxford Loan which authorized the Company to make an interest only payment on August 1, 2013 on the outstanding balance. The Company resumed making principal and interest payments on September 1, 2013 in accordance with the terms of the second amendment. The maturity date and the interest rate remain unchanged. In addition, no principal was extinguished in connection with the second amendment. The loan term, including interest only period, is 39 months; however, it can be prepaid subject to certain provisions and prepayment fees. Upon final repayment of the Oxford Loan on the maturity date, by prepayment, or upon acceleration of the Oxford Loan, the Company also must make an additional final payment of $0.8 million, which is being accreted over the term of the loan.
	If the loan is prepaid, the following amounts are due: all outstanding principal plus all accrued interest and unpaid interest, the final payment of $0.8 million, a prepayment fee and any other sums due under the Oxford Loan, including certain of Oxford’s expenses, as well as interest at the default rate for any past due amounts. The prepayment fee is set at one percent of the outstanding principal being prepaid if the loan is prepaid after July 2013.
	The Company’s Oxford Loan contains certain affirmative and negative covenants. The Company was in compliance with the covenants included in the Oxford Loan at September 30, 2013.
	To secure the Company’s repayment obligations under the Oxford Loan, Oxford obtained a first priority security interest in all of the Company’s assets, including intellectual property and all of the Company’s equity interest in Sophiris Bio Corp.
	The roll forward of the secured promissory note is calculated as follows (in thousands):
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	12,021
	Accretion of debt discount		299
	Principal paid		(3,903	)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	8,417
	The Oxford loan has an interest rate of 9.50% per annum. The following table shows actual interest expensed and amortization of the debt discount that was charged to interest expense (in thousands):
		Three months ended					Nine months ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2013			2012		2013		2012
	Simple interest	$	196		$	324	$	678	$	1,033
	Accretion of debt discount		91			127		299		391
	Amortization of promissory notes issuance costs		25			39		86		119
		$	312		$	490	$	1,063	$	1,543
	The following is a schedule of future maturities of the Company’s debt as of September 30, 2013, including the final payment of $0.8 million due upon repayment of the loan (in thousands):
		Payments
	2013	$	1,797
	2014		7,345
		$	9,142
	The Company calculated the fair value of the secured promissory notes as $7.5 million (Level 3) as of September 30, 2013. The fair value of long-term debt is based on the net present value of calculated interest and principal payments, using an updated interest rate of 11%, provided by the Company’s lender, which takes into consideration the financial position of the Company, the assessed credit rating of the Company by the lender and the interest rate environment at September 30, 2013. As part of this fair value assessment the Company also confirmed with its lender an appropriate warrant coverage of 6% associated with the promissory notes. The fair value of this equity component was derived using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The Company calculated the promissory notes’ fair value by allocating to equity and the debt based on their respective fair values.

Shareholders_equity

Shareholders' equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Shareholders' equity	'
	10. Shareholders’ equity
	Authorized
	As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had unlimited shares of no par common shares authorized. There were 16.1 million and 3.1 million common shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
	Initial Public Offering
	On August 23, 2013, the Company completed a U.S. public offering whereby the Company issued 13,000,000 common shares at a price of U.S. $5.00 per share. The Company received $57.0 million, net of underwriters discounts commissions and offering cost.
	Shares reserved for future issuance
	The shares reserved for future issuance as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Common share purchase warrants		919		919
	Stock options
	Granted and outstanding		254		241
	Reserved for future issuance		1,361		74
			2,534		1,234

Common_share_purchase_warrants

Common share purchase warrants	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Common share purchase warrants	'
	11. Common share purchase warrants
	The common share purchase warrant activity is as follows (in thousands, except exercise price data):
		Number		Weighted
		outstanding		average
				exercise price
				CND$
	Balance outstanding – December 31, 2012		919	$	27.07
	No changes		—		—
	Balance outstanding – September 30, 2013		919	$	27.07
	The following table summarizes the expiration dates for the Company’s outstanding common share purchase warrants as of September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
	Number of	Expiration date
	warrants
	outstanding
	289	November 19, 2015
	123	March 16, 2015
	27	July 15, 2018
	240	December 28, 2016
	240	March 28, 2017
	919

Stockbased_compensation_plan

Stock-based compensation plan	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-based compensation plan	'
	12. Stock-based compensation plan
	The Company’s Amended and Restated 2011 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) provides for the granting of options for the purchase of common shares of the Company at the fair market value of the Company’s common shares on the date of the option grant. Options are granted to employees, directors and non-employees. The board of directors or a committee appointed by the board of directors administers the Plan and has discretion as to the number, vesting period and expiry date of each option award. Historically the Company granted options to residents of the United States with an exercise price denominated in Canadian dollars, the functional currency of Sophiris Bio Inc. prior to the Company’s U.S. initial public offering. Following the Company’s U.S. initial public offering the Company will grant options to residents of the United States with an exercise price denominated in U.S. dollars. All options are classified as equity as of September 30, 2013.
	The Plan is based on a cumulative percentage of options issuable up to 10% of the Company’s outstanding common shares. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were 1,360,979 and 74,000 shares, respectively, available to be issued under the Plan.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company issued options to purchase 42,862 common shares, respectively, to its directors and employees. These options generally vest over a three year period for employees and over a one year period for directors. The maximum contractual period for the granted options is five years.
	No options to purchase common shares were granted to non-employees during the year ended December 31, 2012. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 the Company issued options to purchase 28,346 common shares to non-employees. In connection with options granted to non-employees, the Company recognized expense of $40 thousand and $0.1 million for the three months and nine ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The Company accounts for stock options granted to non-employees using the fair value approach. Stock options granted to non-employees are subject to revaluation at each reporting period over their vesting terms.
	The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense as follows (in thousands):
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Research and development	$	28		$	29		$	152	$	120
	General and administrative		162			115			563		368
		$	190		$	144		$	715	$	488
	As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there was $0.6 million and $0.8 million, respectively, of total unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested stock awards. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company expects to recognize those costs over weighted average periods of approximately 1.4 years and 1.5 years, respectively.
	The Company did not grant any stock options during the three months ended September 30, 2013 nor the three months ended September 30, 2012. The fair values of options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were estimated at the date of grant using the following weighted-average assumptions:
		Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			2012
	Expected Life of the Option Term (years)		4.2			4
	Risk-free interest rate		1.38	%		1.44	%
	Dividend rate		0	%		0	%
	Volatility		69.1	%		75.5	%
	Forfeiture rate		8.79	%		7.81	%
	Expected Life of the Option Term – This is the period of time that the options granted are expected to remain unexercised. Options granted have a maximum contractual term of five years. The Company estimates the expected life of the option term based on actual past behavior for similar options.
	Risk-Free Interest Rate – This is the Canadian Treasury rate for the week of each option grant during the quarter having a term that most closely resembles the expected life of the option.
	Dividend Rate – The Company has never declared or paid dividends on common shares and has no plans to do so in the foreseeable future.
	Volatility – Volatility is a measure of the amount by which a financial variable such as a share price has fluctuated or is expected to fluctuate during a period. The Company considered the historical volatility from its IPO through the dates of grants.
	Forfeiture Rate – Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The Company assesses the forfeiture rate on an annual basis and revises the rate when deemed necessary.
	The following table summarizes stock option activity, including options issued to employees, directors and non-employees (in thousands, except per share and contractual term data):
		Options			Weighted			Weighted average		Aggregate
		outstanding			average			remaining		intrinsic
					exercise			contractual term		value
					price in			(in years)
					CND$
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012		241		$	23.92			3.5	$	—
	Options granted		71			13
	Options expired		(13	)		41.02
	Options forfeited		(45	)		28
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013		254		$	19.26			3.6	$	—
	Vested or expected to vest at September 30, 2013		237		$	19.55			3.5	$	—
	Exercisable at September 30, 2013		99		$	24.75			2.9	$	—
	The aggregate intrinsic value was calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the stock options and the fair value of the underlying common shares as of the respective balance sheet date. No stock options were exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	The Company settles employee stock option exercises with newly issued common shares.

License_agreements

License agreements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
License agreements	'
	13. License agreements
	Kissei Agreement
	In April 2010, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement for the development and commercialization of PRX302 (and other products covered by the licensed patent). The agreement with Kissei Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., a Japanese pharmaceutical company, (“Kissei”) covers the development and commercialization of PRX302 in Japan for the treatment of the symptoms of BPH, prostate cancer, prostatitis or other diseases of the prostate. Pursuant to the agreement in 2010, the Company received an upfront license payment of $3.0 million. The Company has determined that the deliverables under this agreement included the license, the transfer of relevant technical information and participation in a periodic development meeting. The Company recognized the entire upfront license payment upon receipt as the license was deemed to have stand-alone value and no significant undelivered performance obligations were identified in connection with the license.
	The agreement also notes that the Company shall supply Kissei with bulk material under a separate supply agreement for use in future clinical studies and, if approved, for commercial sales. The license agreement also notes that if the Company is unwilling or unable to supply Kissei with the necessary bulk material that Kissei will have the option to manufacture the bulk material themselves or they can outsource the manufacturing to a third party. To date the Company and Kissei have not signed a supply agreement.
	The agreement also provides that the Company shall have full responsibility, including financial responsibility, for filing, prosecuting and maintaining all of the patents in Japan during the term of the agreement. The filing of patents is an administrative and perfunctory deliverable. The associated costs are immaterial. The prosecution and maintenance of patents is not considered an undelivered performance obligation.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded as revenue a $5.0 million non-refundable substantive milestone payment due from Kissei upon the achievement of certain development activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, as such milestone had been achieved during this period. In accordance with the Company’s revenue recognition policy, the Company recognizes the receipt of milestone payments in accordance with the milestone method in the period in which the underlying triggering event occurs. The Company received payment for the milestone in April 2013.
	In addition to the upfront license payment and the $5.0 million milestone payment recognized as revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company is entitled to receive up to $67.0 million of non-refundable milestone payments as follows: a total of $12.0 million for the BPH indication, of which $7.0 million relates to the completion of regulatory approvals and $5.0 million relates to the achievement of certain product sale goals; a total of $21.0 million for the prostate cancer indication, of which $7.0 million relates to the completion of certain development activities, $7.0 million relates to the completion of regulatory approvals and $7.0 million relates to the achievement of certain product sale goals; and a total of $21.0 million for prostatitis or other diseases of the prostate, of which $7.0 million relates to the completion of certain development activities, $7.0 million relates to the completion of regulatory approvals and $7.0 million relates to the achievement of certain product sale goals. An additional $13.0 million of aggregate milestone payments are not indication specific, of which $5.0 million relates to the completion of regulatory approvals and $8.0 million relates to the achievement of certain product sale goals.
	Management evaluated the nature of the events triggering these additional milestone payments, and concluded that these events fall into two categories: (a) events which involve the performance of the Company’s obligations under the Kissei license agreement, and (b) events which do not involve the performance of the Company’s obligations under the Kissei license agreement.
	Milestone payments which involve the performance of the Company’s obligations include activities related to the completion of development activities and regulatory approvals in the United States. Management concluded that each of these payments constitutes a substantive milestone. This conclusion was based primarily on the facts that (i) each triggering event represents a specific outcome that can be achieved only through successful performance by the Company of one or more of its deliverables, (ii) achievement of each triggering event was subject to inherent risk and was not reasonably assured at the inception of the agreement, (iii) each of these milestones is non-refundable, (iv) substantial effort is required to complete each milestone, (v) the amount of each milestone payment is reasonable in relation to the value created in achieving the milestone, (vi) a substantial amount of time is expected to pass between the up-front payment and the potential milestone payments, and (vii) the milestone payments relate solely to past performance. Based on the foregoing, the Company recognizes any revenue from these milestone payments under the milestone method in the period in which the underlying triggering event occurs.
	Milestone payments which do not involve the performance of the Company’s obligations include the completion of development activities, regulatory approvals and certain product sale goals in Japan, all of which are areas in which the Company has no pertinent contractual responsibilities under the agreement. Management concluded that these milestones are not substantive and will be recognized in accordance with the Company’s accounting policy for revenue recognition.
	The following table breaks down the remaining unpaid milestone payments by indication or, in the case of milestones not associated with a specific indication, by triggering events and by involvement of the Company:
		Milestone Payments		Milestone Payments
		Involving Performance		Not
		of Company		Involving Performance
		Obligations		of Company
				Obligations
	Milestones by Indication
	BPH		—	$	12 million
	Prostate cancer		—	$	21 million
	Prostatitis and other diseases of the prostate		—	$	21 million
	Milestones Not Associated with an Indication
	Gross sale targets		—	$	8 million
	Regulatory approvals	$	5 million		—
	The Company may also receive a drug supply fee, assuming the Company supplies material to Kissei, and royalty payments in the 20-29% range as a percentage of future net sales of licensed products sold under the agreement.
	Kissei is not currently studying PRX302 for the treatment of prostate cancer, prostatitis or other diseases of the prostate. In addition, Kissei has the option to sublicense the development and commercialization for PRX302 in their territory.
	PRX302 license agreement for Benign Prostate Hyperplasia
	In 2009, the Company signed an exclusive license agreement with UVIC Industry Partnerships Inc. (“UVIC”) and The Johns Hopkins University (“Johns Hopkins”) with respect to the use of PRX302 for the treatment of the symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia and other non-cancer diseases and conditions of the prostate. The license agreement requires the Company to make payments of CND$1.3 million in the aggregate on the achievement of certain clinical and regulatory milestones and to pay royalties on commercial sales of resulting products. To the extent the Company receives any milestone payments relating to the development of therapeutics for the treatment of the symptoms of BPH under its exclusive license agreement with Kissei, the Company is obligated to pay a percentage of such consideration, which percentage is in the 10-19% range, to UVIC and Johns Hopkins; however, pursuant to a separate agreement which the Company entered into in 2003 with Dr. J. Thomas Buckley, one of the Company’s founders, the aggregate amount of such consideration payable by the Company to UVIC and Johns Hopkins is reduced by 25% .
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company expensed a $0.1 million milestone payment due under the agreement upon the completion of the Company’s last Phase 2b clinical trial prior to commencing a Phase 3 clinical trial. The Company anticipates paying this milestone upon the enrollment of the Company’s first patient in a Phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of the symptoms of BPH. The Company anticipates initiating its Phase 3 clinical trial in the fourth quarter of 2013. This amount was expensed to research and development expense. In addition, the Company accrued a sub-license royalty of $0.4 million payable under the agreement associated with the Company’s $5.0 million milestone payment from Kissei. The Company paid this amount during April 2013. This amount was recorded as a component of research and development expense.
	From the inception of the agreement, the Company has incurred sub-license fees of $0.6 million and milestone payments of $0.1 million under this agreement.

Commitments_and_contingencies

Commitments and contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and contingencies	'
	14. Commitments and contingencies
	Operating leases
	The Company leases a facility, comprising the Company’s headquarters, located in San Diego, California under a non-cancelable lease. During September 2013, the Company exercised the first of two 3-year lease extensions on its headquarters in San Diego, California. As a result of this extension, the expiration date for the Company’s headquarters was extended from May 2014 to May 2017. The rent on the Company’s headquarters is currently $12,740 per month.
	The Company rents a second facility in Vancouver, British Columbia under a non-cancelable office service agreement. This office service agreement expires in December 2013 and the rent is CND$3,744 per month, or $3,634 per month, as translated into U.S. dollars, subject to annual cost of living increases. During June 2012 the Company vacated the Vancouver facility. As such the Company recorded $0.1 million of expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 which represented all of the future rent payments due under this lease as the Company does not expect to receive any future economic value from this agreement.
	Total rent expense under these operating leases was $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As noted above, included as a component of the rent expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 is $0.1 million of future rent payments due on the Vancouver facility.
	Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases at September 30, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
		Future rent
		payments
	2013	$	56
	2014		141
	2015		117
	2016		117
	2017		49
	Total	$	480
	License agreements
	The Company has license agreements with third parties that require the Company to make annual license maintenance payments and contingent future payments upon the success of licensed products that include milestone and/or royalties. Minimum future payments over the next five years are not material.
	Purchase commitments
	The Company is required to schedule its manufacturing activities in advance. If the Company cancels any of these scheduled activities without proper notice the Company would be required to pay penalties equal to the cost of the originally scheduled activity. The Company estimates that the cost of these penalties would be approximately $3.0 million at September 30, 2013 if the Company’s scheduled activities are cancelled.

Subsequent_events

Subsequent events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent events	'
	15. Subsequent events
	On October 30, 2013 the Company’s Board of Directors approved the corporate goals and the associated weighting of each goal to be utilized in the calculation of the Company’s annual performance-based cash bonuses for the year ended December 31, 2013. The payment of any performance-based cash bonus is subject to the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company estimates that the total potential performance-based cash bonus payment will be approximately $0.8 million assuming the Company achieves 100% of its corporate goals, which will be recognized as expense in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Summary_of_significant_account1

Summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of consolidation	'
	Basis of consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, Sophiris Bio Corp. and Sophiris Bio Holding Corp. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated for purposes of consolidation.
Basis of presentation and use of estimates	'
	Basis of presentation and use of estimates
	The accompanying condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) related to quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and disclosures required by GAAP for annual audited financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Amendment No. 8 to the Company’s Form S-1 for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed with the SEC on August 15, 2013 (“Form S-1”). The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 included in this report has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Form S-1. In the opinion of management, these condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair statement of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The results of operations for the interim periods shown in this report are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period, including the full year.
	GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and judgments that may affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and related disclosures. The Company bases estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The significant estimates in these condensed consolidated interim financial statements include revenue recognition, stock-based compensation expense, functional currency, and accrued research and development expenses, including accruals related to the Company’s ongoing clinical trial. The Company’s actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The Company evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis. Changes in estimates are reflected in reported results in the period in which they become known by the Company’s management.
Foreign currency	'
	Foreign currency
	Functional currency
	Historically, the functional currency of Sophiris Bio Inc. has been the Canadian dollar and the functional currency of Sophiris Bio Corp. and Sophiris Bio Holding Corp. has been the U.S. dollar. Subsequent to the completion of the Company’s initial public offering on the NASDAQ Global Market the Company reviewed the underlying indicators of the primary economic environment in which Sophiris Bio Inc. operates. Based upon this review, the Company determined that the functional currency of Sophiris Bio Inc. changed from the Canadian dollar to the U.S. dollar effective August 16, 2013, the date of the Company’s U.S. initial public offering.
	Reclassification of Warrants
	Historically, the Company issued common stock warrants in connection with the issuance of common stock through private placements with exercise prices denominated in Canadian dollars. Upon the issuance of these warrants, the Company allocated the net proceeds to common stock and warrants based on their relative fair values, and calculated the fair value of the issued common stock warrants utilizing the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The allocated fair value was then recorded as Common Share Purchase Warrants within stockholders’ equity on the consolidated balance sheet. The fair value was not remeasured in periods subsequent to the date of issuance.
	The change in the functional currency of Sophiris Bio Inc. to the U.S. dollar effective August 16, 2013 effects how the Company accounts for its warrants which have exercise prices denominated in Canadian dollars, a currency that is not the Company’s functional currency. Upon the change in functional currency, the Company calculated the fair value of its warrants with exercise prices in Canadian dollars as $1.6 million utilizing the Black Scholes pricing model and classified this fair value as a long term liability in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”. The fair value of $1.6 million was deducted from the original fair value calculated on the issuance date of the warrants. The issuance date fair value in excess of the $1.6 million was reclassified to Contributed Surplus. At each reporting period subsequent to August 16, 2013, the Company will adjust the fair value of the warrant liability and any corresponding increase or decrease to the warrant liability will be recorded as a component of other income (expense) on the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. The estimated fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model based on the estimated value of the underlying common stock at the valuation measurement date, the remaining contractual term of the warrants, risk-free interest rates, expected dividends and expected volatility of the price of the underlying common stock. The fair value of the warrant liability was $1.4 million at September 30, 2013 and the Company recorded a gain of $0.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 which is included in other income (expense) in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.
	Reporting currency
	Prior to the change in the functional currency of Sophiris Bio Inc., as discussed above, the consolidated financial statements had been presented in a currency other than the parent’s functional currency as management had determined that the U.S. dollar was the common currency in which the Company’s peers, being international drug and pharmaceutical companies, present their financial statements. For presentation purposes, the assets and liabilities of the Company were translated to U.S. dollars at exchange rates at the reporting date. The historical equity transactions had been translated using historical rates in effect on the date that each transaction occurred. The income and expenses were translated to U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate for the period in which the transaction arose. Exchange differences arising were recognized in a separate component of equity titled accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
	Transactions and balances
	Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of foreign currency transactions and from the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than an entities’ functional currency are recognized as a component of other income (expense), net.
Cash and cash equivalents	'
	Cash and cash equivalents
	Cash equivalents are short-term, highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.
Concentration of credit risk	'
	Concentration of credit risk
	Financial instruments that subject the Company to credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents in accredited financial institutions and therefore the Company’s management believes these funds are subject to minimal credit risk. The Company has no significant off-balance sheet concentrations of credit risk such as foreign currency exchange contracts, option contracts or other hedging arrangements.
Property and equipment	'
	Property and equipment
	Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method, based on their estimated useful lives as follows:
	Asset classification		Estimated useful life (in years)
	Equipment		5-Mar
	Computer hardware		3
	Software		5-Mar
	Leasehold improvements		Lesser of useful life or lease term
	Furniture and fixtures		5
	Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
	The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of assets may not be fully recoverable or that the useful lives of these assets are no longer appropriate. Each impairment test is based on a comparison of the undiscounted cash flow to the recorded value of the asset. If impairment is indicated, the asset will be written down to its estimated fair value on a discounted cash flow basis. The Company has not recognized any impairment losses through September 30, 2013.
Promissory notes	'
	Promissory notes
	Promissory notes are recognized initially at fair value. Promissory notes are subsequently carried at amortized cost; any difference between the proceeds and the redemption value is recognized in the statement of operations and comprehensive loss over the period of the notes payable using the effective interest method.
	The fair value of the promissory notes when issued with equity is recognized initially at the fair value of similar promissory notes issued on a standalone basis. The equity that is issued with borrowings is valued at fair value using the Black-Scholes valuation model.
Revenue recognition	'
	Revenue recognition
	The Company may enter into product development agreements with collaborative partners for the research and development of products for the treatment of urological diseases. The terms of the agreements may include nonrefundable signing and licensing fees, milestone payments and royalties on any product sales derived from collaborations. These multiple element arrangements are analyzed to determine whether the deliverables can be separated or whether they must be accounted for as a single unit of accounting. License fees are recognized as revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the fee is fixed or determinable, delivery or performance has substantially completed and collection is reasonably assured.
	The Company recognizes up front license payments as revenue upon delivery of the license only if the license has stand-alone value to the customer and if the agreement includes a general right of return, the delivery or performance of undelivered items is considered probable and within the control of the Company. The payment is generally allocated to the separate units of accounting based on their relative selling prices. The selling price of each deliverable is determined using vendor specific objective evidence of selling prices, if it exists; otherwise, third-party evidence of selling prices. If neither vendor specific objective evidence or third-party evidence exists, the Company uses its’ best estimate of the selling price for each deliverable. The payment allocated is limited to the amount that is not contingent on the delivery of additional items or fulfillment of other performance conditions.
	Whenever the Company determines that an arrangement should be accounted for as a single unit of accounting, it must determine the period over which the performance obligations will be performed and revenue will be recognized. If the Company cannot reasonably estimate the timing and the level of effort to complete its performance obligations under the arrangement, then revenue under the arrangement is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period the Company is expected to complete its performance obligations.
	The Company evaluates milestone payments on an individual basis and recognizes revenue from non-refundable milestone payments when the earnings process is complete and the payment is reasonably assured. Non-refundable milestone payments related to arrangements under which the Company has continuing performance obligations are recognized as revenue upon achievement of the associated milestone, provided that (i) the milestone event is substantive and its achievability was not reasonably assured at the inception of the agreement and (ii) the amount of the milestone payment is reasonable in relation to the effort expended or the risk associated with the milestone event. Any amounts received under agreements in advance of performance, if deemed substantive, are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized as revenue as the Company completes its performance obligations. A milestone event is considered substantive if (i) the milestone is commensurate with either (a) the Company’s performance to achieve the milestone or (b) the enhancement of the value of the delivered item(s) as a result of a specific outcome resulting from the Company’s performance to achieve the milestone; (ii) it relates solely to past performance and (iii) it is reasonable relative to all of the deliverables and payment terms (including other potential milestone consideration) within the arrangement. If any portion of the milestone payment does not relate to the Company’s performance, does not relate solely to past performance or is refundable or adjustable based on future performance, the milestone is not considered to be substantive. Milestone payments are not bifurcated into substantive and non-substantive components. Payments related to the achievement of non-substantive milestones is deferred and recognized over the Company’s remaining performance period.
	Royalty revenue will be recognized upon the sale of the related products provided the Company has no remaining performance obligations under the arrangement.
Research and development expenses	'
	Research and development expenses
	Research and development expenses are charged to expense as incurred. Research and development expenses comprise costs incurred in performing research and development activities, including personnel-related costs, stock-based compensation, facilities, research-related overhead, clinical trial costs, contracted services, manufacturing, license fees and other external costs. The Company accounts for nonrefundable advance payments for goods and services that will be used in future research and development activities as expenses when the service has been performed or when the goods have been consumed rather than when the payment is made.
Accrued research and development expenses	'
	Accrued research and development expenses
	Clinical trial costs are recorded as a component of research and development expenses. The Company accrues and expenses clinical trial activities performed by third parties based upon estimates of the percentage of work completed over the life of the individual study in accordance with agreements established with clinical research organizations and clinical trial sites. The Company determines the estimates through discussions with internal clinical personnel and external service providers as to the progress or stage of completion of trials or services and the agreed-upon fee to be paid for such services based on facts and circumstances known to the Company as of each balance sheet date. However, actual costs and timing of clinical trials are highly uncertain, subject to risks and may change depending upon a number of factors, including the Company’s clinical development plan. The process of estimating clinical trial costs may become more complex as the Company’s planned Phase 3 clinical trials will involve larger numbers of patients and clinical sites.
	If the actual timing of the performance of services or the level of effort varies from the estimate, the Company will adjust the accrual accordingly. Adjustments to prior period estimates have not been material for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Examples of estimated accrued research and development expenses include:
		•		fees paid to clinical research organizations in connection with clinical studies;
		•		fees paid to investigative sites in connection with clinical studies;
		•		fees paid to vendors in connection with preclinical development activities;
		•		fees paid to vendors associated with the development of companion diagnostics; and
		•		fees paid to vendors related to product manufacturing, development and distribution of clinical supplies.
	Nonrefundable advance payments for goods and services that will be used or rendered in future research and development activities, are recorded as a prepaid expense and recognized as expense in the period that the related goods are consumed or services are performed.
Stock-based compensation	'
	Stock-based compensation
	The Company expenses the fair value of employee stock options over the vesting period. Compensation expense is measured using the fair value of the award at the grant date, net of estimated forfeitures, and is adjusted annually to reflect actual forfeitures. The fair value of each stock-based award is estimated using the Black-Scholes valuation model and is expensed using graded amortization over the vesting period.
	Compensation expense for performance-based awards is estimated using the Black-Scholes valuation model and is expensed using the accelerated method. Compensation expense for performance-based awards reflects the estimated probability that the performance condition will be met.
	The Company accounts for stock options granted to non-employees, which primarily consist of members of the Company’s scientific advisory board and consultants, using the fair value approach. Stock options granted to non-employees are subject to revaluation each reporting period over their vesting terms.
Income taxes	'
	Income taxes
	The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted rates in effect for the year in which these temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Valuation allowances are provided if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
	The Company provides reserves for potential payments of tax to various tax authorities related to uncertain tax positions and other issues. Reserves are based on a determination of whether and how much of a tax benefit taken by the Company in its tax filing is more likely than not to be realized following resolution of any potential contingencies present related to the tax benefit. Potential interest and penalties associated with such uncertain tax positions are recorded as components of income tax expense. To date, the Company has not taken any uncertain tax positions or recorded any reserves, interest or penalties.
Segment reporting	'
	Segment reporting
	Operating segments are identified as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision-maker, or CODM. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer serves as its CODM. The Company views its operations and manages its business as one segment operating primarily in the United States. As of September 30, 2013, all of the Company’s assets were located in the United States of America with the exception of $0.6 million of cash and cash equivalents and $42 thousand of other assets which were located in Canada. All of the Company’s property and equipment was located within the United States as of September 30, 2013.
Fair value of financial instruments	'
	Fair value of financial instruments
	The Company measures certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid for to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, and accounts payable and accrued expenses, approximate fair value due to their short maturities.
	The Company follows ASC 820-10, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” which among other things, defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure for each major asset and liability category measured at fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis. Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, a three-tier fair value hierarchy has been established, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
	Level 1 – Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.
	Level 2 – Inputs (other than quoted prices included in Level 1) are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability through correlation with market data at the measurement date and for the duration of the instrument’s anticipated life.
	Level 3 – Inputs reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. Consideration is given to the risk inherent in the valuation technique and the risk inherent in the inputs to the model.
Recent accounting pronouncements	'
	Recent accounting pronouncements
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists” (“ASU No. 2013-11”), which concludes that, under most circumstances, an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. ASU No. 2013-11 will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2014. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Summary_of_significant_account2

Summary of significant accounting policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives	'
	Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method, based on their estimated useful lives as follows:
	Asset classification	Estimated useful life (in years)
	Equipment	5-Mar
	Computer hardware	3
	Software	5-Mar
	Leasehold improvements	Lesser of useful life or lease term
	Furniture and fixtures	5

Net_loss_per_common_share_Tabl

Net loss per common share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Loss per Share	'
	The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Net loss per share:
	Net loss	$	(2,952	)	$	(5,630	)	$	(5,711	)	$	(15,863	)
	Weighted-average common shares – basic and diluted		9,509			3,150			5,293			3,021
	Net loss per share – basic and diluted per share	$	(0.31	)	$	(1.79	)	$	(1.08	)	$	(5.25	)
Potentially Dilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding	'
	The following potentially dilutive securities have been excluded from the computation of diluted weighted-average shares outstanding as of the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 as the Company recorded a net loss in all periods and, therefore, they would be anti-dilutive (in thousands):
		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended
								September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Options to purchase common shares		270			160			290			169
	Common share purchase warrants		919			919			919			842

Fair_value_measurement_and_fin1

Fair value measurement and financial instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Fair Value Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	'
	The following tables present information about the Company’s warrant liability which is measured at fair value on a recurring basis and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques the Company utilized to determine such fair value (in thousands):
		September 30, 2013			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
	Liabilities:
	Warrant liability	$	1,376		$	—		$	—	$	1,376
Fair Value of Warrant Liability Calculated Utilizing Black-Scholes Option-Pricing Model	'
	The following inputs were utilized in the Black-Scholes pricing model at the initial recognition date of the warrant liability, the date of the Company’s U.S. IPO, and September 30, 2013.
		Initial			September 30, 2013
		Recognition
	Risk-free interest rate		0.72	%		0.59	%
	Volatility		111.86	%		113.21	%
	Dividend yield		0	%		0	%
	Expected life in years		2.89			2.77
Reconciliation of Warrant Liability Measured at Fair Value Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	'
	The following table presents a reconciliation of the warrant liability measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) from its initial recognition date to September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
		Three months ended			Nine months ended
		Sep-13			Sep-13
	Liabilities:
	Balance at beginning of period:	$	—		$	—
	Calculation of initial warrant liability fair value		1,571			1,571
	Change in fair value of warrant liability included in other (expense)/income		(195	)		(195	)
	Balance at end of period:	$	1,376		$	1,376

Components_of_Prepaid_Expenses

Components of Prepaid Expenses (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Components of Prepaid Expenses	'
	Prepaid expenses as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Prepaid insurance	$	400	$	90
	Prepaid research and development expenses		2,686		326
	Other prepaid expenses		126		177
		$	3,212	$	593

Property_and_equipment_Tables

Property and equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Components of Property and Equipment	'
	Property and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Equipment	$	7		$	7
	Computer hardware and software		44			42
	Leasehold improvements		155			155
	Furniture and fixtures		76			76
			282			280
	Less: accumulated depreciation		(180	)		(117	)
		$	102		$	163

Accrued_expenses_Tables

Accrued expenses (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'
Components of Accrued Expenses	'
	Accrued expenses as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Accrued personnel related costs	$	204	$	753
	Accrued interest		63		93
	Accrued research and development expenses		599		1,066
	Other accrued expenses		367		927
		$	1,233	$	2,839

Promissory_notes_Tables

Promissory notes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Secured Promissory Note	'
	The roll forward of the secured promissory note is calculated as follows (in thousands):
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	12,021
	Accretion of debt discount		299
	Principal paid		(3,903	)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	8,417
Actual Interest Expenses and Amortization of Debt Discount	'
	The following table shows actual interest expensed and amortization of the debt discount that was charged to interest expense (in thousands):
		Three months ended					Nine months ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2013			2012		2013		2012
	Simple interest	$	196		$	324	$	678	$	1,033
	Accretion of debt discount		91			127		299		391
	Amortization of promissory notes issuance costs		25			39		86		119
		$	312		$	490	$	1,063	$	1,543
Schedule of Future Maturities of Debt	'
	The following is a schedule of future maturities of the Company’s debt as of September 30, 2013, including the final payment of $0.8 million due upon repayment of the loan (in thousands):
		Payments
	2013	$	1,797
	2014		7,345
		$	9,142

Shareholders_equity_Tables

Shareholders' equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Shares Reserved for Future Issuance	'
	The shares reserved for future issuance as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Common share purchase warrants		919		919
	Stock options
	Granted and outstanding		254		241
	Reserved for future issuance		1,361		74
			2,534		1,234

Common_share_purchase_warrants1

Common share purchase warrants (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Common Share Purchase Warrants	'
	The common share purchase warrant activity is as follows (in thousands, except exercise price data):
		Number		Weighted
		outstanding		average
				exercise price
				CND$
	Balance outstanding – December 31, 2012		919	$	27.07
	No changes		—		—
	Balance outstanding – September 30, 2013		919	$	27.07
	The following table summarizes the expiration dates for the Company’s outstanding common share purchase warrants as of September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
	Number of	Expiration date
	warrants
	outstanding
	289	November 19, 2015
	123	March 16, 2015
	27	July 15, 2018
	240	December 28, 2016
	240	March 28, 2017
	919

Stockbased_compensation_plan_T

Stock-based compensation plan (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Recognized Stock-Based Compensation Expense	'
	The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense as follows (in thousands):
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Research and development	$	28		$	29		$	152	$	120
	General and administrative		162			115			563		368
		$	190		$	144		$	715	$	488
Schedule of Weighted-Average Assumptions	'
	The fair values of options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were estimated at the date of grant using the following weighted-average assumptions:
		Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			2012
	Expected Life of the Option Term (years)		4.2			4
	Risk-free interest rate		1.38	%		1.44	%
	Dividend rate		0	%		0	%
	Volatility		69.1	%		75.5	%
	Forfeiture rate		8.79	%		7.81	%
Summary of Stock Option Activity	'
	The following table summarizes stock option activity, including options issued to employees, directors and non-employees (in thousands, except per share and contractual term data):
		Options			Weighted			Weighted average		Aggregate
		outstanding			average			remaining		intrinsic
					exercise			contractual term		value
					price in			(in years)
					CND$
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012		241		$	23.92			3.5	$	—
	Options granted		71			13
	Options expired		(13	)		41.02
	Options forfeited		(45	)		28
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013		254		$	19.26			3.6	$	—
	Vested or expected to vest at September 30, 2013		237		$	19.55			3.5	$	—
	Exercisable at September 30, 2013		99		$	24.75			2.9	$	—

License_agreements_Tables

License agreements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Summary of Remaining Unpaid Milestone Payments by Indication	'
	The following table breaks down the remaining unpaid milestone payments by indication or, in the case of milestones not associated with a specific indication, by triggering events and by involvement of the Company:
		Milestone Payments		Milestone Payments
		Involving Performance		Not
		of Company		Involving Performance
		Obligations		of Company
				Obligations
	Milestones by Indication
	BPH		—	$	12 million
	Prostate cancer		—	$	21 million
	Prostatitis and other diseases of the prostate		—	$	21 million
	Milestones Not Associated with an Indication
	Gross sale targets		—	$	8 million
	Regulatory approvals	$	5 million		—

Commitments_and_contingencies_

Commitments and contingencies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases	'
	Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases at September 30, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
		Future rent
		payments
	2013	$	56
	2014		141
	2015		117
	2016		117
	2017		49
	Total	$	480

Nature_of_business_liquidity_r

Nature of business, liquidity risk and going concern - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Stock split conversion ratio	52

Summary_of_significant_account3

Summary of significant accounting policies - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	141 Months Ended				9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	Common share purchase warrants [Member]	Common share purchase warrants [Member]	United States [Member]	Canada [Member]
							USD ($)	CAD	Segment	USD ($)
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value of warrant liability	$1,376,000	$1,376,000	$1,376,000	'	'	'	$1,400,000	1,600,000	'	'
Fair value deducted of warrants	200,000	-195,000	-195,000	'	'	'	1,600,000	'	'	'
Fair value Common Share Purchase warrants	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,600,000	'	'	'
Maturity for highly liquid investments	'	'Maturity of three months or less	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant off-balance sheet concentrations of credit risk	'	'The Company has no significant off-balance sheet concentrations of credit risk such as foreign currency exchange contracts, option contracts or other hedging arrangements.	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant off-balance sheet concentrations of credit risk, value	'	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of business operating segments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1	'
Cash and cash equivalents	54,739,000	54,739,000	54,739,000	9,721,000	15,226,000	23,410,000	'	'	'	600,000
Other assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$42,000

Summary_of_significant_account4

Summary of significant accounting policies - Property and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Computer hardware [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'3 years
Leasehold improvements [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'Lesser of useful life or lease term
Furniture and fixtures [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'5 years
Minimum [Member] | Equipment [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'3 years
Minimum [Member] | Software [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'3 years
Maximum [Member] | Equipment [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'5 years
Maximum [Member] | Software [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'5 years

Net_loss_per_common_share_Comp

Net loss per common share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Loss per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		141 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Net loss per share:	'	'	'	'	'
Net loss	($2,952)	($5,630)	($5,711)	($15,863)	($79,408)
Weighted-average common shares - basic and diluted	9,509	3,150	5,293	3,021	'
Net loss per share - basic and diluted per share	($0.31)	($1.79)	($1.08)	($5.25)	'

Net_loss_per_common_share_Pote

Net loss per common share - Potentially Dilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Options to purchase common shares [Member]	'	'	'	'
Dilutive Securities Included And Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Anti dilutive securities excluded from computation of weighted-average shares outstanding	270	160	290	169
Common share purchase warrants [Member]	'	'	'	'
Dilutive Securities Included And Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Anti dilutive securities excluded from computation of weighted-average shares outstanding	919	919	919	842

Fair_value_measurement_and_fin2

Fair value measurement and financial instruments - Schedule of Fair Value Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Warrant liability [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Liabilities:	'
Liability fair value	$1,376
Level 1 [Member]	'
Liabilities:	'
Liability fair value	'
Level 2 [Member]	'
Liabilities:	'
Liability fair value	'
Level 3 [Member]	'
Liabilities:	'
Liability fair value	$1,376

Fair_value_measurement_and_fin3

Fair value measurement and financial instruments - Fair Value of Warrant Liability Calculated Utilizing Black-Scholes Option-Pricing Model (Detail)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Aug. 16, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Risk-free interest rate	0.72%	0.59%
Volatility	111.86%	113.21%
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%
Expected life in years	'2 years 10 months 21 days	'2 years 9 months 7 days

Fair_value_measurement_and_fin4

Fair value measurement and financial instruments - Reconciliation of Warrant Liability Measured at Fair Value Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Liabilities:	'	'
Balance at beginning of period:	'	'
Calculation of initial warrant liability fair value	1,571	1,571
Change in fair value of warrant liability included in other (expense)/income	-195	-195
Balance at end of period:	$1,376	$1,376

Intangible_assets_Additional_I

Intangible assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	141 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Impairment of intangible assets included in research and development expense	$200,000	$200,000	'
Amortization expense of intangible assets	$50,000	$149,000	$1,205,000

Prepaid_expenses_Components_of

Prepaid expenses- Components of Prepaid Expenses (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Prepaid Expense Current [Abstract]	'	'
Prepaid insurance	$400	$90
Prepaid research and development expenses	2,686	326
Other prepaid expenses	126	177
Prepaid expenses	$3,212	$593

Property_and_equipment_Compone

Property and equipment - Components of Property and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$282	$280
Less: accumulated depreciation	-180	-117
Property and equipment, net	102	163
Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	7	7
Computer hardware and software [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	44	42
Leasehold improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	155	155
Furniture and fixtures [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$76	$76

Property_and_equipment_Additio

Property and equipment - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		141 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment Useful Life And Values [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation expense	$21	$21	$63	$61	$586

Accrued_expenses_Components_of

Accrued expenses - Components of Accrued Expenses (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Accrued personnel related costs	$204	$753
Accrued interest	63	93
Accrued research and development expenses	599	1,066
Other accrued expenses	367	927
Accrued expenses, Total	$1,233	$2,839

Promissory_notes_Additional_In

Promissory notes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Jul. 15, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Amount of loan under Oxford Loan	'	$15
Fixed interest rate	'	9.50%
Loan term, including interest payment period	'39 months	'
Additional final payment	0.8	'
Rate of interest on promissory notes	11.00%	'
Percentage of warrant coverage	6.00%	'
After July 2013 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of prepayment fee outstanding principal	1.00%	'
Promissory notes [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of secured promissory notes	$7.50	'

Promissory_notes_Summary_of_Se

Promissory notes - Summary of Secured Promissory Note (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		141 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at December 31, 2012	'	'	$12,021	'	'
Accretion of debt discount	91	127	299	391	1,029
Principal paid	'	'	-3,903	'	'
Balance at September 30, 2013	$8,417	'	$8,417	'	$8,417

Promissory_notes_Actual_Intere

Promissory notes - Actual Interest Expenses and Amortization of Debt Discount (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		141 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Simple interest	$196	$324	$678	$1,033	'
Accretion of debt discount	91	127	299	391	1,029
Amortization of promissory notes issuance costs	25	39	86	119	310
Interest expensed and amortization of debt discount	$312	$490	$1,063	$1,543	'

Promissory_notes_Schedule_of_F

Promissory notes - Schedule of Future Maturities of Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
2013	$1,797	'
2014	7,345	'
Long-term debt	$8,417	$12,021

Shareholders_equity_Additional

Shareholders' equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 23, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'
Common shares, issued	13,000,000	16,149,871	3,149,871
Common shares, outstanding	'	16,149,871	3,149,871
Common shares, price	$5	'	'
Proceeds from initial public offering	$57	'	'

Shareholders_equity_Schedule_o

Shareholders' equity - Schedule of Shares Reserved for Future Issuance (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Equity [Abstract]	'	'
Common share purchase warrants	919	919
Stock options	'	'
Granted and outstanding	254	241
Reserved for future issuance	1,361	74
Total shares reserved for future issuance	2,534	1,234

Common_share_purchase_warrants2

Common share purchase warrants - Schedule of Common Share Purchase Warrant Activity (Detail) (CAD)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Number of warrants outstanding, beginning balance	919
Number of warrants outstanding, No changes	'
Number of warrants outstanding, ending balance	919
Weighted average exercise price, beginning balance	27.07
Weighted average exercise price, No changes	'
Weighted average exercise price, ending balance	27.07

Common_share_purchase_warrants3

Common share purchase warrants - Summary of Expiration Dates of Outstanding Common Share Purchase Warrants (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			November 19, 2015 [Member]	March 16, 2015 [Member]	July 15, 2018 [Member]	December 28, 2016 [Member]	March 28, 2017 [Member]
Common Shares [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Warrants Expiration date	'	'	19-Nov-15	16-Mar-15	15-Jul-18	28-Dec-16	28-Mar-17
Number of warrants outstanding	919	919	289	123	27	240	240

Stockbased_compensation_plan_A

Stock-based compensation plan - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cumulative percentage of options issuable	'	10.00%	'
Stock options available to be issued under the plan	1,361,000	1,361,000	74,000
Options issued under the plan	'	28,346	'
Expense recognized from issuing options	$40,000	$100,000	'
Unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested stock awards	$600,000	$600,000	$800,000
Unrecognized compensation costs, weighted average recognized period	'	'1 year 4 months 24 days	'1 year 6 months
Contractual term of share based compensation award	'	'5 years	'
Directors and employees [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Options issued under the plan	'	42,862	'
Maximum contractual period for granted options	'	'5 years	'
Employees [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Options vesting period	'	'3 years	'
Directors [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Options vesting period	'	'1 year	'

Stockbased_compensation_plan_S

Stock-based compensation plan - Schedule of Recognized Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		141 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$190	$144	$715	$488	$5,052
Research and development [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	28	29	152	120	'
General and administrative [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$162	$115	$563	$368	'

Stockbased_compensation_plan_S1

Stock-based compensation plan - Schedule of Weighted-Average Assumptions (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'	'
Expected Life of the Option Term (years)	'4 years 2 months 12 days	'4 years
Risk-free interest rate	1.38%	1.44%
Dividend rate	0.00%	0.00%
Volatility	69.10%	75.50%
Forfeiture rate	8.79%	7.81%

Stockbased_compensation_plan_S2

Stock-based compensation plan - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
	USD ($)	CAD	USD ($)	CAD
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Options outstanding, Beginning balance	241	241	'	'
Options outstanding, Options granted	71	71	'	'
Options outstanding, Options expired	-13	-13	'	'
Options outstanding, Options forfeited	-45	-45	'	'
Options outstanding, Ending balance	254	254	241	241
Options outstanding, Vested or expected to vest at September 30, 2013	237	237	'	'
Options outstanding, Exercisable at September 30, 2013	99	99	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, Options outstanding, beginning balance	'	23.92	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, Options granted	'	13	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, Options expired	'	41.02	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, Options forfeited	'	28	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, Options outstanding, ending balance	'	19.26	'	23.92
Weighted average exercise price, Vested or expected to vest at September 30, 2013	'	19.55	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, Exercisable at September 30, 2013	'	24.75	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years), Outstanding	'3 years 7 months 6 days	'3 years 7 months 6 days	'3 years 6 months	'3 years 6 months
Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years), Vested or expected to vest at September 30, 2013	'3 years 6 months	'3 years 6 months	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years), Exercisable at September 30, 2013	'2 years 10 months 24 days	'2 years 10 months 24 days	'	'
Aggregate intrinsic value Outstanding, Beginning balance	'	'	'	'
Aggregate intrinsic value Outstanding, Ending balance	'	'	'	'
Aggregate intrinsic value, Vested or expected to vest at September 30, 2013	'	'	'	'
Aggregate intrinsic value, Exercisable at September 30, 2013	'	'	'	'

License_agreements_Additional_

License agreements - Additional Information (Detail)

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Apr. 30, 2010

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

USD ($)

Kissei Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd [Member]

Kissei Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd [Member]

Kissei Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd [Member]

Kissei Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd [Member]

BPH [Member]

BPH [Member]

BPH [Member]

BPH [Member]

Prostate cancer [Member]

Prostatitis and other diseases of the prostate [Member]

Milestones Not Associated with an Indication [Member]

Regulatory approvals [Member]

Regulatory approvals [Member]

Regulatory approvals [Member]

Regulatory approvals [Member]

Gross sale targets [Member]

Gross sale targets [Member]

Gross sale targets [Member]

Gross sale targets [Member]

Development activities [Member]

Development activities [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

USD ($)

CAD

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

BPH [Member]

Prostate cancer [Member]

Prostatitis and other diseases of the prostate [Member]

Milestones Not Associated with an Indication [Member]

BPH [Member]

Prostate cancer [Member]

Prostatitis and other diseases of the prostate [Member]

Milestones Not Associated with an Indication [Member]

Prostate cancer [Member]

Prostatitis and other diseases of the prostate [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Revenue Recognition, Milestone Method [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Upfront license payment

'

$3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Milestone payment

5

'

5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Potential future milestone payments

67

'

'

'

'

12

'

'

'

21

21

13

7

7

7

5

5

7

7

8

7

7

Percentage of royalty payments under agreement

'

'

'

20.00%

29.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

License agreement payments

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of milestone payments to be paid as consideration

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.00%

19.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of aggregate consideration payable reduced due to separate agreement

25.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Milestone payments paid and expensed

'

'

'

'

'

0.1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payment of accrued sub-license royalty

0.4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sub-license fees

$0.60

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

License_agreements_Summary_of_

License agreements - Summary of Remaining Unpaid Milestone Payments by Indication (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Milestones by Indication [Member] | Milestone Payments Involving Performance of Company Obligations [Member] | BPH [Member]	'
Revenue Recognition, Milestone Method [Line Items]	'
Remaining unpaid milestone payments	'
Milestones by Indication [Member] | Milestone Payments Involving Performance of Company Obligations [Member] | Prostate cancer [Member]	'
Revenue Recognition, Milestone Method [Line Items]	'
Remaining unpaid milestone payments	'
Milestones by Indication [Member] | Milestone Payments Involving Performance of Company Obligations [Member] | Prostatitis and other diseases of the prostate [Member]	'
Revenue Recognition, Milestone Method [Line Items]	'
Remaining unpaid milestone payments	'
Milestones by Indication [Member] | Milestone Payments Not Involving Performance of Company Obligations [Member] | BPH [Member]	'
Revenue Recognition, Milestone Method [Line Items]	'
Remaining unpaid milestone payments	12
Milestones by Indication [Member] | Milestone Payments Not Involving Performance of Company Obligations [Member] | Prostate cancer [Member]	'
Revenue Recognition, Milestone Method [Line Items]	'
Remaining unpaid milestone payments	21
Milestones by Indication [Member] | Milestone Payments Not Involving Performance of Company Obligations [Member] | Prostatitis and other diseases of the prostate [Member]	'
Revenue Recognition, Milestone Method [Line Items]	'
Remaining unpaid milestone payments	21
Milestones Not Associated with an Indication [Member] | Milestone Payments Involving Performance of Company Obligations [Member] | Gross sale targets [Member]	'
Revenue Recognition, Milestone Method [Line Items]	'
Remaining unpaid milestone payments	'
Milestones Not Associated with an Indication [Member] | Milestone Payments Involving Performance of Company Obligations [Member] | Regulatory approvals [Member]	'
Revenue Recognition, Milestone Method [Line Items]	'
Remaining unpaid milestone payments	5
Milestones Not Associated with an Indication [Member] | Milestone Payments Not Involving Performance of Company Obligations [Member] | Gross sale targets [Member]	'
Revenue Recognition, Milestone Method [Line Items]	'
Remaining unpaid milestone payments	8
Milestones Not Associated with an Indication [Member] | Milestone Payments Not Involving Performance of Company Obligations [Member] | Regulatory approvals [Member]	'
Revenue Recognition, Milestone Method [Line Items]	'
Remaining unpaid milestone payments	'

Commitments_and_contingencies_1

Commitments and contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended					9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
	USD ($)	USD ($)	British Columbia [Member]	British Columbia [Member]	British Columbia [Member]	California [Member]
			USD ($)	CAD	USD ($)	USD ($)
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating lease, expiry date	'	'	31-Dec-13	31-Dec-13	'	31-May-17
Operating lease, expiry date extension description	'	'	'	'	'	'The expiration date for the Company's headquarters was extended from May 2014 to May 2017.
Operating lease, rent expense per month	'	'	$3,634	3,744	'	$12,740
Operating lease, future rent payment	480,000	'	'	'	100,000	'
Operating lease, write off	'	100,000	'	'	'	'
Operating lease, rent expense	100,000	200,000	'	'	'	'
Purchase commitment penalty	$3,000,000	'	'	'	'	'

Commitments_and_contingencies_2

Commitments and contingencies - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Future rent payments, 2013	$56
Future rent payments, 2014	141
Future rent payments, 2015	117
Future rent payments, 2016	117
Future rent payments, 2017	49
Future rent payments, Total	$480

Subsequent_events_Additional_I

Subsequent events - Additional Information (Detail) (Subsequent Event [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Event [Member]	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Estimates that the total potential performance-based cash bonus	$0.80
Percentage of corporate goals	100.00%