Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Assets Assets [Abstract] Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Total current assets Assets, Current Goodwill Goodwill In Process Research and Development In-process research and development Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the fair value of the acquired in-process technology, adjusted for any amortization recognized after market feasibility has been achieved and for any impairment charges. Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures Investment in joint venture Property and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Total assets Assets Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Accrued expenses Accrued expenses Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued compensation and related expenses Employee Related Liabilities Current Current deferred revenue Deferred Revenue, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Deferred tax liability Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent Long-term deferred revenue Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent Total liabilities Liabilities Stockholders' equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 3,000,000 and 500,000 shares authorized at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively; 220,000 shares issued at June 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 and 30,000,000 shares authorized at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively; 16,187,615 and 16,127,615 shares issued at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, and 16,163,565 and 16,088,015 shares outstanding at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital Accumulated other comprehensive loss Beginning balance Ending balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Treasury Stock, Value Treasury stock, at cost; 24,050 shares at June 30, 2012 and 39,600 shares at December 31, 2011 Deficit accumulated during the development stage Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Total stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities and Equity Series B Convertible Preferred Stock par value Preferred stock, par value Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, shares issued Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Common stock, par value Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Treasury stock, shares Treasury Stock, Shares Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss [Abstract] Revenues Revenues Operating expenses: Operating Expenses [Abstract] Cost of revenues Cost of Revenue Stock-based compensation, research and development Research and development Research and Development Expense General and administrative General and Administrative Expense Total operating expenses Operating Expenses Operating loss Operating Income (Loss) Impairment charge on investment securities Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments Other expense Other Nonoperating Expense Interest expense Interest Expense Other income Other Nonoperating Income Loss before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Net loss Net loss Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Accretion to redemption value of redeemable convertible preferred stock Preferred Stock Accretion Of Redemption Discount Deemed dividend resulting from convertible preferred stock Deemed dividend resulting from beneficial conversion feature on Series C redeemable convertible preferred stock The deemed dividend on the Series C Preferred Stock is the aggregate difference between the estimated fair value of the underlying common stock and the Series C Preferred Stock conversion price per share. The deemed dividend increased the net loss applicable to common shareholders in the calculation of basic and diluted net loss per common share. Net loss applicable to common stockholders Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Basic and diluted net loss per common share Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per common share Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted Other comprehensive loss, net of tax: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Foreign currency translation adjustments Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Comprehensive loss Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Operating activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Non-cash stock-based compensation Stock-based compensation, general and administration Share-based Compensation Deferred revenue Recognition of Deferred Revenue Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Amortization of Premium Discount on Investment Securities Convertible Notes and Debt Discount and Issuance Costs Amortization of premium/discount on investment securities, convertible debt, debt discount and issuance costs Amortization of premium or discount on investment securities, accretion of convertible notes to fair market value and amortization of debt discount and issuance costs. Impairment Charge (Gain), Net on Investment Securities and ARS Put Impairment charge, net on investment securities and ARS Put Impairment charge or (gain), net on trading investment securities and ARS put based on fair market value as determined on a Level 3 basis pursuant to a discounted cash flow model. Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets Loss on disposal of assets Impairment of Sublease Impairment of sublease Impairment (write-down) of tenant improvements of sublet office space due to non-utility. Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Prepaid expenses and other assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid, Deferred Expense and Other Assets Increase Decrease in Accounts Payable Accrued Expenses Income Taxes Payable and Deferred Rent Accounts payable, income tax payable, accrued expenses and deferred rent The net change during the reporting period in the aggregate amount of accounts payable, accrued expenses, income taxes payable , deferred rent, and other similar obligations and liabilities. Accrued compensation and related expenses Increase (Decrease) in Employee Related Liabilities Restricted assets Increase (Decrease) of Restricted Investments Net cash used in operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Investing activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities [Abstract] Cash paid for acquired business, net of acquired cash Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Purchases of investment securities Payments to Acquire Investments Maturities or sales of investment securities Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Marketable Securities Acquisition of property and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from sales of property and equipment Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Financing activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities [Abstract] Proceeds from issuance of common stock and units, net of issuance costs Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Proceeds from issuance of convertible preferred stock, net of issuance costs Proceeds from Issuance of Preferred Stock and Preference Stock Proceeds from ARS Loan Proceeds from ARS loan The cash inflow related to the procurement of the investment securities loan. Net proceeds from debt Proceeds from (Repayments of) Debt Proceeds from Conversion of Convertible Notes Proceeds from conversion of convertible notes Proceeds from the conversion of convertible notes into common stock. Purchase of treasury stock, net of employee stock purchases Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Repayments of debt Repayments of Debt Repayments of ARS Loan Repayments of ARS loan The net cash outflow related to the repayment of the investment securities loan. Net increase/ (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Supplemental disclosure of investing and financing activities: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Issuance of Warrants Issuance of warrants Issuance of warrants. Conversion of convertible preferred stock into common stock upon initial public offering Conversion of Stock, Amount Converted Restricted assets, cash unrestricted upon conversion of convertible notes Restricted assets, cash unrestricted upon conversion of convertible notes Supplemental disclosure related to the amount of cash unrestricted upon conversion of convertible notes and fractional share payout. The cash inflow from the convertible notes conversion is reflecting in financing activities above. Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information [abstract] Income taxes paid Income Taxes Paid Interest paid Interest paid Interim Financial Information [Abstract] Interim Financial Information Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] Avigen Transaction [Abstract] Avigen Transaction Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Joint Venture [Abstract] Joint Venture Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Text Block] Long-term Debt [Abstract] Long-term Debt Long Term Debt [Text Block] Net Loss Per Share [Abstract] Net Loss Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block] Balance Sheet Details [Abstract] Balance Sheet Details Supplemental Balance Sheet Disclosures [Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract] Stock-Based Compensation Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments [Text Block] Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Stockholders' Equity Stockholders Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Basis of Presentation Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Principles of Consolidation Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] Use of Estimates Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue Revenue Recognition, Deferred Revenue [Policy Text Block] Concentrations and Uncertainties [Policy Text Block] Concentrations and Credit Risk Concentrations and Uncertainties. Recent Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Accumulated other comprehensive loss Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Changes in stock options outstanding Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block] Interim Financial Information (Textual) [Abstract] Interim Financial Information (Textual) [Abstract] Interim financial information. Revenue relating to research and development services Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others, Compensation Earned Cash insured amount Cash, FDIC Insured Amount Schedule Of Business Acquisitions By Acquisition [Table] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition Acquiree [Domain] Avigen [Member] Avigen [Member] Avigen. Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition (Textual) [Abstract] Avigen Transaction (Textual) [Abstract] Business acquisition. Percentage of outstanding shares acquired Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired Business Acquisition Cost of Acquired Entity Secured Convertible Notes Issued Secured convertible notes Business acquisition cost of acquired entity secured convertible notes issued. Secured convertible notes, maturity date Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Business Acquisition Cost of Acquired Entity Secured Convertible Notes Issued Conversion Price Per Share Common stock, initial conversion price Business acquisition cost of acquired entity secured convertible notes issued conversion price per share. Business Acquisition Cost of Acquired Entity Cash Paid Per Share Held Share received by former Avigen shareholders Business acquisition cost of acquired entity cash paid per share held. Business Acquisition Number of Consideration Installments Number of paid increments Business acquisition number of consideration installments. Business Acquisition Cost of Acquired Entity Cash Paid Installment One First installment paid to Avigen shareholders Business acquisition cost of acquired entity cash paid installment one. Business Acquisition Cost of Acquired Entity Cash Paid Installment Two Second installment paid to Avigen shareholders Business acquisition cost of acquired entity cash paid installment two. Business Acquisition Cost of Acquired Entity Additional Convertible Notes Issued Installment One Additional principal amount, first installment Business acquisition cost of acquired entity additional convertible notes issued installment one. Business Acquisition Cost of Acquired Entity Additional Convertible Notes Issued Installment Two Additional principal amount, second installment Business acquisition cost of acquired entity additional convertible notes issued installment two. Joint Venture (Textual) [Abstract] Joint Venture (Textual) [Abstract] Joint venture. Investment in China joint venture, percentage Percentage of outstanding voting stock Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage Equity Method Investment Third Party Percentage Other parties investment in China joint venture, percentage Equity method investment third party percentage. Fair Value Measurements (Textual) [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements (Textual) [Abstract] Fair value measurements. Maturity Period of Investment in Cash Equivalents Securities Instruments maturities Maturity period of investment in cash equivalents securities. Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Warrant [Member] Warrant [Member] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Long Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract] Long-term Debt (Textual) [Abstract] Long term debt. Common stock in warrant to purchase Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights Long Term Debt (Additional Textual) [Abstract] Long-term Debt (Additional Textual) [Abstract] Long term debt. Debt Instrument Agreement Date Loan and security agreement date Debt instrument agreement date. Amount borrowed Principal amount of secured convertible notes Debt Instrument, Face Amount Per share exercise price Warrants exercise price Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights The stated interest rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Warrants Expiration Date The warrant termination date Warrants expiration date. Waived Off Penalty Payment Amount Payment penalty Waived off penalty payment amount. Net Loss Per Share (Textual) [Abstract] Net Loss Per Share (Textual) [Abstract] Net loss per share. Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Foreign currency translation adjustments Schedule of Incremental Effects on Balance Sheet, Application of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions [Table] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Research and development costs [Member] Research and Development Expense [Member] Professional services fees [Member] Professional Fees [Member] Investments In Affiliates Subsidiaries Associates And Joint Ventures [Member] Joint venture capital contribution payable [Member] Investments in affiliates subsidiaries associates and joint ventures. Other [Member] Accrued Liabilities [Member] Incremental Effect on Balance Sheet, Application of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions [Line Items] Accrued expenses Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Option Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Type [Axis]