Document and Entity Information [Abstract] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Current Assets, Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents [note 4] Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Restricted cash Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current Short-term investments [note 4] Short-term Investments Amounts receivable Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Prepaid expenses Prepaid Expense, Current Total current assets Assets, Current, Total Total current assets Property and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Total assets Assets, Total Total assets LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Current Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current Deferred collaboration revenue Deferred Revenue, Current Current portion of long-term obligations [note 6] Capital Lease Obligations, Current Warrant liability [note 4, note 5] Warrants and Rights Outstanding Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current, Total Total current liabilities Deferred collaboration revenue, net of current Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent Long-term obligation, less current portion [note 6] Capital Lease Obligations, Noncurrent Total liabilities Liabilities, Total Total liabilities Commitments and contingencies [note 7] Commitments and Contingencies Shareholders' equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Common shares [note 5]: $0.001 par value 25,000,000 shares authorized and 9,748,352 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011 and 9,693,591 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2010 Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, par value Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Total shareholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Total Total shareholders' equity Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Liabilities and Equity, Total Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Revenues from Collaborative Agreements COLLABORATION REVENUE COLLABORATION REVENUE EXPENSES Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Research and development Research and Development Expense General and administrative General and Administrative Expense Restructuring expense [note 6] Restructuring Costs Total expenses Costs and Expenses, Total Total expenses LOSS FROM OPERATIONS Operating Income (Loss) LOSS FROM OPERATIONS OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Interest income Investment Income, Interest Other Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Fair Value Adjustment of Warrants Gain on warrants [note 5] Gain on warrants [note 5] Gain on warrants [note 5] Total other income Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total Total other income Loss (income) for the period before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Loss (income) for the period before income taxes Income tax recovery [note 3] Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Net loss (income) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net loss (income) Basic loss (income) per common share Earnings Per Share, Basic Diluted loss (income) per common share Earnings Per Share, Diluted Weighted average number of basic common shares Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Weighted average number diluted common shares Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Add items not involving cash Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Stock-based compensation [note 5(c)] Share-based Compensation Change in value of warrants [note 4, note 5] Adjustment of Warrants Granted for Services Changes in non-cash items Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Amounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Amounts receivable Restricted cash Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash for Operating Activities Restricted cash Prepaid expenses Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense Prepaid expenses Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Increase Decrease in Lease Obligation Lease obligation Lease obligation Lease obligation Deferred collaboration revenue Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Revenue Cash used in operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Cash used in operating activities FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Proceeds from issuance of common stock under stock option and employee purchase plans Proceeds from Issuance of Shares under Incentive and Share-based Compensation Plans, Including Stock Options Cash provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Cash provided by financing activities INVESTING ACTIVITIES Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Proceeds from sale of investments Proceeds from Sale of Short-term Investments Purchase of investments Payments to Acquire Short-term Investments Purchase of investments Purchase of property and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Purchase of property and equipment Cash provided by (used in) investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Cash provided by (used in) investing activities Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Decrease in cash and cash equivalents during the period Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Decrease in cash and cash equivalents during the period Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period Supplemental cash flow information Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Property and Equipment Acquired under Lease Obligation Property and equipment acquired under lease obligation Property and equipment acquired under lease obligation NATURE OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Nature of Business And Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Nature of Business And Basis of Presentation [Abstract] ACCOUNTING POLICIES Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Collaboration Agreement [Text Block] COLLABORATION AGREEMENT COLLABORATION AGREEMENT Collaboration Agreement [Abstract] Collaboration Agreement [Abstract] COLLABORATION AGREEMENT FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] COMMON STOCK Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Common Stock and Comprehensive Loss (Income) [Abstract] Common Stock and Comprehensive Loss (Income) [Abstract] RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Restructuring Activities [Abstract] Restructuring Activities [Abstract] COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract] COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (INCOME) Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Subsequent Events [Text Block] Subsequent Events [Abstract] Subsequent Events [Abstract] Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Document Type Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Registrant Name Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Public Float Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Consolidated Statements of Loss (Income) [Abstract] Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized