Avanir Pharmaceuticals (AVNR) 10-Q 7 May 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'
Trading Symbol	'AVNR	'
Entity Registrant Name	'AVANIR PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000858803	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--09-30	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	159,829,240

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$53,888,058	$55,259,073
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	1,318,033	965,986
Trade receivables, net of allowances of $0 and $207,828 as of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively	17,215,906	12,525,992
Royalty receivable	'	542,596
Other receivables	2,406,874	246,975
Inventories, net	640,853	710,179
Prepaid expenses	2,018,577	1,391,210
Other current assets	204,529	201,629
Total current assets	77,692,830	71,843,640
Restricted long-term investments	1,303,580	1,303,938
Property and equipment, net	3,153,568	1,592,791
Non-current inventories, net	773,129	784,186
Other assets	686,154	554,452
Total assets	83,609,261	76,079,007
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	9,894,886	5,876,425
Accrued expenses	10,692,697	11,908,570
Accrued compensation and payroll taxes	6,315,301	7,775,761
Deferred royalty revenues	178,786	1,288,514
Current portion of notes payable, net of debt discount	11,158,907	7,942,945
Total current liabilities	38,240,577	34,792,215
Other liabilities	2,019,000	1,393,075
Notes payable, net of current portion and debt discount	15,696,511	21,422,163
Total liabilities	55,956,088	57,607,453
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock-$0.0001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued	'	'
Common stock-$0.0001 par value, 300,000,000 and 200,000,000 shares authorized as of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively; 159,825,804 and 152,063,621 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively	15,982	15,206
Additional paid-in capital	551,797,373	518,992,237
Accumulated deficit	-524,160,182	-500,535,889
Total stockholders' equity	27,653,173	18,471,554
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$83,609,261	$76,079,007

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Allowances for trade receivables	$0	$207,828
Preferred stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	300,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	159,825,804	152,063,621
Common stock, shares outstanding	159,825,804	152,063,621

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Net product sales	$24,379,159	$16,535,059	$47,678,186	$31,414,321
Revenues from royalties	475,281	899,129	2,564,595	2,525,139
Revenues from co-promote activities	2,092,264	'	3,450,342	'
Revenues from research grant services	'	'	'	15,000
Total revenues	26,946,704	17,434,188	53,693,123	33,954,460
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of product sales	1,370,001	933,426	2,662,412	1,771,555
Cost of research grant services	'	69,090	'	78,488
Research and development	9,892,256	8,874,298	19,417,576	15,522,389
Selling and marketing	18,904,244	16,061,408	36,379,648	29,583,827
General and administrative	8,555,381	6,978,684	17,005,271	13,517,087
Total operating expenses	38,721,882	32,916,906	75,464,907	60,473,346
Loss from operations	-11,775,178	-15,482,718	-21,771,784	-26,518,886
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'
Interest income	4,987	15,065	9,539	34,396
Interest expense	-898,316	-1,059,245	-1,853,211	-2,118,490
Other, net	-9,249	197	-8,837	197
Net loss	($12,677,756)	($16,526,701)	($23,624,293)	($28,602,783)
Basic and diluted net loss per share	($0.08)	($0.12)	($0.15)	($0.21)
Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding	154,633,853	139,173,746	153,353,200	137,959,958

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net loss	($23,624,293)	($28,602,783)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	509,229	408,261
Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs	233,891	326,892
Share-based compensation expense	3,381,876	3,196,310
Loss on disposal of assets	16,474	'
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Trade receivables, net	-4,689,914	-2,448,016
Royalty receivable	542,596	473,190
Other receivables	-2,159,899	-102,596
Inventories, net	80,383	-13,496
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-797,444	297,936
Accounts payable	4,048,278	4,624,085
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	-482,525	1,291,197
Accrued compensation and payroll taxes	-1,460,460	-372,204
Deferred royalty revenues	-1,109,728	-1,374,832
Net cash used in operating activities	-25,511,536	-22,296,056
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-2,223,720	-279,984
Purchases of restricted investments and restricted cash and cash equivalents	-351,689	-3,513
Net cash used in investing activities	-2,575,409	-283,497
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from issuances of common stock, net of commissions and offering costs	29,304,970	19,101,955
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants	119,066	1,558,618
Repayments of notes payable	-2,708,106	'
Net cash provided by financing activities	26,715,930	20,660,573
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-1,371,015	-1,918,980
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	55,259,073	69,778,406
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	53,888,058	67,859,426
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:	'	'
Interest paid	1,322,402	1,342,500
Income taxes paid	3,200	3,200
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:	'	'
Release of restriction on short-term investment	'	401,550
Purchases of property and equipment in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$25,420	'

Description_of_Business_and_Ba

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	'
	1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	Description of Business
	Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and subsidiaries (“Avanir”, the “Company” or “we”) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, developing and commercializing novel therapeutic products for the treatment of central nervous system disorders. The Company’s lead product NUEDEXTA® (referred to as AVP-923 during clinical development) is a first-in-class dual N-methyl-D-aspartate (“NMDA”) receptor antagonist and sigma-1 agonist. NUEDEXTA, 20/10 mg, was approved in the United States in October 2010 for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect (“PBA”). It is also approved for the treatment of PBA in the European Union in two dose strengths, NUEDEXTA 20/10 mg and NUEDEXTA 30/10 mg. The Company commercially launched NUEDEXTA in the United States in February 2011 and it is currently assessing plans regarding the potential commercialization of NUEDEXTA in the European Union “EU”.
	The Company is studying the clinical utility of AVP-923 in other mood/behavior disorders and movement disorders. The Company has two ongoing Phase II clinical trials exploring the potential treatment of agitation in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and potential treatment of levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson’s disease (the “LID study”). The LID study is supported by a grant from the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
	The Company is also developing AVP-786, a next generation drug product containing deuterium-modified dextromethorphan and quinidine for the treatment of neurologic and psychiatric disorders. The Company completed a pharmacokinetic study with AVP-786, and based on this data, the Company believes that it has identified a formulation of AVP-786 with a comparable pharmacokinetic profile, and likely a comparable safety and tolerability profile to AVP-923. This AVP-786 formulation contains significantly less quinidine than used in AVP-923.
	The Company is also developing a novel Breath Powered™ intranasal delivery system containing low-dose sumatriptan powder to treat acute migraine, AVP-825. If approved, this product would be the first and only fast-acting dry-powder nasal delivery form of sumatriptan. AVP-825 is licensed from OptiNose AS (“OptiNose”). Under the terms of the agreement, the Company assumed responsibility for regulatory, manufacturing, supply-chain and commercialization activities for the investigational product. The Company filed a New Drug Application (“NDA”) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) in January 2014. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date is scheduled for November 26, 2014.
	The Company entered into a multi-year agreement with Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (“Merck”) to co-promote Merck’s type 2 diabetes therapies JANUVIA® (sitagliptin) and the sitagliptin family of products in the long-term care institutional setting in the United States beginning October 1, 2013. The term of the Agreement will continue for three years following the launch date of the co-promotion activities. Under the terms of the Agreement, the Company will be compensated via a (i) fixed monthly fee and (ii) performance fee based on the amount of the products sold by the Company above a predetermined baseline. A significant majority of the fee is performance based. Over the three years of the agreement, Avanir could receive up to a maximum of $60.0 million in compensation.
	In addition to the Company’s focus on products for the central nervous system, the Company also has partnered programs in other therapeutic areas which may generate future revenue. The Company’s first commercialized product, docosanol 10% cream, (sold in the United States and Canada as Abreva® by its marketing partner GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare) is the only over-the-counter treatment for cold sores that has been approved by the FDA.
	The Company’s operations are subject to certain risks and uncertainties frequently encountered by companies in the early stages of operations, particularly in the evolving market for small biotech and specialty pharmaceutical companies. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the occurrence of adverse safety events with NUEDEXTA; that NUEDEXTA may not gain broader acceptance by the medical field or that the indicated use may not be clearly understood; the Company’s dependence on third parties for manufacturing and distribution of NUEDEXTA; that the Company may not adequately build or maintain the necessary sales, marketing, supply chain management and reimbursement capabilities on its own or enter into arrangements with third parties to perform these functions in a timely manner or on acceptable terms; the ability to successfully protect and enforce its intellectual property rights relating to NUEDEXTA; timing and uncertainty of achieving milestones in clinical trials; obtaining approvals by the FDA, European Medicines Agency (“EMA”) and regulatory agencies in other countries; and potential regulatory delays or rejections in the filing or acceptance of an NDA. The Company’s ability to generate revenues in the future may depend on market acceptance of NUEDEXTA for the treatment of PBA, pricing and reimbursement in European countries, the ability to obtain a partner to market NUEDEXTA in the EU, commercial market estimates and related revenue projections for AVP-825 and the timing and success of reaching clinical development milestones and obtaining regulatory approvals for other formulations and indications for AVP-923 and AVP-786. The Company’s cash expenditures depend substantially on the level of expenditures for the ongoing marketing of NUEDEXTA, clinical development activities for AVP-923 and AVP-786, milestone payments related to AVP-786 and AVP-825 and regulatory activities for AVP-825.
	Avanir was incorporated in California in August 1988 and was reincorporated in Delaware in March 2009.
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Avanir have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim reporting including the instructions to Form 10-Q. These condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all disclosures for annual audited financial statements required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2013. The Company believes these condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal, recurring adjustments) that are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented. Results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year.
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and the disclosures of commitments and contingencies in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Reclassifications
	Royalty receivable and other receivables at September 30, 2013 are now reported under their own captions, separate from other current assets, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets and as separate components of cash flows from operating activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended March 31, 2013, in order to conform to the current period presentation.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	The following represents an update for the six months ended March 31, 2014 to the significant accounting policies described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013.
	Concentration of credit risk and sources of supply
	Financial assets that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, royalty receivable and other receivables. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are placed in various money market mutual funds and at financial institutions of high credit standing. At times, deposits held with these financial institutions may exceed the amount of insurance provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Generally, these deposits may be redeemed upon demand and, therefore, bear minimal risk. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of customers’ financial condition and may limit the amount of credit extended if necessary; however, the Company has historically required no collateral from its customers.
	The Company currently has sole suppliers for the active pharmaceutical ingredients (“APIs”) for NUEDEXTA and a sole manufacturer for the finished form of NUEDEXTA. In addition, these materials are custom and available from only a limited number of sources. Any material disruption in manufacturing could cause a delay in shipments and possible loss of revenue. If the Company is required to change manufacturers, the Company may experience delays associated with finding an alternative manufacturer that is properly qualified to produce NUEDEXTA in accordance with FDA requirements and the Company’s specifications.
	Deferred rent
	The Company accounts for rent expense related to operating leases by determining total minimum rent payments on the leases over their respective periods and recognizing the rent expense on a straight-line basis. The difference between the actual amount paid and the amount recorded as rent expense in each fiscal year is recorded as an adjustment to deferred rent. Deferred rent as of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013 was approximately $687,000 and $367,000, respectively, and is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	Fair value of financial instruments
	The Company measures the fair value of certain of its financial assets on a recurring basis. A fair value hierarchy is used to rank the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value will be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
		•		Level 1-Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
		•		Level 2-Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as unadjusted quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities, unadjusted quoted prices in the markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
		•		Level 3-Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
	At March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, the Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, royalty receivable, other receivables, restricted investments, accounts payable, accrued expenses, accrued compensation and payroll taxes, other liabilities and notes payable. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, royalty receivable, other receivables, accounts payable, accrued expenses, accrued compensation and payroll taxes, and other liabilities approximates fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. The Company’s restricted investments are carried at amortized cost which approximates fair value. Based on borrowing rates currently available to the Company, the carrying value of notes payable approximates fair value.
	Restricted cash, cash equivalents and restricted investments
	Restricted cash and cash equivalents and restricted long-term investments consist of certificates of deposit, which are classified as held-to-maturity.
	Restricted cash and cash equivalents consist of a certificate of deposit relating to the Company’s corporate credit card agreement and automatically renews every three months.
	Restricted long-term investments consist of two certificates of deposit related to irrevocable standby letters of credit connected to fleet rentals and an office lease with an expiration date in 2018. The certificates of deposit automatically renew annually.
	Debt issuance costs and debt discount
	Debt issuance costs are stated at cost, net of accumulated amortization in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Debt discount is recorded within notes payable in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Amortization expense of debt issuance costs and the debt discount is calculated using the interest method over the term of the debt and is recorded in interest expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.
	Revenue recognition
	The Company has historically generated revenues from product sales, collaborative research and development arrangements, and other commercial arrangements such as royalties, the sale of royalty rights and sales of technology rights. Payments received under such arrangements may include non-refundable fees at the inception of the arrangements, milestone payments for specific achievements designated in the agreements, royalties on sales of products resulting from collaborative arrangements, and payments for the sale of rights to future royalties.
	The Company recognizes revenue when all of the following criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (3) the Company’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. In addition, certain product sales are subject to rights of return. For products sold where the buyer has the right to return the product, the Company recognizes revenue at the time of sale only if (1) the Company’s price to the buyer is substantially fixed or determinable at the date of sale, (2) the buyer has paid the Company, or is obligated to pay the Company and the obligation is not contingent on resale of the product, (3) the buyer’s obligation to the Company would not be changed in the event of theft or physical destruction or damage of the product, (4) the buyer acquiring the product for resale has economic substance apart from that provided by the seller, (5) the Company does not have significant obligations for future performance to directly bring about resale of the product by the buyer, and (6) the amount of future returns can be reasonably estimated. The Company recognizes such product revenues when either it has met all the above criteria, including the ability to reasonably estimate future returns, or when it can reasonably estimate that the return privilege has substantially expired, whichever occurs first.
	Product Sales — NUEDEXTA. NUEDEXTA is sold primarily to third-party wholesalers that, in turn, sell this product to retail pharmacies, hospitals, and other dispensing organizations. The Company has entered into agreements with wholesale customers, group purchasing organizations and third-party payers throughout the United States. These agreements frequently contain commercial terms, which may include favorable product pricing and discounts and rebates payable upon dispensing the product to patients. Additionally, these agreements customarily provide the customer with rights to return the product, subject to the terms of each contract. Consistent with pharmaceutical industry practice, wholesale customers can return purchased product during an 18-month period that begins six months prior to the product’s expiration date and ends 12 months after the expiration date. The Company recognizes revenue upon shipment of NUEDEXTA to its wholesalers and other customers.
	The Company records allowances for customer credits, including estimated discounts, co-pay assistance, rebates and chargebacks. These allowances provided by the Company to a customer are presumed to be a reduction of the selling prices of the Company’s products and, therefore, are characterized as a reduction of revenue when recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations. The Company believes the assumptions used to estimate these allowances are reasonable considering known facts and circumstances. However, actual rebates, chargebacks and returns could differ materially from estimated amounts because of, among other factors, unanticipated changes in prescription trends and any change in assumptions affecting sell-through and research data purchased from third parties. Product shipping and handling costs are included in cost of product sales.
	The Company offers discounts to certain of its customers, including discounts to wholesalers for certain services, cash discounts to customers for the early payment of trade receivables and patient discounts in the form of co-pay assistance for the purchase of NUEDEXTA through the use of coupons. The Company accrues for discounts based on the contractual terms of agreements with customers and historical experience. The estimated redemption cost of the coupons accrued is based on the historical experience for NUEDEXTA and sell-through data purchased from third parties. Cash discount accruals for early payment of trade receivables are recorded as a contra asset to trade receivables in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. All other discount accruals are recorded in accrued expenses in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	The Company participates in various managed care access rebate programs, the largest of which relate to Medicaid, Medicare and commercial insurers. The Company also incurs chargebacks which are contractual discounts given primarily to federal government agencies and group purchasing organizations. The Company estimates rebate and chargeback accruals using quantitative factors such as contractual terms of agreements with its customers, historical experience, estimated percentages of product sold to qualified patients and estimated levels of inventory in the distribution channel. These quantitative factors are supplemented by additional factors such as management’s judgment with respect to many factors, including but not limited to, current market dynamics, changes in sales trends, an evaluation of current laws and regulations and product pricing. The Company evaluates percentages of NUEDEXTA sold to qualified patients primarily through analysis of wholesaler and other third party sell-through and research data. Additionally, there is a significant time lag between the date the Company estimates the accrual and when the Company actually pays the accrual. Due to this time lag, the Company records adjustments to estimated accruals over several periods, which can result in a net increase to net loss or a decrease to net loss in those periods. The rebate and chargeback accruals are recorded in accrued expenses in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	The Company estimates future returns and records a returns reserve as a reduction to revenue. The returns reserve represents a reserve for NUEDEXTA that may be returned primarily due to product expiration and is estimated based on contractual terms with customers and historical return trends as a percentage of gross sales. The returns reserve is recorded as a contra asset to trade receivables in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company has experienced annual returns of approximately 1% of gross product sales over the past two years.
	Product Sales — Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient docosanol (“docosanol”). Revenue from sales of the Company’s docosanol is recorded when title and risk of loss have passed to the buyer, provided the criteria for revenue recognition have been met. The Company sells the docosanol to various licensees upon receipt of a written order for the materials. Shipments generally occur fewer than three times per year. The Company’s contracts for sales of the docosanol include buyer acceptance provisions that give the Company’s buyers the right of replacement if the delivered product does not meet specified criteria. That right requires that they give the Company notice within 30 days after receipt of the product. The Company has the option to refund or replace any such defective materials; however, it has historically demonstrated that the materials shipped from the same pre-inspected lot have consistently met the specified criteria and no buyer has rejected any of the Company’s shipments from the same pre-inspected lot to date. Therefore, the Company recognizes revenue at the time of delivery without providing any returns reserve. The Company has not recognized revenue from the sale of docosanol during the first six months of fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013.
	Multiple Element Arrangements. The Company has, in the past, entered into arrangements whereby it delivers to the customer multiple elements including technology and/or services. Such arrangements have included some combination of the following: antibody generation services; licensed rights to technology, patented products, compounds, data and other intellectual property; and research and development services. At the inception of each such arrangement, the Company analyzes the multiple elements contained within the arrangement to determine whether the elements can be separated. If a product or service is not separable, the combined deliverables will be accounted for as a single unit of accounting.
	A delivered element can be separated from other elements when it meets both of the following criteria: (1) the delivered item has value to the customer on a standalone basis; and (2) if the arrangement includes a general right of return relative to the delivered item, delivery or performance of the undelivered item is considered probable and substantially in the Company’s control. If an element can be separated, the Company allocates amounts based upon the selling price of each element. The Company determines the selling price of a separate deliverable using the price it charges other customers when it sells that product or service separately; however, if the Company does not sell the product or service separately, it uses third-party evidence of selling price of a similar product or service to a similarly situated customer. The Company considers licensed rights or technology to have standalone value to its customers if it or others have sold such rights or technology separately or its customers can sell such rights or technology separately without the need for the Company’s continuing involvement. The Company has not entered into any multiple element arrangements which have required the Company to estimate selling prices during the first six months of fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013.
	License Arrangements. License arrangements may consist of non-refundable up-front license fees, data transfer fees, research reimbursement payments, exclusive licensed rights to patented or patent pending compounds, technology access fees, and various performance or sales milestones. These arrangements are often multiple element arrangements.
	Non-refundable, up-front fees that are not contingent on any future performance by the Company, and require no consequential continuing involvement on its part, are recognized as revenue when the license term commences and the licensed data, technology and/or compound is delivered. Such deliverables may include physical quantities of compounds, design of the compounds and structure-activity relationships, the conceptual framework and mechanism of action, and rights to the patents or patents pending for such compounds. The Company defers recognition of non-refundable up-front fees if it has continuing performance obligations without which the technology, right, product or service conveyed in conjunction with the non-refundable fee has no utility to the licensee that is separate and independent of the Company’s performance under the other elements of the arrangement. In addition, if the Company has required continuing involvement through research and development services that are related to its proprietary know-how and expertise of the delivered technology, or can only be performed by the Company, then such up-front fees are deferred and recognized over the period of continuing involvement.
	Payments related to substantive, performance-based milestones in a research and development arrangement are recognized as revenues upon the achievement of the milestones as specified in the underlying agreements when they represent the culmination of the earnings process.
	Royalty Arrangements. The Company recognizes royalty revenues from licensed products when earned in accordance with the terms of the license agreements. Net sales amounts generally required to be used for calculating royalties include deductions for returned product, pricing allowances, cash discounts, freight and warehousing. These arrangements are often multiple element arrangements.
	Certain royalty arrangements provide that royalties are earned only if a sales threshold is exceeded. Under these types of arrangements, the threshold is typically based on annual sales. For royalty revenue generated from the license agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (“GSK”), the Company recognizes royalty revenue in the period in which the threshold is exceeded.
	When the Company sells its rights to future royalties under license agreements and also maintains continuing involvement in earning such royalties, it defers recognition of any up-front payments and recognizes them as revenues over the life of the license agreement. The Company recognizes revenues for the sale of an undivided interest of its Abreva® license agreement to Drug Royalty USA under the “units-of-revenue method.” Under this method, the amount of deferred revenues to be recognized in each period is calculated by multiplying the ratio of the royalty payments due to Drug Royalty USA by GSK for the period to the total remaining royalties the Company expects GSK will pay Drug Royalty USA over the remaining term of the agreement.
	Co-Promotion Arrangements. The Company recognizes both a fixed monthly fee and a performance fee as revenues from co-promote activities in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The fixed monthly fee is recognized ratably over the period earned. The performance fee is recognized when the products sold exceeds a predetermined baseline for the period. The receivable from the co-promotion fee is recorded in other receivables in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	Share-based compensation
	The Company grants options, restricted stock units and restricted stock awards to purchase the Company’s common stock to employees, directors and consultants under stock option plans. The benefits provided under these plans are share-based payments that the Company accounts for using the fair value method.
	The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model (“Black-Scholes model”) that uses assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, expected stock price volatility, actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors, risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock and other factors. The expected terms of options granted are based on analyses of historical employee termination rates and option exercises. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the time of the grant. Since the Company does not expect to pay dividends on common stock in the foreseeable future, it estimated the dividend yield to be 0%.
	Share-based compensation expense recognized during a period is based on the value of the portion of share-based payment awards that are ultimately expected to vest and is amortized under the straight-line attribution method. As share-based compensation expense recognized in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for periods in fiscal 2014 and 2013 is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. The fair value method requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The Company estimates forfeitures based on historical experience. Changes to the estimated forfeiture rate are accounted for as a cumulative effect of change in the period the change occurred.
	Total compensation expense related to all of the Company’s share-based awards for the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, was comprised of the following:
			Three months ended				Six months ended
			March 31,				March 31,
			2014		2013		2014		2013
	Share-based compensation classified as:
	Research and development expense		$	419,153	$	287,669	$	706,619	$	555,813
	Selling and marketing expense			534,413		419,066		1,006,668		734,595
	General and administrative expense			1,040,193		1,082,567		1,668,589		1,905,902
	Total		$	1,993,759	$	1,789,302	$	3,381,876	$	3,196,310
			Three months ended				Six months ended
			March 31,				March 31,
			2014		2013		2014		2013
	Share-based compensation expense from:
	Stock options		$	1,188,190	$	1,071,664	$	2,298,418	$	2,119,650
	Restricted stock units			805,569		717,638		1,083,458		1,076,660
	Total		$	1,993,759	$	1,789,302	$	3,381,876	$	3,196,310
	Since the Company has a net operating loss carry-forward as of March 31, 2014, no excess tax benefits for the tax deductions related to share-based awards were recognized in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. Additionally, no incremental tax benefits were recognized from stock options exercised in the six month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, which would have resulted in a reclassification from cash flows from operating activities to cash flows from financing activities.
	Income taxes
	The Company accounts for income taxes and the related accounts under the liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts and the income tax bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is applied against any net deferred tax asset if, based on available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
	The Company recognizes any uncertain income tax positions on income tax returns at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained.
	The total unrecognized tax benefit resulting in a decrease in deferred tax assets and corresponding decrease in the valuation allowance at March 31, 2014 was $3.6 million. There are no unrecognized tax benefits included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets that would, if recognized, affect the Company’s effective tax rate.
	The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The Company had $0 accrued for interest and penalties on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013.
The Company is subject to taxation in the U.S. and various state jurisdictions. The Company’s tax years for 1995 and forward for federal purposes and 1989 and forward for California purposes are subject to examination by the U.S. and California tax authorities due to the carryforward of unutilized net operating losses and research and development credits.
The Company does not foresee material changes to its gross uncertain income tax position liability within the next twelve months.
Recent authoritative guidance
In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“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 2013-11 provides explicit guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The guidance is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013, with an option for early adoption. The Company intends to adopt this guidance at the beginning of its first quarter of fiscal year 2015, and is currently evaluating the impact on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
Proposed Amendments to Current Accounting Standards. The Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) is currently working on amendments to existing accounting standards governing a number of areas including, but not limited to, revenue recognition and lease accounting.
In June 2010, the FASB issued an exposure draft, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which would supersede most of the existing guidance on revenue recognition in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. In November 2011, the FASB re-exposed this draft and it expects a final standard to be issued during the first half of calendar 2014. As the standard-setting process is still ongoing, the Company is unable to determine the impact this proposed change in accounting will have in the Company’s consolidated financial statements at this time.
In August 2010, the FASB issued an exposure draft, Leases, which would result in significant changes to the accounting requirements for both lessees and lessors in ASC Topic 840, Leases. In May 2013, the FASB re-exposed this draft and the comment period closed in September 2013. As the standard-setting process is still ongoing, the Company is unable to determine the impact this proposed change in accounting will have in the Company’s consolidated financial statements at this time.

Inventories

Inventories	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	3. INVENTORIES
	Inventories are comprised of NUEDEXTA finished goods and the active pharmaceutical ingredients of NUEDEXTA, dextromethorphan (“DM”) and quinidine (“Q”), as well as the active pharmaceutical ingredient docosanol.
	The composition of inventories as of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013 is as follows:
		March 31,			September 30,
		2014			2013
					(audited)
	Raw materials	$	880,792		$	936,856
	Work in progress		158,553			36,453
	Finished goods		374,637			521,056
	Total inventory		1,413,982			1,494,365
	Less: current portion		(640,853	)		(710,179	)
	Non-current portion	$	773,129		$	784,186
	The amount classified as non-current inventories is comprised of the raw material components for NUEDEXTA, dextromethorphan and quinidine, which will be used in the manufacture of NUEDEXTA capsules beyond the Company’s one year operating cycle.

Accrued_Expenses

Accrued Expenses	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accrued Expenses	'
	4. ACCRUED EXPENSES
	Accrued expenses at March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013 are as follows:
			March 31,		September 30,
			2014		2013
					(audited)
	Accrued royalties, rebates, chargebacks, and distribution fees (1)		$	6,160,764	$	5,525,103
	Accrued research and development expenses			2,046,308		2,146,210
	Accrued selling and marketing expenses			1,014,248		2,139,429
	Accrued general and administrative expenses			1,074,879		1,752,966
	Other current liabilities			396,498		344,862
	Total accrued expenses		$	10,692,697	$	11,908,570
	-1	Accrued royalties, rebates, chargebacks and distribution fees are directly impacted by product revenue and will fluctuate over time in relation to the change in product revenue.

Deferred_Revenues

Deferred Revenues	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]	'
Deferred Revenues	'
	5. DEFERRED REVENUES
	The following table sets forth as of March 31, 2014, the deferred revenue balances for the Company’s sale of future Abreva® royalty rights to Drug Royalty USA.
		Drug Royalty
		USA Agreement
	Deferred revenues as of September 30, 2013	$	1,288,514
	Changes during the period:
	Recognized as revenues during period		(1,109,728	)
	Deferred revenues as of March 31, 2014	$	178,786
	Drug Royalty USA Agreement — In November 2002, the Company sold to Drug Royalty USA an undivided interest in the Company’s rights to receive future Abreva royalties under the license agreement with GSK for $24.1 million (the “Drug Royalty Agreement” and the “GSK License Agreement,” respectively). Under the Drug Royalty Agreement, Drug Royalty USA had the right to receive royalties from GSK on sales of Abreva until the expiration of the patent for Abreva on April 28, 2014. The Company retained the right to receive 50% of all royalties (a net of 4%) under the GSK License Agreement for annual net sales of Abreva in the U.S. and Canada in excess of $62.0 million. During the six months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized royalties related to the annual net Abreva sales in excess of $62.0 million in the amount of approximately $1.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively, which is included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations as revenues from royalties.
	Revenues are recognized when earned, collection is reasonably assured and no additional performance of services is required. The Company classified the proceeds received from Drug Royalty USA as deferred revenue, and is recognizing the revenue over the life of the license agreement because of the Company’s continuing involvement over the term of the Drug Royalty Agreement. Such continuing involvement includes overseeing the performance of GSK and its compliance with the covenants in the GSK License Agreement, monitoring patent infringement, adverse claims or litigation involving Abreva, and undertaking to find a new license partner in the event that GSK terminates the agreement. The Drug Royalty Agreement contains both covenants and events of default that require such performance on the Company’s part. Therefore, nonperformance on the Company’s part could result in default of the arrangement, and could give rise to additional rights in favor of Drug Royalty USA under a separate security agreement with Drug Royalty USA, which could result in loss of the Company’s rights to share in future Abreva royalties if wholesale sales by GSK exceed $62.0 million a year. The deferred revenue is being recognized as revenue using the “units-of-revenue method” over the life of the license agreement. Based on a review of the Company’s continuing involvement, the Company concluded that the sale proceeds did not meet any of the rebuttable presumptions that would require classification of the proceeds as debt.

Notes_Payable

Notes Payable	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Notes Payable	'
	6. NOTES PAYABLE
	In May 2012, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Oxford Finance LLC and Silicon Valley Bank. The Loan Agreement provides for a term loan of $30.0 million which was funded upon closing of the transaction in June 2012. Under the terms of the Loan Agreement, interest accrues on the outstanding balance at a rate of 8.95% per annum. In the third fiscal quarter of 2013, the Company met the criteria to extend the interest only payment for six months. Therefore, until January 1, 2014 (the “Amortization Date”) the Company has made monthly payments of interest only. Beginning on the Amortization Date, the outstanding loan balance will be repaid in thirty equal monthly payments of principal and interest. The outstanding notes payable, net of debt discount, at March 31, 2014 is approximately $26.9 million. In addition to the original principal, a final payment equal to 7% of the original principal amount of the loan will be due thirty months from the Amortization Date. The final payment is being accreted as interest expense over the term of the debt using the interest method and the related liability of approximately $1.4 million and $1.1 million as of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively, is included in other liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	In accordance with the terms of the Loan Agreement, the Company issued to the lenders warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock equal to 4.55% of the original principal at a price per share equal to the lower of the 10-day average share price prior to closing or the price per share on the day of funding. Accordingly, the Company issued to the lenders warrants to purchase 491,007 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $2.78 per share. The relative fair value of the warrants was approximately $1.2 million and was estimated using the Black-Scholes model with the following assumptions: fair value of the Company’s common stock at issuance of $2.80 per share; ten year contractual term; 96.7% volatility; 0% dividend rate; and a risk-free interest rate of 1.8%. The relative fair value of the warrants was recorded as a debt discount, decreasing notes payable and increasing additional paid-in capital on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The debt discount is being amortized to interest expense over the term of the debt using the interest method. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, debt discount amortization was approximately $97,000 and $139,000, respectively. For the six months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, debt discount amortization was approximately $198,000 and $277,000, respectively.
	The loan is secured by a first priority security interest in all of the Company’s assets, other than its intellectual property and its rights under license agreements granting it rights to intellectual property.
	The Loan Agreement contains standard affirmative and restrictive covenants. The affirmative covenants include, among other items, that the Company maintain a minimum sales level relative to projected NUEDEXTA revenues, measured on a trailing three-month basis, or maintain cash and cash equivalents in accounts subject to control agreements in favor of the collateral agent equal to at least 1.5 times the outstanding amount of obligations under the Loan Agreement. Additionally, the affirmative and restrictive covenants, among other items, restrict the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness or guarantees; incur liens; make investments, loans and acquisitions; consolidate or merge; sell assets, including capital stock of subsidiaries; alter the business of the Company; engage in transactions with affiliates; and enter into agreements limiting dividends and distributions of certain subsidiaries. The Loan Agreement also includes events of default, including, among other things, payment defaults, breaches of representations, warranties or covenants, certain bankruptcy events, the occurrence of certain material adverse changes, and a commercial, generic version of NUEDEXTA (for the treatment of PBA) becoming available. Upon the occurrence of an event of default and following any cure periods (if applicable), a default interest rate of an additional 5.0% per annum may be applied to the outstanding loan balances, and the lenders may declare all outstanding obligations immediately due and payable and take such other actions as set forth in the Loan Agreement. As of March 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with all covenants in the Loan Agreement.

Computation_of_Net_Loss_per_Co

Computation of Net Loss per Common Share	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation of Net Loss per Common Share	'
	7. COMPUTATION OF NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
	Basic net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding restricted stock that has been issued but is not yet vested. Diluted net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus additional weighted-average common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Common equivalent shares result from the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants (the proceeds of which are then presumed to have been used to repurchase outstanding stock using the treasury stock method) and the vesting of restricted shares of common stock. In loss periods, certain of the common equivalent shares are excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share, because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.
	For the six month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the following options and warrants to purchase shares of common stock and restricted stock units were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share, as the inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive:
			2014		2013
	Stock options			10,358,439		9,424,703
	Stock warrants			53,957		53,957
	Restricted stock units (1)			3,885,788		3,086,758
	-1	Includes 1,062,322 and 1,162,465 shares of restricted stock at March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, awarded to directors that have vested but are still restricted until the directors resign.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	8. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Common stock
	In July 2013, we filed with the SEC a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 to sell an aggregate of up to $150.0 million in common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and warrants. Included in this shelf registration on Form S-3 is a prospectus relating to a financing facility with Cowen, providing for the sale of up to $55.0 million worth of shares of our common stock from time to time into the open market at prevailing prices in accordance with the terms of a sales agreement entered into on August 8, 2012 and amended in July and December 2013. During the six months ended March 31, 2014, approximately 7.2 million shares of common stock had been sold under this facility raising net proceeds of approximately $29.3 million.
	During the six months ended March 31, 2014, the Company issued 290,286 shares of common stock in connection with restricted stock units which were awarded to a director and vested at September 30, 2013, but were restricted until resignation of the director, 260,990 shares of common stock in connection with the vesting of restricted stock units and 47,481 shares of common stock in connection with the exercise of stock options resulting in proceeds of approximately $119,000.
	During the six months ended March 31, 2014, restricted stock unit awards for a total of 85,393 shares awarded to directors vested, but the issuance and delivery of these shares are deferred until the director resigns.
	Warrants Outstanding
	As of March 31, 2014, warrants to purchase 53,957 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $2.78 per share remained outstanding and exercisable. The warrants were issued in connection with the Loan Agreement (see Note 6, “Notes Payable”) and expire in May 2022.

Employee_Equity_Incentive_Plan

Employee Equity Incentive Plans	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Employee Equity Incentive Plans	'
	9. EMPLOYEE EQUITY INCENTIVE PLANS
	The Company currently has two equity incentive plans, which are the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”) and the 2014 Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”). The 2000 Stock Option Plan (the “2000 Plan”) and the 2003 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2003 Plan”) are expired and the Company no longer grants share-based awards from these plans, however, grants are still outstanding under each of these plans at March 31, 2014. Together, the 2000 Plan, 2003 Plan, 2005 Plan and the 2014 Plan are referred to as the “Plans.” All of the Plans were approved by the stockholders, except for the 2003 Plan, which was approved solely by the Board of Directors. Share-based awards are subject to terms and conditions established by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company’s policy is to issue new common shares upon the exercise of stock options, conversion of share units or purchase of restricted stock.
	During the six month periods ended March 31, 2014, the Company granted share-based awards under the 2005 Plan and the 2014 Plan. During the six month periods ended March 31, 2013, the Company granted share-based awards under the 2003 Plan and the 2005 Plan. Under the 2005 Plan, options to purchase shares, restricted stock units, restricted stock and other share-based awards may be granted to the Company’s directors, employees and consultants. Pursuant to the provisions for annual increases of the 2005 Plan, the number of authorized shares of common stock for issuance increased by 325,000 shares effective November 15, 2013. In February 2014, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2014 Plan and the initial authorized shares under the 2014 Plan are 17,000,000. As of March 31, 2014, the Company had an aggregate of 29,445,624 shares of its common stock reserved for future issuance. Of those shares, 13,502,127 shares were related to outstanding options and other awards and 15,943,497 shares were available for future grants of share-based awards. The Company may also, from time to time, issue share-based awards outside of the Plans to the extent permitted by NASDAQ rules. As of March 31, 2014, there were 742,100 equity awards outstanding that were issued outside of the Plans (inducement option grants). None of the share-based awards are classified as a liability as of March 31, 2014.
	Stock Options. Stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the current market price of the Company’s common stock at the grant date and have 10-year contractual terms. For option grants to employees, generally 25% of the option shares vest and become exercisable on the first anniversary of the grant date and the remaining 75% of the option shares vest and become exercisable quarterly in equal installments thereafter over three years. Certain option awards provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control (as defined in the Plans).
	Summaries of stock options outstanding and changes during the six months ended March 31, 2014 are presented below.
		Number			Weighted Average		Weighted Average		Aggregate
		of Shares			Exercise Price per		Remaining		Intrinsic
					Share		Contractual Term		Value
							(In Years)
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013		8,823,041		$	2.85
	Granted		1,758,956		$	3.28
	Exercised		(47,481	)	$	2.51
	Forfeited		(176,077	)	$	3
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014		10,358,439		$	2.92		7.1	$	10,814,475
	Vested and expected to vest in the future at March 31, 2014		9,972,957		$	2.91		7	$	10,533,662
	Exercisable at March 31, 2014		5,750,844		$	2.82		6	$	7,308,754
	The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during the six month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was $2.23 and $1.79 per share, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the six month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $86,000 and $576,000, respectively, based on the differences in market prices on the dates of exercise and the option exercise prices. As of March 31, 2014, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested options was approximately $9.2 million which is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average period of 2.7 years, based on the vesting schedules. No tax benefit was realized for the tax deductions from option exercise of the share-based payment arrangements in the six month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
	The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model, which uses the assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of the Company’s common stock and other factors. The expected term of options granted is based on analyses of historical employee termination rates and option exercises. The expected risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield for a period consistent with the expected term of the option in effect at the time of the grant. The dividend yield is based on the Company’s expectation of not paying dividends in the foreseeable future.
	Assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model for options granted during the six months ended March 31, 2014 were as follows:
	Expected volatility	82%-86%
	Expected term in years	5.4
	Expected risk-free interest rate (zero coupon U.S. Treasury Note)	1.5%-1.8%
	Expected dividend yield	0%
	Restricted stock units (“RSU”). RSUs granted to employees generally vest based on three or four years of continuous service from the date of grant. RSUs granted to non-employee directors generally vest over the term of one year from the grant date and are not released until the awardee’s termination of service. Vesting for non-employee director grants allow for accelerated vesting of RSUs in the case of a non-employee director’s resignation where either: (i) he/she has served for at least four years as a member of the Board and is in good standing at the time of resignation, or (ii) he/she resigns for reasons related to health or family matters and is otherwise in good standing at the time of resignation.
	The following table summarizes the RSU activities for the six months ended March 31, 2014:
		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average
					Grant Date
					Fair Value
	Unvested at September 30, 2013		1,637,210		$	2.4
	Granted		1,572,190		$	3.88
	Vested		(346,383	)	$	2.51
	Forfeited		(39,551	)	$	2.67
	Unvested at March 31, 2014		2,823,466		$	3.21
	The grant-date fair value of RSUs granted during the six months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $6.1 million and $3.1 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2014, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested shares was approximately $7.9 million which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.8 years, based on the vesting schedules.
	At March 31, 2014, there were 1,062,322 shares of restricted stock with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $2.14 per share awarded to directors that have vested but are still restricted until the director resigns.
	Performance RSUs. During the six months ended March 31, 2014, the Company granted performance RSUs to purchase 434,024 shares of common stock from the 2014 Plan. The performance RSUs are included in the above unvested RSU table. The RSUs have a performance goal related to fiscal 2014 performance that determines when vesting begins and the actual number of shares to be awarded ranging from 0% to 100% of target. Vesting is over three years beginning on the date the performance goal is achieved (“Achievement Date”), with 50% of the RSU shares vesting on the first anniversary of the Achievement Date and the remaining 50% of the RSU shares vesting annually in equal installments thereafter over two years. At March 31, 2014, the performance goal had not been met and 433,339 performance RSUs were outstanding.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Legal contingencies –
	NUEDEXTA ABBREVIATED NEW DRUG APPLICATION (“ANDA”) Litigation
	In fiscal 2011 and 2012, the Company received Paragraph IV certification notices from five separate companies contending that certain of its patents listed in the FDA’s publication, “Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluation” (“FDA Orange Book”) (U.S. Patents 7,659,282 (“282 Patent”), 8,227,484 (“484 Patent”) and RE 38,115 (“115 Patent”), which expire in August 2026, July 2023 and January 2016, respectively) are invalid, unenforceable and/or will not be infringed by the manufacture, use, sale or offer for sale of a generic form of NUEDEXTA as described in those companies’ abbreviated new drug application (“ANDA”). The FDA Orange Book provides potential competitors, including generic drug companies, with a list of issued patents covering approved drugs. In August 2011 and March 2012, the Company filed lawsuits in the U.S District Court for the District of Delaware against Par Pharmaceutical, Inc. and Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc. (collectively “Par”), Actavis South Atlantic LLC and Actavis, Inc. (collectively “Actavis”), Wockhardt USA, LLC and Wockhardt, Ltd. (collectively, “Wockhardt”), Impax Laboratories, Inc. (“Impax”) and Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Watson Laboratories, Inc. and Watson Pharma, Inc. (collectively “Watson”) (Par, Actavis, Wockhardt, Impax and Watson, collectively the “Defendants”). In September and October 2012, the Company filed lawsuits in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against the Defendants. All lawsuits (collectively, the “ANDA Actions”) were filed on the basis that the Defendants’ submissions of their respective ANDAs to obtain approval to manufacture, use, sell, or offer for sale generic versions of NUEDEXTA prior to the expiration of the ‘282 Patent, the ‘484 Patent and the ‘115 Patent listed in the FDA Orange Book constitute infringement of one or more claims of those patents. On October 31, 2012, Watson announced the divestiture of its ANDA for a generic form of NUEDEXTA to Sandoz, Inc. (“Sandoz”). As a result of Sandoz’ acquisition and maintenance of said ANDA, on May 30, 2013, the Company filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against Sandoz. This suit was filed on the basis that Sandoz’ ANDA to obtain approval to manufacture, use, sell, or offer for sale generic versions of NUEDEXTA prior to the expiration of the ’282 Patent, the ’484 Patent and the ’115 Patent listed in the FDA Orange Book constitutes infringement of one or more claims of those patents.
	On December 3, 2012, the Company received a Memorandum Opinion and Order (the “Order”) issued by Judge Leonard P. Stark of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (the “Court”) related to the Markman hearing held October 5, 2012 in the Company’s ongoing patent infringement case against the Defendants. The Order establishes the meaning of patent claim terms in dispute between the parties. After comprehensive briefing and oral argument, Judge Stark’s Order adopted the Company’s proposed or stipulated patent term constructions.
	A bench trial was held in September 2013 and concluded on October 15, 2013.
	On August 9, August 30, and September 6, 2013, Avanir entered into settlement agreements with Sandoz, Actavis and Wockhardt, respectively, to resolve pending patent litigation in response to their ANDAs seeking approval to market generic versions of NUEDEXTA capsules. The settlement agreements grant Sandoz, Actavis and Wockhardt the right to begin selling a generic version of NUEDEXTA on July 30, 2026, or earlier under certain circumstances. The parties also filed stipulations and orders of dismissal with the United States District Court for the District of Delaware which conclude the litigation with respect to Sandoz, Actavis and Wockhardt.
	The 30-month stay associated with the filing of the ANDA Actions expired on December 30, 2013. On March 18, 2014, the Court ordered that in the event any Defendant receives FDA approval for a generic form of NUEDEXTA, the Defendants must first receive FDA approval prior to the issuance of the Court’s post-trial opinion, such Defendant shall provide notice of such approval to the other parties and the Court. The Defendant’s launch of a generic form of NUEDEXTA is enjoined for 15 days following FDA approval to allow the Court to consider a motion for a preliminary injunction. On April 30, 2014, the Court issued an Order upholding the validity of the ‘282 Patent, ‘484 Patent, and ‘115 Patent and finding that the proposed ANDA formulations infringe the relevant claims of the ‘282 Patent and ‘484 Patent, but not the ‘115 Patent. The Company anticipates a final judgment will soon be entered in favor of Avanir and a permanent injunction enjoining Par and Impax from manufacturing, using, offering to sell, or selling a generic version of NUEDEXTA during the terms of the ‘282 Patent and ‘484 Patent. The Company also anticipates the FDA will be ordered to make the effective date of any approval of Par’s and Impax’s generic product to be not earlier than the latest date of expiration of the ‘282 Patent and ‘484 Patent, August 13, 2026.
	MASTERS LITIGATION
	On January 14, 2014, a purported shareholder of the Company brought a claim against the Company and its directors, as well as a former director, in connection with the Company’s 2014 Annual Meeting proxy statement. The action was captioned Masters v. Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc., et al., Case No. 14-cv-00053 in the United States District Court for the Central District of California (the “Masters Action”). The Masters Action complaint alleged that the defendants violated Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, and further alleged that the individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties, based upon purported deficiencies in disclosures relating to Proposal 4 contained in the Company’s proxy statement, with respect to the Company’s equity compensation plan and practices. The complaint sought, among other things, equitable relief that would enjoin the consummation of the shareholder vote on Proposal 4, declaratory relief, and attorney’s fees and costs. On February 12, 2014, the Court denied Plaintiff’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction. On February 27, 2014, plaintiff dismissed the complaint without prejudice.
	GENERAL AND OTHER
	In the ordinary course of business, the Company may face various claims brought by third parties and the Company may, from time to time, make claims or take legal actions to assert the Company’s rights, including intellectual property rights as well as claims relating to employment and the safety or efficacy of products. Any of these claims could subject the Company to costly litigation and, while the Company generally believes that it has adequate insurance to cover many different types of liabilities, the Company’s insurance carriers may deny coverage or policy limits may be inadequate to fully satisfy any damage awards or settlements. If this were to happen, the payment of any such awards could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated operations, cash flows and financial position. Additionally, any such claims, whether or not successful, could damage the Company’s reputation and business. Management believes the outcomes of currently pending claims and lawsuits will not likely have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated operations or financial position.
	In addition, it is possible that the Company could incur termination fees and penalties if it elected to terminate contracts with certain vendors, including clinical research organizations.
	Guarantees and Indemnities. The Company indemnifies its directors, officers and certain executives to the maximum extent permitted under the laws of the State of Delaware, and various lessors in connection with facility leases for certain claims arising from such facilities or leases. Additionally, the Company periodically enters into contracts that contain indemnification obligations, including contracts for the purchase and sale of assets, wholesale distribution agreements, clinical trials, pre-clinical development work and securities offerings. These indemnification obligations provide the contracting parties with the contractual right to have Avanir pay for the costs associated with the defense and settlement of claims, typically in circumstances where Avanir has failed to meet its contractual performance obligations in some fashion.
	The maximum amount of potential future payments under such indemnifications is not determinable. The Company has not incurred significant costs related to these guarantees and indemnifications, and no liability has been recorded in the condensed consolidated financial statements for guarantees and indemnifications as of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013.
	Center for Neurologic Study (“CNS”) — The Company is party to an exclusive license agreement with CNS.
	The Company paid a $75,000 milestone upon FDA approval of NUEDEXTA for the treatment of PBA in fiscal 2011. In addition, the Company is obligated to pay CNS a royalty ranging from approximately 5% to 8% of net U.S. GAAP revenue generated by sales of NUEDEXTA. During the six months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, royalties of approximately $2.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively, were recorded to cost of product sales in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. Under certain circumstances, the Company may have the obligation to pay CNS a portion of net revenues received if the Company sublicenses NUEDEXTA to a third party.
	Under the agreement with CNS, the Company is required to make payments on achievements of up to a maximum of ten milestones, based upon five specific clinical indications. Maximum payments for these milestone payments could total approximately $1.1 million if the Company pursued the development of NUEDEXTA for all five of the licensed indications. In general, individual milestones range from $75,000 to $125,000 for each accepted NDA and a similar amount for each approved NDA in addition to the royalty discussed above on net U.S. GAAP revenues. The Company does not have the obligation to develop additional indications under the CNS license agreement.
	In light of the ANDA ruling on April 30, 2014, the Company is in the process of assessing the impact of the CNS obligation.
	Concert Pharmaceuticals, Inc. – The Company holds the exclusive worldwide marketing rights to develop and commercialize Concert’s d-DM compounds for the potential treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders, as well as certain rights to other deuterium-modified dextromethorphan compounds pursuant to a license agreement with Concert.
	Under the agreement with Concert, the Company is obligated to make milestone and royalty payments to Concert based on successful advancement of d-DM products for one or more indications in the United States, Europe, and Japan. Individual milestone payments range from $2.0 — $6.0 million, $1.5 — $15.0 million, and $25.0 — $60.0 million for clinical, regulatory and commercial targets respectively, and in aggregate could total over $200 million. Royalty payments are tiered, beginning in the single-digits and increasing to the low double-digits for worldwide net sales of d-DM products exceeding $1.0 billion annually. As of March 31, 2014, the Company has paid $2.0 million for milestones that have been achieved pursuant to this agreement, which was recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2013.
	OptiNose AS — In July 2013, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement for the development and commercialization of a novel Breath Powered intranasal delivery system containing low-dose sumatriptan powder to treat acute migraine, AVP-825.
	AVP-825 is licensed from OptiNose. Under the terms of the agreement, OptiNose received an up-front cash payment of $20.0 million in fiscal 2013, which was recorded to research and development expense. The Company and OptiNose will share certain development costs. OptiNose is eligible to receive up to an additional $90.0 million in aggregate milestone payments resulting from the achievement of future clinical, regulatory and commercial milestones. In addition, following product approval, Avanir will be required to make tiered royalty payments to OptiNose of a low double-digits percentage of net sales in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	11. SEGMENT INFORMATION
	The Company operates its business on the basis of a single reportable segment, which is the business of discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapeutics for chronic diseases. The Company’s chief operating decision-maker is the Chief Executive Officer, who evaluates the Company as a single operating segment.
	The Company categorizes revenues by geographic area based on selling location. All of the Company’s operations are currently located in the United States; therefore, total revenues for the six month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 are attributed to the United States. All long-lived assets at March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013 are located in the United States.
	The Company sells NUEDEXTA to a limited number of wholesalers. Three wholesalers accounted for 90% and 89% of net product sales for the six month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. In addition, the three wholesalers accounted for 91% of trade receivables at March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	On April 30, 2014, the Court issued an Order upholding the validity of the ‘282 Patent, ‘484 Patent and ‘115 Patent and finding that the proposed ANDA formulations infringe the relevant claims of the ‘282 Patent and ‘484 Patent, but not the ‘115 Patent. See Note 10, “Commitments and Contingencies.”

Description_of_Business_and_Ba1

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Avanir have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim reporting including the instructions to Form 10-Q. These condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all disclosures for annual audited financial statements required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2013. The Company believes these condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal, recurring adjustments) that are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented. Results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year.
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and the disclosures of commitments and contingencies in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Reclassifications	'
	Reclassifications
	Royalty receivable and other receivables at September 30, 2013 are now reported under their own captions, separate from other current assets, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets and as separate components of cash flows from operating activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended March 31, 2013, in order to conform to the current period presentation.
Concentration of credit risk and sources of supply	'
	Concentration of credit risk and sources of supply
	Financial assets that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, royalty receivable and other receivables. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are placed in various money market mutual funds and at financial institutions of high credit standing. At times, deposits held with these financial institutions may exceed the amount of insurance provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Generally, these deposits may be redeemed upon demand and, therefore, bear minimal risk. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of customers’ financial condition and may limit the amount of credit extended if necessary; however, the Company has historically required no collateral from its customers.
	The Company currently has sole suppliers for the active pharmaceutical ingredients (“APIs”) for NUEDEXTA and a sole manufacturer for the finished form of NUEDEXTA. In addition, these materials are custom and available from only a limited number of sources. Any material disruption in manufacturing could cause a delay in shipments and possible loss of revenue. If the Company is required to change manufacturers, the Company may experience delays associated with finding an alternative manufacturer that is properly qualified to produce NUEDEXTA in accordance with FDA requirements and the Company’s specifications.
Deferred rent	'
	Deferred rent
	The Company accounts for rent expense related to operating leases by determining total minimum rent payments on the leases over their respective periods and recognizing the rent expense on a straight-line basis. The difference between the actual amount paid and the amount recorded as rent expense in each fiscal year is recorded as an adjustment to deferred rent. Deferred rent as of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013 was approximately $687,000 and $367,000, respectively, and is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Fair value of financial instruments	'
	Fair value of financial instruments
	The Company measures the fair value of certain of its financial assets on a recurring basis. A fair value hierarchy is used to rank the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value will be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
		•		Level 1-Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
		•		Level 2-Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as unadjusted quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities, unadjusted quoted prices in the markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
		•		Level 3-Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
	At March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, the Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, royalty receivable, other receivables, restricted investments, accounts payable, accrued expenses, accrued compensation and payroll taxes, other liabilities and notes payable. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, royalty receivable, other receivables, accounts payable, accrued expenses, accrued compensation and payroll taxes, and other liabilities approximates fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. The Company’s restricted investments are carried at amortized cost which approximates fair value. Based on borrowing rates currently available to the Company, the carrying value of notes payable approximates fair value.
Restricted cash, cash equivalents and restricted investments	'
	Restricted cash, cash equivalents and restricted investments
	Restricted cash and cash equivalents and restricted long-term investments consist of certificates of deposit, which are classified as held-to-maturity.
	Restricted cash and cash equivalents consist of a certificate of deposit relating to the Company’s corporate credit card agreement and automatically renews every three months.
	Restricted long-term investments consist of two certificates of deposit related to irrevocable standby letters of credit connected to fleet rentals and an office lease with an expiration date in 2018. The certificates of deposit automatically renew annually.
Debt issuance costs and debt discount	'
	Debt issuance costs and debt discount
	Debt issuance costs are stated at cost, net of accumulated amortization in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Debt discount is recorded within notes payable in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Amortization expense of debt issuance costs and the debt discount is calculated using the interest method over the term of the debt and is recorded in interest expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Revenue recognition	'
	Revenue recognition
	The Company has historically generated revenues from product sales, collaborative research and development arrangements, and other commercial arrangements such as royalties, the sale of royalty rights and sales of technology rights. Payments received under such arrangements may include non-refundable fees at the inception of the arrangements, milestone payments for specific achievements designated in the agreements, royalties on sales of products resulting from collaborative arrangements, and payments for the sale of rights to future royalties.
	The Company recognizes revenue when all of the following criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (3) the Company’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. In addition, certain product sales are subject to rights of return. For products sold where the buyer has the right to return the product, the Company recognizes revenue at the time of sale only if (1) the Company’s price to the buyer is substantially fixed or determinable at the date of sale, (2) the buyer has paid the Company, or is obligated to pay the Company and the obligation is not contingent on resale of the product, (3) the buyer’s obligation to the Company would not be changed in the event of theft or physical destruction or damage of the product, (4) the buyer acquiring the product for resale has economic substance apart from that provided by the seller, (5) the Company does not have significant obligations for future performance to directly bring about resale of the product by the buyer, and (6) the amount of future returns can be reasonably estimated. The Company recognizes such product revenues when either it has met all the above criteria, including the ability to reasonably estimate future returns, or when it can reasonably estimate that the return privilege has substantially expired, whichever occurs first.
	Product Sales — NUEDEXTA. NUEDEXTA is sold primarily to third-party wholesalers that, in turn, sell this product to retail pharmacies, hospitals, and other dispensing organizations. The Company has entered into agreements with wholesale customers, group purchasing organizations and third-party payers throughout the United States. These agreements frequently contain commercial terms, which may include favorable product pricing and discounts and rebates payable upon dispensing the product to patients. Additionally, these agreements customarily provide the customer with rights to return the product, subject to the terms of each contract. Consistent with pharmaceutical industry practice, wholesale customers can return purchased product during an 18-month period that begins six months prior to the product’s expiration date and ends 12 months after the expiration date. The Company recognizes revenue upon shipment of NUEDEXTA to its wholesalers and other customers.
	The Company records allowances for customer credits, including estimated discounts, co-pay assistance, rebates and chargebacks. These allowances provided by the Company to a customer are presumed to be a reduction of the selling prices of the Company’s products and, therefore, are characterized as a reduction of revenue when recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations. The Company believes the assumptions used to estimate these allowances are reasonable considering known facts and circumstances. However, actual rebates, chargebacks and returns could differ materially from estimated amounts because of, among other factors, unanticipated changes in prescription trends and any change in assumptions affecting sell-through and research data purchased from third parties. Product shipping and handling costs are included in cost of product sales.
	The Company offers discounts to certain of its customers, including discounts to wholesalers for certain services, cash discounts to customers for the early payment of trade receivables and patient discounts in the form of co-pay assistance for the purchase of NUEDEXTA through the use of coupons. The Company accrues for discounts based on the contractual terms of agreements with customers and historical experience. The estimated redemption cost of the coupons accrued is based on the historical experience for NUEDEXTA and sell-through data purchased from third parties. Cash discount accruals for early payment of trade receivables are recorded as a contra asset to trade receivables in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. All other discount accruals are recorded in accrued expenses in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	The Company participates in various managed care access rebate programs, the largest of which relate to Medicaid, Medicare and commercial insurers. The Company also incurs chargebacks which are contractual discounts given primarily to federal government agencies and group purchasing organizations. The Company estimates rebate and chargeback accruals using quantitative factors such as contractual terms of agreements with its customers, historical experience, estimated percentages of product sold to qualified patients and estimated levels of inventory in the distribution channel. These quantitative factors are supplemented by additional factors such as management’s judgment with respect to many factors, including but not limited to, current market dynamics, changes in sales trends, an evaluation of current laws and regulations and product pricing. The Company evaluates percentages of NUEDEXTA sold to qualified patients primarily through analysis of wholesaler and other third party sell-through and research data. Additionally, there is a significant time lag between the date the Company estimates the accrual and when the Company actually pays the accrual. Due to this time lag, the Company records adjustments to estimated accruals over several periods, which can result in a net increase to net loss or a decrease to net loss in those periods. The rebate and chargeback accruals are recorded in accrued expenses in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	The Company estimates future returns and records a returns reserve as a reduction to revenue. The returns reserve represents a reserve for NUEDEXTA that may be returned primarily due to product expiration and is estimated based on contractual terms with customers and historical return trends as a percentage of gross sales. The returns reserve is recorded as a contra asset to trade receivables in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company has experienced annual returns of approximately 1% of gross product sales over the past two years.
	Product Sales — Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient docosanol (“docosanol”). Revenue from sales of the Company’s docosanol is recorded when title and risk of loss have passed to the buyer, provided the criteria for revenue recognition have been met. The Company sells the docosanol to various licensees upon receipt of a written order for the materials. Shipments generally occur fewer than three times per year. The Company’s contracts for sales of the docosanol include buyer acceptance provisions that give the Company’s buyers the right of replacement if the delivered product does not meet specified criteria. That right requires that they give the Company notice within 30 days after receipt of the product. The Company has the option to refund or replace any such defective materials; however, it has historically demonstrated that the materials shipped from the same pre-inspected lot have consistently met the specified criteria and no buyer has rejected any of the Company’s shipments from the same pre-inspected lot to date. Therefore, the Company recognizes revenue at the time of delivery without providing any returns reserve. The Company has not recognized revenue from the sale of docosanol during the first six months of fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013.
	Multiple Element Arrangements. The Company has, in the past, entered into arrangements whereby it delivers to the customer multiple elements including technology and/or services. Such arrangements have included some combination of the following: antibody generation services; licensed rights to technology, patented products, compounds, data and other intellectual property; and research and development services. At the inception of each such arrangement, the Company analyzes the multiple elements contained within the arrangement to determine whether the elements can be separated. If a product or service is not separable, the combined deliverables will be accounted for as a single unit of accounting.
	A delivered element can be separated from other elements when it meets both of the following criteria: (1) the delivered item has value to the customer on a standalone basis; and (2) if the arrangement includes a general right of return relative to the delivered item, delivery or performance of the undelivered item is considered probable and substantially in the Company’s control. If an element can be separated, the Company allocates amounts based upon the selling price of each element. The Company determines the selling price of a separate deliverable using the price it charges other customers when it sells that product or service separately; however, if the Company does not sell the product or service separately, it uses third-party evidence of selling price of a similar product or service to a similarly situated customer. The Company considers licensed rights or technology to have standalone value to its customers if it or others have sold such rights or technology separately or its customers can sell such rights or technology separately without the need for the Company’s continuing involvement. The Company has not entered into any multiple element arrangements which have required the Company to estimate selling prices during the first six months of fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013.
	License Arrangements. License arrangements may consist of non-refundable up-front license fees, data transfer fees, research reimbursement payments, exclusive licensed rights to patented or patent pending compounds, technology access fees, and various performance or sales milestones. These arrangements are often multiple element arrangements.
	Non-refundable, up-front fees that are not contingent on any future performance by the Company, and require no consequential continuing involvement on its part, are recognized as revenue when the license term commences and the licensed data, technology and/or compound is delivered. Such deliverables may include physical quantities of compounds, design of the compounds and structure-activity relationships, the conceptual framework and mechanism of action, and rights to the patents or patents pending for such compounds. The Company defers recognition of non-refundable up-front fees if it has continuing performance obligations without which the technology, right, product or service conveyed in conjunction with the non-refundable fee has no utility to the licensee that is separate and independent of the Company’s performance under the other elements of the arrangement. In addition, if the Company has required continuing involvement through research and development services that are related to its proprietary know-how and expertise of the delivered technology, or can only be performed by the Company, then such up-front fees are deferred and recognized over the period of continuing involvement.
	Payments related to substantive, performance-based milestones in a research and development arrangement are recognized as revenues upon the achievement of the milestones as specified in the underlying agreements when they represent the culmination of the earnings process.
	Royalty Arrangements. The Company recognizes royalty revenues from licensed products when earned in accordance with the terms of the license agreements. Net sales amounts generally required to be used for calculating royalties include deductions for returned product, pricing allowances, cash discounts, freight and warehousing. These arrangements are often multiple element arrangements.
	Certain royalty arrangements provide that royalties are earned only if a sales threshold is exceeded. Under these types of arrangements, the threshold is typically based on annual sales. For royalty revenue generated from the license agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (“GSK”), the Company recognizes royalty revenue in the period in which the threshold is exceeded.
	When the Company sells its rights to future royalties under license agreements and also maintains continuing involvement in earning such royalties, it defers recognition of any up-front payments and recognizes them as revenues over the life of the license agreement. The Company recognizes revenues for the sale of an undivided interest of its Abreva® license agreement to Drug Royalty USA under the “units-of-revenue method.” Under this method, the amount of deferred revenues to be recognized in each period is calculated by multiplying the ratio of the royalty payments due to Drug Royalty USA by GSK for the period to the total remaining royalties the Company expects GSK will pay Drug Royalty USA over the remaining term of the agreement.
	Co-Promotion Arrangements. The Company recognizes both a fixed monthly fee and a performance fee as revenues from co-promote activities in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The fixed monthly fee is recognized ratably over the period earned. The performance fee is recognized when the products sold exceeds a predetermined baseline for the period. The receivable from the co-promotion fee is recorded in other receivables in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Share-based compensation	'
	Share-based compensation
	The Company grants options, restricted stock units and restricted stock awards to purchase the Company’s common stock to employees, directors and consultants under stock option plans. The benefits provided under these plans are share-based payments that the Company accounts for using the fair value method.
	The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model (“Black-Scholes model”) that uses assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, expected stock price volatility, actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors, risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock and other factors. The expected terms of options granted are based on analyses of historical employee termination rates and option exercises. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the time of the grant. Since the Company does not expect to pay dividends on common stock in the foreseeable future, it estimated the dividend yield to be 0%.
	Share-based compensation expense recognized during a period is based on the value of the portion of share-based payment awards that are ultimately expected to vest and is amortized under the straight-line attribution method. As share-based compensation expense recognized in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for periods in fiscal 2014 and 2013 is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. The fair value method requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The Company estimates forfeitures based on historical experience. Changes to the estimated forfeiture rate are accounted for as a cumulative effect of change in the period the change occurred.
	Total compensation expense related to all of the Company’s share-based awards for the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, was comprised of the following:
			Three months ended				Six months ended
			March 31,				March 31,
			2014		2013		2014		2013
	Share-based compensation classified as:
	Research and development expense		$	419,153	$	287,669	$	706,619	$	555,813
	Selling and marketing expense			534,413		419,066		1,006,668		734,595
	General and administrative expense			1,040,193		1,082,567		1,668,589		1,905,902
	Total		$	1,993,759	$	1,789,302	$	3,381,876	$	3,196,310
			Three months ended				Six months ended
			March 31,				March 31,
			2014		2013		2014		2013
	Share-based compensation expense from:
	Stock options		$	1,188,190	$	1,071,664	$	2,298,418	$	2,119,650
	Restricted stock units			805,569		717,638		1,083,458		1,076,660
	Total		$	1,993,759	$	1,789,302	$	3,381,876	$	3,196,310
	Since the Company has a net operating loss carry-forward as of March 31, 2014, no excess tax benefits for the tax deductions related to share-based awards were recognized in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. Additionally, no incremental tax benefits were recognized from stock options exercised in the six month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, which would have resulted in a reclassification from cash flows from operating activities to cash flows from financing activities.
Income taxes	'
	Income taxes
	The Company accounts for income taxes and the related accounts under the liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts and the income tax bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is applied against any net deferred tax asset if, based on available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
	The Company recognizes any uncertain income tax positions on income tax returns at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained.
	The total unrecognized tax benefit resulting in a decrease in deferred tax assets and corresponding decrease in the valuation allowance at March 31, 2014 was $3.6 million. There are no unrecognized tax benefits included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets that would, if recognized, affect the Company’s effective tax rate.
	The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The Company had $0 accrued for interest and penalties on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013.
	The Company is subject to taxation in the U.S. and various state jurisdictions. The Company’s tax years for 1995 and forward for federal purposes and 1989 and forward for California purposes are subject to examination by the U.S. and California tax authorities due to the carryforward of unutilized net operating losses and research and development credits.
	The Company does not foresee material changes to its gross uncertain income tax position liability within the next twelve months.
Recent authoritative guidance	'
	Recent authoritative guidance
	In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“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 2013-11 provides explicit guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The guidance is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013, with an option for early adoption. The Company intends to adopt this guidance at the beginning of its first quarter of fiscal year 2015, and is currently evaluating the impact on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
	Proposed Amendments to Current Accounting Standards. The Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) is currently working on amendments to existing accounting standards governing a number of areas including, but not limited to, revenue recognition and lease accounting.
	In June 2010, the FASB issued an exposure draft, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which would supersede most of the existing guidance on revenue recognition in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. In November 2011, the FASB re-exposed this draft and it expects a final standard to be issued during the first half of calendar 2014. As the standard-setting process is still ongoing, the Company is unable to determine the impact this proposed change in accounting will have in the Company’s consolidated financial statements at this time.
	In August 2010, the FASB issued an exposure draft, Leases, which would result in significant changes to the accounting requirements for both lessees and lessors in ASC Topic 840, Leases. In May 2013, the FASB re-exposed this draft and the comment period closed in September 2013. As the standard-setting process is still ongoing, the Company is unable to determine the impact this proposed change in accounting will have in the Company’s consolidated financial statements at this time.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Total Share Compensation Classification Related to All of Company's Share-Based Awards	'
	Total compensation expense related to all of the Company’s share-based awards for the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, was comprised of the following:
		Three months ended				Six months ended
		March 31,				March 31,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Share-based compensation classified as:
	Research and development expense	$	419,153	$	287,669	$	706,619	$	555,813
	Selling and marketing expense		534,413		419,066		1,006,668		734,595
	General and administrative expense		1,040,193		1,082,567		1,668,589		1,905,902
	Total	$	1,993,759	$	1,789,302	$	3,381,876	$	3,196,310
Schedule of Total Share Compensation Expense Related to All of Company's Share-Based Awards	'
		Three months ended				Six months ended
		March 31,				March 31,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Share-based compensation expense from:
	Stock options	$	1,188,190	$	1,071,664	$	2,298,418	$	2,119,650
	Restricted stock units		805,569		717,638		1,083,458		1,076,660
	Total	$	1,993,759	$	1,789,302	$	3,381,876	$	3,196,310

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Composition of Inventories	'
	The composition of inventories as of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013 is as follows:
		March 31,			September 30,
		2014			2013
					(audited)
	Raw materials	$	880,792		$	936,856
	Work in progress		158,553			36,453
	Finished goods		374,637			521,056
	Total inventory		1,413,982			1,494,365
	Less: current portion		(640,853	)		(710,179	)
	Non-current portion	$	773,129		$	784,186

Accrued_Expenses_Tables

Accrued Expenses (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accrued Expenses	'
	Accrued expenses at March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013 are as follows:
			March 31,		September 30,
			2014		2013
					(audited)
	Accrued royalties, rebates, chargebacks, and distribution fees (1)		$	6,160,764	$	5,525,103
	Accrued research and development expenses			2,046,308		2,146,210
	Accrued selling and marketing expenses			1,014,248		2,139,429
	Accrued general and administrative expenses			1,074,879		1,752,966
	Other current liabilities			396,498		344,862
	Total accrued expenses		$	10,692,697	$	11,908,570
	-1	Accrued royalties, rebates, chargebacks and distribution fees are directly impacted by product revenue and will fluctuate over time in relation to the change in product revenue.

Deferred_Revenues_Tables

Deferred Revenues (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]	'
Changes in Deferred Revenue Balances	'
	The following table sets forth as of March 31, 2014, the deferred revenue balances for the Company’s sale of future Abreva® royalty rights to Drug Royalty USA.
		Drug Royalty
		USA Agreement
	Deferred revenues as of September 30, 2013	$	1,288,514
	Changes during the period:
	Recognized as revenues during period		(1,109,728	)
	Deferred revenues as of March 31, 2014	$	178,786

Computation_of_Net_Loss_per_Co1

Computation of Net Loss per Common Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Net Loss per Share	'
	For the six month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the following options and warrants to purchase shares of common stock and restricted stock units were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share, as the inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive:
			2014		2013
	Stock options			10,358,439		9,424,703
	Stock warrants			53,957		53,957
	Restricted stock units (1)			3,885,788		3,086,758
	-1	Includes 1,062,322 and 1,162,465 shares of restricted stock at March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, awarded to directors that have vested but are still restricted until the directors resign.

Employee_Equity_Incentive_Plan1

Employee Equity Incentive Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary of Stock Options Outstanding and Changes	'
	Summaries of stock options outstanding and changes during the six months ended March 31, 2014 are presented below.
		Number			Weighted Average		Weighted Average		Aggregate
		of Shares			Exercise Price per		Remaining		Intrinsic
					Share		Contractual Term		Value
							(In Years)
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013		8,823,041		$	2.85
	Granted		1,758,956		$	3.28
	Exercised		(47,481	)	$	2.51
	Forfeited		(176,077	)	$	3
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014		10,358,439		$	2.92		7.1	$	10,814,475
	Vested and expected to vest in the future at March 31, 2014		9,972,957		$	2.91		7	$	10,533,662
	Exercisable at March 31, 2014		5,750,844		$	2.82		6	$	7,308,754
Assumptions Used in Black-Scholes Model for Options Granted	'
	Assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model for options granted during the six months ended March 31, 2014 were as follows:
	Expected volatility	82%-86%
	Expected term in years	5.4
	Expected risk-free interest rate (zero coupon U.S. Treasury Note)	1.5%-1.8%
	Expected dividend yield	0%
Summary of RSU Activities	'
	The following table summarizes the RSU activities for the six months ended March 31, 2014:
		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average
					Grant Date
					Fair Value
	Unvested at September 30, 2013		1,637,210		$	2.4
	Granted		1,572,190		$	3.88
	Vested		(346,383	)	$	2.51
	Forfeited		(39,551	)	$	2.67
	Unvested at March 31, 2014		2,823,466		$	3.21

Description_of_Business_and_Ba2

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. [Member]	'
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]	'
Agreement period term	'3 years
Maximum revenue to be received	$60
California [Member]	'
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]	'
Incorporation date	1-Aug-88
Delaware [Member]	'
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]	'
Incorporation date	1-Mar-09

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
	Certificates_of_Deposits
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'	'	'
Deferred rent	$687,000	'	$367,000
Number of certificates of deposit	2	'	'
Restricted long-term investment expiration year	'2018	'	'
Returns policy, minimum compared to expiration data	'Wholesale customers can return purchased product during an 18-month period that begins six months prior to the product's expiration date	'	'
Returns policy, maximum compared to expiration data	'Wholesale customers can return purchased product during an 18-month period that ends 12 months after the expiration date	'	'
Percentage of returns from gross product sales	1.00%	'	'
Right of replacement, notice period to the Company after receipt of the product	'30 days	'	'
Amount of revenue recognized	'0	'0	'
Estimated dividend yield	0.00%	'	'
Excess tax benefits for the tax deductions related to share-based awards	0	'	'
Recognized incremental tax benefits from stock options exercised	0	0	'
Uncertain income tax position, description	'Less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefit, decrease in deferred tax assets and valuation allowance	3,600,000	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits that would, if recognized, affect the effective tax rate	0	'	'
Accrued for interest and penalties	$0	'	$0

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of Total Share Compensation Classification Related to All of Company's Share-Based Awards (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Share-based compensation classified as:	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation expense, total	$1,993,759	$1,789,302	$3,381,876	$3,196,310
Research and development expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation classified as:	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation expense, total	419,153	287,669	706,619	555,813
Selling and marketing expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation classified as:	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation expense, total	534,413	419,066	1,006,668	734,595
General and administrative expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation classified as:	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation expense, total	$1,040,193	$1,082,567	$1,668,589	$1,905,902

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of Total Share Compensation Expense Related to All of Company's Share-Based Awards (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Share-based compensation expense from:	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation expense, total	$1,993,759	$1,789,302	$3,381,876	$3,196,310
Stock options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation expense from:	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation expense, total	1,188,190	1,071,664	2,298,418	2,119,650
Restricted stock units [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation expense from:	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation expense, total	$805,569	$717,638	$1,083,458	$1,076,660

Inventories_Composition_of_Inv

Inventories - Composition of Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials	$880,792	$936,856
Work in progress	158,553	36,453
Finished goods	374,637	521,056
Total inventory	1,413,982	1,494,365
Less: current portion	-640,853	-710,179
Non-current portion	$773,129	$784,186

Accrued_Expenses_Schedule_of_A

Accrued Expenses - Schedule of Accrued Expenses (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Accrued Liabilities Current [Abstract]	'	'
Accrued royalties, rebates, chargebacks, and distribution fees	$6,160,764	$5,525,103
Accrued research and development expenses	2,046,308	2,146,210
Accrued selling and marketing expenses	1,014,248	2,139,429
Accrued general and administrative expenses	1,074,879	1,752,966
Other current liabilities	396,498	344,862
Total accrued expenses	$10,692,697	$11,908,570

Deferred_Revenues_Changes_in_D

Deferred Revenues - Changes in Deferred Revenue Balances (Detail) (Royalty revenue [Member], Drug Royalty USA Agreement [Member], USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Royalty revenue [Member] | Drug Royalty USA Agreement [Member]	'
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'
Deferred revenues, Beginning Balance	$1,288,514
Changes during the period:	'
Recognized as revenues during period	-1,109,728
Deferred revenues, Ending Balance	$178,786

Deferred_Revenues_Additional_I

Deferred Revenues - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Nov. 30, 2002
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales price for undivided interest in the Company's rights to future Abreva royalties	'	'	'	'	$24,100,000
Expiration of the patent for Abreva	'	'	28-Apr-14	'	'
Annual net sales of Abreva	62,000,000	62,000,000	62,000,000	62,000,000	'
Revenues from royalties	475,281	899,129	2,564,595	2,525,139	'
GSK License Agreement [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Right to receive royalties	'	'	50.00%	'	'
Right to receive royalties, net	'	'	4.00%	'	'
Revenues from royalties	'	'	$1,500,000	$1,200,000	'

Notes_Payable_Additional_Infor

Notes Payable - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Warrants to purchase shares	53,957	'	53,957	'	'
Warrant exercise price	2.78	'	2.78	'	'
Loan Agreement [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Date of Loan Agreement	'	'	31-May-12	'	'
Loan Agreement of term loan	$30,000,000	'	$30,000,000	'	'
Loan Agreement, interest rate	8.95%	'	8.95%	'	'
Final payment of interest	'	'	7.00%	'	'
Amortization period for monthly principal and interest	'	'	'30 months	'	'
Notes payable, net of debt discount	26,900,000	'	26,900,000	'	'
Debt instrument final payment accrued	'	'	1,400,000	'	1,100,000
Percentage of principal to calculate warrants to issue	'	'	4.55%	'	'
Warrants to purchase shares	491,007	'	491,007	'	'
Warrant exercise price	2.78	'	2.78	'	'
Debt discount amortization	97,000	139,000	198,000	277,000	'
Minimum sales level relative to projected NUEDEXTA revenues measured basis	'	'	'3 months	'	'
Ratio of cash and cash equivalents to outstanding amount, Minimum	'	'	1.5	'	'
Additional default interest rate	'	'	5.00%	'	'
Loan Agreement [Member] | Black-Scholes model [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Relative fair value of warrants	'	'	$1,200,000	'	'
Common stock at issuance, fair value	$2.80	'	$2.80	'	'
Period of contractual term	'	'	'10 years	'	'
Weighted average volatility rate	'	'	96.70%	'	'
Dividend rate	'	'	0.00%	'	'
Risk-free interest rate	'	'	1.80%	'	'

Computation_of_Net_Loss_per_Co2

Computation of Net Loss per Common Share - Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Net Loss per Share (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Stock options [Member]	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Securities not included in the computation of diluted EPS	10,358,439	9,424,703
Stock warrants [Member]	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Securities not included in the computation of diluted EPS	53,957	53,957
Restricted stock units [Member]	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Securities not included in the computation of diluted EPS	3,885,788	3,086,758

Computation_of_Net_Loss_per_Co3

Computation of Net Loss per Common Share - Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Net Loss per Share (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'
Shares awarded to directors that have vested	1,062,322	1,162,465

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'
Aggregate of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and warrants limit under shelf registration	$150,000,000	'	'
Maximum proceeds from the sale of common stock though an at-the-market facility	55,000,000	'	'
Common stock shares issued	'	7,200,000	'
Proceed from issuance of common stock	'	29,304,970	19,101,955
Restricted stock units released, previously vested	'	290,286	'
Common stock issued in connection with vesting of restricted stock units	'	260,990	'
Stock issued during period, stock options exercised	'	47,481	'
Proceeds from stock options exercised	'	$119,000	'
Restricted stock unit awards	'	85,393	'
Warrants to purchase shares	'	53,957	'
Warrant exercise price	'	2.78	'
Warrants, expiration date	'	'May 2022	'

Employee_Equity_Incentive_Plan2

Employee Equity Incentive Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Feb. 28, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Nov. 15, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

2005 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]

Inducement Grants [Member]

Stock options [Member]

Restricted stock units [Member]

Restricted stock units [Member]

Performance RSUs [Member]

Performance RSUs [Member]

Performance RSUs [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Additional authorized shares for issuance

'

'

'

'

325,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares of common stock reserved for future issuance

29,445,624

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares of common stock reserved for future issuance related to outstanding options and other awards

13,502,127

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares of common stock reserved for future grants

15,943,497

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based awards liability

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Option grants outstanding

10,358,439

'

'

8,823,041

'

742,100

'

'

'

'

'

'

Initial authorized shares

'

'

17,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Contractual terms

'

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

Period stock options vest quarterly

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage shares vesting on first anniversary date

'

'

'

'

'

'

25.00%

'

'

50.00%

'

'

Percentage shares vesting quarterly after first anniversary date

'

'

'

'

'

'

75.00%

'

'

50.00%

'

'

Option grants to employees, description

'

'

'

'

'

'

'Stock Options. Stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the current market price of the Company's common stock at the grant date and have 10-year contractual terms. For option grants to employees, generally 25% of the option shares vest and become exercisable on the first anniversary of the grant date and the remaining 75% of the option shares vest and become exercisable quarterly in equal installments thereafter over three years.

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average grant-date fair value of option granted

$2.23

$1.79

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total intrinsic value of option exercised based on the differences in market prices

$86,000

$576,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested options

9,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted-average period for total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested options

'2 years 8 months 12 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years 9 months 18 days

'

'

'

'

Tax benefit realized from exercise of stock options

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restricted stock units grant to employees, description

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'RSUs granted to employees generally vest based on three or four years of continuous service from the date of grant. RSUs granted to non-employee directors generally vest over the term of one year from the grant date and are not released until the awardee's termination of service.

'

'

'

'

Grant-date fair value of RSUs granted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,100,000

3,100,000

'

'

'

Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$7,900,000

'

'

'

'

Vested restricted stock units granted to directors not issued until the director resigns

1,062,322

1,162,465

'

'

'

'

'

1,062,322

'

'

'

'

Shares of restricted stock with a weighted-average grant date fair value, value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2.14

'

'

'

'

Company awarded performance based RSUs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,572,190

'

434,024

'

'

Actual number of shares to be awarded

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

0.00%

Vesting Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

Restricted stock units balance vesting period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years

'

'

Performance RSUs outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

433,339

'

'

Employee_Equity_Incentive_Plan3

Employee Equity Incentive Plans - Summary of Stock Options Outstanding and Changes (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Number of Shares, Outstanding Beginning Balance	8,823,041
Number of Shares, Granted	1,758,956
Number of Shares, Exercised	-47,481
Number of Shares, Forfeited	-176,077
Number of Shares, Outstanding Ending Balance	10,358,439
Number of Shares, Vested and expected to vest in the future	9,972,957
Options Exercisable, Number of Shares	5,750,844
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Beginning Balance	$2.85
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Granted	$3.28
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Exercised	$2.51
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Forfeited	$3
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Ending Balance	$2.92
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Vested and expected to vest in the future	$2.91
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$2.82
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'7 years 1 month 6 days
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Vested and expected to vest in the future	'7 years
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Exercisable	'6 years
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding	$10,814,475
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested and expected to vest in the future	10,533,662
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable	$7,308,754

Employee_Equity_Incentive_Plan4

Employee Equity Incentive Plans - Assumptions Used in Black-Scholes Model for Options Granted (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Expected volatility, Minimum	82.00%
Expected volatility, Maximum	86.00%
Expected term in years	'5 years 4 months 24 days
Expected risk-free interest rate (zero coupon U.S. Treasury Note), Minimum	1.50%
Expected risk-free interest rate (zero coupon U.S. Treasury Note), Maximum	1.80%
Expected dividend yield	0.00%

Employee_Equity_Incentive_Plan5

Employee Equity Incentive Plans - Summary of RSU Activities (Detail) (Restricted stock units [Member], USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Restricted stock units [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Number of Shares, Unvested, Beginning Balance	1,637,210
Number of Shares, Granted	1,572,190
Number of Shares, Vested	-346,383
Number of Shares, Forfeited	-39,551
Number of Shares, Unvested, Ending Balance	2,823,466
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance	$2.40
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$3.88
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	$2.51
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited	$2.67
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance	$3.21

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013
	Milestone
	Licenses
Other Commitments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Liability for guarantees and indemnifications	$0	'	'	$0
Milestone payment	'	'	75,000	'
Royalty percentage range, minimum	5.00%	'	'	'
Royalty percentage range, maximum	8.00%	'	'	'
Royalties recorded to cost of product sales	2,400,000	1,600,000	'	'
Number of maximum milestones	10	'	'	'
Maximum payments for milestone	1,100,000	'	'	'
Number of specific licensed medical indication	5	'	'	'
Milestones range, Minimum	75,000	'	'	'
Milestones range, Maximum	125,000	'	'	'
Milestone and royalty payments clinical, minimum	2,000,000	'	'	'
Milestone and royalty payments clinical, maximum	6,000,000	'	'	'
Milestone and royalty payments regulatory, minimum	1,500,000	'	'	'
Milestone and royalty payments regulatory, maximum	15,000,000	'	'	'
Milestone and royalty payments commercial targets, minimum	25,000,000	'	'	'
Milestone and royalty payments commercial targets, maximum	60,000,000	'	'	'
Milestone and royalty payments, aggregate	200,000,000	'	'	'
Royalty payments are tiered, minimum	1,000,000,000	'	'	'
Paid milestone agreement expenses	2,000,000	'	'	'
Up-front cash payment	20,000,000	'	'	'
Maximum additional payments from future milestones	$90,000,000	'	'	'
U.S. 282 Patent [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other Commitments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Patent expiration date	1-Aug-26	'	'	'
Latest date of patent expiration	13-Aug-26	'	'	'
U.S. 484 Patent [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other Commitments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Patent expiration date	1-Jul-23	'	'	'
Latest date of patent expiration	13-Aug-26	'	'	'
RE 115 Patent [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other Commitments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Patent expiration date	1-Jan-16	'	'	'

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	6 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
	Net product sales [Member]	Net product sales [Member]	Trade receivables [Member]	Trade receivables [Member]
	Customer Concentration Risk [Member]	Customer Concentration Risk [Member]	Credit Concentration Risk [Member]	Credit Concentration Risk [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of revenue from major customer	90.00%	89.00%	91.00%	91.00%