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Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
Document And Entity Information - shares	Mar. 31, 2016	Apr. 30, 2016
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Registrant Name	Lion Biotechnologies, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001425205
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Trading Symbol	LBIO
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		48,552,478

Condensed Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 8,943	$ 13,642
Money market funds	29,972	19,945
Short-term investments available for sale	60,251	70,113
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	193	277
Total Current Assets	99,359	103,977
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $1,372 and $1,103, respectively	1,409	1,676
Total Assets	100,768	105,653
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	1,054	958
Accrued expenses	690	586
Accrued payable to officers and former directors	86	86
Total Current Liabilities	1,830	1,630
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ Equity
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized, 1,694 shares issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $0.000041666 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized, 48,516,528 and 48,547,720 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	2	2
Common stock to be issued, 303,125 shares	245	245
Accumulated other comprehensive income	68	48
Additional paid-in capital	209,729	207,950
Accumulated deficit	(111,106)	(104,222)
Total Stockholders’ Equity	98,938	104,023
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$ 100,768	$ 105,653

Condensed Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	$ 1,372	$ 1,103
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	1,694	1,694
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	1,694	1,694
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.000041666	$ 0.000041666
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	150,000,000	150,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	48,516,528	48,547,720
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	48,516,528	48,547,720
Common Stock To Be Issued Shares	303,125	303,125

Condensed Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Condensed Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Revenues	$ 0	$ 0
Costs and expenses
Research and development (including $585 and $387 in share-based compensation costs)	4,192	2,398
General and administrative (including $1,194 and $1,080 in share-based compensation costs)	2,818	2,900
Total costs and expenses	7,010	5,298
Loss from operations	(7,010)	(5,298)
Other income
Interest income	126	0
Net Loss	$ (6,884)	$ (5,298)
Net Loss Per Share, Basic and Diluted	$ (0.14)	$ (0.14)
Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted	48,547,534	37,678,662

Condensed Statements of Operations (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Research and Development Expense [Member]
Share Based Compensation	$ 585	$ 387
General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Share Based Compensation	$ 1,194	$ 1,080

Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Loss - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Net Loss	$ (6,884)	$ (5,298)
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gain on short-term investments	20	0
Comprehensive Loss	$ (6,864)	$ (5,298)

- Definition

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

+ References + Details

Statements of Stockholders' Equity - 3 months ended Mar. 31, 2016 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock to be Issued [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 104,023	$ 0	$ 2	$ 245	$ 207,950	$ 48	$ (104,222)
Beginning Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		1,694	48,547,720
Fair value of vested stock options	1,483				1,483
Vesting of restricted shares issued for services	296				296
Cancellation of stock option and restricted shares issued for services	0				0
Cancellation of stock option and restricted shares issued for services (in shares)			(31,192)
Unrealized gain on short-term investments	20					20
Net Loss	(6,884)						(6,884)
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2016	$ 98,938	$ 0	$ 2	$ 245	$ 209,729	$ 68	$ (111,106)
Ending Balance (in Shares) at Mar. 31, 2016		1,694	48,516,528

- Definition

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

+ References + Details

Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net loss	$ (6,884)	$ (5,298)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	269	185
Fair value of vested stock options	1,483	1,017
Common stock issued for services	296	450
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	84	(62)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	200	249
Net Cash Used In Operating Activities	(4,552)	(3,459)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Purchase of money market funds	(10,027)	0
Purchase of short-term investments	(29,273)	0
Maturities of short-term investments	39,155	0
Purchase of property and equipment	(2)	(782)
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities	(147)	(782)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock upon exercise of warrants	0	2,304
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, net	0	68,308
Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities	0	70,612
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(4,699)	66,371
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period	13,642	44,909
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	8,943	111,280
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
Unrealized gain on short-term investments	$ 20	$ 0

GENERAL ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

GENERAL ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS

NOTE 1. GENERAL ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS

Lion Biotechnologies, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is a biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing adoptive cell therapy (ACT) using autologous tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and other solid cancers. ACT utilizes T-cells harvested from a patient to treat cancer in that patient. TIL, a kind of anti-tumor T-cells that are naturally present in a patient’s tumors, are collected from individual patient tumor samples. The TIL are then activated and expanded ex vivo and then infused back into the patient to fight their tumor cells.

Basis of Presentation of Unaudited Condensed Financial Information

The unaudited condensed financial statements of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 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, 2015 was derived from the audited financial statements included in the Company's financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 11, 2016. 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 2016 from the sale or licensing of any products. As shown in the accompanying condensed financial statements, we have incurred a net loss of $6.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and used $4.6 million of cash in our operating activities during the three months ended March 31, 2016. As of March 31, 2016, we had $99.2 million of cash, money market funds, and short-term investments on hand, stockholders’ equity of $98.9 million and had working capital of $97.5 million.

During 2016, we expect to further ramp up our clinical operations and research activities, which will increase the amount of cash we will use. Specifically, our budget for 2016 includes increased spending on Phase II clinical trials, research and development activities, higher payroll expenses as we increase our professional and scientific staff, as well as ongoing payments under our Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the National Cancer Institute (NCI). We estimate that we will spend between $30- $35 million in cash during 2016. Based on the funds we had available on March 31, 2016, we believe that we have sufficient capital to fund our anticipated operating expenses for at least 12 months.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRACTICES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRACTICES

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRACTICES

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.

Loss per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Shares of restricted stock are included in the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding from the time they vest. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders 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. Shares of restricted stock are included in the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding from the date they are granted until which time they vest, unless they are antidilutive. For the three month ended March 31, 2016, and 2015, the calculations of basic and diluted loss per share are the same because inclusion of potential dilutive securities in the computation would have an anti-dilutive effect due to the net losses.

At March 31, 2016 and 2015, the dilutive impact of outstanding stock options for 3,367,129 and 1,907,877 shares, respectively; outstanding warrants for 7,202,216 shares; and preferred stock that can convert into 847,000 shares of our common stock, have been excluded because their impact on the loss per share is anti-dilutive.

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.

The Company believes the carrying amount of its financial instruments (consisting of cash and cash equivalents, and accounts payable and accrued expenses) approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of such instruments.

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 March 31, 2016
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Corporate debt securities	$	-	$	60,251	$	-	$	60,251
Total	$	-	$	60,251	$	-	$	60,251

	Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2015
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Corporate debt securities	$	-	$	70,113	$	-	$	70,113
Total	$	-	$	70,113	$	-	$	90,058

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 valuation of available-for-sale investments, accounting for potential liabilities, the valuation allowance associated with the Company’s deferred tax assets, 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 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.

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.

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

	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016		2015
Research and development	$	585	$	387
General and administrative		1,194		1,080
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	1,779	$	1,467

Concentrations

Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash.

The Company maintains cash balances at one bank. At times, the amount on deposit exceeds the federally insured limits. Management believes that the financial institution that holds the Company’s cash is financially sound and, accordingly, minimal credit risk exists. As of March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company’s cash balances were in excess of insured limits maintained at the bank.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The new guidance will impact the accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option, and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. All equity investments in unconsolidated entities (other than those accounted for under the equity method of accounting) will generally be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized through earnings. There will no longer be an available-for-sale classification for equity securities with readily determinable fair values in which changes in fair value are currently reported in other comprehensive income. In addition, the FASB clarified the need for a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets resulting from unrealized losses on available-for-sale debt securities. In general, the new guidance will require modified retrospective application to all outstanding instruments, with a cumulative effect adjustment recorded to opening retained earnings. This guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted commencing January 1, 2017. We are currently evaluating the expected impact that the standard could have on our financial statements and related disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, Leases. ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to record a right of use asset and a corresponding lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. ASU 2016-02 is effective for all interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of ASU 2016-02 on the Company’s financial statements and disclosures.

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 months ended March 31, 2015, the Company has reclassified $0.3 million, of stock-based compensation that was previously reflected as general and administrative 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.

Subsequent Events

The Company evaluates events that have occurred after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued. Based upon the evaluation, the Company did not identify any recognized or non-recognized subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the condensed financial statements.

CASH, MONEY MARKET FUNDS, AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Cash, Cash Equivalents, 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):

	March 31,		December 31,
	2016		2015
Checking and savings accounts (reported as cash and cash equivalents)	$	8,943	$	13,642
Money market funds		29,972		19,945
Corporate debt securities (reported as short-term investments)		60,251		70,113
	$	99,166	$	103,700

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

			Gross		Gross
			Unrealized		Unrealized
March 31, 2016	Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value
Money market funds	$	29,972	$	-	$	-	$	29,972
Corporate debt securities		60,183		68		-		60,251
Total	$	90,155	$	68	$	-	$	90,223


			Gross		Gross
			Unrealized		Unrealized
December 31, 2015	Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value
Money market funds	$	19,945	$	-	$	-	$	19,945
Corporate debt securities		70,065		48		-		70,113
Total	$	90,010	$	48	$	-	$	90,058

As of March 31, 2016, the contractual maturities of our money market funds and short-term investments were (in thousands):

	Within One
	Year
Money market funds	$	29,972
Corporate debt securities		60,251
	$	90,223

At March 31, 2016, 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 March 31, 2016, the Company’s short-term investments totaled $60.3 million, of which 50% were invested in notes of five companies, 44% were invested in notes of other domestic issuers, and 6% were invested in notes of foreign issuers. The average maturity of these notes was 85 days. At March 31, 2016 the Company’s money-market funds totaled approximately $30 million and were invested in a single, no-load money market fund.

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

NOTE 4. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

During 2016, certain employees authorized the Company to cancel 41,193 vested shares to satisfy withholding requirements related to such vesting. The cancellation is recorded as a reduction to shares outstanding. Additionally, 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:

			Weighted
			Average
	Number of		Grant Date
	Shares		Fair Value
Non-vested shares, January 1, 2016		321,252	$	6.96
Granted
Vested		(73,126)		6.40
Forfeited		-		-
Non-vested shares, March 31, 2016		248,126	$	7.13

- 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

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Section S99
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-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(d),(e))
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6521494

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Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 4
-Section E

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

+ Details

STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

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

STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS

NOTE 5. STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS

Stock Options

A summary of the status of stock options at March 31, 2016, and the changes during the three 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, 2016		2,693,237	$	8.12		8.02	$	2,347
Granted		986,422		5.02		9.9
Exercised		-		-		-		-
Expired/Forfeited		(312,530)		8.01		-		-
Outstanding at March 31, 2016		3,367,129	$	7.15		8.87	$	185
Exercisable at March 31, 2016		1,151,221	$	8.26		7.82	$	24

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company granted options to purchase 986,422 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 $4.8 million using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on the following assumptions: (i) volatility rate of 194%, (ii) discount rate of 1.78%, (iii) zero expected dividend yield, and (iv) expected life of 6 years.

During the period ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded compensation costs of $1.5 million and $1.0 million, respectively, relating to the vesting of stock options. As of March 31, 2016, the aggregate value of unvested options was $12.8 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.

LICENSES AND COMMITMENTS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

LICENSES AND COMMITMENTS

NOTE 6. 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.

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.

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 year ended December 31, 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. 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 License.

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

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 three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized $0.8 million and $0.5 million respectively, of expenses related to its license agreements. The amounts were recorded as part of research and development expenses in the statements of operations. Additionally, during the three months ended March 31, 2016, 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.

Aggregate guaranteed commitments for 2016, under all of the Company’s license and research agreements, are approximately $2.1 million.

Tampa Lease

In December 2014, the Company commenced a five-year non-cancellable operating lease with the University of South Florida Research Foundation for an approximately 5,200 square foot facility located in Tampa, Florida. The facility is part of the University of South Florida research park and is used as the Company’s research and development facilities. The monthly base rent for this facility during the first year of the lease was $10,443 and will increase by 3% annually. The Company has the option to extend the lease term of this facility for an additional five-year period on the same terms and conditions, except that the base rent for the renewal term will be increased in accordance with the applicable consumer price index.

The minimum lease payments are as follows (in thousands):

Year	Amount
2016 (remaining)	$	114
2017		157
2018		162
2019		167
	$	638

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Loss Contingency [Abstract]

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

NOTE 7. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

SEC Settlement. As previously disclosed, on April 23, 2014 we received a subpoena from the SEC that stated that the staff of the SEC was conducting an investigation then designated as In the Matter of Galena Biopharma, Inc. File No. HO 12346 (now known as In the Matter of Certain Stock Promotions) and that the subpoena was issued to the Company as part of the foregoing investigation. The SEC’s subpoena and accompanying letter did not indicate whether we were, or were not, under investigation. We produced documents in response to the subpoena and have since fully cooperated with the SEC’s investigation.

We have recently been informed by the Staff of the SEC that the SEC’s investigation, in part, involves the conduct of our former Chief Executive Officer, Manish singh, during the period between September 2013 and April 2014. We understand that, as it pertains to the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer, the investigation has focused on the failure by authors of certain articles about the Company to disclose that they were compensated by one of our former investor relations firms. We understand that it is the position of the SEC Staff that the conduct of our former Chief Executive Officer with respect to these articles may be imputed to the Company.

In order to resolve this matter, we have agreed with the Staff of the SEC to a proposed settlement framework under which we would consent to the entry of an order requiring that we cease and desist from any future violations of certain provisions of the federal securities laws, without admitting or denying any allegations. We are currently discussing with the Staff of the SEC whether the proposed settlement will involve the payment of a financial penalty. Because we do not yet know whether a financial penalty will be part of the proposed settlement and, if so, the amount of the financial penalty, we have not accrued a liability related to this matter. The proposed settlement is contingent upon reaching agreement with the Staff of the SEC on a complete set of settlement terms and approval by the Commissioners of the SEC, neither of which can be assured.

Solomon Capital, LLC. On April 8, 2016, a lawsuit titled Solomon Capital, LLC, Solomon Capital 401(K) Trust, Solomon Sharbat and Shelhav Raff against Lion Biotechnologies, Inc. was filed by Solomon Capital, LLC, Solomon Capital 401(k) Trust, Solomon Sharbat and Shelhav Raff against the company in the Supreme Court of the State of New York County of New York (index no. 651881/2016). The plaintiffs allege that, between June and November 2012 they provided us with $52,850 and that they advanced and paid on our behalf an additional $170,000. The complaint further alleges that we agreed to (i) provide them with promissory notes totaling $222,850, plus interest, (ii) issue a total of 111,425 shares to the plaintiffs (before the 1-for-100 reverse stock effected in September 2013), and (iii) allow the plaintiffs to convert the foregoing funds into our securities in the next transaction. The plaintiffs allege that they should have been able to convert their advances and payments into shares of our common stock in the restructuring and reorganization that we effected in May 2013. Based on the foregoing, the plaintiffs allege causes for breach of contract and unjust enrichment and demand judgment against us in an unspecified amount exceeding $1,500,000, plus interest and attorneys’ fees. We have begun our investigation of the allegations made by the plaintiffs and intend to vigorously defend this matter.

- 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
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14394-108349

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6851643&loc=d3e12053-110248

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-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)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Short-term Investments

Short-term Investments

Loss per Share

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 March 31, 2016
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Corporate debt securities	$	-	$	60,251	$	-	$	60,251
Total	$	-	$	60,251	$	-	$	60,251

	Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2015
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Corporate debt securities	$	-	$	70,113	$	-	$	70,113
Total	$	-	$	70,113	$	-	$	90,058

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 March 31,
	2016		2015
Research and development	$	585	$	387
General and administrative		1,194		1,080
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	1,779	$	1,467

Concentrations

Concentrations

Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRACTICES (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of Assets Measured at Fair Value

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 March 31, 2016
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Corporate debt securities	$	-	$	60,251	$	-	$	60,251
Total	$	-	$	60,251	$	-	$	60,251

	Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2015
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Corporate debt securities	$	-	$	70,113	$	-	$	70,113
Total	$	-	$	70,113	$	-	$	90,058

Schedule of 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 March 31,
	2016		2015
Research and development	$	585	$	387
General and administrative		1,194		1,080
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	1,779	$	1,467

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

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments [Abstract]

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

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

	March 31,		December 31,
	2016		2015
Checking and savings accounts (reported as cash and cash equivalents)	$	8,943	$	13,642
Money market funds		29,972		19,945
Corporate debt securities (reported as short-term investments)		60,251		70,113
	$	99,166	$	103,700

Schedule of Unrealized Gains and Losses

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

			Gross		Gross
			Unrealized		Unrealized
March 31, 2016	Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value
Money market funds	$	29,972	$	-	$	-	$	29,972
Corporate debt securities		60,183		68		-		60,251
Total	$	90,155	$	68	$	-	$	90,223


			Gross		Gross
			Unrealized		Unrealized
December 31, 2015	Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value
Money market funds	$	19,945	$	-	$	-	$	19,945
Corporate debt securities		70,065		48		-		70,113
Total	$	90,010	$	48	$	-	$	90,058

Schedule of Contractual Maturities

As of March 31, 2016, the contractual maturities of our money market funds and short-term investments were (in thousands):

	Within One
	Year
Money market funds	$	29,972
Corporate debt securities		60,251
	$	90,223

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Schedule of Restricted Stock Activity

The following table summarizes restricted common stock activity:

			Weighted
			Average
	Number of		Grant Date
	Shares		Fair Value
Non-vested shares, January 1, 2016		321,252	$	6.96
Granted
Vested		(73,126)		6.40
Forfeited		-		-
Non-vested shares, March 31, 2016		248,126	$	7.13

STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

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

Schedule of Status of Stock Options

A summary of the status of stock options at March 31, 2016, and the changes during the three 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, 2016		2,693,237	$	8.12		8.02	$	2,347
Granted		986,422		5.02		9.9
Exercised		-		-		-		-
Expired/Forfeited		(312,530)		8.01		-		-
Outstanding at March 31, 2016		3,367,129	$	7.15		8.87	$	185
Exercisable at March 31, 2016		1,151,221	$	8.26		7.82	$	24

LICENSES AND COMMITMENTS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligations

The minimum lease payments are as follows (in thousands):

Year	Amount
2016 (remaining)	$	114
2017		157
2018		162
2019		167
	$	638

GENERAL ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent, Total	$ (6,884)	$ (5,298)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations, Total	(4,552)	$ (3,459)
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments, Total	99,166		$ 103,700
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Total	98,938		$ 104,023
Working Capital	97,500
Minimum [Member]
Cash, Period Increase (Decrease), Total	30,000
Maximum [Member]
Cash, Period Increase (Decrease), Total	$ 35,000

- 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

- Definition

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

+ References + Details

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRACTICES (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Assets, fair value	$ 60,251	$ 90,058
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets, fair value	60,251	70,113
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets, fair value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets, fair value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets, fair value	60,251	70,113
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets, fair value	60,251	70,113
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets, fair value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets, fair value	$ 0	$ 0

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRACTICES (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost, Total	$ 1,779	$ 1,467
Research and Development Expense [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost, Total	585	387
General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost, Total	$ 1,194	$ 1,080

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRACTICES (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Reclassification Of Stock Based Compensation Cost		$ 0.3
Stock Option Shares Outstanding	3,367,129	1,907,877
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	7,202,216
Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	847,000

CASH, MONEY MARKET FUNDS, AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Checking and savings accounts (reported as cash and cash equivalents)	$ 8,943	$ 13,642	$ 111,280	$ 44,909
Money market funds	29,972	19,945
Corporate debt securities (reported as short-term investments)	60,251	70,113
Total	$ 99,166	$ 103,700

- Definition

+ References + Details

CASH, MONEY MARKET FUNDS, AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Amortized Cost	$ 90,155	$ 90,010
Gross Unrealized Gains	68	48
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	90,223	90,058
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized Cost	60,183	70,065
Gross Unrealized Gains	68	48
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	60,251	70,113
Money Market Funds [Member]
Amortized Cost	29,972	19,945
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	$ 29,972	$ 19,945

CASH, MONEY MARKET FUNDS, AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Money market funds	$ 29,972	$ 19,945
Corporate debt securities	60,251	$ 70,113
Total	$ 90,223

CASH, MONEY MARKET FUNDS, AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Available-for-sale Securities, Total	$ 60,251	$ 70,113
Money Market Funds, at Carrying Value	$ 29,972	$ 19,945
Money Market Funds And Short Term Investments Weighted Average Time To Maturity	85 days
Short-term Investments [Member] \| Five Companies [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	50.00%
Short-term Investments [Member] \| Various Other Domestic Issuers [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	44.00%
Short-term Investments [Member] \| Foreign Issuer [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	6.00%

STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (Details)	3 Months Ended
STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (Details)	Mar. 31, 2016 $ / shares shares
Number of Shares
Non-vested shares, Beginning Balance \| shares	321,252
Granted \| shares
Vested \| shares	(73,126)
Forfeited \| shares	0
Non-vested shares, Ending Balance \| shares	248,126
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance \| $ / shares	$ 6.96
Granted \| $ / shares
Vested \| $ / shares	6.40
Forfeited \| $ / shares	0
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance \| $ / shares	$ 7.13

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details Textual)	3 Months Ended
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details Textual)	Mar. 31, 2016 shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Cancellation Of Vested Shares	41,193

STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS (Details) - Employee Stock Option [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Shares Under Option
Outstanding, beginning balance	2,693,237
Granted	986,422
Exercised	0
Expired/Forfeited	(312,530)
Outstanding, ending balance	3,367,129	2,693,237
Exercisable	1,151,221
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding, beginning balance	$ 8.12
Granted	5.02
Exercised	0
Expired/Forfeited	8.01
Outstanding, ending balance	7.15	$ 8.12
Exercisable	$ 8.26
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
Outstanding	8 years 10 months 13 days	8 years 7 days
Granted	9 years 10 months 24 days
Expired/Forfeited	0 years
Exercisable	7 years 9 months 25 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding, beginning balance	$ 2,347
Expired/Forfeited	0
Outstanding, ending balance	185	$ 2,347
Exercisable	$ 24

STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 1.5	$ 1.0
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Stock Options	$ 12.8
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	986,422
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value	$ 4.8
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate, Maximum	194.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate, Maximum	1.78%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	6 years

LICENSES AND COMMITMENTS (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)
2016 (remaining)	$ 114
2017	157
2018	162
2019	167
Total	$ 638

LICENSES AND COMMITMENTS (Details Textual)	3 Months Ended
LICENSES AND COMMITMENTS (Details Textual)	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) a	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)
License And Commitments [Line Items]
License Costs	$ 800,000	$ 500,000
License and Research Agreements [Member]
License And Commitments [Line Items]
Contractual Obligation, Due in Next Fiscal Year	$ 2,100,000
Tampa Lease [Member]
License And Commitments [Line Items]
Area of Land \| a	5,200
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$ 10,443
Percentage Of Increase In Lease Rent	3.00%

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS (Details Textual)	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS (Details Textual)	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Apr. 08, 2016 USD ($)
Stockholders' Equity, Reverse Stock Split	1-for-100
Solomon Capital, LLC [Member]
Proceeds from Related Party Debt		$ 170,000	$ 52,850
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Number of Equity Instruments				111,425
Commercial Paper [Member] \| Solomon Capital, LLC [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				$ 222,850
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Solomon Capital, LLC [Member]
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Minimum					$ 1,500,000