Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 14, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Contribution of cash and cash equivalents to Furiex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	$ 100.0
Stock split conversion ratio description	issuing one share of Furiex common stock for every twelve shares of the Company's common stock
Shareholders on record date	Jun. 01, 2010
Shares excluded from calculation of diluted earnings per share		7,033,229	6,651,821	8,644,124	6,681,751
MAB Discovery GmbH, [Member]
Total assets		6.1		6.1
Total liabilities		5.7		5.7
Committed to provide credit				8.7
Outstanding credit		$ 3.9		$ 3.9