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Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 07, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	NEWLINK GENETICS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0001126234
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q4
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		27,861,429
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 342,253,457

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 61,291	$ 20,250
Certificates of deposit	249	1,494
Prepaid expenses	773	907
State research and development credit receivable	329	542
Other receivables	1,328	196
Total current assets	63,970	23,389
Leasehold improvements and equipment:
Leasehold improvements	5,588	5,085
Computer equipment	1,133	636
Lab equipment	3,724	3,297
Total leasehold improvements and equipment	10,445	9,018
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(3,858)	(2,978)
Leasehold improvements and equipment, net	6,587	6,040
Total assets	70,557	29,429
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	612	972
Accrued expenses	2,861	1,659
Income taxes payable	130	0
Current portion of deferred rent	84	84
Obligations under capital leases	35	55
Current portion of long term debt	154	149
Total current liabilities	3,876	2,919
Long term liabilities:
Royalty obligation payable to Iowa Economic Development Authority	6,000	6,000
Obligations under capital leases	46	38
Deferred rent, excluding current portion	1,321	1,405
Total long-term liabilities	8,354	8,583
Total liabilities	12,230	11,502
Stockholders' Equity
Blank check preferred stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares — 5,000,000 at December 31, 2013 and 2012; issued and outstanding shares — 0 at December 31, 2013 and 2012	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares — 75,000,000 at December 31, 2013 and 38,833,334 at December 31, 2012; issued and outstanding shares — 26,573,023 at December 31, 2013, and 20,985,192 at December 31, 2012	266	210
Additional paid-in capital	194,038	122,514
Deficit accumulated during the development stage	(135,977)	(104,797)
Total stockholders' equity	58,327	17,927
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	70,557	29,429
Iowa State University Research Park [Member]
Long term liabilities:
Notes Payable, Noncurrent	687	840
City of Ames [Member]
Long term liabilities:
Notes Payable, Noncurrent	$ 300	$ 300

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stockholders' Equity:
Blank check preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Blank check preferred stock, authorized shares	5,000,000	5,000,000
Blank check preferred stock, issued shares	0	0
Blank check preferred stock, outstanding shares	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, authorized shares	75,000,000	38,833,334
Common stock, issued shares	26,573,023	20,985,192
Common stock, outstanding shares	26,573,023	20,985,192

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended			175 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013
Grant revenue	$ 1,093	$ 1,687	$ 1,872	$ 8,497
Operating expenses:
Research and development	22,713	17,838	14,255	100,869
General and administrative	9,521	7,108	5,679	46,464
Total operating expenses	32,234	24,946	19,934	147,333
Loss from operations	(31,141)	(23,259)	(18,062)	(138,836)
Other income and expense:
Miscellaneous income	112	(38)	5	432
Forgiveness of debt	0	0	0	449
Interest income	12	14	11	1,779
Interest expense	(33)	(38)	(42)	(214)
Other income (expense), net	91	(62)	(26)	2,446
Net loss before taxes	(31,050)	(23,321)	(18,088)	(136,390)
Income tax expense	(130)	0	0	(130)
Net loss	(31,180)	(23,321)	(18,088)	(136,520)
Less net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	1	583
Net loss attributable to NewLink	$ (31,180)	$ (23,321)	$ (18,087)	$ (135,937)
Basic and diluted net loss per share	$ (1.23)	$ (1.12)	$ (2.98)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted	25,275,179	20,779,450	6,064,542

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Weighted-average common shares outstanding, diluted) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted)	25,275,179	20,779,450	6,064,542

Consolidated Statements of Equity (Deficit) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Preferred Stock Series A [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Notes Receivable for Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Deficit Accumulated During the Development Stage [Member]	Total NewLink Genetics Shareholders' Equity [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance at Jun. 04, 1999	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Balance (shares) at Jun. 04, 1999			0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock issued	27		$ 19	21	(13)			27
Stock issued (shares)			1,904,762
Net loss	(64)						(64)	(64)
Balance at Dec. 31, 1999	(37)	0	$ 19	21	(13)	0	(64)	(37)	0
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 1999			1,904,762
Balance at Jun. 04, 1999	0	0	$ 0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Balance (shares) at Jun. 04, 1999			0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accretion of redemption feature of preferred stock	(113)
Reduction of IPO offering costs	158
Net loss	(136,520)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 58,327	0	$ 266	194,038	0	0	(135,977)	58,327	0
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	26,573,023		26,573,023
Balance at Dec. 31, 1999	$ (37)	0	$ 19	21	(13)	0	(64)	(37)	0
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 1999			1,904,762
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock issued	47		$ 6	145	(104)			47
Stock issued (shares)			686,762
Receipt of payment on note receivable	13				13			13
Preferred stock issued	989	989						989
Net loss	(236)						(236)	(236)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2000	776	989	$ 25	166	(104)	0	(300)	776	0
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2000			2,591,524
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock issued	50		$ 1	49				50
Stock issued (shares)			95,238
Repurchase of common stock	(15)				18	(33)		(15)
Repurchase of common stock (shares)			(131,806)
Deemed dividend		41					(41)
Net loss	(1,448)						(1,448)	(1,448)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2001	(637)	1,030	$ 26	215	(86)	(33)	(1,789)	(637)	0
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2001			2,554,956
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Receipt of payment on note receivable	33				33			33
Exercise of stock options	13		$ 1	12				13
Exercise of stock options (shares)			23,810
Issuance of stock options	14			14				14
Accretion of redemption feature of preferred stock	(6)			(6)				(6)
Issuance of stock dividend (shares)			20,998
Net loss	(2,253)						(2,253)	(2,253)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2002	(2,836)	1,030	$ 27	235	(53)	(33)	(4,042)	(2,836)	0
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2002			2,599,764
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Receipt of payment on note receivable	7				7			7
Share-based compensation	46			46				46
Share-based compensation (shares)			9,524
Exercise of stock options	1,112		$ 2	1,110				1,112
Exercise of stock options (shares)			235,537
Issuance of stock options	15			15				15
Accretion of redemption feature of preferred stock	(5)			(5)				(5)
Issuance of stock dividend (shares)			20,998
Net loss	(2,979)						(2,979)	(2,979)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2003	(4,640)	1,030	$ 29	1,401	(46)	(33)	(7,021)	(4,640)	0
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2003			2,865,823
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Receipt of payment on note receivable	5				5			5
Issuance of stock options	57			57				57
Accretion of redemption feature of preferred stock	(5)			(5)				(5)
Net loss	(3,669)						(3,669)	(3,669)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2004	(8,252)	1,030	$ 29	1,453	(41)	(33)	(10,690)	(8,252)	0
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2004			2,865,823
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Receipt of payment on note receivable	1				1			1
Share-based compensation	51			51				51
Share-based compensation (shares)			8,946
Issuance of stock options	2			2				2
Accretion of redemption feature of preferred stock	(82)			(82)				(82)
Issuance of common stock for acquisition	354		$ 1	353				354
Issuance of common stock for acquisition (shares)			61,953
Issuance of stock dividend (shares)			41,995
Noncontrolling interest	2,278								2,278
Net loss	(4,770)						(4,770)	(4,770)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2005	(10,418)	1,030	$ 30	1,777	(40)	(33)	(15,460)	(12,696)	2,278
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2005			2,978,717
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of preferred stock	257								257
Share-based compensation	22			22				22
Accretion of redemption feature of preferred stock	(4)			(4)				(4)
Issuance of common stock for acquisition	130		$ 1	129				130
Issuance of common stock for acquisition (shares)			61,953
Issuance of stock dividend (shares)			20,996
Net loss	(5,318)						(5,318)	(5,318)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2006	(15,331)	1,030	$ 31	1,924	(40)	(33)	(20,778)	(17,866)	2,535
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2006			3,061,666
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Receipt of payment on note receivable	2				2			2
Share-based compensation	58			58				58
Exercise of stock options	12			12				12
Exercise of stock options (shares)			15,476
Stock issued for licensing (shares)			11,905
Issuance of stock dividend (shares)			20,996
Retire treasury stock				(33)		33
Noncontrolling interest	8								8
Net loss	(7,582)						(7,582)	(7,582)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2007	(22,833)	1,030	$ 31	1,961	(38)	0	(28,360)	(25,376)	2,543
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2007			3,110,043
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Share-based compensation	86			86				86
Exercise of stock options	19			19				19
Exercise of stock options (shares)			15,298
Stock issued for licensing	5			5				5
Stock issued for licensing (shares)			2,381
Issuance of stock dividend (shares)			21,000
Noncontrolling interest	(1)								(1)
Net loss	(8,842)						(8,842)	(8,842)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2008	(31,566)	1,030	$ 31	2,071	(38)	0	(37,202)	(34,108)	2,542
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2008			3,148,722
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock issued	3								3
Share-based compensation	929			929				929
Exercise of stock options	15			15				15
Exercise of stock options (shares)			7,138
Issuance of stock dividend			$ 1	(1)
Issuance of stock dividend (shares)			20,998
Preferred stock issued	40								40
Net loss	(10,207)						(9,974)	(9,974)	(233)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	(40,786)	1,030	$ 32	3,014	(38)	0	(47,176)	(43,138)	2,352
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2009			3,176,858
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock issued	2								2
Receipt of payment on note receivable	146				25			25	121
Repurchase of common stock	(469)		$ (1)	(374)				(375)	(94)
Repurchase of common stock (shares)			(102,110)
Share-based compensation	1,525			1,525				1,525
Exercise of stock options	82		$ 1	81				82
Exercise of stock options (shares)			141,573
Accretion of redemption feature of preferred stock	(2)			(2)				(2)
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock	114			114				114
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock (shares)			14,915
Exercise of warrants	2,000		$ 2	1,998				2,000
Exercise of warrants (shares)			178,571
Issuance of common stock for acquisition	819		$ 2	817				819
Issuance of common stock for acquisition (shares)			173,469
Stock issued for licensing	201			201				201
Stock issued for licensing (shares)			23,810
Issuance of stock dividend (shares)			20,996
Preferred stock issued	911								911
Net loss	(16,562)						(16,213)	(16,213)	(349)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	(52,019)	1,030	$ 36	7,374	(13)	0	(63,389)	(54,962)	2,943
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2010			3,628,082
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock issued	37,555		$ 62	37,493				37,555
Stock issued (shares)			6,200,000
Receipt of payment on note receivable	13				13			13
Share-based compensation	2,545			2,545				2,545
Share-based compensation (shares)			11,905
Exercise of stock options	19			19				19
Exercise of stock options (shares)			9,320
Accretion of redemption feature of preferred stock	(8)			(8)				(8)
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock	75,390	(1,030)	$ 107	76,313				75,390
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock (shares)			10,719,353
Issuance of stock dividend			$ 1	(1)
Issuance of stock dividend (shares)			22,580
Noncontrolling interest	(8,634)			(5,692)				(5,692)	(2,942)
Reduction of IPO offering costs	0
Net loss	(18,088)						(18,087)	(18,087)	(1)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	36,773	0	$ 206	118,043	0	0	(81,476)	36,773	0
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2011			20,591,240
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Repurchase of common stock	(4)			(4)				(4)
Share-based compensation	3,195			3,195				3,195
Share-based compensation (shares)			13,000
Exercise of stock options	887		$ 4	883				887
Exercise of stock options (shares)			341,429
Accretion of redemption feature of preferred stock	0
Sale of shares under stock purchase plan	239			239				239
Sale of shares under stock purchase plan (shares)			39,523
Reduction of IPO offering costs	158			158				158
Net loss	(23,321)						(23,321)	(23,321)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 17,927	0	$ 210	122,514	0	0	(104,797)	17,927	0
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	20,985,192		20,985,192
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock issued	$ 48,916		$ 46	48,870				48,916
Stock issued (shares)			4,600,000
Stock issued under ATM	17,441		$ 8	17,433				17,441
Stock issued under ATM (shares)			816,621
Share-based compensation	4,365			4,365				4,365
Exercise of stock options	$ 442		$ 1	441				442
Exercise of stock options (shares)	107,541		107,541
Accretion of redemption feature of preferred stock	$ 0
Sale of shares under stock purchase plan	416		$ 1	415				416
Sale of shares under stock purchase plan (shares)			63,669
Reduction of IPO offering costs	0
Net loss	(31,180)						(31,180)	(31,180)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 58,327	$ 0	$ 266	$ 194,038	$ 0	$ 0	$ (135,977)	$ 58,327	$ 0
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	26,573,023		26,573,023

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended			175 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash Flows From Development Activities
Net loss	$ (31,180)	$ (23,321)	$ (18,088)	$ (136,520)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in development activities:
Share-based compensation	4,365	3,195	2,545	12,909
Depreciation and amortization	891	788	687	4,640
Loss on sale of fixed assets	2	38	0	40
In-process research and development expenses	0	0	0	1,629
Forgiveness of debt	0	0	0	(449)
Forgiveness of notes receivable from related parties	0	0	0	350
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses	(134)	498	(550)	773
State research and development credit receivable	(213)	340	(28)	329
Other receivables	1,132	0	(416)	1,328
Accounts payable	(359)	(700)	637	(619)
Income taxes payable	130	0	0	130
Accrued expenses and deferred rent	1,118	367	276	4,266
Net cash used in development activities	(25,818)	(20,471)	(12,949)	(116,054)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Purchase of certificates of deposit	(249)	(1,992)	(2,490)	(13,531)
Sale of certificates of deposit	1,494	2,988	2,269	13,282
Notes receivable from related parties	0	0	0	(350)
Purchase of equipment	(1,386)	(1,323)	(281)	(9,478)
Proceeds on sale of fixed assets	0	50	0	50
Cash paid for OncoRx	0	0	0	(120)
Net cash used in investing activities	(141)	(277)	(502)	(10,147)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Cash received from noncontrolling interest investment	0	0	0	3,479
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs	67,215	1,285	37,574	109,660
Repurchase of common stock	0	(4)	13	(505)
Proceeds from preferred stock	0	0	5,000	67,743
Proceeds from notes payable	0	456	0	8,215
Principal payments on debt	(149)	(107)	(92)	(625)
Payments under capital lease obligations	(66)	(122)	(126)	(475)
Net cash provided by financing activities	67,000	1,508	42,369	187,492
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	41,041	(19,240)	28,918	61,291
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	20,250	39,490	10,572
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	61,291	20,250	39,490	61,291
Supplemental disclosure of cash flows information:
Cash paid for interest	34	38	42	176
Noncash financing and investing activities:
Accretion on redeemable preferred stock	0	0	8	113
Purchased leasehold improvements and equipment in accounts payable	0	53	481	0
Common stock issued to shareholders of OncoRx as part of acquisition	0	0	0	1,654
Issuance of common stock dividend to Series AA preferred shareholders	0	0	1	6
Assets acquired under capital lease	54	0	80	596
Reduction of IPO offering costs	$ 0	$ 158	$ 0	$ 158

Description of Business and Development Stage Activities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Development Stage Enterprises [Abstract]
Description of Business and Development Stage Activities	Description of Business and Development Stage Activities On June 4, 1999, NewLink Genetics Corporation (NewLink) was incorporated as a Delaware corporation. NewLink was formed for the purpose of developing treatments for cancer and other diseases. NewLink initiated operations in April of 2000, which primarily consist of research and development. In 2005, NewLink created a wholly owned subsidiary, BioProtection Systems Corporation (BPS). NewLink contributed certain licensing agreements and other intangible assets for BPS to create vaccines against potential biological terror threats. On January 7, 2011, NewLink acquired all of the minority interest in BPS, by merging a newly-formed subsidiary of NewLink with BPS, with BPS as the surviving corporation resulting in NewLink owning all the outstanding capital stock of BPS. See note 13. In 2013, NewLink created a wholly owned subsidiary, NewLink International (NI). NewLink plans to conduct all or a portion of its operations outside of the United States through NI. NewLink and its subsidiaries (the Company) are development stage enterprises and are devoting substantially all of their efforts toward research and development. The Company has never earned revenue from sales of its drugs under development. The Company incurred a net loss of $31.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, and from June 4, 1999 (inception) through December 31, 2013 has generated a cumulative deficit of $136.0 million. The Company has managed its liquidity needs during its development stage to date through a series of capital market transactions. On November 16, 2011, the Company completed its initial public offering (IPO) of common stock pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1 that was declared effective on November 10, 2011. The Company sold 6,200,000 shares of common stock at a price of $7.00 per share raising a total of $37.6 million in net proceeds after underwriting discounts and commissions of $3.0 million and offering expenses of $2.9 million. Costs directly associated with the IPO were capitalized and recorded as deferred IPO costs prior to the closing of the IPO. These costs have been recorded as a reduction of the proceeds received in arriving at the amount to be recorded in additional paid-in capital. Upon the closing of the IPO, 14,270,113 shares of the Company’s convertible preferred stock automatically converted into 10,719,353 shares of common stock, which also reflected conversion price adjustments to our preferred stock. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company received equity financing of $67.2 million and $1.3 million, respectively, through common stock offerings. On February 4, 2013, the Company completed a follow-on offering of its common stock. The Company sold 4,600,000 shares of common stock at a price of $11.40 per share raising a total of $49.0 million in net proceeds. NewLink entered into a sales agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., dated as of September 5, 2013, under which NewLink may sell up to $60.0 million in shares of its common stock in one or more placements at prevailing market prices for its common stock (the ATM Offering). Any such sales would be effected pursuant to its registration statement on Form S-3 (333-185721), declared effective by the SEC on January 4, 2013. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had sold 816,621 shares of common stock under the ATM Offering, raising a total of $17.4 million in net proceeds. Subsequent to December 31, 2013 and through February 13, 2014, the Company sold an additional 1,017,217 shares of common stock under the ATM Offering, raising an additional $27.6 million in net proceeds. See note 16. The accompanying financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013 have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. As noted above, the Company successfully raised net proceeds of $37.6 million from its IPO, completed a follow-on offering of its common stock raising net proceeds of $49.0 million, raised an additional $17.4 million in net proceeds from the ATM Offering prior to December 31, 2013 and raised an additional $27.6 million in net proceeds from the ATM Offering subsequent to December 31, 2013 and through February 13, 2014. See note 16. The Company's cash and cash equivalents after these offerings are expected to be adequate to satisfy the Company's liquidity requirements through December 31, 2014, although not through commercialization and launch of revenue producing products. If available liquidity becomes insufficient to meet the Company’s operating obligations as they come due, the Company's plans include pursuing alternative funding arrangements and/or reducing expenditures as necessary to meet the Company’s cash requirements. However, there is no assurance that, if required, the Company will be able to raise additional capital or reduce discretionary spending to provide the required liquidity. Failure by the Company to successfully execute its plans or otherwise address its liquidity needs may have a material adverse effect on its business and financial position, and may materially affect the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for all or part of the detailed information required for development stage enterprises. The information may also be disclosed on an element-by-element basis. Information may include an identification of the current or prior year financial statements of the entity, its development stage subsidiaries, or its investees as those of one or more development stage enterprises; a description of the nature of the development stage activities in which each enterprise is engaged; and in the first fiscal year in which each enterprise is no longer considered a development stage enterprise, a statement that in prior years the enterprise had been in the development stage.

+ References + Details

Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	Significant Accounting Policies (a) Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. (b) Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of NewLink and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. (c) Cash and Cash Equivalents For the purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents of $61.3 million and $20.3 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, consist of money market accounts and treasury bills. (d) Certificates of Deposit Certificates of deposit have original maturities of greater than three months. Certificates of deposit are classified as held-to-maturity with due dates through 2014 and are presented at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. (e) Leasehold Improvements and Equipment, and Deferred Rent Leasehold improvements and equipment are capitalized as we believe they have alternative future uses and are stated at cost. Equipment under capital leases is stated at the present value of minimum lease payments. Depreciation on all leasehold improvements and equipment is calculated on the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset. Computer equipment has useful lives of three to five years and lab equipment has useful lives of three to seven years. Deferred rent reflects improvement allowances from the Company's lessors deferred to be recognized as part of lease expense over the remaining term of the lease, which is recognized on a straight-line basis. During 2012, the Company added leasehold improvements to a new facility under an operating lease. As part of the lease, the lessor approved a tenant improvement allowance of $622,000 for improvements made to the facility. Total deferred rents were $1.4 million and $1.5 million as of December 31, 2013, and 2012, respectively. (f) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset group to future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group, primarily relating to proceeds for selling the assets. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. (g) Revenue Recognition The Company receives payments from government entities under its grants and contracts with the National Institute of Health and the Department of Defense. These agreements provide the Company cost reimbursement for certain types of expenditures in return for research and development activities over a contractually defined period. Revenues are recognized in the period during which the related costs are incurred, provided that the conditions under which the cost reimbursement was provided have been met and the Company has only perfunctory obligations outstanding. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 and from inception through December 31, 2013, the Company has earned $1.1 million, $1.7 million, $1.9 million and $8.5 million in grant revenue, respectively. (h) Expenses Accrued Under Contractual Arrangements with Third Parties; Accrued Clinical Expenses The Company estimates its accrued expenses through a process of reviewing open contracts and purchase orders, communicating with personnel to identify services that have been performed and estimating the level of service performed and the associated cost incurred for the service that may not be invoiced from the provider. The estimates of accrued expenses as of each balance sheet date are based on facts and circumstances known at that time. Such estimates are periodically confirmed with the service providers to verify accuracy. The Company bases its expenses related to clinical trials on estimates of the services received and efforts expended pursuant to contracts with multiple research institutions and contract research organizations that conduct and manage clinical trials on behalf of the Company. Invoicing from third-party contractors for services performed can lag several months. The Company accrues the costs of services rendered in connection with third-party contractor activities based on its estimate of management fees, site management and monitoring costs and data management costs as contracted. Differences between actual clinical trial costs and estimated clinical trial costs have not been material and are adjusted for in the period in which they become known. (i) Research and Development Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Certain research and development expenses are refundable from the state of Iowa without regard to income. State research and development credits of $329,000, $283,000, $160,000 and $2.4 million at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, and from inception through December 31, 2013, respectively, are reflected as a reduction of research and development expenses on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. (j) Patents The Company generally applies for patent protection on processes and products. Patent application costs are expensed as incurred as a component of general and administrative expense, as recoverability of such expenditures is uncertain. (k) Income Taxes Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in operating results in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company has not recognized any uncertain tax positions. (l) Share-Based Compensation The Company is required to estimate the grant-date fair value of share-based compensation options issued to employees and recognize this cost over the period these awards vest. For purposes of estimating the grant-date fair value, the date of grant is the effective date on which the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, as applicable, grants the award, and the employee has a mutual understanding of the terms of the award. The service inception date is typically the date of grant. The Company estimates the fair value of each option granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Generally, the Company has issued employee awards with a graded vesting schedule that vest over time. For these awards, the Company records compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for the entire award. The Company has issued awards to nonemployee consultants and advisors. All grants to nonemployees are valued using the same fair value method that the Company uses for grants to employees. The cost recognized on these awards is determined on the later of the vesting of the award or completion of services by the nonemployee. Following is a description of the inputs for the Black-Scholes model: Exercise Price The Company’s stock options granted prior to the IPO were granted with an exercise price as determined by the NewLink Board of Directors in good faith with the assistance of a third-party appraisal report and an evaluation of milestones achieved. Subsequent to the IPO, the Company uses the quoted market price as listed on the public exchange on the date of grant. If Incentive Stock Options (ISO) are granted to a 10% stockholder in the Company, the exercise price shall not be less than 110% of the common stock’s fair market value on the date of grant. Expected Term (in Years) The expected term of a stock option is the period of time for which the option is expected to be outstanding. The Company uses historical exercise and option expiration data to estimate the expected term for the Black-Scholes grant-date valuation. Risk-Free Interest Rate The Company uses the average yield on current U.S. Treasury instruments with terms that approximate the expected term of the stock options being valued. Expected Dividend Yield The expected dividend yield for all of the Company’s stock option grants is 0%, as the Company has not declared a cash dividend since inception and has no plans to declare a dividend. Expected Volatility The Company estimates future expected volatility for each stock option valuation utilizing volatility rates of similar publicly traded companies considered to be in the same peer group. The Company plans to continue using peer group data until it has sufficient information to rely solely on its own volatility. The volatility is calculated over a period of time commensurate with the expected term for the options granted. Forfeitures The share-based compensation expense has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. The estimated forfeiture rate is based on historical experience of the Company’s option plan, which the Company expects to continue at the current level, and any adjustments in the forfeiture rate in the future will result in a cumulative adjustment in the period that this estimate is changed. Ultimately, the total compensation expense recognized for any given stock-based award over its vesting period will only be for those shares that actually vest. (m) Segments The Company operates in one segment. NewLink and its subsidiaries BPS and NI conduct research and development activities based from facilities located in Ames, Iowa. The Ames location also includes corporate headquarters for NewLink and BPS. The companies conduct preclinical and clinical research in the biopharmaceutical industry. Management uses cash flow as the primary measure to manage its business and does not segment its business for internal reporting or decision-making. (n) Financial Instruments and Concentrations of Credit Risk The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, certificates of deposit, receivables and accounts payable, which are recorded at cost, approximate fair value based on the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The fair value of notes payable and capital lease obligations was $1.2 million and $1.4 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and was determined using Level 3 inputs. The Company is unable to estimate the fair value of the royalty obligation based on future product sales as the timing of payments, if any, is uncertain. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, and certificates of deposit. Cash and cash equivalents are held by financial institutions and are federally insured up to certain limits. At times, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance exceeds the federally insured limits. To limit the credit risk, the Company invests its excess cash primarily in high quality securities such as money market funds.

Leases

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Leases [Abstract]

Leases

(a) Capital Leases

The following is an analysis of the leased property under capital leases by major class (in thousands):



	Asset balances at December 31,
Class of property	2013		2012
Lab equipment	$	489	$	489
Leasehold improvements	27		27
Computer equipment	54		—
Total property under capital leases	570		516
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	293		211
Capital leased assets, net	$	277	$	305

The depreciation and amortization reflected above has been recorded in both research and development and general administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

The following is a schedule by years of the future minimum lease payments under capital leases together with the present value of the net minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):



Year ending December 31:
2014	$	38
2015	36
2016	12
Total minimum lease payments	86
Less amount representing interest	4
Present value of net minimum lease payments	$	82

(b) Operating Leases

The Company has certain facilities operating leases that are being leased on a month-to-month basis. The Company entered into a lease for additional space in October 2009 expiring in 2015. Under the terms of the lease, the Company has the option to extend the lease for three additional five-year periods upon the same terms as the base lease. Additionally, in November of 2011, the Company entered into an amendment to the October 2009 lease adding additional space and extending the term on the additional space through 2017. Additionally, in April of 2013, the Company entered into an amendment to the October 2009 lease extending the term on a portion of the additional space through 2018. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis. Rental expense for operating leases during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, and from inception through December 31, 2013, was $766,000, $707,000, $601,000 and $4.5 million respectively.

Future minimum lease payments under the noncancelable operating leases (with initial or remaining lease terms in excess of one year) as of December 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):



Year ending December 31:
2014	$	610
2015	329
2016	306
2017	164
2018	34
Total	$	1,443

Long-Term Debt Conversion to Royalty Obligation	12 Months Ended
Long-Term Debt Conversion to Royalty Obligation	Dec. 31, 2013
Long-Term Debt Conversion to Royalty Obligation [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt Conversion to Royalty Obligation	Long-Term Debt and Conversion to Royalty Obligation March 2005 Iowa Department of Economic Development Loan In March 2005, the Company entered into a $6.0 million forgivable loan agreement with the Iowa Department of Economic Development (the IDED). Under the agreement, in the absence of default, there were no principal or interest payments due until the completion date for the project. The balance outstanding under the loan agreement was $6.0 million as of December 31, 2011. This loan was converted into a royalty obligation under the terms of a settlement agreement entered into on March 26, 2012, (the IEDA Agreement) with the Iowa Economic Development Authority (the IEDA), as successor in interest to the IDED. March 2012 Iowa Economic Development Authority Royalty Obligation Under the terms of the IEDA Agreement the Company agreed to pay a 0.5% royalty on future product sales up to a cap of $6.8 million in exchange for IEDA’s release of the Company's job creation and project expenditure obligations and their release of the security interest in substantially all of the Company's assets. As no payments are expected in the next 12 months, the entire accrued royalty obligation of $6.0 million is considered long-term as of December 31, 2013. 2009 and 2012 Iowa State University Research Park Loans In 2009, the Company executed a promissory note in favor of Iowa State University Research Park (ISURP) in an original principal amount of $800,000, which is due in monthly installments through March, 2018. The note represents amounts owed by the Company to ISURP for certain improvements that were made to facilities the Company leases from ISURP. The principal and interest owed under the note is amortized over an eight-year period. Interest is payable monthly under this promissory note, initially at a rate of 3.0% per annum and increasing to 5.0% per annum after five years from the date the improvements were completed. ISURP may accelerate all amounts owed under the note upon an event of default, including the Company’s uncured material breach of the terms of the note or the lease or upon early termination of the lease. In the event of a default under the note, amounts owed under the note will bear interest at 8.0% per annum. The balance outstanding under the 2009 note was $449,000 and $546,000 at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. In 2012, the Company executed a promissory note in favor of ISURP in an original principal amount of $456,000, which is due in monthly installments through September 2020. The note represents amounts owed by the Company to ISURP for certain additional improvements that were made to facilities the Company leases from ISURP. The principal and interest owed under the note is amortized over an eight-year period. Interest is payable monthly under this promissory note, initially at a rate of 3.0% per annum and increasing to 5.0% per annum after five years from the date the improvements were completed. ISURP may accelerate all amounts owed under the note upon an event of default, including the Company’s uncured material breach of the terms of the note or the lease or upon early termination of the lease. In the event of a default under the note, amounts owed under the note will bear interest at 8.0% per annum. The balance outstanding under the 2012 note was $392,000 and $443,000 at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. March 2010 City of Ames Forgivable Loan In March 2010, the Company entered into a $400,000 forgivable loan agreement with the City of Ames, Iowa and the Ames Chamber of Commerce, jointly, as lenders. The project provides the Company with financial assistance to construct new facilities within the Ames city limits. In the absence of a default, there are no principal or interest payments due until the expected completion date for the project, which is March 10, 2015. The project calls for the Company to create or retain at least 70 full-time jobs located in Ames, Iowa as of March 10, 2012 and to create or maintain at least 150 full-time positions located in Ames, Iowa as of March 10, 2015. The agreement also calls for the Company to enter into a five-year building lease with the option for extension for an additional five years of not less than 20,000 square feet within the corporate limits of the City of Ames by March 10, 2015. If, as of March 10, 2015, the Company has fulfilled the terms of the loan agreement, the loan will be forgiven. If on March 10, 2015, the Company has failed to create or retain at least 150 full-time jobs in Ames, Iowa, the Company will be required to repay approximately $3,100 per job not created or retained following such date. As of December 31, 2013, $300,000 of the total $400,000 forgivable loan was advanced to the Company with the final $100,000 pending certification to the City of Ames regarding the creation of a threshold level of jobs. In the event of default, including failure to repay any amounts under the loan when due, the Company will be required to repay the note, including 6.5% interest per annum, beginning at the date of default.

Common Stock	12 Months Ended
Common Stock	Dec. 31, 2013
Common Stock [Abstract]
Common Stock	Common Stock The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by the NewLink stockholders. Subject to preferences applicable to outstanding preferred stock, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the NewLink Board of Directors. In the event of liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of NewLink, the holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities subject to prior distribution rights of the preferred stock.

Preferred Stock	12 Months Ended
Preferred Stock	Dec. 31, 2013
Redeemable Preferred Stock
Preferred Stock	Preferred Stock As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had no outstanding preferred stock. The NewLink Board of Directors has the authority to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the voting power and such designations, preferences, and rights of such series, subject to approval of outstanding preferred series shareholders.

Common Stock Equity Incentive Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Common Stock Equity Incentive Plan

Common Stock Equity Incentive Plans

In April 2000, the stockholders approved NewLink’s 2000 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2000 Plan), and in July 2009, the stockholders approved NewLink’s 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2009 Plan). Following the approval of the 2009 Plan, all options outstanding under the 2000 Plan are effectively included under the 2009 Plan. Under the provisions of the 2009 Plan, NewLink may grant the following types of common stock awards:


•	Incentive Stock Options


•	Nonstatutory Stock Options


•	Restricted Stock Awards


•	Stock Appreciation Rights

Awards under the 2009 Plan, as amended, may be made to officers, employees, members of the NewLink Board of Directors, advisors, and consultants to NewLink. As of December 31, 2013 there were 5,733,514 shares of common stock authorized for the 2009 Plan and 671,348 shares remained available for issuance. As of December 31, 2012 there were 4,895,139 shares of common stock authorized for the 2009 plan and 614,665 shares remained available for issuance.

On January 7, 2011, stockholders authorized an increase of 714,286 shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2009 Plan. On January 1, 2012 an additional 823,649 shares of common stock were added to the shares reserved for future issuance under the 2009 Plan. On January 1, 2013, an additional 838,375 shares of common stock were added to the shares reserved for future issuance under the 2009 Plan. Subsequent to year end, on January 1, 2014 an additional 1,066,340 shares of commons stock were added to the shares reserved for future issuance under the 2009 Plan. The shares added to the reserve on January 1, 2012, January 1, 2013, and January 1, 2014 were added pursuant to an “evergreen provision”, in accordance with which, on January 1 of each year, from 2012 to (and including) 2019, a number of shares of Common Stock in an amount equal to 4% of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding calendar year, or such lesser amount of shares (or no shares) approved by the NewLink Board of Directors, was added or will be added to the shares reserved under the 2009 Plan.

Under the terms of the Company's 2010 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan (the Directors’ Plan), which became effective on November 10, 2011, 238,095 shares of common stock were reserved for future issuance. On May 9, 2013, an additional 161,905 shares of common stock were added to the reserve. As of December 31, 2013, 266,202 shares remained available for issuance under the Directors' Plan.

Under the terms of the Company's 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, (the 2010 Purchase Plan), which became effective on November 10, 2011, 214,285 shares of common stock were reserved for future issuance. On May 9, 2013, an additional 185,715 shares of common stock were added to the reserve. As of December 31, 2013, 296,808 shares remained available for issuance under the plan. During the years ending December 31, 2013 and 2012, 63,669 and 39,523 shares of common stock, respectively, were purchased under the terms of the 2010 Purchase Plan.

Stock Options

Share-based employee compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, and from inception through December 31, 2013 was $4.4 million, $3.2 million, $2.5 million and $12.9 million, respectively, and is allocated between research and development and general and administrative expenses within the consolidated statements of operations, giving rise to a related tax benefit of $0 for all periods. As of December 31, 2013, the total compensation cost related to nonvested option awards not yet recognized was $7.0 million and the weighted average period over which it is expected to be recognized was 2.7 years.

The NewLink Board of Directors determines the vesting period for each stock option award. Generally, stock options awarded to date under the 2009 Plan vest 20% or 25% on the first anniversary date of issuance with the remaining options vesting ratably over the next 36 to 48 months, though some options have effective vesting periods that begin prior to the date of grant. In such cases, compensation expense was recognized for the vested portion of the award upon grant. The stock options may include provisions for early exercise of options. If any shares acquired are unvested, they are subject to repurchase at NewLink’s discretion until they become vested.

The following table summarizes the stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2013:



	Number of options		Weighted average exercise price		Weighted average remaining contractual term (years)
Outstanding at beginning of period	3,752,413		$	4.34
Options granted	860,250		12.54
Options exercised	(107,541	)	4.11
Options forfeited	(18,558	)	10.25
Options expired	—		—
Outstanding at end of period	4,486,564		$	5.89	6.8
Options exercisable at end of period	3,193,753		$	3.87	6.1

Based on the December 31, 2013 price of $22.01 per share, the intrinsic value of stock options outstanding at December 31, 2013, was $72.3 million, of which $57.9 million and $14.4 million related to stock options that were vested and unvested, respectively, at that date.

The following table summarizes options that were granted during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, and the range of assumptions used to estimate the fair value of those stock options using a Black-Scholes valuation model:



	Years Ended December 31,
	2013	2012		2011
Number of options granted	860,250	672,079		664,323
Risk-free interest rate	.89%-2.14%	.98%-2.05%		0.1%-3.1%
Expected dividend yield	—	—		—
Expected volatility	61.4%-67.3%	63.05%-73.6%		62.6%-67.9%
Expected term (in years)	4.8-7.0	5.8-7.0		5.0-7.5
Weighted average grant-date fair value per share	$7.50	$	5.02	$	7.12

The following table summarizes the intrinsic value of options exercised and the fair value of awards vested during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:



	Years Ended December 31,
	2013	2012	2011
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$1.6 million	$3.6 million	$	194,000
Fair value of awards vested	$3.0 million	$2.5 million	$7.8 million

NewLink does not have a formal policy regarding the source of shares issued upon exercise of stock options. NewLink expects shares issued upon future stock option exercises to be issued from treasury shares or new shares.

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and the deferred tax liability at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented below (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2013			2012
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards	$	18,556		$	19,853
Federal research credits	4,322			2,912
Share-based compensation	1,748			—
Deferred rent	295			313
Minimum tax credits	120			—
Accrued compensation	107			76
Leasehold improvements and equipment	20			—
Gross deferred tax assets	25,168			23,154
Less valuation allowance	(25,168		)	(23,137		)
Net deferred tax assets	—			17
Deferred tax liability:
Leasehold improvements and equipment	—			(17		)
Total net deferred tax assets	$	—		$	—

The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $25.2 million and $23.1 million, respectively. The net change in the total valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 was an increase of $2.0 million and $4.3 million, respectively. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Valuation allowances have been established for the entire amount of the net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, due to the uncertainty of future recoverability.

Federal operating loss carryforwards as of December 31, 2013 of approximately $88.4 million and federal research credit carryforwards of approximately $4.3 million expire at various dates from 2020 through 2032. Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code limit a corporation’s ability to utilize its net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes (including research credits) to offset any future taxable income or tax if the corporation experiences a cumulative ownership change of more than 50% over any rolling three year period. State net operating loss carryforwards (and certain other tax attributes) may be similarly limited. An ownership change can therefore result in significantly greater tax liabilities than a corporation would incur in the absence of such a change and any increased liabilities could adversely affect the corporation’s business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flow.

From its inception through December 31, 2011, NewLink experienced Section 382 ownership changes in September 2001 and March 2003 and BPS experienced Section 382 ownership changes in January 2006 and January 2011 and the reported deferred tax assets reported reflect these expected limitations. These ownership changes limit NewLink's ability to utilize federal net operating loss carryforwards (and certain other tax attributes) that accrued prior to the respective ownership changes of NewLink and our subsidiary. Additional ownership changes may occur in the future as a result of events over which the Company will have little or no control, including purchases and sales of the Company’s equity by our 5% stockholders, the emergence of new 5% stockholders, additional equity offerings or redemptions of the Company’s stock or certain changes in the ownership of any of the Company’s 5% stockholders.

Income tax expense was $130,000, $0, $0, and $130,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, and for the period from inception through December 31, 2013. Income tax expense differs from the amount that would be expected after applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate primarily due to changes in the valuation allowance for deferred taxes.

Net Loss per Common Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Net Loss per Common Share

Basic net loss per share is calculated by dividing the net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, without consideration of common stock equivalents. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common share equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury-stock method. For purposes of this calculation, preferred stock, stock options and warrants are considered to be common stock equivalents and are only included in the calculation of diluted net loss per share when their effect is dilutive.

The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted net loss per common share (in thousands, except share and per share data):



	Years Ended December 31,
	2013			2012			2011
Historical net loss per share
Numerator
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$	(31,180	)	$	(23,321	)	$	(18,087	)
Denominator
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted)	25,275,179			20,779,450			6,064,542
Basic and diluted net loss per share	$	(1.23	)	$	(1.12	)	(2.98		)

Potentially dilutive securities not included in the calculation of diluted net loss per common share because to do so would be anti-dilutive are common stock options of 4,486,564, 3,752,413, and 3,515,051 as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Licensing Agreements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Licensing Agreements [Abstract]

Licensing Agreements

The Company is a party to a number of licensing agreements with respect to certain of the technologies that underlie its intellectual property. These agreements typically provide that the Company has exclusive rights to the use and sublicensing of the technologies in question for the duration of the intellectual property patent protection in question, subject to the Company meeting its financial and other contractual obligations under the agreements. The Company recognizes expense under its licensing agreements in the period the obligation is incurred. These agreements typically provide for a license fee based on a percent of sales and annual minimum royalties. For additional information regarding how the Company records payments under these agreements, see note 2(i) above. The Company has made payments of approximately $88,000, $255,000, $89,000, and $2.9 million under all of the in-licensing agreements for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, 2011, and from inception, respectively, which is recorded as a component of general and administrative expenses.

Under certain license agreements the Company is obligated to make potential milestone payments as listed in the following table. In addition to the milestone payments, each license is paid as a low single digit percentage of net sales of the licensed product, subject to annual minimum royalties. These obligations are contingent upon achieving the applicable milestone event, the timing of which cannot presently be determined. The milestone payments and royalty payments are in place through at least the expiration of certain of the Company's patents, which is currently 2029 and beyond.



Licensor		Aggregate potential milestone payments
Drexel University		$1 million per licensed product

Lankenau Institute for Medical Research under the IDO-1 Agreement		$1.36 million per licensed product

Lankenau Institute for Medical Research under the LIMR IDO-2 Agreement		$1.52 million per licensed product, subject to reductions if milestones also qualify under the IDO-1 Agreement

Lankenau Institute for Medical Research under the 2009 LIMR Agreement		$610,000 per licensed product, subject to reductions if milestones also qualify under the IDO-1 Agreement or LIMR IDO-2 Agreement

Georgia Health Sciences University		$2.8 million per licensed product

Regents of the University of California		$285,000 per licensed product

Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada		C$205,000 per licensed product

The Ohio State University		$2.75 million for first licensed product

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans	Dec. 31, 2013
Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	Employee Benefit Plans The Company sponsors a 401(k) plan, which includes a defined contribution feature. The Company's defined contribution was $198,000, $136,000, $157,000 and $1.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 and from inception through December 31, 2013, respectively. The Company made discretionary contributions to the plan of $144,000, $152,000, $136,000 and $985,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 and from inception through December 31, 2013, respectively. The Company has approved employment agreements for certain executives, dated October 29, 2010, as amended August 13, 2013, that provide for the payment of 6 to 24 months of base salary, bonus, and group health insurance premiums plus accrued obligations upon termination of the executive in certain circumstances. The agreements include provisions to accelerate the vesting of stock options subject to certain events including those related to a change in control. The Company entered into the August 2013 amendments to the foregoing agreements, upon recommendation by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, to align the terms of certain termination benefits with termination terms for executive officers at similarly situated companies to the Company.

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related-Party Transactions On January 7, 2011, we acquired all of the minority interest in BPS, by merging a newly-formed subsidiary of ours with BPS, with BPS as the surviving corporation. In connection with this transaction, we issued an aggregate of 276,304 shares of our Series E preferred stock to the former holders of BPS Series B common stock, BPS Series A preferred stock and BPS Series B preferred stock (other than the Company). As a result of this transaction, BPS became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and our note was converted into Series B preferred stock of BPS. All options to purchase shares of BPS stock became options to purchase a total of 50,513 shares of our common stock. In 2013, NewLink created a wholly owned subsidiary, NewLink International (NI). NewLink plans to conduct all or a portion of its operations outside of the United States through NI. Certain purchasing activities are outsourced to a company owned by an immediate family member of the Company’s VP of Finance. Total purchases through this related party were $59,000, $35,000 and $22,000 and $386,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 and from inception through December 31, 2013. The Company paid fees to this related party for consulting services of approximately $0, $0, $0 and $7,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 and from inception through December 31, 2013, respectively. Amounts payable were $0 and $0 as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for related party transactions. Examples of related party transactions include transactions between (a) a parent company and its subsidiary; (b) subsidiaries of a common parent; (c) and entity and its principal owners; and (d) affiliates.

+ References + Details

Acquisition of BioProtection Systems Corporation	12 Months Ended
Acquisition of BioProtection Systems Corporation	Dec. 31, 2013
Acquisition of BioProtection Systems Corporation [Abstract]
Acquisition of BioProtection Systems Corporation	Acquisition of BioProtection Systems Corporation On January 7, 2011, NewLink acquired all of the minority interest in BPS, by merging a newly-formed subsidiary of NewLink’s with BPS, with BPS as the surviving corporation. In connection with this transaction, NewLink issued an aggregate of 276,304 shares of NewLink’s Series E preferred stock with a value of $8.6 million to the former holders of BPS Series B common stock, Series A preferred stock and Series B preferred stock (other than NewLink). As a result of this transaction, BPS became a wholly-owned subsidiary of NewLink. All options to purchase shares of BPS common stock became options to purchase NewLink’s common stock. The net assets of BPS had a book value of $2.9 million. The remaining amount paid of $5.7 million was recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in capital. No gain or loss was recorded as a result of this transaction.

Reverse Stock Split	12 Months Ended
Reverse Stock Split	Dec. 31, 2013
Reverse Stock Split [Abstract]
Reverse Stock Split	Reverse Stock Split On October 19, 2011, the Company’s board of directors approved a 2.1-for-one reverse split of the Company’s common stock to be effected prior to the effective date of the Company’s IPO. In connection with the reverse split, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Delaware on October 25, 2011 making the reverse split effective. All share and per share amounts have been retroactively restated in the accompanying financial statements and notes for all periods presented.

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Information

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)



	First			Second			Third			Fourth
	(In thousands, except per share data)

Year Ended December 31, 2013
Grant revenue	$	302		$	232		$	265		$	294
Loss from operations	(8,042		)	(7,069		)	(8,117		)	(7,913		)
Net loss	(7,934		)	(7,077		)	(8,123		)	(8,046		)
Net loss per share	$	(0.33	)	$	(0.28	)	$	(0.32	)	$	(0.31	)

Year Ended December 31, 2012
Grant revenue	$	471		$	590		$	327		$	299
Loss from operations	(4,817		)	(6,301		)	(5,848		)	(6,293		)
Net loss	(4,842		)	(6,309		)	(5,851		)	(6,319		)
Net loss per share	$	(0.23	)	$	(0.31	)	$	(0.28	)	$	(0.30	)

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Dec. 31, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events NewLink entered into a sales agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., dated as of September 5, 2013, under which NewLink may sell up to $60.0 million in shares of its common stock in one or more placements at prevailing market prices for its common stock. Any such sales would be effected pursuant to its registration statement on Form S-3 (333-185721), declared effective by the SEC on January 4, 2013. Subsequent to December 31, 2013 and through February 13, 2014, the Company sold an additional 1,017,217 shares of common stock under the ATM Offering raising an additional $27.6 million in net proceeds. On February 24, 2014, NewLink signed a lease for a commercial facility in Austin, Texas. The Company anticipates conducting activities at this location associated with expansion of the Company's commercialization efforts as well as supporting the continued growth of its clinical operations activities. On January 2, 2014, NewLink approved grants of restricted stock unit awards to certain of the named executive officers for extraordinary performance in 2013.

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of NewLink and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents For the purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents of $61.3 million and $20.3 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, consist of money market accounts and treasury bills.
Certificates of Deposit	Certificates of Deposit Certificates of deposit have original maturities of greater than three months. Certificates of deposit are classified as held-to-maturity with due dates through 2014 and are presented at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.
Leasehold Improvements and Equipment, and Deferred Rent	Leasehold Improvements and Equipment, and Deferred Rent Leasehold improvements and equipment are capitalized as we believe they have alternative future uses and are stated at cost. Equipment under capital leases is stated at the present value of minimum lease payments. Depreciation on all leasehold improvements and equipment is calculated on the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset. Computer equipment has useful lives of three to five years and lab equipment has useful lives of three to seven years. Deferred rent reflects improvement allowances from the Company's lessors deferred to be recognized as part of lease expense over the remaining term of the lease, which is recognized on a straight-line basis. During 2012, the Company added leasehold improvements to a new facility under an operating lease. As part of the lease, the lessor approved a tenant improvement allowance of $622,000 for improvements made to the facility. Total deferred rents were $1.4 million and $1.5 million as of December 31, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset group to future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group, primarily relating to proceeds for selling the assets. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition The Company receives payments from government entities under its grants and contracts with the National Institute of Health and the Department of Defense. These agreements provide the Company cost reimbursement for certain types of expenditures in return for research and development activities over a contractually defined period. Revenues are recognized in the period during which the related costs are incurred, provided that the conditions under which the cost reimbursement was provided have been met and the Company has only perfunctory obligations outstanding. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 and from inception through December 31, 2013, the Company has earned $1.1 million, $1.7 million, $1.9 million and $8.5 million in grant revenue, respectively.
Expenses Accrued Under Contractual Arrangements with Third Parties; Accrued Clinical Expenses	Expenses Accrued Under Contractual Arrangements with Third Parties; Accrued Clinical Expenses The Company estimates its accrued expenses through a process of reviewing open contracts and purchase orders, communicating with personnel to identify services that have been performed and estimating the level of service performed and the associated cost incurred for the service that may not be invoiced from the provider. The estimates of accrued expenses as of each balance sheet date are based on facts and circumstances known at that time. Such estimates are periodically confirmed with the service providers to verify accuracy. The Company bases its expenses related to clinical trials on estimates of the services received and efforts expended pursuant to contracts with multiple research institutions and contract research organizations that conduct and manage clinical trials on behalf of the Company. Invoicing from third-party contractors for services performed can lag several months. The Company accrues the costs of services rendered in connection with third-party contractor activities based on its estimate of management fees, site management and monitoring costs and data management costs as contracted. Differences between actual clinical trial costs and estimated clinical trial costs have not been material and are adjusted for in the period in which they become known.
Research and Development	Research and Development Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Certain research and development expenses are refundable from the state of Iowa without regard to income. State research and development credits of $329,000, $283,000, $160,000 and $2.4 million at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, and from inception through December 31, 2013, respectively, are reflected as a reduction of research and development expenses on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in operating results in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company has not recognized any uncertain tax positions.
Patents	Patents The Company generally applies for patent protection on processes and products. Patent application costs are expensed as incurred as a component of general and administrative expense, as recoverability of such expenditures is uncertain.
Stock Option Valuation	Share-Based Compensation The Company is required to estimate the grant-date fair value of share-based compensation options issued to employees and recognize this cost over the period these awards vest. For purposes of estimating the grant-date fair value, the date of grant is the effective date on which the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, as applicable, grants the award, and the employee has a mutual understanding of the terms of the award. The service inception date is typically the date of grant. The Company estimates the fair value of each option granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Generally, the Company has issued employee awards with a graded vesting schedule that vest over time. For these awards, the Company records compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for the entire award. The Company has issued awards to nonemployee consultants and advisors. All grants to nonemployees are valued using the same fair value method that the Company uses for grants to employees. The cost recognized on these awards is determined on the later of the vesting of the award or completion of services by the nonemployee. Following is a description of the inputs for the Black-Scholes model: Exercise Price The Company’s stock options granted prior to the IPO were granted with an exercise price as determined by the NewLink Board of Directors in good faith with the assistance of a third-party appraisal report and an evaluation of milestones achieved. Subsequent to the IPO, the Company uses the quoted market price as listed on the public exchange on the date of grant. If Incentive Stock Options (ISO) are granted to a 10% stockholder in the Company, the exercise price shall not be less than 110% of the common stock’s fair market value on the date of grant. Expected Term (in Years) The expected term of a stock option is the period of time for which the option is expected to be outstanding. The Company uses historical exercise and option expiration data to estimate the expected term for the Black-Scholes grant-date valuation. Risk-Free Interest Rate The Company uses the average yield on current U.S. Treasury instruments with terms that approximate the expected term of the stock options being valued. Expected Dividend Yield The expected dividend yield for all of the Company’s stock option grants is 0%, as the Company has not declared a cash dividend since inception and has no plans to declare a dividend. Expected Volatility The Company estimates future expected volatility for each stock option valuation utilizing volatility rates of similar publicly traded companies considered to be in the same peer group. The Company plans to continue using peer group data until it has sufficient information to rely solely on its own volatility. The volatility is calculated over a period of time commensurate with the expected term for the options granted. Forfeitures The share-based compensation expense has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. The estimated forfeiture rate is based on historical experience of the Company’s option plan, which the Company expects to continue at the current level, and any adjustments in the forfeiture rate in the future will result in a cumulative adjustment in the period that this estimate is changed. Ultimately, the total compensation expense recognized for any given stock-based award over its vesting period will only be for those shares that actually vest.
Segments	Segments The Company operates in one segment. NewLink and its subsidiaries BPS and NI conduct research and development activities based from facilities located in Ames, Iowa. The Ames location also includes corporate headquarters for NewLink and BPS. The companies conduct preclinical and clinical research in the biopharmaceutical industry. Management uses cash flow as the primary measure to manage its business and does not segment its business for internal reporting or decision-making.
Financial Instruments	Financial Instruments and Concentrations of Credit Risk The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, certificates of deposit, receivables and accounts payable, which are recorded at cost, approximate fair value based on the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The fair value of notes payable and capital lease obligations was $1.2 million and $1.4 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and was determined using Level 3 inputs. The Company is unable to estimate the fair value of the royalty obligation based on future product sales as the timing of payments, if any, is uncertain.
Concentration of Credit Risk	Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, and certificates of deposit. Cash and cash equivalents are held by financial institutions and are federally insured up to certain limits. At times, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance exceeds the federally insured limits. To limit the credit risk, the Company invests its excess cash primarily in high quality securities such as money market funds.

Leases (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Leases [Abstract]

Capital Leased Assets

The following is an analysis of the leased property under capital leases by major class (in thousands):



	Asset balances at December 31,
Class of property	2013		2012
Lab equipment	$	489	$	489
Leasehold improvements	27		27
Computer equipment	54		—
Total property under capital leases	570		516
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	293		211
Capital leased assets, net	$	277	$	305

Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases



Year ending December 31:
2014	$	38
2015	36
2016	12
Total minimum lease payments	86
Less amount representing interest	4
Present value of net minimum lease payments	$	82

Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases

Future minimum lease payments under the noncancelable operating leases (with initial or remaining lease terms in excess of one year) as of December 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):



Year ending December 31:
2014	$	610
2015	329
2016	306
2017	164
2018	34
Total	$	1,443

Common Stock Equity Incentive Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Stock Option Activity

The following table summarizes the stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2013:



	Number of options		Weighted average exercise price		Weighted average remaining contractual term (years)
Outstanding at beginning of period	3,752,413		$	4.34
Options granted	860,250		12.54
Options exercised	(107,541	)	4.11
Options forfeited	(18,558	)	10.25
Options expired	—		—
Outstanding at end of period	4,486,564		$	5.89	6.8
Options exercisable at end of period	3,193,753		$	3.87	6.1

Assumptions Used in Black-Scholes Pricing Model for New Grants



	Years Ended December 31,
	2013	2012		2011
Number of options granted	860,250	672,079		664,323
Risk-free interest rate	.89%-2.14%	.98%-2.05%		0.1%-3.1%
Expected dividend yield	—	—		—
Expected volatility	61.4%-67.3%	63.05%-73.6%		62.6%-67.9%
Expected term (in years)	4.8-7.0	5.8-7.0		5.0-7.5
Weighted average grant-date fair value per share	$7.50	$	5.02	$	7.12

Other share-based compensation activity

The following table summarizes the intrinsic value of options exercised and the fair value of awards vested during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:



	Years Ended December 31,
	2013	2012	2011
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$1.6 million	$3.6 million	$	194,000
Fair value of awards vested	$3.0 million	$2.5 million	$7.8 million

Income Taxes Deferred Tax Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Valuation Allowance

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and the deferred tax liability at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented below (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2013			2012
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards	$	18,556		$	19,853
Federal research credits	4,322			2,912
Share-based compensation	1,748			—
Deferred rent	295			313
Minimum tax credits	120			—
Accrued compensation	107			76
Leasehold improvements and equipment	20			—
Gross deferred tax assets	25,168			23,154
Less valuation allowance	(25,168		)	(23,137		)
Net deferred tax assets	—			17
Deferred tax liability:
Leasehold improvements and equipment	—			(17		)
Total net deferred tax assets	$	—		$	—

Net Loss per Common Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Basic and Diluted Net Loss per Common Share

The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted net loss per common share (in thousands, except share and per share data):



	Years Ended December 31,
	2013			2012			2011
Historical net loss per share
Numerator
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$	(31,180	)	$	(23,321	)	$	(18,087	)
Denominator
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted)	25,275,179			20,779,450			6,064,542
Basic and diluted net loss per share	$	(1.23	)	$	(1.12	)	(2.98		)

Licensing Agreements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Licensing Agreements [Abstract]

Licensing Agreements



Licensor		Aggregate potential milestone payments
Drexel University		$1 million per licensed product

Lankenau Institute for Medical Research under the IDO-1 Agreement		$1.36 million per licensed product

Lankenau Institute for Medical Research under the LIMR IDO-2 Agreement		$1.52 million per licensed product, subject to reductions if milestones also qualify under the IDO-1 Agreement

Lankenau Institute for Medical Research under the 2009 LIMR Agreement		$610,000 per licensed product, subject to reductions if milestones also qualify under the IDO-1 Agreement or LIMR IDO-2 Agreement

Georgia Health Sciences University		$2.8 million per licensed product

Regents of the University of California		$285,000 per licensed product

Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada		C$205,000 per licensed product

The Ohio State University		$2.75 million for first licensed product

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)



	First			Second			Third			Fourth
	(In thousands, except per share data)

Year Ended December 31, 2013
Grant revenue	$	302		$	232		$	265		$	294
Loss from operations	(8,042		)	(7,069		)	(8,117		)	(7,913		)
Net loss	(7,934		)	(7,077		)	(8,123		)	(8,046		)
Net loss per share	$	(0.33	)	$	(0.28	)	$	(0.32	)	$	(0.31	)

Year Ended December 31, 2012
Grant revenue	$	471		$	590		$	327		$	299
Loss from operations	(4,817		)	(6,301		)	(5,848		)	(6,293		)
Net loss	(4,842		)	(6,309		)	(5,851		)	(6,319		)
Net loss per share	$	(0.23	)	$	(0.31	)	$	(0.28	)	$	(0.30	)

Description of Business and Development Stage Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended			175 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 13, 2014	Feb. 04, 2013	Nov. 16, 2011	Nov. 10, 2011
Development Stage Enterprises [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ (31,180)	$ (23,321)	$ (18,087)	$ (135,937)
Deficit accumulated during the development stage	(135,977)	(104,797)		(135,977)
Financings
Pre-IPO convertible preferred stock								14,270,113
Post-IPO converted common stock								10,719,353
Financing received	67,200	$ 1,300
Initial Public Offering
Financings
FInancing proceeds							$ 37,600
Financing price per share							$ 7.00
Financing shares							6,200,000
Financing underwriting discounts and commissions							$ 3,000
Financing offering expenses							$ 2,900
Follow-on Offering
Financings
FInancing proceeds						$ 49,000
Financing price per share						$ 11.40
Financing shares						4,600,000
ATM Offering in Current Year
Financings
FInancing proceeds	$ 17,400			$ 17,400	$ 27,600
Financing shares	816,621			816,621	1,017,217
Financing maximum proceeds	$ 60,000
ATM Offering after Year End
Financings
FInancing proceeds					$ 27,600
Financing shares					1,017,217

Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended			175 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013
Financial Instruments
Fair value and carrying value of notes payable and capital lease obligations	$ 1,200,000				$ 1,400,000				$ 1,200,000	$ 1,400,000		$ 1,200,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents	61,291,000				20,250,000				61,291,000	20,250,000		61,291,000
Leasehold Improvements and Equipment
Tenant improvement allowance									622,000
Deferred rents	1,400,000				1,500,000				1,400,000	1,500,000		1,400,000
Revenue Recognition
Grant revenue	$ 294,000	$ 265,000	$ 232,000	$ 302,000	$ 299,000	$ 327,000	$ 590,000	$ 471,000	1,093,000	1,687,000	$ 1,872,000	8,497,000
Research and Development
Iowa refundable research credit									$ 329,000	$ 283,000	$ 160,000	$ 2,400,000
Stock Option Valuation
ISO Stockholder Ownership Threshold									10.00%
Greater Than 10% Stockholder ISO Exercise Price Threshold									110.00%

Leases (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended			175 Months Ended
Leases (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Net Minimum Payments, Rolling Maturity [Abstract]
Capital Leases, Due in 2014	$ 38,000			$ 38,000
Capital Leases, Due in 2015	36,000			36,000
Capital Leases, Due in 2016	12,000			12,000
Capital Leases, Minimum Payments Due	86,000			86,000
Capital Leases, Interest Included in Payments	4,000			4,000
Capital Leases, Minimum Payments, Present Value	82,000			82,000
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net	766,000	$ 707,000	$ 601,000	4,500,000
Capital Leases, Lessee Balance Sheet [Abstract]
Lab equipment	489,000	489,000		489,000
Leasehold improvements	27,000	27,000		27,000
Computer equipment	54,000	0		54,000
Total property under capital leases	570,000	516,000		570,000
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	293,000	211,000		293,000
Capital leased assets, net	277,000	$ 305,000		277,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable [Abstract]
Operating Leases, Due in 2014	610,000			610,000
Operating Leases, Due in 2015	329,000			329,000
Operating Leases, Due in 2016	306,000			306,000
Operating Leases, Due in 2017	164,000			164,000
Operating Leases, Due in 2018	34,000			34,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	$ 1,443,000			$ 1,443,000

Long-Term Debt Conversion to Royalty Obligation (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Amount \| Iowa Department of Economic Development Loan 2005
Debt Instrument
Original Balance		$ 6,000,000
Outstanding Balance			$ 6,000,000
Amount \| Iowa Economic Development Authority Royalty Obligation 2012
Debt Instrument
Outstanding Balance	$ 6,000,000
Revised Royalty Maximum Amount	6,800,000
Amount \| Iowa State University Research Park Loan 2009
Debt Instrument
Original Balance	800,000
Outstanding Balance	449,000	546,000
Amount \| Iowa State University Research Park Loan 2012
Debt Instrument
Original Balance		456,000
Outstanding Balance	392,000	$ 443,000
Amount \| City of Ames Forgivable Loan 2010 [Member]
Debt Instrument
Original Available Balance	400,000
Remaining Available Balance	$ 100,000
Jobs by March 10, 2012	70
Jobs by March 10, 2015	150
Lease square feet	20,000
Repayment per job	$ 3,100
Outstanding Balance Forgivable Loan	$ 300,000
Percent \| Iowa Economic Development Authority Royalty Obligation 2012
Debt Instrument
Revised Royalty Rate	0.50%
Percent \| Iowa State University Research Park Loan 2009
Debt Instrument
Interest rate initial	3.00%
Interest rate after five years	5.00%
Interest rate in default	8.00%
Percent \| Iowa State University Research Park Loan 2012
Debt Instrument
Interest rate initial		3.00%
Interest rate after five years	5.00%
Interest rate in default	8.00%
Percent \| City of Ames Forgivable Loan 2010 [Member]
Debt Instrument
Interest rate in default	6.50%

Preferred Stock Preferred Stock (Details) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Nov. 10, 2011	Jan. 07, 2011
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Pre-IPO convertible preferred stock			14,270,113
Post-IPO converted common stock			10,719,353
Blank check preferred stock, authorized shares	5,000,000	5,000,000
Blank check preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Series E preferred issued in acquisition (shares)				276,304

Preferred Stock Preferred Stock Authorized (Details) - shares	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Preferred Stock Authorized [Abstract]
Blank check preferred stock, authorized shares	5,000,000	5,000,000

Common Stock Equity Incentive Plans (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended				175 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2010 $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Common Stock Equity Incentive Plan
Total Compensation Cost Related to Non-vested Option Awards \| $	$ 7,000				$ 7,000
Weighted Average Vesting Period for Non-vested Option Awards, In Years	2.7
Share-based Compensation Expense \| $	$ 4,400	$ 3,200	$ 2,500		$ 12,900
Income Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense \| $	0	0	0
Intrinsic Value of Options Exercised \| $	1,600	3,600	194
Fair Value of Awards Vested \| $	$ 3,000	$ 2,500	$ 7,800
Intrinsic Value Price per Share Base \| $ / shares	$ 22.01				$ 22.01
Intrinsic Value Outstanding \| $	$ 72,300				$ 72,300
Intrinsic Value Vested \| $	57,900				57,900
Intrinsic Value Unvested \| $	$ 14,400				$ 14,400
Assumptions Used in Black Scholes Pricing Model for New Grants
Dividend Rate	0.00%		0.00%	0.00%
Weighted average grant-date fair value per share \| $ / shares	$ 7.50		$ 5.02	$ 7.12
Stock Option Activity
Outstanding at beginning of period	3,752,413
Outstanding at beginning of period, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 4.34
Grants	860,250		672,079	664,323
Grants, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 12.54
Exercises	(107,541)
Exercises, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 4.11
Forfeitures	(18,558)
Forfeitures, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 10.25
Expirations	0
Expirations, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 0.00
Outstanding at end of period	4,486,564	3,752,413			4,486,564
Outstanding at end of period, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 5.89	$ 4.34			$ 5.89
Outstanding at end of period, weighted average remaining contractual term, in years	6.8				6.8
Exercisable	3,193,753				3,193,753
Exercisable, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 3.87				$ 3.87
Exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual term, in years	6.1				6.1
Minimum
Assumptions Used in Black Scholes Pricing Model for New Grants
Risk Free Interest Rate	0.89%	0.10%	2.30%
Volatility Rate	61.40%	62.60%	59.80%
Expected Term (in years)	4.8	5.0	5.0
Maximum
Assumptions Used in Black Scholes Pricing Model for New Grants
Risk Free Interest Rate	2.14%	3.10%	3.50%
Volatility Rate	67.30%	67.90%	68.10%
Expected Term (in years)	7.0	7.5	7.5
2009 Equity Incentive Plan
Common Stock Equity Incentive Plan
Number of Shares Authorized	5,733,514	4,895,139			5,733,514
Number of Shares Available for Grant	671,348	614,665			671,348
Increase in Number of Shares Authorized	1,066,340	838,375	823,649	714,286
Evergreen Increase Percentage	4.00%
2009 Equity Incentive Plan \| Minimum
Common Stock Equity Incentive Plan
First Year Vesting Percentage	20.00%
Remaining Vesting Period in Months	36
2009 Equity Incentive Plan \| Maximum
Common Stock Equity Incentive Plan
First Year Vesting Percentage	25.00%
Remaining Vesting Period in Months	48
2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Common Stock Equity Incentive Plan
Number of Shares Authorized		214,285
Number of Shares Available for Grant	296,808				296,808
Increase in Number of Shares Authorized	185,715
Shares Issued	63,669
2010 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan
Common Stock Equity Incentive Plan
Number of Shares Authorized		238,095
Number of Shares Available for Grant	266,202				266,202
Increase in Number of Shares Authorized	161,905

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended			175 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax expense	$ 130	$ 0	$ 0	$ 130
Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance	(25,168)	(23,137)		(25,168)
Change in Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance	2,000	$ 4,300
Federal Operating Loss Carryforwards	88,400			88,400
Federal Research Credit Carryforward	$ 4,300			$ 4,300

Income Taxes (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 18,556	$ 19,853
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Research	4,322	2,912
Deferred Tax Assets, Share-based Compensation	1,748	0
Deferred Tax Assets, Deferred Rent	295	313
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Minimum Tax	120	0
Deferred Tax Assets, Accrued Compensation	107	76
Deferred Tax Assets, Property, Plant and Equipment	20
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	25,168	23,154
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	25,168	23,137
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance	0	17
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment		(17)
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	$ 0	$ 0

Net Loss per Common Share (Net Loss Per Share Computation) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$ (31,180)	$ (23,321)	$ (18,087)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted)	25,275,179	20,779,450	6,064,542
Basic and diluted net loss per share	$ (1.23)	$ (1.12)	$ (2.98)

Net Loss per Common Share (Antidilutive Securities) (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share
Potentially dilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted net loss per share	4,486,564	3,752,413
Stock Options
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share
Potentially dilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted net loss per share			3,515,051

Licensing Agreements (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended						175 Months Ended
Licensing Agreements (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2013 CAD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2008 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Licensing Agreements
Licensing Payments Under All In-Licensing Agreements		$ 88,000	$ 255,000	$ 89,000			$ 2,900,000
Licensing Payments [Abstract]
Stock issued for licensing					$ 201,000	$ 5,000
Drexel University
Licensing Agreements
Potential Milestone Payment per Licensed Product		1,000,000
Lankenau Institute for Medical Research IDO-1
Licensing Agreements
Potential Milestone Payment per Licensed Product		1,360,000
Lankenau Institute for Medical Research IDO-2
Licensing Agreements
Potential Milestone Payment per Licensed Product		1,520,000
Lankenau Institute for Medical Research 2009 Agreement
Licensing Agreements
Potential Milestone Payment per Licensed Product		610,000
Georgia Health Sciences University
Licensing Agreements
Potential Milestone Payment per Licensed Product		2,800,000
Regents of the University of California
Licensing Agreements
Potential Milestone Payment per Licensed Product		285,000
Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada
Licensing Agreements
Potential Milestone Payment per Licensed Product	$ 205
Ohio State University
Licensing Agreements
Potential Milestone Payment per Licensed Product		$ 2,750,000

Employee Benefit Plans (Details)	12 Months Ended			175 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans (Details)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Maximum
Base Salary Continutation Upon Termintation
Duration of Payment, Months	24
Minimum
Base Salary Continutation Upon Termintation
Duration of Payment, Months	6
Defined Contribution
Defined Contribution Pension Plan
Defined Contribution Plan	$ 198,000	$ 136,000	$ 157,000	$ 1,000,000
Discretionary Contribution
Defined Contribution Pension Plan
Defined Contribution Plan	$ 144,000	$ 152,000	$ 136,000	$ 985,000

Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended			175 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 07, 2011
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Total Purchases	$ 59,000	$ 35,000	$ 22,000	$ 386,000
Fees for Consulting Services	0	0	$ 0	7,000
Balance Outstanding	$ 0	$ 0		$ 0
Acquisition of Minority Interest in BPS
Series E preferred issued in acquisition (shares)					276,304
Options issued in acquisition					50,513

Acquisition of BioProtection Systems Corporation (Details) $ in Millions	Jan. 07, 2011 USD ($) shares
Acquisition of BioProtection Systems Corporation [Abstract]
Series E preferred issued in acquisition (shares) \| shares	276,304
Series E preferred issued in acquisition	$ 8.6
Book value of net assets acquired	2.9
Reduction of additional paid-in capital	$ 5.7

Reverse Stock Split (Details)	12 Months Ended
Reverse Stock Split (Details)	Dec. 31, 2013 shares
Reverse Stock Split [Abstract]
Reverse Split Numerator	2.1
Reverse Split Denominator	1

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								7 Months Ended	12 Months Ended														175 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 1999	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008	Dec. 31, 2007	Dec. 31, 2006	Dec. 31, 2005	Dec. 31, 2004	Dec. 31, 2003	Dec. 31, 2002	Dec. 31, 2001	Dec. 31, 2000	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Grant revenue	$ 294	$ 265	$ 232	$ 302	$ 299	$ 327	$ 590	$ 471		$ 1,093	$ 1,687	$ 1,872												$ 8,497
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent	(7,913)	(8,117)	(7,069)	(8,042)	(6,293)	(5,848)	(6,301)	(4,817)		(31,141)	(23,259)	(18,062)												(138,836)
Net loss	$ (8,046)	$ (8,123)	$ (7,077)	$ (7,934)	$ (6,319)	$ (5,851)	$ (6,309)	$ (4,842)	$ (64)	$ (31,180)	$ (23,321)	$ (18,088)	$ (16,562)	$ (10,207)	$ (8,842)	$ (7,582)	$ (5,318)	$ (4,770)	$ (3,669)	$ (2,979)	$ (2,253)	$ (1,448)	$ (236)	$ (136,520)
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ (0.31)	$ (0.32)	$ (0.28)	$ (0.33)	$ (0.30)	$ (0.28)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.23)

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References + Details

Subsequent Events (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 13, 2014	Feb. 04, 2013
Follow-on Offering
Subsequent Events
FInancing proceeds			$ 49.0
Financing shares			4,600,000
Financing price per share			$ 11.40
ATM Offering in Current Year
Subsequent Events
FInancing proceeds	$ 17.4	$ 27.6
Financing shares	816,621	1,017,217
Financing maximum proceeds	$ 60.0
ATM Offering after Year End
Subsequent Events
FInancing proceeds		$ 27.6
Financing shares		1,017,217