Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		172 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Grant revenue	$ 265	$ 327	$ 799	$ 1,388	$ 8,203
Operating expenses:
Research and development	6,125	4,779	17,505	13,349	95,661
General and administrative	2,257	1,396	6,522	5,005	43,465
Total operating expenses	8,382	6,175	24,027	18,354	139,126
Loss from operations	(8,117)	(5,848)	(23,228)	(16,966)	(130,923)
Other income and expense:
Miscellaneous income	0	0	114	(21)	434
Forgiveness of debt	0	0	0	0	449
Interest income	2	3	6	11	1,773
Interest expense	(8)	(6)	(26)	(26)	(207)
Other (expense) income, net	(6)	(3)	94	(36)	2,449
Net loss	(8,123)	(5,851)	(23,134)	(17,002)	(128,474)
Less net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0	583
Net loss attributable to NewLink	$ (8,123)	$ (5,851)	$ (23,134)	$ (17,002)	$ (127,891)
Basic and diluted net loss per share	$ (0.32)	$ (0.28)	$ (0.92)	$ (0.82)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted	25,702,043	20,887,689	25,067,772	20,729,174