Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Nov. 03, 2021
Document and Entity Information
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2021
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-12584
Entity Registrant Name	SYNTHETIC BIOLOGICS, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	NV
Entity Tax Identification Number	13-3808303
Entity Address, Address Line One	9605 Medical Center Drive, Suite 270
Entity Address, City or Town	Rockville
Entity Address, Country	MD
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	20850
City Area Code	301
Local Phone Number	417-4364
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	SYN
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		132,042,538
Entity Central Index Key	0000894158
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false