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Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
Document And Entity Information - shares	Sep. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	Lion Biotechnologies, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001425205
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		47,833,934
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015

Condensed Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 10,210	$ 44,910
Money market funds	20,562
Short-term investments available for sale	79,374
Prepaid and other current assets	245	67
Total Current Assets	110,391	44,977
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $794 and $103	1,833	1,532
Total Assets	112,224	46,509
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	1,161	1,249
Accrued expenses	1,608	328
Accrued payable to officers and former directors	86	86
Total Current Liabilities	2,855	1,663
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized, 3,694 shares and 5,694 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
Common stock, $0.000041666 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized, 47,807,398 and 33,750,188 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	2	2
Common stock to be issued, 245,153 shares	245	245
Accumulated other comprehensive income	38
Additional paid-in capital	204,929	121,161
Accumulated deficit	(95,845)	(76,562)
Total Stockholders' Equity	109,369	44,846
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$ 112,224	$ 46,509

Condensed Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$ 794	$ 103
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	3,694	5,694
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	3,694	5,694
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.000041666	$ 0.000041666
Common stock, shares authorized	150,000,000	150,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	47,807,398	33,750,188
Common stock, shares outstanding	47,807,398	33,750,188
Common stock to be issued shares	245,153	245,153

Condensed Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Condensed Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Condensed Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Revenues
Costs and expenses
Operating expenses	2,660	2,449	7,259	6,155
Research and development	4,983	354	12,147	1,018
Total costs and expenses	7,643	2,803	19,406	7,173
Loss from operations	(7,643)	(2,803)	(19,406)	(7,173)
Other income (expense)
Interest income	8	5	123	5
Net Loss	$ (7,635)	$ (2,798)	$ (19,283)	$ (7,168)
Net Loss Per Share, Basic and Diluted	$ (0.16)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.44)	$ (0.30)
Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted	47,271,593	26,632,908	43,398,650	24,107,787

Condensed Statements of Operations (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Operating Expense [Member]
Share-based Compensation	$ 1,452	$ 658	$ 3,726	$ 1,905
Research and Development Expense [Member]
Share-based Compensation	$ 895	$ 282	$ 2,050	$ 817

Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Loss - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Loss	$ (7,635)	$ (2,798)	$ (19,283)	$ (7,168)
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gain on short-term investments	38		38
Comprehensive Loss	$ (7,597)	$ (2,798)	$ (19,245)	$ (7,168)

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

Condensed Statements of Stockholders' Equity - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2015 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock To Be Issued [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Comprehensive Income [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 44,846		$ 2	$ 245	$ 121,161		$ (76,562)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		5,694	33,750,188
Fair value of vested stock options	4,223				4,223
Common stock issued upon exercise of warrants	9,618				9,618
Common stock issued upon exercise of warrants (in shares)			3,847,210
Common stock issued upon exercise of options	66				66
Common stock issued upon exercise of options (in shares)			10,000
Common stock issued upon conversion of preferred shares
Common stock issued upon conversion of preferred shares (in shares)		(2,000)	1,000,000
Common stock sold in public offering, net of offering costs	68,308				68,308
Common stock sold in public offering, net of offering costs (in shares)			9,200,000
Vesting of restricted shares issued for services	1,553				1,553
Unrealized gain on short-term investments	38					38
Net loss	(19,283)						(19,283)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 109,369		$ 2	$ 245	$ 204,929	$ 38	$ (95,845)
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2015		3,694	47,807,398

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net loss	$ (19,283)	$ (7,168)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation	691	23
Fair value of vested stock options	4,223	1,896
Vesting of restricted shares issued for services	1,553	825
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Prepaid and other current assets	(179)	118
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	1,193	(1,012)
Net cash used in operating activities	(11,802)	(5,318)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Increase in money market funds	(20,562)
Purchase of short-term investments	(95,236)
Maturities of short-term investments	15,900
Purchases of property and equipment	(992)	(167)
Net cash used in investing activities	(100,890)	(167)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock upon exercise of warrants	9,618	3,002
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock upon exercise of options	66
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, net	68,308
Net cash provided by financing activities	77,992	3,002
Net Decrease In Cash And Cash Equivalents	(34,700)	(2,483)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period	44,910	19,673
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	10,210	17,190
Supplement non-cash financing activities
Unrealized gain on short-term investments	$ 38

GENERAL ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS	9 Months Ended
GENERAL ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS	Sep. 30, 2015
GENERAL ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS [Abstract]
GENERAL ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS	NOTE 1. GENERAL ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS Lion Biotechnologies, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel cancer immunotherapy products designed to harness the power of a patient's own immune system to eradicate cancer cells. Our lead program is an adoptive cell therapy utilizing tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), which are T cells derived from patients' tumors, for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. The TIL are then activated and expanded ex vivo and then infused back into the patient to fight their tumor cells. The Company was originally incorporated under the laws of the state of Nevada on September 17, 2007. Until March 2010, we were an inactive company known as Freight Management Corp. On March 15, 2010, we changed our name to Genesis Biopharma, Inc., and in 2011 we commenced our current business. *Basis of Presentation of Unaudited Condensed Financial Information* The unaudited condensed financial statements of the Company for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-Q and Regulation S-K. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. However, such information reflects all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments), which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial position and the results of operations. Results shown for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be obtained for a full fiscal year. The balance sheet information as of December 31, 2014 was derived from the audited financial statements included in the Company's financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 16, 2015. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with that report. *Liquidity* We are currently engaged in the development of therapeutics to fight cancer, we do not have any commercial products and have not yet generated any revenues from our biopharmaceutical business. We currently do not anticipate that we will generate any revenues during 2015 from the sale or licensing of any products. In addition, we have not generated any revenues from our prior business plans. We have not had any revenues and are still in the development stage. As shown in the accompanying condensed financial statements, we have incurred a net loss of $19.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and used $11.8 million of cash in our operating activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. As of September 30, 2015, we had $110.1 million of cash, money market funds, and short term investments on hand, stockholders' equity of $109.4 million and had working capital of $107.5 million. During 2015, we expect to further ramp up our operations, which will increase the amount of cash we will use in our operations. Our budget for 2015 includes increased spending on research and development activities, higher payroll expenses as we increase our professional staff, the costs associated with operating our new Tampa, Florida, research facility, as well as ongoing payments under the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) we have entered into with the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Based on the funds we had available on September 30, 2015, we believe that we have sufficient capital to fund our anticipated operating expenses for at least 24 months. On March 3, 2015, the Company sold 9,200,000 shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering at $8.00 per share for net proceeds of $68.3 million, after deducting expenses of the offering. On December 22, 2014, the Company sold 6,000,000 shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering at $5.75 per share for net proceeds of $32.2 million after deducting expenses of the offering. On November 5, 2013, we completed a $23.3 million private placement of our securities to various institutional and individual accredited investors. Despite the amount of funds that we have raised, the estimated cost of completing the development of our TIL-based therapy, and of obtaining all required regulatory approvals to market those product candidates, may be substantially greater than the amount of funds we have available. Therefore, while we believe that our existing cash balances will be sufficient to fund our currently planned level of operations for at least 24 months, we will have to obtain additional funds in the future to complete our development plans. We intend to seek this additional funding through various financing sources, including possible sales of our securities, and in the longer term through strategic alliances with other pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical companies.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRACTICES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRACTICES [Abstract]

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRACTICES

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRACTICES

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers highly liquid investments with an original maturity of 90 days or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The carrying amounts reported in the Balance Sheets for cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost, which approximates their fair value.

Short-term Investments

The Company's short-term investments represent available for sale securities and are recorded at fair value and unrealized gains and losses are recorded within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The estimated fair value of the available for sale securities is determined based on quoted market prices or rates for similar instruments. In addition, the cost of debt securities in this category is adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount to maturity. The Company evaluates securities with unrealized losses to determine whether such losses, if any, are other than temporary.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of two to five years. Maintenance and repairs of depreciable assets are charged against earnings as incurred. When properties are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and gains or losses are credited or charged to earnings. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of their estimated useful life or lease term, whichever is shorter.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, excluding unvested shares of restricted common stock. Shares of restricted stock subject to vesting are included in basic weighted average common shares outstanding from the time they vest. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing the net income applicable to common stock holders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if all dilutive potential common shares had been issued, using the treasury stock method. Potential common shares are excluded from the computation when their effect is antidilutive. When calculating diluted net income per share, shares of restricted stock subject to vesting are included in diluted weighted average common shares outstanding as of their grant date.

At September 30, 2015 and 2014, basic and diluted net loss per share are the same, as the effect of potentially dilutive securities was antidilutive. At September 30, 2015, potentially dilutive securities include options to acquire 2,704,195 shares of common stock, warrants to acquire 7,237,216 shares of common stock, preferred stock that can be converted into 1,847,000 shares of common stock, and 494,001 shares of non-vested restricted stock. At September 30, 2014, potentially dilutive securities include options to acquire 1,098,750 shares of common stock, warrants to acquire 11,172,426 shares of common stock, and preferred stock that can be converted into 2,847,000 shares of common stock.

Fair Value Measurements

Under FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, fair value is defined as the price at which an asset could be exchanged or a liability transferred in a transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability. Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or parameters or derived from such prices or parameters. Where observable prices or parameters are not available, valuation models are applied.

Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in our financial statements are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Hierarchical levels directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair valuation of these assets and liabilities, are as follows:

Level 1—Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets at the reporting date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

The fair valued assets we hold that are generally included under this Level 1 are money market securities where fair value is based on publicly quoted prices.

Level 2—Are inputs, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability through correlation with market data at the reporting date and for the duration of the instrument's anticipated life.

The fair valued assets we hold that are generally assessed under Level 2 are corporate bonds and commercial paper. We utilize third party pricing services in developing fair value measurements where fair value is based on valuation methodologies such as models using observable market inputs, including benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, bids, offers and other reference data. We use quotes from external pricing service providers and other on-line quotation systems to verify the fair value of investments provided by our third party pricing service providers. We review independent auditor's reports from our third party pricing service providers particularly regarding the controls over pricing and valuation of financial instruments and ensure that our internal controls address certain control deficiencies, if any, and complementary user entity controls are in place.

Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities and which reflect management's best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the reporting date. Consideration is given to the risk inherent in the valuation technique and the risk inherent in the inputs to the model.

We do not have fair valued assets classified under Level 3.

Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are categorized in the tables below based upon the lowest level of significant input to the valuations (in thousands):

	Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2015
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Money market funds	$	20,562	$	-	$	-	$	20,562

Corporate debt securities		-		79,374		-		79,374
Total	$	20,562	$	79,374	$		$	99,936

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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 financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates include accounting for potential liabilities and the assumptions made in valuing stock instruments issued for services.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company periodically grants stock options and warrants to employees and non-employees in non-capital raising transactions as compensation for services rendered. The Company accounts for stock option grants to employees based on the authoritative guidance provided by the Financial Accounting Standards Board where the value of the award is measured on the date of grant and recognized over the vesting period. The Company accounts for stock option grants to non-employees in accordance with the authoritative guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board where the value of the stock compensation is determined based upon the measurement date at either a) the date at which a performance commitment is reached, or b) at the date at which the necessary performance to earn the equity instruments is complete. Non-employee stock-based compensation charges generally are amortized over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. In certain circumstances where there are no future performance requirements by the non-employee, option grants are immediately vested and the total stock-based compensation charge is recorded in the period of the measurement date.

The Company issues restricted shares of its common stock for share-based compensation programs. The Company measures the compensation cost with respect to restricted shares to employees based upon the estimated fair value of the equity instruments at the date of the grant, and is recognized as expense over the period which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award.

The fair value of the Company's common stock option grants is estimated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model, which uses certain assumptions related to risk-free interest rates, expected volatility, expected life of the common stock options, and future dividends. Compensation expense is recorded based upon the value derived from the Black-Scholes option pricing model, and based on actual experience. The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model could materially affect compensation expense recorded in future periods.

Total stock-based compensation expense related to all of our stock-based awards was as follows (in thousands):

	For the Three Months Ended September 30,				For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014

Operating expenses	$	1,492	$	658	$	3,726	$	1,905
Research and development		895		282		2,050		817
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	2,387	$	940	$	5,776	$	2,722

Research and Development

Research and development costs consist primarily of fees paid to consultants and outside service providers, patent fees and costs, and other expenses relating to the acquisition, design, development and testing of the Company's treatments and product candidates. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred, unless the achievement of milestones, the completion of contracted work, or other information indicates that a different expensing schedule is more appropriate. The Company reviews the status of its research and development contracts on a quarterly basis.

Concentrations

Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash and short-term investments.

The Company maintains cash balances at one bank. As of September 30, 2015, the Company's cash balances were in excess of insured limits maintained at this bank. Management believes that the financial institution that hold the Company's cash are financially sound and, accordingly, minimal credit risk exists.

At September 30, 2015, the Company's short-term investments were invested in short-term fixed income debt securities of domestic and foreign high credit issuers and in money market funds. The Company's investment policy limits investments to certain types of instruments such as certificates of deposit, money market instruments, obligations issued by the U.S. government and U.S. government agencies as well as corporate debt securities, and places restrictions on maturities and concentration by type and issuer. At September 30, 2015, approximately 56% of the Company's short-term investments were invested in notes of five companies, 25% were invested in notes of various domestic issuers, and 19% were invested in notes of a foreign issuers. The average maturity of these notes was 66 days (See Note 3).

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive revenue recognition standard that will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under current U.S. GAAP and replace it with a principle based approach for determining revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 will require that companies recognize revenue based on the value of transferred goods or services as they occur in the contract. The ASU also will require additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. ASU 2014-09 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted in annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and the interim periods within that year, and either full retrospective adoption or modified retrospective adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of ASU 2014-09 on the Company's financial statements and disclosures.

In June 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-12, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718). The pronouncement was issued to clarify the accounting for share-based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. The pronouncement is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The adoption of ASU 2014-12 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB, including its Emerging Issues Task Force, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Securities and Exchange Commission did not or are not believed by management to have a material impact on the Company's present or future consolidated financial statements.

Reclassifications

In presenting the Company's statement of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014, the Company has reclassified $0.8 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation that was previously reflected as operating expenses to research and development expenses. The reclassification relates to stock-based compensation attributable to individuals working in the Company's research and development activities, and had no impact on total costs and expenses, or on net loss.

CASH, MONEY MARKET FUNDS, AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

CASH, MONEY MARKET FUNDS, AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS [Abstract]

CASH, MONEY MARKET FUNDS, AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

NOTE 3. CASH, MONEY MARKET FUNDS, AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

Cash, money market funds, and short-term investments consist of the following (in thousands):

	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014

Checking and savings accounts (reported as cash and cash equivalents)	$	10,210	$	45
Money market funds		20,562		-
Corporate debt securities (reported as short-term investments)		79,374		-
	$	110,146	$	45

Money market funds and short-term investments include the following securities with gross unrealized gains and losses (in thousands):

			Gross		Gross
			Unrealized		Unrealized
September 30, 2015	Cost		Gains		Gains		Fair Value
Money market funds	$	20,562	$	-	$	-	$	20,562
Corporate debt securities		79,336		38		-		79,374

Total	$	99,897	$	38	$	-	$	99,936

As of September 30, 2015, the contractual maturities of our money market funds and short-term investments were (in thousands):

	Within One
	Year
Money market funds	$	20,562
Corporate debt securities		79,374
	$	99,936

At September 30, 2015,the Company's short-term investments were invested in short-term fixed income debt securities and notes of domestic and foreign high credit issuers and in money market funds. The Company's investment policy limits investments to certain types of instruments such as certificates of deposit, money market instruments, obligations issued by the U.S. government and U.S. government agencies as well as corporate debt securities, and places restrictions on maturities and concentration by type and issuer. At September 30, 2015, the Company's short-term investments totaled $80 million, of which 56% were invested in notes of five companies, 25% were invested in notes of other domestic issuers, and 19% were invested in notes of foreign issuers. The average maturity of these notes was 66 days. At September 30, 2015 the Company's money-market funds totaled $20.6 million and were invested in a single fund, the Dreyfus Cash Management Money Market Fund, a no-load money market fund.

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT [Abstract]

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

NOTE 4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment are comprised of the following as of (in thousands):

	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
Laboratory equipment	$	1,563		$	688
Leasehold improvements		853			762
Computer, software, and office equipment		211			185
		2,627			1,635
Accumulated depreciation		(794	)		(103	)
	$	1,833		$	1,532

Depreciation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $266, $691, $5, and $23, respectively.

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

NOTE 5. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Public offering

On March 3, 2015, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 9,200,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $8.00 per share of common stock. The net proceeds to the Company from the offering were $68.3 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses. The offering was made pursuant to the Company's existing shelf registration statement on Form S-3, including a base prospectus, which was filed with the SEC on November 20, 2014 and declared effective on December 10, 2014, a preliminary prospectus supplement thereunder, and a registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the SEC on February 26, 2015.

Issuance of common stock upon conversion of preferred stock

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company issued 1,000,000 shares of common stock upon the conversion of 2,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. The number of conversion shares issued was determined on a formula basis of 500 common shares for each Series A Convertible Preferred Stock held consistent with the contract.

Common stock with vesting terms

During 2014, the Company granted 797,500 shares of its restricted common stock to nine of its employees in accordance with the terms of their employment agreements. The 797,500 shares vest over a period of three years. As these shares were granted to employees, the Company calculated the aggregate fair value of the 797,500 shares based on the trading prices of the Company's stock at their grant dates and determined it to be $5.3 million, of which $1.3 million was expensed in 2014. The allocable portion of the fair value of the stock that vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 amounted to $1.5 million and was recognized as expense in the accompanying statements of operations. As of September 30, 2015, the amount of unvested compensation related to the unvested outstanding shares of restricted common stock was $2.5 million, which will be recorded as expense in future periods as the shares vest.

When calculating basic net income (loss) per share, these shares are included in basic weighted average common shares outstanding from the time they vest. When calculating diluted net income (loss) per share, these shares are included in diluted weighted average common shares outstanding from the time they are granted, unless they are antidilutive. Shares of restricted stock granted above are subject to forfeiture to the Company or other restrictions that will lapse in accordance with a vesting schedule determined by our Board.

The following table summarizes restricted common stock activity:

	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested shares, January 1, 2015		757,500		$	6.84
Granted
Vested		(233,499	)		4.37
Forfeited		(30,000	)		8.24
Non-vested shares, September 30, 2015		494,001		$	6.56

- Definition

The entire disclosure for shareholders' equity comprised of portions attributable to the parent entity and noncontrolling interest, including other comprehensive income. Includes, but is not limited to, balances of common stock, preferred stock, additional paid-in capital, other capital and retained earnings, accumulated balance for each classification of other comprehensive income and amount of comprehensive income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(d),(e))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21484-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.E)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27010918&loc=d3e74512-122707

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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Number Topic 4
-Section E

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 4
-Section C

+ Details

STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS [Abstract]

STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS

NOTE 6. STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS

Stock Options

A summary of the status of stock options at September 30, 2015, and the changes during the nine months then ended, is presented in the following table:

						Weighted
				Weighted		Average		Aggregate
	Shares			Average		Remaining		Intrinsic
	Under			Exercise		Contractual		Value
	Option			Price		Life		(in thousands)
Outstanding at January 1, 2015		1,857,877		$	7.31		8.2	$	2,875
Granted		943,750			9.18		9.8
Exercised		(10,000	)
Expired/Forfeited		(87,432	)		5.92		7.29		-
Outstanding at September 30, 2015		2,704,195		$	8.05		8.16	$	64
Exercisable at September 30, 2015		883,449		$	8.63		6.67	$	98

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company granted options to purchase 943,750 shares of common stock to new employees and directors of the Company. The stock options generally vest between one and three years. The fair value of these options was determined to be $8.3 million using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on the following assumptions: (i) volatility rate of 211%, (ii) discount rate of 1.57%, (iii) zero expected dividend yield, and (iv) expected life of 6 years.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded compensation costs of $4.1 million and $1.9 million, respectively, relating to the vesting of stock options. As of September 30, 2015, the aggregate value of unvested options was $10.3 million, which will continue to be amortized as compensation cost as the options vest over terms ranging from nine months to three years, as applicable.

On September 19, 2014, The Company's Board of Directors adopted the Lion Biotechnologies, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”). The 2014 Plan was approved by our stockholders at the annual meeting of stockholders held in November 2014. The 2014 Plan as approved by the stockholders authorized the issuance up to an aggregate of 2,350,000 shares of common stock. On April 10, 2015 the Board amended the 2014 Plan, subject to stockholder approval, to increase the total number of shares that can be issued under the 2014 Plan by 1,650,000 from 2,350,000 shares to 4,000,000 shares. The increase in shares available for issuance under the 2014 Plan was approved by stockholders on June 12, 2015.

Warrants

A summary of the status of stock warrants at September 30, 2015, and the changes during the nine months then ended, is presented in the following table:

						Weighted
				Weighted		Average		Aggregate
	Shares			Average		Remaining		Intrinsic
	Under			Exercise		Contractual		Value
	Warrants			Price		Life		(in thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 2014		11,084,426		$	2.51		3.85 years	$	59,518
Issued		-
Exercised		(3,847,210	)	$	2.50
Expired		-
Outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 2015		7,237,216		$	2.51		3.3 years	$	23,593

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company received $9.6 million in cash from the exercise of 3,847,210 warrants for the purchase of an equal number of shares of its common stock.

LICENSE AND COMMITMENTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

LICENSE AND COMMITMENTS [Abstract]

LICENSE AND COMMITMENTS

NOTE 7. LICENSE AND COMMITMENTS

National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute

Cooperative Research and Development Agreement

Effective August 5, 2011, the Company signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Under the terms of the five-year cooperative research and development agreement, the Company will work with Dr. Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D., chief of NCI's Surgery Branch, to develop adoptive cell immunotherapies that are designed to destroy metastatic melanoma cells using a patient's tumor infiltrating lymphocytes.

On January 22, 2015, the Company executed an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the CRADA to include four new indications. As amended, in addition to metastatic melanoma, the CRADA now also includes the development of TIL therapy for the treatment of patients with bladder, lung, triple-negative breast, and HPV-associated cancers. Under the Amendment, the NCI also has agreed to provide the Company with samples of all tumors covered by the Amendment for performing studies related to improving TIL selection and/or TIL scale-out production and process development. Although the CRADA has a five year term, either party to the CRADA has the right to terminate the CRADA upon 60 days' notice to the other party.

National Institutes of Health

Development and Manufacture TIL

Effective October 5, 2011, the Company entered into a Patent License Agreement with the National Institutes of Health, an agency of the United States Public Health Service within the Department of Health and Human Services (“NIH”), which License Agreement was subsequently amended on February 9, 2015 and October 2, 2015. Pursuant to the License Agreement as amended, NIH granted to the Company an exclusive worldwide right and license to develop and manufacture certain proprietary autologous tumor infiltrating lymphocyte adoptive cell therapy products for the treatment of metastatic melanoma, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer. The License Agreement requires the Company to pay royalties based on a percentage of net sales (which percentage is in the mid-single digits and subject to certain annual minimum royalty payments), a percentage of revenues from sublicensing arrangements, and lump sum benchmark royalty payments on the achievement of certain clinical and regulatory milestones for each of the various indications and other direct costs incurred by NIH pursuant to the agreement.

NIH - Exclusive Patent License Agreement

On February 10, 2015, the Company entered into an exclusive Patent License Agreement with the NIH under which the Company received an exclusive, world-wide license to the NIH's rights in and to two patent-pending technologies related to methods for improving tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes for adoptive cell therapy. The licensed technologies relate to the more potent and efficient production of TIL from melanoma tumors by selecting for T-cell populations that express various inhibitory receptors. Unless terminated sooner, the license shall remain in effect until the last licensed patent right expires.

In consideration for the exclusive rights granted under the exclusive Patent License Agreement, the Company agreed to pay the NIH a non-refundable upfront licensing fee which was recognized as research and development expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The Company also agreed to pay customary royalties based on a percentage of net sales (which percentage is in the mid-single digits), a percentage of revenues from sublicensing arrangements, and lump sum benchmark payments upon the successful completion of the Company's first Phase 2 clinical study, the successful completion of the Company's first Phase 3 clinical study, the receipt of the first FDA approval or foreign equivalent for a licensed product or process resulting from the licensed technologies, the first commercial sale of a licensed product or process in the United States, and the first commercial sale of a licensed product or process in any foreign country.

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center

Research Collaboration Agreement

In September, 2014, we entered into a research collaboration agreement with the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Inc. to jointly engage in transitional research and development of adoptive tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte cell therapy with improved anti-tumor properties and process.

Exclusive License Agreement

On July 21, 2014, the Company entered into an Exclusive License Agreement (the “Moffitt License Agreement”), effective as of June 28, 2014, with the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Inc. (“Moffitt”) under which the Company received an exclusive, world-wide license to Moffitt's rights in and to two patent-pending technologies related to methods for improving tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes for adoptive cell therapy. Unless earlier terminated, the term of the license extends until the earlier of the expiration of the last patent related to the licensed technology or 20 years after the effective date of the license agreement.

Pursuant to the Moffitt License Agreement, the Company paid an upfront licensing fee which was recognized as research and development expense during 2014. A patent issuance fee will also be payable under the Moffitt License Agreement, upon the issuance of the first U.S. patent covering the subject technology. In addition, the Company agreed to pay milestone license fees upon completion of specified milestones, customary royalties based on a specified percentage of net sales (which percentage is in the low single digits) and sublicensing payments, as applicable, and annual minimum royalties beginning with the first sale of products based on the licensed technologies, which minimum royalties will be credited against the percentage royalty payments otherwise payable in that year. The Company will also be responsible for all costs associated with the preparation, filing, maintenance and prosecution of the patent applications and patents covered by the Moffitt License Agreement related to the treatment of any cancers in the United States, Europe and Japan and in other countries selected that the Company and Moffitt agreed to.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company recognized $2.5 million and $0.9 million respectively, of expenses related to its license agreements. The amounts were recorded as part of research and development expenses in the statement of operations. Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, there were no net sales subject to certain annual minimum royalty payments or sales that would require us to pay a percentage of revenues from sublicensing arrangements. In addition, there were no benchmarks or milestones achieved that would require payment under the lump sum benchmark royalty payments on the achievement of certain clinical regulatory milestones for each of the various indications.

Future guaranteed commitments under all of the Company's agreements amount to (in thousands):

Year	Amount
2015	$	3,104
2016		2,874
Total	$	5,978

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	9 Months Ended
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	Sep. 30, 2015
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS [Abstract]
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	NOTE 8. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS On August 18, 2015, MBA Holdings, LLC filed a breach of contract lawsuit against the Company in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles (MBA Holdings, LLC v. Lion Biotechnologies, Inc., Case BC 591513). The complaint alleges that the Company and MBA Holdings, LLC were parties to (i) a June 15, 2012 “Finder's Fee Agreement”, (ii) a Confidentiality, Non-Disclosure and Non-Circumvention Agreement, dated June 13, 2012, and (iii) a Consulting Agreement, dated July 9, 2012, and that the Company breached these agreements by failing to compensate MBA Holdings for introducing Roth Capital Partners, LLC and Highline Research Advisors LLC to the Company in connection with the $23.3 million equity funding the Company completed in November 2013. MBA Holdings also alleges that the Company failed to register certain shares underlying a common stock purchase warrant that the Company issued to MBA Holdings. MBA Holdings has asked for damages in the amount of $7,746,000. The Company has not yet been served in the foregoing lawsuit. The Company believes that there is no merit to the claims made by MBA Holdings in the complaint. On September 9, 2015 the Company provided MBA Holdings with evidence that the Company dealt with a certain investment banker on a financing transaction at least six months before MBA Holdings purportedly introduced the Company to the banker, and that a certain research analyst group were known to the Company prior to the purported introduction. Accordingly, the Company has demanded that MBA Holdings dismiss the lawsuit. To date, MBA Holdings has not served the complaint on the Company, dismissed the lawsuit, or responded to the Company's last communications. Accordingly, on October 26, 2015 the Company renewed its demand on MBA and its counsel to dismiss the suit or face exposure to damages for malicious prosecution, voluntarily entered an appearance in the case, and initiated discovery proceedings for the purpose of pursuing an early resolution of the case in the Company's favor. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself in this matter and will seek a prevailing-party award of its attorney's fees and other litigation costs pursuant to contractual provisions in the agreements appended to MBA's complaint. There are no other pending legal proceedings to which the Company is a party or of which its property is the subject other than as previously reported.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for loss and gain contingencies. Describes any existing condition, situation, or set of circumstances involving uncertainty as of the balance sheet date (or prior to issuance of the financial statements) as to a probable or reasonably possible loss incurred by an entity that will ultimately be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur, and typically discloses the amount of loss recorded or a range of possible loss, or an assertion that no reasonable estimate can be made.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14472-108349

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6851643&loc=d3e12021-110248

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
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-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14394-108349

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6851643&loc=d3e12053-110248

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14453-108349

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14615-108349

+ Details

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRACTICES (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRACTICES [Abstract]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Short-term Investments

Short-term Investments

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

The fair valued assets we hold that are generally included under this Level 1 are money market securities where fair value is based on publicly quoted prices.

We do not have fair valued assets classified under Level 3.

Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are categorized in the tables below based upon the lowest level of significant input to the valuations (in thousands):

	Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2015
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Money market funds	$	20,562	$	-	$	-	$	20,562

Corporate debt securities		-		79,374		-		79,374
Total	$	20,562	$	79,374	$		$	99,936

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

Total stock-based compensation expense related to all of our stock-based awards was as follows (in thousands):

	For the Three Months Ended September 30,				For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014

Operating expenses	$	1,492	$	658	$	3,726	$	1,905
Research and development		895		282		2,050		817
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	2,387	$	940	$	5,776	$	2,722

Research and Development

Research and Development

Concentrations

Concentrations

Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash and short-term investments.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRACTICES (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRACTICES [Abstract]

Schedule of Assets Measured at Fair Value

	Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2015
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Money market funds	$	20,562	$	-	$	-	$	20,562

Corporate debt securities		-		79,374		-		79,374
Total	$	20,562	$	79,374	$		$	99,936

Schedule of Stock-Based Compensation

	For the Three Months Ended September 30,				For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014

Operating expenses	$	1,492	$	658	$	3,726	$	1,905
Research and development		895		282		2,050		817
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	2,387	$	940	$	5,776	$	2,722

CASH, MONEY MARKET FUNDS, AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

CASH, MONEY MARKET FUNDS, AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS [Abstract]

Schedule of Cash, Money Market Funds and Short-Term Investments

	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014

Checking and savings accounts (reported as cash and cash equivalents)	$	10,210	$	45
Money market funds		20,562		-
Corporate debt securities (reported as short-term investments)		79,374		-
	$	110,146	$	45

Schedule of Unrealized Gains and Losses

			Gross		Gross
			Unrealized		Unrealized
September 30, 2015	Cost		Gains		Gains		Fair Value
Money market funds	$	20,562	$	-	$	-	$	20,562
Corporate debt securities		79,336		38		-		79,374

Total	$	99,897	$	38	$	-	$	99,936

Schedule of Contractual Maturities

	Within One
	Year
Money market funds	$	20,562
Corporate debt securities		79,374
	$	99,936

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT [Abstract]

Schedule of Property and Equipment

	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
Laboratory equipment	$	1,563		$	688
Leasehold improvements		853			762
Computer, software, and office equipment		211			185
		2,627			1,635
Accumulated depreciation		(794	)		(103	)
	$	1,833		$	1,532

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]

Schedule of Restricted Stock Activity

	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested shares, January 1, 2015		757,500		$	6.84
Granted
Vested		(233,499	)		4.37
Forfeited		(30,000	)		8.24
Non-vested shares, September 30, 2015		494,001		$	6.56

STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS [Abstract]

Schedule of Status of Stock Options

						Weighted
				Weighted		Average		Aggregate
	Shares			Average		Remaining		Intrinsic
	Under			Exercise		Contractual		Value
	Option			Price		Life		(in thousands)
Outstanding at January 1, 2015		1,857,877		$	7.31		8.2	$	2,875
Granted		943,750			9.18		9.8
Exercised		(10,000	)
Expired/Forfeited		(87,432	)		5.92		7.29		-
Outstanding at September 30, 2015		2,704,195		$	8.05		8.16	$	64
Exercisable at September 30, 2015		883,449		$	8.63		6.67	$	98

Schedule of Status of Stock Warrants

						Weighted
				Weighted		Average		Aggregate
	Shares			Average		Remaining		Intrinsic
	Under			Exercise		Contractual		Value
	Warrants			Price		Life		(in thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 2014		11,084,426		$	2.51		3.85 years	$	59,518
Issued		-
Exercised		(3,847,210	)	$	2.50
Expired		-
Outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 2015		7,237,216		$	2.51		3.3 years	$	23,593

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of warrants or rights issued. Warrants and rights outstanding are derivative securities that give the holder the right to purchase securities (usually equity) from the issuer at a specific price within a certain time frame. Warrants are often included in a new debt issue to entice investors by a higher return potential. The main difference between warrants and call options is that warrants are issued and guaranteed by the company, whereas options are exchange instruments and are not issued by the company. Also, the lifetime of a warrant is often measured in years, while the lifetime of a typical option is measured in months. Disclose the title of issue of securities called for by warrants and rights outstanding, the aggregate amount of securities called for by warrants and rights outstanding, the date from which the warrants or rights are exercisable, and the price at which the warrant or right is exercisable.

+ References + Details

LICENSE AND COMMITMENTS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

LICENSE AND COMMITMENTS [Abstract]

Schedule of Purchase Obligation

Year	Amount
2015	$	3,104
2016		2,874
Total	$	5,978

GENERAL ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Mar. 03, 2015	Dec. 22, 2014	Nov. 05, 2013	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
GENERAL ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS [Abstract]
Net loss				$ (7,635)	$ (2,798)	$ (19,283)	$ (7,168)
Net cash used in operating activities						(11,802)	(5,318)
Cash, money market funds and short-term investments				110,146		110,146		$ 45
Stockholder's equity				109,369		109,369		$ 44,846
Working capital				$ 107,500		107,500
Shares issued during period	9,200,000	6,000,000
Share price	$ 8.00	$ 5.75
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, net	$ 68,300	$ 32,200				$ 68,308
Proceeds from issuance of private placement			$ 23,300

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRACTICES (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful life		5 years
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation cost reclassified	$ 0.8		$ 0.3
Equity Option [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount		2,704,195	1,098,750
Warrant [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount		7,237,216	11,172,426
Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount		1,847,000	2,847,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount		494,001
Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful life		2 years
Five Companies [Member] \| Short-term investments [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage		56.00%
Various Other Domestic Issuers [Member] \| Short-term investments [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage		25.00%
Foreign Issuer [Member] \| Short-term investments [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage		19.00%

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRACTICES (Schedule of Assets Measured at Fair Value) (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, fair value	$ 99,936
Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, fair value	20,562
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, fair value	79,374
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, fair value	20,562
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, fair value	20,562
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, fair value
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, fair value	79,374
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, fair value
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, fair value	79,374
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, fair value
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, fair value

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRACTICES (Schedule of Stock-Based Compensation) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 2,387	$ 940	$ 5,776	$ 2,722
Operating expenses [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	1,492	658	3,726	1,905
Research and development [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 895	$ 282	$ 2,050	$ 817

CASH, MONEY MARKET FUNDS, AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Schedule of Cash, Money Market Funds, and Short-Term Investments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CASH, MONEY MARKET FUNDS, AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS [Abstract]
Checking and savings accounts (reported as cash and cash equivalents)	$ 10,210	$ 44,910	$ 17,190	$ 19,673
Money market funds	20,562
Corporate debt securities (reported as short-term investments)	79,374
Total	$ 110,146	$ 45

- Definition

Cash includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the customer may deposit additional funds at any time and effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid Investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Short-term investments, exclusive of cash equivalents, generally consist of marketable securities intended to be sold within one year (or the normal operating cycle if longer) and may include trading securities, available-for-sale securities, or held-to-maturity securities (if maturing within one year), as applicable.

+ References + Details

CASH, MONEY MARKET FUNDS, AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Schedule of Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses) (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 99,897
Gross Unrealized Gains	38
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fair Value	99,936
Money Market Funds [Member]
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	20,562
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fair Value	20,562
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	79,336
Gross Unrealized Gains	38
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fair Value	$ 79,374

CASH, MONEY MARKET FUNDS, AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Schedule of Contractual Maturities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
CASH, MONEY MARKET FUNDS, AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS [Abstract]
Money market funds	$ 20,562
Corporate debt securities	79,374
Total	$ 99,936

CASH, MONEY MARKET FUNDS, AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Short-term investments available for sale	$ 79,374
Money market funds	$ 20,562
Five Companies [Member] \| Short-term investments [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	56.00%
Various Other Domestic Issuers [Member] \| Short-term investments [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	25.00%
Foreign Issuer [Member] \| Short-term investments [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	19.00%

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 2,627		$ 2,627		$ 1,635
Accumulated depreciation	(794)		(794)		(103)
Property and equipment, net	1,833		1,833		1,532
Depreciation expense	266	$ 5	691	$ 23
Laboratory equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	1,563		1,563		688
Leasehold improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	853		853		762
Computer, software, and office equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 211		$ 211		$ 185

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 03, 2015	Dec. 22, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares issued during period	9,200,000	6,000,000
Share price	$ 8.00	$ 5.75
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, net	$ 68,300	$ 32,200	$ 68,308
Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued			1,000,000
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted			2,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Granted					797,500
Vesting period					3 years
Nonvested, fair value					$ 5,300
Share-based compensation					$ 1,300
Vested, fair value			$ 1,500
Unrecognized compensation cost			$ 2,500
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted			500

STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (Schedule of Restricted Stock Activity) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 $ / shares shares
Number of Shares
Non-vested shares, January 1, 2015 \| shares	757,500
Vested \| shares	(233,499)
Forfeited \| shares	(30,000)
Non-vested shares, September 30, 2015 \| shares	494,001
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested shares, January 1, 2015 \| $ / shares	$ 6.84
Vested \| $ / shares	4.37
Forfeited \| $ / shares	8.24
Non-vested shares, September 30, 2015 \| $ / shares	$ 6.56

STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 10, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Proceeds from warrant exercises		$ 9,618	$ 3,002
Warrant [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted
Exercised		3,847,210
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted		943,750
Exercised		10,000
Share-based compensation		$ 4,100	$ 1,900
Unrecognized compensation cost		10,300
Fair value of options		$ 8,300
Expected volatility		211.00%
Discount rate		1.57%
Expected dividend yield		0.00%
Expected life		6 years
2014 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized		4,000,000		2,350,000
Number of additional shares authorized	1,650,000
Minimum [Member] \| Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost, period for recognition		9 months
Vesting period		1 year
Maximum [Member] \| Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost, period for recognition		3 years
Vesting period		3 years

STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS (Schedule of Status of Stock Options) (Details) - Employee Stock Option [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Shares Under Option
Outstanding, beginning balance	1,857,877
Granted	943,750
Exercised	(10,000)
Expired/Forfeited	(87,432)
Outstanding, ending balance	2,704,195	1,857,877
Exercisable	883,449
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding, beginning balance	$ 7.31
Granted	9.18
Expired/Forfeited	5.92
Outstanding, ending balance	8.05	$ 7.31
Exercisable	$ 8.63
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
Outstanding	8 years 1 month 28 days	8 years 2 months 12 days
Granted	9 years 9 months 18 days
Expired/Forfeited	7 years 3 months 14 days
Exercisable	6 years 8 months 1 day
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding, beginning balance	$ 2,875
Expired/Forfeited
Outstanding, ending balance	64	$ 2,875
Exercisable	$ 98

STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS (Schedule of Status of Stock Warrants) (Details) - Warrant [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Shares Under Warrants
Outstanding, beginning balance	11,084,426
Issued
Exercised	(3,847,210)
Expired
Outstanding, ending balance	7,237,216	11,084,426
Exercisable	7,237,216
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding, beginning balance	$ 2.51
Exercised	2.50
Outstanding, ending balance	2.51	$ 2.51
Exercisable	$ 2.51
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
Outstanding	3 years 3 months 18 days	3 years 10 months 6 days
Exercisable	3 years 3 months 18 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding, beginning balance	$ 59,518
Outstanding, ending balance	23,593	$ 59,518
Exercisable ending balance	$ 23,593

LICENSE AND COMMITMENTS (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
LICENSE AND COMMITMENTS [Abstract]
License agreement expense	$ 2.5	$ 0.9

LICENSE AND COMMITMENTS (Schedule of Purchase Obligation) (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
LICENSE AND COMMITMENTS [Abstract]
2015	$ 3,104
2016	2,874
Total	$ 5,978

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS (Details) - USD ($)	Nov. 05, 2013	Sep. 30, 2015
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS [Abstract]
Proceeds from issuance of private placement	$ 23,300,000
Damages sought		$ 7,746,000

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Proceeds from warrant exercises	$ 9,618	$ 3,002
Warrant [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Purchase of common stock	3,847,210