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Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Mar. 31, 2014	May 06, 2014
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	NEWLINK GENETICS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0001126234
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--03-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2014
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		27,874,204
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 83,713	$ 61,291
Certificates of deposit	249	249
Prepaid expenses	679	773
State research and development credit receivable	417	329
Other receivables	251	1,328
Total current assets	85,309	63,970
Leasehold improvements and equipment:
Leasehold improvements	5,576	5,588
Computer equipment	1,151	1,133
Lab equipment	3,821	3,724
Total leasehold improvements and equipment	10,548	10,445
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(4,114)	(3,858)
Leasehold improvements and equipment, net	6,434	6,587
Total assets	91,743	70,557
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	972	612
Accrued expenses	2,381	2,861
Accrued Income Taxes, Current	5	130
Deferred rent	84	84
Current portion of long term debt	190	189
Total current liabilities	3,632	3,876
Long term liabilities:
Royalty obligation payable to Iowa Economic Development Authority	6,000	6,000
Notes payable and obligations under capital leases	986	1,033
Deferred rent, excluding current portion	1,300	1,321
Total long-term liabilities	8,286	8,354
Total liabilities	11,918	12,230
Equity (deficit):
Blank check preferred stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares — 5,000,000 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013; issued and outstanding shares — 0 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares — 75,000,000 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013; issued shares — 27,870,883 and outstanding shares — 27,862,390 at March 31, 2014, and issued and outstanding shares — 26,573,023 at December 31, 2013	279	266
Additional paid-in capital	224,941	194,038
Treasury stock	(182)	0
Deficit accumulated during the development stage	(145,213)	(135,977)
Total equity	79,825	58,327
Total liabilities and equity	$ 91,743	$ 70,557

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Stockholders' Equity:
Blank check preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Blank check preferred stock, authorized shares	5,000,000	5,000,000
Blank check preferred stock, issued shares	0.00	0.00
Blank check preferred stock, outstanding shares	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, authorized shares	75,000,000	75,000,000
Common stock, issued shares	27,870,883	26,573,023
Common stock, outstanding shares	27,862,390	26,573,023

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		178 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
Grant revenue	$ 334	$ 302	$ 8,831
Operating expenses:
Research and development	6,387	6,343	107,256
General and administrative	3,251	2,001	49,715
Total operating expenses	9,638	8,344	156,971
Loss from operations	(9,304)	(8,042)	(148,140)
Other income and expense:
Miscellaneous income	50	114	482
Forgiveness of debt	0	0	449
Interest income	23	2	1,802
Interest expense	(5)	(8)	(219)
Other (expense) income, net	68	108	2,514
Net loss before taxes	(9,236)	(7,934)	(145,626)
Income Tax Expense	0	0	(130)
Net loss	(9,236)	(7,934)	(145,756)
Less net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	583
Net loss attributable to NewLink	$ (9,236)	$ (7,934)	$ (145,173)
Basic and diluted net loss per share	$ (0.33)	$ (0.33)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted	27,605,910	23,860,469

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Weighted-average common shares outstanding, diluted) - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted	27,605,910	23,860,469

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) - 3 months ended Mar. 31, 2014 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Deficit Accumulated During the Development Stage [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 58,327	$ 266	$ 194,038		$ (135,977)
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	26,573,023
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock issued	$ 27,574	10	27,564
Stock issued (shares)	1,017,217
Stock Repurchased During Period	$ (182)			$ (182)
Stock compensation	2,105		2,105
Exercise of stock options	$ 1,237	3	1,234
Exercise of stock options (shares)	280,643
Treasury stock (shares)	(8,493)
Net loss	$ (9,236)				(9,236)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	$ 79,825	$ 279	$ 224,941	$ 182	$ (145,213)
Balance (shares) at Mar. 31, 2014	27,862,390

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		178 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash Flows From Development Activities
Net loss	$ (9,236)	$ (7,934)	$ (145,756)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in development activities:
Share-based compensation	2,105	966	15,014
Depreciation and amortization	256	212	4,896
Loss on sale of fixed assets	0	0	40
In-process research and development expenses	0	0	1,629
Forgiveness of debt	0	0	(449)
Forgiveness of notes receivable from related parties	0	0	350
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses	94	250	(679)
State research and development credit receivable	(88)	(85)	(417)
Other receivables	1,077	(261)	(251)
Accounts payable	351	(106)	(268)
Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Payable	(125)	0	5
Accrued expenses and deferred rent	(501)	335	3,765
Net cash used in development activities	(6,067)	(6,623)	(122,121)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Purchase of certificates of deposit	0	0	(13,531)
Sale of certificates of deposit	0	747	13,282
Notes receivable from related parties	0	0	(350)
Purchase of equipment	(93)	(62)	(9,571)
Proceeds on sale of fixed assets	0	0	50
Cash paid for OncoRx	0	0	(120)
Net cash used in investing activities	(93)	685	(10,240)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Cash received from noncontrolling interest investment	0	0	3,479
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs	28,811	49,035	138,471
Repurchase of common stock	(182)	0	(687)
Proceeds from preferred stock	0	0	67,743
Proceeds from notes payable	0	0	8,215
Principal payments on debt	(38)	(37)	(663)
Payments under capital lease obligations	(9)	(32)	(484)
Net cash provided by financing activities	28,582	48,966	216,074
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	22,422	43,028	83,713
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	61,291	20,250
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	83,713	63,278	83,713
Supplemental disclosure of cash flows information:
Cash paid for interest	4	8	180
Noncash financing and investing activities:
Accretion on redeemable preferred stock	0	0	113
Purchased leasehold improvements and equipment in accounts payable	10	9	10
Common stock issued to shareholders of OncoRx as part of acquisition	0	0	1,654
Issuance of common stock dividend to Series AA preferred shareholders	0	0	6
Assets acquired under capital lease	0	0	596
Reduction of IPO offering costs	$ 0	$ 0	$ 158

Description of Business and Development Stage Activities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Development Stage Enterprises [Abstract]
Description of Business and Development Stage Activities	Description of Business and Development Stage Activities On June 4, 1999, NewLink Genetics Corporation (NewLink) was incorporated as a Delaware corporation. NewLink was formed for the purpose of developing treatments for cancer and other diseases. NewLink initiated operations in April of 2000, which primarily consist of research and development. In 2005, NewLink created a wholly owned subsidiary, BioProtection Systems Corporation (BPS). NewLink contributed certain licensing agreements and other intangible assets for BPS to create vaccines against potential biological terror threats. Subsequent to its creation, certain interests in BPS were sold to minority shareholders. On January 7, 2011, NewLink acquired all of the minority interest in BPS, by merging a newly-formed subsidiary of NewLink with BPS, with BPS as the surviving corporation resulting in NewLink owning all the outstanding capital stock of BPS. In 2013, NewLink created a subsidiary, NewLink International (NI). In 2014, NewLink created another subsidiary, NewLink Global (NG). NewLink plans to conduct all or a portion of its operations outside of the United States through NI and NG. NewLink and its subsidiaries (the Company) are development stage enterprises and are devoting substantially all of their efforts toward research and development. The Company has never earned revenue from sales of its drugs under development. The Company incurred a net loss of $9.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, and from June 4, 1999 (inception) through March 31, 2014 has generated a cumulative deficit of $145.2 million. The Company has managed its liquidity needs during its development stage to date through a series of capital market transactions. On November 16, 2011, the Company completed its initial public offering (IPO) of common stock pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1 that was declared effective on November 10, 2011. The Company sold 6,200,000 shares of common stock at a price of $7.00 per share raising a total of $37.6 million in net proceeds after underwriting discounts and commissions of $3.0 million and offering expenses of $2.9 million. Costs directly associated with the IPO were capitalized and recorded as deferred IPO costs prior to the closing of the IPO. These costs have been recorded as a reduction of the proceeds received in arriving at the amount recorded in additional paid-in capital. Upon the closing of the IPO, 14,270,113 shares of the Company’s convertible preferred stock automatically converted into10,719,353 shares of common stock, which also reflected conversion price adjustments to our preferred stock. On February 4, 2013, the Company completed a follow-on offering of its common stock. The Company sold 4,600,000 shares of common stock at a price of $11.40 per share raising a total of $49.0 million in net proceeds. NewLink entered into a sales agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., dated as of September 5, 2013, under which NewLink may sell up to $60.0 million in shares of its common stock in one or more placements at prevailing market prices for its common stock (the ATM Offering). Any such sales would be effected pursuant to its registration statement on Form S-3 (333-185721), declared effective by the SEC on January 4, 2013. As of March 31, 2014, the Company had sold 1,833,838 shares of common stock under the ATM Offering, raising a total of $45.0 million in net proceeds. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company received equity financing of $67.2 million and $1.3 million, respectively, through common stock offerings. Subsequent to March 31, 2014, the Company sold no additional shares of common stock under the follow-on offering or the ATM Offering. The accompanying financial statements as of March 31, 2014 and for the three months then ended have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. As noted above, the Company successfully raised net proceeds of $37.6 million from its IPO, completed a follow-on offering of its common stock raising net proceeds of $49.0 million, and raised an additional $45.0 million in net proceeds from the ATM Offering prior to March 31, 2014. The Company's cash and cash equivalents after these offerings are expected to be adequate to satisfy the Company's liquidity requirements well into 2015, although not through commercialization and launch of revenue producing products. If available liquidity becomes insufficient to meet the Company’s operating obligations as they come due, the Company's plans include pursuing alternative funding arrangements and/or reducing expenditures as necessary to meet the Company’s cash requirements. However, there is no assurance that, if required, the Company will be able to raise additional capital or reduce discretionary spending to provide the required liquidity. Failure by the Company to successfully execute its plans or otherwise address its liquidity needs may have a material adverse effect on its business and financial position, and may materially affect the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

- Definition

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

+ References + Details

Basis of Presentation (Notes)	3 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation (Notes)	Mar. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The interim financial statements have been prepared and presented by the Company in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), without audit, and, in management’s opinion, reflect all adjustments necessary to present fairly the Company’s interim financial information. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the Company’s annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted. The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. There were no significant changes in the Company’s accounting policies since the end of fiscal 2013. The financial results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of financial results for the full year.

Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	Significant Accounting Policies (a) Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. (b) Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of NewLink and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. (c) Financial Instruments and Concentrations of Credit Risk The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, certificates of deposit, receivables, and accounts payable, which are recorded at cost, approximate fair value based on the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The fair value and carrying value of notes payable and capital lease obligations was $1.2 million and $1.2 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and was determined using Level 3 inputs. The Company is unable to estimate the fair value of the royalty obligation because the timing and receipt of payments is uncertain. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, and certificates of deposit. Cash and cash equivalents are held by financial institutions and are federally insured up to certain limits. At times, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance exceeds the federally insured limits. To limit the credit risk, the Company invests its excess cash primarily in high quality cash equivalents, such as money market funds, or certificates of deposit.

Common Stock Equity Incentive Plan

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

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

Common Stock Equity Incentive Plan

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


•	Incentive Stock Options


•	Nonstatutory Stock Options


•	Restricted Stock Awards


•	Stock Appreciation Rights

Awards under the 2009 Plan, as amended, may be made to officers, employees, members of the Board of Directors, advisors, and consultants to the Company. Shares are added to the reserve of shares available for issuance pursuant to an “evergreen provision” on January 1 of each year, from 2012 to (and including) 2019, in an amount equal to 4% of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding calendar year. As of March 31, 2014, there were 6,799,854 shares of common stock authorized for the 2009 plan and 1,074,909 shares remained available for issuance.

On January 7, 2011, stockholders authorized an increase of 714,286 shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2009 Plan. On January 1, 2012 an additional 823,649 shares of common stock were added to the shares reserved for future issuance under the 2009 Plan. On January 1, 2013, an additional 838,375 shares of common stock were added to the shares reserved for future issuance under the 2009 Plan. On January 1, 2014 an additional 1,066,340 shares of common stock were added to the shares reserved for future issuance under the 2009 Plan.

Under the terms of the Company’s 2010 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Award Plan (Directors’ Plan), which became effective on November 10, 2011, 238,095 shares of common stock were reserved for future issuance. On May 9, 2013 an additional 161,905 shares of common stock were added to the shares reserved for future issuance under the Directors' Plan. As of March 31, 2014, 266,202 shares remained available for issuance under the plan.

Under the terms of the Company’s 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (2010 Purchase Plan), which became effective on November 10, 2011, 214,285 shares of common stock were reserved for future issuance. On May 9, 2013 an additional 185,715 shares of common stock were added to the shares reserved for future issuance under the 2010 Purchase Plan. As of March 31, 2014, 296,808 shares remained available for issuance under the plan.

Share-based Compensation

Share-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, and from inception through March 31, 2014 was $2.1 million, $966,000, and $15.0 million, respectively, and is allocated between research and development and general and administrative expenses within the consolidated statements of operations, giving rise to a related tax benefit of $0 for all periods.

As of March 31, 2014, the total compensation cost related to nonvested option awards not yet recognized was $13.7 million and the weighted average period over which it is expected to be recognized is 3.2 years.

The following table summarizes the stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014:



	Number of options		Weighted average exercise price		Weighted average remaining contractual term (years)
Outstanding at beginning of period	4,486,564		$	5.89
Options granted	551,900		23.42
Options exercised	(240,643	)	5.14
Options forfeited	(7,821	)	13.57
Options expired	—		—
Outstanding at end of period	4,790,000		$	7.94	7.0
Options exercisable at end of period	3,248,331		$	4.44	6.0

The following table summarizes options that were granted during the three months ended March 31, 2014, and the range of assumptions used to estimate the fair value of those stock options using a Black-Scholes valuation model:



Risk-free interest rate		1.96%-2.24%
Expected dividend yield		—%
Expected volatility		57.4%-60.3%
Expected term (in years)		6.9-7.0
Weighted average grant-date fair value per share		$13.75

The intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $6.5 million. The fair value of awards vested during the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $2.1 million.

Restricted stock is common stock that is subject to restrictions, including risks of forfeiture, determined by the plan committee of the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, for so long as such common stock remains subject to any such restrictions. A holder of restricted stock has all rights of a shareholder with respect to such stock, including the right to vote and to receive dividends thereon, except as otherwise provided in the award agreement relating to such award. Restricted stock awards are equity classified within the consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of each restricted stock grant is estimated on the date of grant using the closing price of Company's Common Stock on the The NASDAQ Stock Market on the date of grant.

During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, there were 118,700 and 0 shares of restricted stock granted. These restricted stock grants had a weighted average fair value (per share) at date of grant of $21.77. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, there were 78,700 and 0 shares of unvested restricted stock outstanding, respectively. Compensation expense is determined for the issuance of restricted stock by amortizing over the requisite service period, or the vesting period, the aggregate fair value of the restricted stock awarded based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.

A summary of the Company’s unvested restricted stock at March 31, 2014 and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2014 is as follows:



	Restricted Stock		Weighed Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at December 31, 2013	—		$	—
Granted	118,700		21.77
Vested	(40,000	)	21.38
Forfeited/cancelled	—		—
Unvested restricted stock at March 31, 2014	78,700		$	21.96

As of March 31, 2014, the total remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to issuances of restricted stock was approximately $1.6 million, and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.8 years.

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The company incurred no income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 and $130,000 since inception. Income tax expense differs from the amount that would be expected after applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate primarily due to changes in the valuation allowance for deferred taxes. The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was $26.9 million and $25.2 million, respectively. The net change in the total valuation allowance for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was an increase of $1.8 million and $2.7 million respectively. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Valuation allowances have been established for the entire amount of the net deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, due to the uncertainty of future recoverability. Based on analysis from inception through December 31, 2011, we believe that NewLink experienced Section 382 ownership changes in September 2001 and March 2003 and BPS experienced Section 382 ownership changes in January 2006 and January 2011. These ownership changes limit NewLink’s ability to utilize federal net operating loss carryforwards (and certain other tax attributes) that accrued prior to the respective ownership changes of NewLink and BPS. Additional ownership changes may have occurred subsequent to December 31, 2011 and may occur in the future as a result of events over which the Company will have little or no control, including purchases and sales of the Company’s equity by our 5% stockholders, the emergence of new 5% stockholders, additional equity offerings or redemptions of the Company’s stock or certain changes in the ownership of any of the Company’s 5% stockholders. Additional analysis will be required to determine whether changes in our ownership since December 31, 2011 and/or changes in our ownership that resulted from our follow-on offering or our ATM Offering have caused or will cause another ownership change to occur. Any such change could result in significant limitations on some or all of our net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes. Even if another ownership change has not occurred, additional ownership changes may occur in the future as a result of events over which we will have little or no control, including purchases and sales of our equity by our 5% stockholders, the emergence of new 5% stockholders, additional equity offerings or redemptions of our stock or certain changes in the ownership of any of our 5% stockholders.

Net Loss per Common Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Net Loss per Common Share

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

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



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2014			2013
Historical net loss per share
Numerator
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$	(9,236	)	$	(7,934	)
Denominator
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted)	27,605,910			23,860,469
Basic and diluted net loss per share	$	(0.33	)	$	(0.33	)

As of March 31, 2014 and 2013 respectively, 4.8 million and 4.4 million common equivalent shares of potentially dilutive securities were not included in the calculation of diluted net loss per common share because to do so would be anti-dilutive.

Commitments and Contingencies (Notes)	3 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Notes)	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	Commitments and Contingencies As of March 31, 2014, there were no significant changes in outstanding commitments or contingencies as disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of NewLink and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Financial Instruments	Financial Instruments and Concentrations of Credit Risk The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, certificates of deposit, receivables, and accounts payable, which are recorded at cost, approximate fair value based on the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The fair value and carrying value of notes payable and capital lease obligations was $1.2 million and $1.2 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and was determined using Level 3 inputs. The Company is unable to estimate the fair value of the royalty obligation because the timing and receipt of payments is uncertain.
Concentration of Credit Risk	Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, and certificates of deposit. Cash and cash equivalents are held by financial institutions and are federally insured up to certain limits. At times, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance exceeds the federally insured limits. To limit the credit risk, the Company invests its excess cash primarily in high quality cash equivalents, such as money market funds, or certificates of deposit.

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy regarding (1) the principles it follows in consolidating or combining the separate financial statements, including the principles followed in determining the inclusion or exclusion of subsidiaries or other entities in the consolidated or combined financial statements and (2) its treatment of interests (for example, common stock, a partnership interest or other means of exerting influence) in other entities, for example consolidation or use of the equity or cost methods of accounting. The accounting policy may also address the accounting treatment for intercompany accounts and transactions, noncontrolling interest, and the income statement treatment in consolidation for issuances of stock by a subsidiary.

+ References + Details

Common Stock Equity Incentive Plan (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

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

Stock Option Activity

The following table summarizes the stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014:



	Number of options		Weighted average exercise price		Weighted average remaining contractual term (years)
Outstanding at beginning of period	4,486,564		$	5.89
Options granted	551,900		23.42
Options exercised	(240,643	)	5.14
Options forfeited	(7,821	)	13.57
Options expired	—		—
Outstanding at end of period	4,790,000		$	7.94	7.0
Options exercisable at end of period	3,248,331		$	4.44	6.0

Assumptions Used in Black-Scholes Pricing Model for New Grants



Risk-free interest rate		1.96%-2.24%
Expected dividend yield		—%
Expected volatility		57.4%-60.3%
Expected term (in years)		6.9-7.0
Weighted average grant-date fair value per share		$13.75

Restricted Stock Activity

A summary of the Company’s unvested restricted stock at March 31, 2014 and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2014 is as follows:



	Restricted Stock		Weighed Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at December 31, 2013	—		$	—
Granted	118,700		21.77
Vested	(40,000	)	21.38
Forfeited/cancelled	—		—
Unvested restricted stock at March 31, 2014	78,700		$	21.96

Net Loss per Common Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Basic and Diluted Net Loss per Common Share

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



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2014			2013
Historical net loss per share
Numerator
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$	(9,236	)	$	(7,934	)
Denominator
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted)	27,605,910			23,860,469
Basic and diluted net loss per share	$	(0.33	)	$	(0.33	)

Description of Business and Development Stage Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		178 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 05, 2013	Feb. 04, 2013	Nov. 16, 2011	Nov. 10, 2011
Development Stage Enterprises [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ (9,236)	$ (7,934)			$ (145,173)
Deficit accumulated during the development stage	(145,213)		$ (135,977)		(145,213)
Financings
Pre-IPO convertible preferred stock									14,270,113
Post-IPO converted common stock									10,719,353
Financing received			$ 67,200	$ 1,300
Initial Public Offering
Financings
FInancing proceeds								$ 37,600
Financing price per share								$ 7.00
Financing shares								6,200,000
Financing underwriting discounts and commissions								$ 3,000
Financing offering expenses								$ 2,900
Follow-on Offering
Financings
FInancing proceeds						$ 60,000	$ 49,000
Financing price per share							$ 11.40
Financing shares							4,600,000
ATM Offering [Member]
Financings
FInancing proceeds	$ 45,000				$ 45,000
Financing shares	1,833,838				1,833,838

Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		178 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Financial Instruments
Fair value and carrying value of notes payable and capital lease obligations	$ 1,200		$ 1,200	$ 1,200
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents	83,713		83,713	$ 61,291
Revenue Recognition
Grant revenue	$ 334	$ 302	$ 8,831

Common Stock Equity Incentive Plan (Details)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended				178 Months Ended
Common Stock Equity Incentive Plan (Details)	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Mar. 31, 2013 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2013 $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2012 shares	Dec. 31, 2011 shares	Dec. 31, 2010 shares	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Common Stock Equity Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Expense \| $	$ 2,100,000	$ 966,000					$ 15,000,000
Income Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense \| $	$ 0	$ 0
Stock Option Activity
Exercises	(280,643)
Stock Option
Common Stock Equity Incentive Plan
Total Compensation Cost Related to Non-vested Option Awards \| $	$ 13,700,000						$ 13,700,000
Weighted Average Vesting Period for Non-vested Option Awards, In Years	3.2
Intrinsic Value of Options Exercised \| $	$ 6,500,000
Fair Value of Awards Vested \| $	$ 2,100,000
Assumptions Used in Black Scholes Pricing Model for New Grants
Weighted average grant-date fair value per share \| $ / shares	$ 13.75
Stock Option Activity
Outstanding at beginning of period	4,486,564
Outstanding at beginning of period, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 5.89
Grants	551,900
Grants, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 23.42
Exercises	(240,643)
Exercises, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 5.14
Forfeitures	(7,821)
Forfeitures, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 13.57
Expirations	0
Expirations, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 0.00
Outstanding at end of period	4,790,000		4,486,564				4,790,000
Outstanding at end of period, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 7.94		$ 5.89				$ 7.94
Outstanding at end of period, weighted average remaining contractual term, in years	7.0						7.0
Exercisable	3,248,331						3,248,331
Exercisable, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 4.44						$ 4.44
Exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual term, in years	6.0						6.0
Restricted Stock
Common Stock Equity Incentive Plan
Total Compensation Cost Related to Non-vested Option Awards \| $	$ 1,600,000						$ 1,600,000
Weighted Average Vesting Period for Non-vested Option Awards, In Years	3.8
Assumptions Used in Black Scholes Pricing Model for New Grants
Weighted average grant-date fair value per share \| $ / shares	$ 21.77
Stock Option Activity
Outstanding at beginning of period	0
Outstanding at beginning of period, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 0
Grants	118,700	0
Grants, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 21.77
Vested	(40,000)
Vested, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 21.38
Forfeitures	0
Forfeitures, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 0
Outstanding at end of period	78,700		0				78,700
Outstanding at end of period, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 21.96		$ 0				$ 21.96
Minimum \| Stock Option
Assumptions Used in Black Scholes Pricing Model for New Grants
Risk Free Interest Rate	1.96%
Dividend Rate	0.00%
Volatility Rate	57.40%
Expected Term (in years)	6.9
Maximum \| Stock Option
Assumptions Used in Black Scholes Pricing Model for New Grants
Risk Free Interest Rate	2.24%
Dividend Rate	0.00%
Volatility Rate	60.30%
Expected Term (in years)	7.0
2009 Equity Incentive Plan
Common Stock Equity Incentive Plan
Number of Shares Authorized	6,799,854						6,799,854
Number of Shares Available for Grant	1,074,909						1,074,909
Increase in Number of Shares Authorized			1,066,340	838,375	823,649	714,286
Evergreen Increase Percentage	4.00%
2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Common Stock Equity Incentive Plan
Number of Shares Authorized	214,285						214,285
Number of Shares Available for Grant	296,808						296,808
Increase in Number of Shares Authorized	185,715
2010 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan
Common Stock Equity Incentive Plan
Number of Shares Authorized	238,095						238,095
Number of Shares Available for Grant	266,202						266,202
Increase in Number of Shares Authorized	161,905

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		178 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Expense	$ 0	$ 0	$ (130)
Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance	(26,900)		$ (26,900)	$ (25,200)
Change in Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance	$ 1,800	$ 2,700

Net Loss per Common Share (Net Loss Per Share Computation) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$ (9,236)	$ (7,934)
Weighted-average number of common share outstanding, basic and diluted	27,605,910	23,860,469
Basic and diluted net loss per share	$ (0.33)	$ (0.33)

Net Loss per Common Share (Antidilutive Securities) (Details) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share
Potentially dilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted net loss per share	4.8	4.4