v2.4.0.8
Document and Entity Information
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
May 08, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2015  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2015  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
Trading Symbol MNOV  
Entity Registrant Name MEDICINOVA INC  
Entity Central Index Key 0001226616  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity Filer Category Smaller Reporting Company  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   24,880,421