Document And Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Biota Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--06-30
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		28,352,329
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000072444
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2