Cover [Abstract] Document Type Document Transition Report Entity Interactive Data Current Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity File Number Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Shell Company Entity Small Business Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line Two Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, Postal Zip Code City Area Code Local Phone Number Title of 12(b) Security Trading Symbol Security Exchange Name Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Filer Category Entity Address, State or Province Document Quarterly Report Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Assets [Abstract] Assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Current assets: Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Current Marketable securities Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Assets, Current Total current assets Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property and equipment, net Assets Total assets Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset Right-of-use asset Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current liabilities: Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued expenses Total accrued liabilities Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Current Lease liability Liabilities Total liabilities Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Stockholders' equity: Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share authorized: 5,000,000 shares at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019; 1,969,797 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share authorized: 200,000,000 at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019; 15,466,451 and 15,429,154 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Additional paid-in-capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive gain Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated deficit Accumulated deficit Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total stockholders' equity Balance Balance Liabilities and Equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract] Long-term liabilities: Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent Lease liability Liabilities, Noncurrent Total long term liabilities Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Preferred stock, shares issued Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Preferred stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares issued Balance (in shares) Balance (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding Income Statement [Abstract] Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Operating expenses: Research and Development Expense (Excluding Acquired in Process Cost) Research and development General and Administrative Expense General and administrative Operating Expenses Total operating expenses Operating Income (Loss) Loss from operations Interest Income, Other Interest income Other Income Other income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net loss Net Loss Net loss Net loss Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Net loss per common share: Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Basic and diluted net loss per common share (in dollars per share) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding Revenues [Abstract] Revenues: Revenues Total revenues Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Other comprehensive income (loss): Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive loss Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement [Table] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Preferred Stock [Member] Preferred Stock Common Stock [Member] Common stock Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Additional paid-in Capital AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Retained Earnings [Member] Accumulated deficit Statement [Line Items] Statement Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity APIC, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Increase for Cost Recognition Compensation expense related to stock options for services Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Exercise of common stock options (in shares) Options exercised (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Exercise of common stock options Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net loss Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense, Total Stock-based compensation expense Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation and amortization expense Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Trade Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities Accrued expenses Increase (Decrease) In Accrued Interest, Net Of Interest Received Accrued interest, net of interest received on maturity of investments The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the aggregate amount of accrued interest expense incurred but not yet paid, net of interest received on maturity of investments. Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash used in operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from investing activities: Payments to Acquire Marketable Securities Purchases of marketable securities Proceeds from Maturities, Prepayments and Calls of Debt Securities, Available-for-sale Sales and maturities of marketable securities Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Purchases of property and equipment, net of disposals Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash provided by investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash provided by financing activities Proceeds From The Sale Of Related Party Stock And Exercise Of Common Stock Options Net Of Transaction Costs Proceeds from the exercise of common stock options Proceeds from the sale of related party stock and exercise of common stock options, net of transaction costs. Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Excluding Exchange Rate Effect Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability Obtaining a right-of-use asset in exchange for a lease liability Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Organization, Business and Basis of Presentation Accounting Policies [Abstract] Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Liquidity and Uncertainties Liquidity And Uncertainties Disclosure Abstract Substantial Doubt about Going Concern [Text Block] Liquidity and Uncertainties Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract] Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities [Text Block] Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Accrued Liabilities Accrued Liabilities Disclosure. Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Stockholders' Equity Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Share-based Payment Arrangement [Text Block] Stock-based Compensation Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Subsequent Events [Abstract] Subsequent Events [Text Block] Subsequent Event Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] Principle of Consolidation Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Use of Estimates Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents Marketable Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block] Marketable Securities Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block] Fair Value of Financial Instruments Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block] Research and Development Costs Patents [Policy Text Block] Patents Disclosure of accounting policy for patents. Share-based Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block] Income Taxes Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block] Comprehensive Loss Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block] Basic and Diluted Loss Per Common Share New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Recent Accounting Pronouncements Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block] Summary of the outstanding securities not included in the computation of diluted net loss per common share as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments [Table Text Block] Summary of cash, cash equivalents and available-for-sale marketable securities Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block] Schedule of Accrued Liabilities Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Activity [Table Text Block] Summary of stock option activity Schedule of Share Based Compensation Expense Allocation of Compensation Costs and Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block] Schedule of stock-based compensation expense Tabular disclosure of the allocation of equity-based compensation costs to a given line item on the income statement for the period. This may include the amount of total share-based compensation cost, including the amounts attributable to each share-based compensation plan and any related tax benefits. It includes the reporting line for the costs expensed. Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Percentage Of Valuation Allowance Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets (as a percent) The percentage of valuation allowance on the deferred tax assets. Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] Stock options Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Anti-dilutive securities Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Outstanding securities not included in the computation of diluted net loss per common share as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive (in shares) Schedule of Investments [Table] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Axis] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Domain] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Domain] Cash [Member] Cash Money Market Funds [Member] Money market funds Financial Instrument [Axis] Financial Instruments [Domain] Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Domain] Corporate Debt Securities2 [Member] Corporate debt securities due within 3 months of date of purchase Debt securities due within 3 months issued by domestic or foreign corporate business, banks and other entities with a promise of repayment. Corporate Debt Securities [Member] Corporate debt securities due within 1 year of date of purchase Corporate Debt Securities 3 [Member] Corporate debt securities due within 1 to 2 years of date of purchase Corporate Debt Securities 3 Agency Securities [Member] Agency Securities Measurement Basis [Axis] Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member] Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member] Reported Value Measurement [Member] Carrying value Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] Fair value Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Level 1 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Level 2 Schedule of Investments [Line Items] Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure Cash and cash equivalents Maturity Period from Date of Purchase to Classify Investment as Marketable Securities Maturity period from date of purchase to classify an investment as marketable securities Represents the maturity period from date of purchase to classify an investment as marketable securities. Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost Marketable securities, cost Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax Marketable securities, unrealized gains Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax Marketable securities, unrealized losses Debt Securities, Available-for-sale Marketable securities, fair value Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments, At Cost Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, Cost This item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments including accretion, amortization, collection of cash, previous other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings, and cash and cash equivalents. Cash and Cash Equivalents and Available for Sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, Unrealized gains This item represents the gross unrealized gains for cash and cash equivalents securities, at a point in time, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Cash and Cash Equivalents and Available for Sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, Unrealized losses This item represents the gross unrealized losses for cash and cash equivalents securities, at a point in time, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.