Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Receivables	$ 9,564	$ 8,768
Billed Revenues [Member]
Receivables	7,221	5,094
Unbilled Revenues [Member]
Receivables	2,343	3,674
US Department of Health and Human Services [Member]
Receivables	2,300	3,495
US Department of Health and Human Services [Member] | Billed Revenues [Member]
Receivables	114
US Department of Health and Human Services [Member] | Unbilled Revenues [Member]
Receivables	2,186	3,495
Shionogi and Co. Ltd [Member]
Receivables	5,834	3,451
Shionogi and Co. Ltd [Member] | Billed Revenues [Member]
Receivables	5,834	3,451
Shionogi and Co. Ltd [Member] | Unbilled Revenues [Member]
Receivables
Green Cross Corporation [Member]
Receivables	382	686
Green Cross Corporation [Member] | Billed Revenues [Member]
Receivables	382	686
Green Cross Corporation [Member] | Unbilled Revenues [Member]
Receivables
Seqirus UK Limited [Member]
Receivables	1,048	1,136
Seqirus UK Limited [Member] | Billed Revenues [Member]
Receivables	891	957
Seqirus UK Limited [Member] | Unbilled Revenues [Member]
Receivables	$ 157	$ 179