Document and Entity Information [abstract] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information [abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Document Type Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Public Float Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Voluntary Filers Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] ASSETS Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Cash and cash equivalents Other Assets, Current Total current assets Other current assets Assets, Current Total current assets Total assets Property and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property and equipment, net Other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent, Total Total assets Total assets LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current, Total Accrued compensation and employee benefits Employee-related Liabilities, Current, Total Accrued expenses and other liabilities Other Liabilities, Current, Total Deferred Rent Credit, Current Deferred rent, current portion Total current liabilities Total current liabilities Deferred Rent Credit, Noncurrent Deferred rent, net of current portion Total liabilities Total liabilities Commitments and Contingencies 2009 Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' equity: Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100 million shares authorized; 8,834,535 and 7,620,448 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100 million shares authorized at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010; 12,182,999 and 8,834,535 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively 10,516,333 and 8,834,535 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively Additional Paid in Capital Additional Paid in Capital, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Beginning Balance Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Total Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Total Deficit accumulated during the development stage Total stockholders' equity Ending Balance, value Beginning Balance, value Total stockholders' equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Common stock, par value Issuance of common stock, per share Common stock, authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common stock, issued Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Common stock, outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance Common stock, shares outstanding Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract] Costs and expenses: Research and development Research and Development Expense, Total Selling, general and administrative Selling, General and Administrative Expense, Total Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs Merger transaction costs Restructuring expense, net Restructuring expense, net Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) Impairment of in-process research and development Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill), Total Loss on impairment of in-process research and development Operating Expenses Total costs and expenses Operating Income (Loss) Loss from operations The gain or loss on transfer of all or part of the rights and interests in certain patents and patent applications. Gain Loss On Assignment Of Patent Rights Gain on patent rights assignment Gain on patent rights assignment Gain on assignment of patent rights Gain on bargain purchase Gain on bargain purchase Interest and Other Income Interest and other income Interest and Other Income, Total Interest Expense, Debt Interest and other expense Interest Expense, Debt, Total Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest Loss before income taxes Benefit from income taxes Benefit from income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Net loss Net loss Net loss Net loss Preferred Stock, Accretion of Redemption Discount Less: Accretion of redeemable convertible preferred stock Less: Accretion of redeemable convertible preferred stock Preferred Stock Dividends and Other Adjustments Less: Deemed preferred stock dividend for additional common shares issuable under anti-dilution provisions Less: Deemed preferred stock dividend for additional common shares issuable under anti-dilution provisions Preferred Stock Dividends and Other Adjustments, Total Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Net loss available to common stockholders Earnings (Loss) Per Share [Abstract] Net loss available to common stockholders per share: Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Basic and diluted Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, Total Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Weighted average shares outstanding: The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating basic and diluted EPS. Weighted Average Number of Share Outstanding, Basic and Diluted Basic and diluted Consolidated Statements Of Preferred Stock And Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) [Abstract] Class of Stock [Axis] Class Of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Accretion of Series A [Member] Accretion Of Series [Member] Accretion Of Series A [Member] Accretion of Series B [Member] Accretion Of Series B [Member] Accretion Of Series B [Member] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Parent [Member] Parent [Member] Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] Series A [Member] Series A [Member] Series B [Member] Series B [Member] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Additional Paid-In Capital [Member] Cumulative net losses reported during the development stage. Accumulated Defecit During Development Stage [Member] Deficit Accumulated During The Development Stage [Member] Issuance Of Stock [Axis] Issuance Of Stock [Axis] Issuance [Domain] Issuance [Domain] Common Conversion Common Conversion [Member] Common Conversion [Member] Adjustment for fractional shares. Adjustment For Fractional Shares [Member] Adjustment For Fractional Shares [Member] Notes and Related Accrued Interest Notes And Related Accrued Interest [Member] Notes And Related Accrued Interest [Member] Cash, Net Of Offering Costs Cash Net Of Offering Costs [Member] Cash, Net Of Offering Costs [Member] First Issuance Of Series Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] First Issuance Of Series Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] Issuance Of Series A On February 22, 2006 [Member] Second Issuance Of Series Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] Second Issuance Of Series Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] Issuance Of Series A On December 8, 2006 [Member] First Issuance For Notes Payable And Related Accrued Interest [Member] First Issuance For Notes Payable And Related Accrued Interest [Member] Issuance For Notes Payable And Related Accrued Interest On January 3, 2005 [Member] Second Issuance For Notes Payable And Related Accrued Interest [Member] Second Issuance For Notes Payable And Related Accrued Interest [Member] Issuance For Notes Payable And Related Accrued Interest On October 14, 2005 [Member] Third Issuance For Notes Payable And Related Accrued Interest [Member] Third Issuance For Notes Payable And Related Accrued Interest [Member] Issuance For Notes Payable And Related Accrued Interest On February 22, 2006 [Member] First Issuance Of Stock For Intellectual Property License Rights [Member] First Issuance Of Stock For Intellectual Property License Rights [Member] Issuance For Intellectual Property License Rights On October 14, 2005 [Member] Second Issuance Of Stock For Intellectual Property License Rights [Member] Second Issuance Of Stock For Intellectual Property License Rights [Member] Issuance For Intellectual Property License Rights On February 21, 2006 [Member] Third Issuance Of Stock For Intellectual Property License Rights [Member] Third Issuance Of Stock For Intellectual Property License Rights [Member] Issuance For Intellectual Property License Rights On February 22, 2006 [Member] Fourth Issuance Of Stock For Intellectual Property License Rights [Member] Fourth Issuance Of Stock For Intellectual Property License Rights [Member] Issuance For Intellectual Property License Rights On June 23, 2006 [Member] Fifth Issuance Of Stock For Intellectual Property License Rights [Member] Fifth Issuance Of Stock For Intellectual Property License Rights [Member] Issuance For Intellectual Property License Rights On November 7, 2006 [Member] Sixth Issuance Of Stock For Intellectual Property License Rights [Member] Sixth Issuance Of Stock For Intellectual Property License Rights [Member] Issuance For Intellectual Property License Rights On January 18, 2007 [Member] Seventh Issuance Of Stock For Intellectual Property License Rights [Member] Seventh Issuance Of Stock For Intellectual Property License Rights [Member] Issuance For Intellectual Property License Rights On June 30, 2007 [Member] First Issuance Of Series B Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] Third Issuance Of Series B Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] Issuance For Series B On May 31, 2007 [Member] Second Issuance Of Series B Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] Second Issuance Of Series B Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] Issuance For Series B On December 28, 2007 [Member] Issuance Of Common Stock For Commercial License Rights [Member] Issuance Of Common Stock For Commercial License Rights [Member] Issuance Of Common Stock For Commercial License Rights, On July 19, 2007 [Member] Issuance Of Shares To Executive Subject To Repurchase [Member] Issuance Of Shares To Executive Subject To Repurchase [Member] Issuance Of Shares To Executive Subject To Repurchase [Member] Shares, Outstanding Ending Balance, shares Beginning Balance, shares Preferred Stock, Discount on Shares Offering costs Offering costs Accretion of offering costs of redeemable convertible preferred stock Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Share-based compensation Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures, Total Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Warrant Issued Estimated fair value of warrants issued in connection with convertible notes payable Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Stock Options Exercised Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options, for cash, shares Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options, for cash, value Adjustment for fractional shares. Adjustment for Fractional Shares Adjustment for fractional shares on common conversion Dividends, Preferred Stock, Stock Deemed preferred stock dividend for additional common shares issuable under anti-dilution provision Deemed preferred stock dividend for additional common shares issuable under anti-dilution provision Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued upon Conversion Conversion of preferred stock, shares Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities Conversion of convertible notes and related accrued interest, value Conversion of preferred stock and convertible notes and related accrued interest, value The adjustment to additional paid in capital to record the release of restriction agreements on stock. Adjustment to Additional Paid in Capital Restricted Stock Release from Restriction Restricted stock release from restriction Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities Conversion of convertible notes and related accrued interest, shares The amount recorded to additional Paid in Capital account as a result of the conversion of warrants for preferred stock to outstanding common stock. Adjustment to Additional Paid in Capital Conversion of Warrants for Preferred Stock Conversion of warrants for preferred stock Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions Merger with Nuvelo, Inc., shares Stock Issued During Period, Value, Acquisitions Merger with Nuvelo, Inc., value Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Ownership Plan Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan and upon vesting of restricted stock units, shares Stock Issued During Period, Value, Employee Stock Ownership Plan Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan and upon vesting of restricted stock units, value Adjustment to additional paid in capital estimated fair value of warrants issued. Adjustment to Additional Paid in Capital Estimated Fair Value of Warrants Issued Estimated fair value of warrants issued in connection with lease termination Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues Issuance of common stock for cash, net of offering costs, value Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues Issuance of common stock for cash, net of offering costs, shares Preferred stock, par value Issuance of preferred stock, per share Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Preferred Stock [Member] Preferred Stock [Member] Cash flows used in operating activities: Cash flows used in operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction, Total Paid-in-Kind Interest Non-cash interest expense Share-based Compensation Expense Share-based compensation Share-based Compensation, Total Issuance of Stock and Warrants for Services or Claims Issuance of warrants for lease termination Accretion Expense Accretion of liabilities Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use Impairment of property and equipment The write off of deferred tax liability associated with the impairment of the in-process research and development asset. Write Off of Deferred Tax Liability Write-Off Of Deferred Tax Liability Write-off of deferred tax liability Marketable Securities, Gain (Loss) Gain on marketable securities available for sale Gain on marketable securities available for sale Marketable Securities, Gain (Loss), Total Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment (Gain) loss from disposal of property and equipment (Gain) loss from disposal of property and equipment Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment, Total Other Noncash Income (Expense) Other, net Other, net Other Noncash Income (Expense), Total Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Change in operating assets and liabilities (net of amounts acquired): Increase (Decrease) in Other Current Assets Other current assets Other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Other assets Other assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets, Total Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Total Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Accrued expenses and other liabilities Accrued expenses and other liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities, Total Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Charges Deferred rent Deferred rent Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash used in operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows provided by investing activities: Cash Acquired from Acquisition Cash received from Merger Other Payments to Acquire Businesses Payment of deferred transaction costs Payment of deferred transaction costs Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Purchase of property and equipment Purchase of property and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Marketable Securities Proceeds from sale of marketable securities Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Marketable Securities, Total Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from sale of property and equipment Proceeds from sale of property and equipment Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Proceeds from Sale of Intangible Assets Proceeds from patent rights assignment Proceeds from patent rights assignment Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash provided by investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities: Proceeds from Convertible Debt Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes payable and related warrants for common stock Proceeds from Notes Payable Proceeds from issuance of bank note payable Proceeds from Notes Payable, Total Proceeds from Issuance of Redeemable Preferred Stock Proceeds from stock subject to repurchase Proceeds from stock subject to repurchase Proceeds from Issuance of Preferred Stock and Preference Stock Proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Proceeds from the issuance of common stock Payments of Stock Issuance Costs Preferred stock offering costs Preferred stock offering costs Payment of offering costs Repayments of Notes Payable Repayment of principal on bank note payable Repayment of principal on bank note payable Repayments of Convertible Debt Repayment of principal on convertible notes payables Repayment of principal on convertible notes payables Repayment Of Principal On Vendor Finance Agreement Repayment Of Principal On Vendor Finance Agreement Repayment of principal on vendor finance agreement Repayment of principal on vendor finance agreement Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Supplemental cash flow information: Interest Paid Interest paid Interest Paid, Total Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing transactions: The amount of the interest accrued on notes payable that was recorded by the Company but converted by the holder to equity during the period that resulted in a noncash transaction. Accrued Interest On Notes Payable Converted To Equity Accrued interest on notes payable converted to equity The non-cash value of warrants issued in connection with a bank credit facility. Warrant Issued in Connection with Credit Facility Warrant issued in connection with credit facility Deferred transaction costs accrued at the end of the respective period and applied to proceeds in the subsequent period. Accrued Deferred Transaction Costs Accrued deferred transaction costs The Company And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block] The Company And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Earnings (Loss) Per Share Merger With Nuvelo, Inc. On January 27, 2009 [Abstract] Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Merger With Nuvelo, Inc. On January 27, 2009 Financial Instruments [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Financial Instruments Property And Equipment [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Property And Equipment Related Party Arrangements [Abstract] Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Related Party Arrangements Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure Text Block Commitments And Contingencies Collaborative Agreements [Abstract] Collaborative Arrangement Disclosure [Text Block] Collaborative Agreements Equity Distribution Agreement [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Equity Distribution Agreement Legal Matters [Abstract] Legal Matters [Abstract] Legal Matters and Contingencies [Text Block] Legal Matters Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract] Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract] Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Employee Benefit Plans Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes