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Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 06, 2014
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	NEWLINK GENETICS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0001126234
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2014
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		27,959,553
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 51,070	$ 61,291
Certificates of deposit	16,636	249
Prepaid expenses	353	773
Income tax receivable	7,502	0
State research and development credit receivable	479	329
Other receivables	2,720	1,328
Total current assets	78,760	63,970
Leasehold improvements and equipment:
Leasehold improvements	5,581	5,588
Computer equipment	1,311	1,133
Lab equipment	4,897	3,724
Total leasehold improvements and equipment	11,789	10,445
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(4,672)	(3,858)
Leasehold improvements and equipment, net	7,117	6,587
Total assets	85,877	70,557
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	2,935	612
Accrued expenses	4,026	2,861
Income taxes payable	0	130
Current portion of deferred rent	84	84
Current portion of long term debt and obligations under capital leases	193	189
Total current liabilities	7,238	3,876
Long-term liabilities:
Royalty obligation payable to Iowa Economic Development Authority	6,000	6,000
Notes payable and obligations under capital leases	989	1,033
Deferred rent, excluding current portion	1,259	1,321
Total long-term liabilities	8,248	8,354
Total liabilities	15,486	12,230
Stockholders' Equity:
Blank check preferred stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares — 5,000,000 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013; issued and outstanding shares — 0 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares — 75,000,000 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013; issued shares — 27,940,267 and outstanding shares — 27,929,874 at September 30, 2014, and issued and outstanding shares — 26,573,023 at December 31, 2013	279	266
Additional paid-in capital	230,308	194,038
Treasury stock, at cost: 10,393 shares at September 30, 2014	(222)	0
Retained deficit	(159,974)	(135,977)
Total stockholders' equity	70,391	58,327
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 85,877	$ 70,557

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 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	27,940,267	26,573,023
Common stock, outstanding shares	27,929,874	26,573,023

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Grant revenue	$ 2,801	$ 265	$ 3,347	$ 799
Operating expenses:
Research and development	10,896	6,125	23,760	17,505
General and administrative	4,931	2,257	11,044	6,522
Total operating expenses	15,827	8,382	34,804	24,027
Loss from operations	(13,026)	(8,117)	(31,457)	(23,228)
Other income and expense:
Miscellaneous income	0	0	0	114
Interest income	20	2	65	6
Interest expense	(5)	(8)	(18)	(26)
Other (expense) income, net	15	(6)	47	94
Net loss before taxes	(13,011)	(8,123)	(31,410)	(23,134)
Income tax benefit	7,413	0	7,413	0
Net loss	$ (5,598)	$ (8,123)	$ (23,997)	$ (23,134)
Basic and diluted net loss per share	$ (0.20)	$ (0.32)	$ (0.86)	$ (0.92)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted	27,914,782	25,702,043	27,800,246	25,067,772

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Weighted-average common shares outstanding, diluted) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted	27,914,782	25,702,043	27,800,246	25,067,772

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2014 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Deficit [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	$ 27,559	10	27,549
Stock issued (shares)	1,017,217
Stock Repurchased During Period	$ (222)			$ (222)
Stock compensation	6,901		6,901
Exercise of stock options	$ 1,590	3	1,587
Exercise of stock options (shares)	337,217
Sale of shares under stock purchase plan	$ 233		233
Sale of shares under stock purchase plan (shares)	12,810
Treasury stock (shares)	(10,393)
Net loss	$ (23,997)				(23,997)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$ 70,391	$ 279	$ 230,308	$ 222	$ (159,974)
Balance (shares) at Sep. 30, 2014	27,929,874

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash Flows From Development Activities
Net loss	$ (23,997)	$ (23,134)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in development activities:
Share-based compensation	6,901	3,134
Depreciation and amortization	814	635
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses	420	502
Income tax receivable	(7,502)	0
State research and development credit receivable	(150)	(15)
Other receivables	(1,392)	(1,027)
Accounts payable	2,324	2
Income taxes payable	(130)	0
Accrued expenses and deferred rent	1,103	2,147
Net cash used in operating activities	(21,609)	(17,756)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Purchase of certificates of deposit	16,387	0
Sale of certificates of deposit	0	1,494
Purchase of equipment	(1,344)	(1,280)
Net cash used in investing activities	(17,731)	214
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs	29,382	49,423
Repurchase of common stock	(222)	0
Proceeds from notes payable	97	0
Principal payments on debt	(115)	(111)
Payments under capital lease obligations	(23)	(56)
Net cash provided by financing activities	29,119	49,256
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(10,221)	31,714
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	61,291	20,250
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	51,070	51,964
Supplemental disclosure of cash flows information:
Cash paid for interest	18	25
Cash paid for taxes	143	0
Noncash financing and investing activities:
Purchased leasehold improvements and equipment in accounts payable	0	145
Fair Value of Assets Acquired	$ 0	$ 54

Description of Business (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Description of Business (Notes)	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Description of Business	Description of Business 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 stockholders. 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 wholly-owned subsidiary, NewLink International (NI). In 2014, NewLink created another wholly-owned 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 devoting substantially all of their efforts toward research and development. The Company has never earned revenue from sales of its drugs. The Company incurred a net loss of $5.6 million and $24.0 million for the three and nine months ending September 30, 2014. The Company has managed its liquidity needs to date through a series of capital market transactions. On February 4, 2013, the Company completed an 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 and through the date of this filing, the Company sold no additional shares of common stock under the ATM Offering. The accompanying financial statements as of September 30, 2014 and for the three and nine months then ended have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. The Company successfully raised net proceeds of $37.6 million from its initial public offering in 2011, 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 September 30, 2014. The Company's cash and cash equivalents and current certificates of deposit 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.

Basis of Presentation (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation (Notes)	Sep. 30, 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, with the exception of those discussed below. The financial results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of financial results for the full year.

Significant Accounting Policies (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Notes)	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 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. (d) Recent Accounting Pronouncements On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for the Company on January 1, 2017. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting. In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-10, Development Stage Entities (Topic 915): Elimination of Certain Financial Reporting Requirements. The ASU eliminates the distinction of a development stage entity and certain related disclosure requirements, including the elimination of inception-to-date information on the statements of operations, cash flows and stockholders' equity. The amendments in the ASU will be effective prospectively for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those annual periods, however early adoption is permitted. The Company early adopted this standard effective June 30, 2014. Adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

Long-Term Debt (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Long-Term Debt (Notes)	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-Term Debt March 2010 City of Ames Forgivable Loan In March 2010, the Company entered into a $400,000 forgivable loan agreement with the City of Ames, Iowa and the Ames Chamber of Commerce, jointly, as lenders. The project provides the Company with financial assistance to construct new facilities within the Ames city limits. In the absence of a default, there are no principal or interest payments due until the expected completion date for the project, which is March 10, 2015. The project calls for the Company to create or retain at least 150 full-time positions located in Ames, Iowa as of March 10, 2015. The agreement also calls for the Company to enter into a five-year building lease with the option for extension for an additional five years of not less than 20,000 square feet within the corporate limits of the City of Ames by March 10, 2015. If, as of March 10, 2015, the Company has fulfilled the terms of the loan agreement, the loan will be forgiven. If on March 10, 2015, the Company has failed to create or retain at least 150 full-time jobs in Ames, Iowa, the Company will be required to repay approximately $3,100 per job not created or retained following such date. As of September 30, 2014, $397,000 of the total $400,000 forgivable loan was advanced to the Company. In the event of default, including failure to repay any amounts under the loan when due, the Company will be required to repay the note, including 6.5% interest per annum, beginning at the date of default.

Common Stock Equity Incentive Plan (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2014, there were 6,799,854 shares of common stock authorized for the 2009 plan and 1,056,883 shares remained available for issuance.

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 September 30, 2014, 207,327 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 September 30, 2014, 283,998 shares remained available for issuance under the plan.

Share-based Compensation

Share-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $3.3 million, $6.9 million, $1.1 million, and $3.1 million, respectively, and is allocated between research and development and general and administrative expenses within the consolidated statements of operations, giving rise to related tax benefits for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 of $782,000, $1.6 million, $0 and $0, respectively.

As of September 30, 2014, the total compensation cost related to nonvested option awards not yet recognized was $11.4 million and the weighted average period over which it is expected to be recognized is 2.8 years.

The following table summarizes the stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 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	628,805		23.26
Options exercised	(291,517	)	5.45
Options forfeited	(27,545	)	16.21
Options expired	—		—
Outstanding at end of period	4,796,307		$	8.14	6.3
Options exercisable at end of period	3,601,927		$	5.31	5.5

The following table summarizes options that were granted during the nine months ended September 30, 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		1.86%-2.24%
Expected dividend yield		—%
Expected volatility		57.4%-63.5%
Expected term (in years)		6.0-7.0
Weighted average grant-date fair value per share		$13.67

The intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $7.3 million. The fair value of awards vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $6.5 million, which includes $1.7 million in share-based compensation resulting from the vesting in full of one employee's options upon the employee's termination that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2014.

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 stockholder 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 nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, there were 138,420 and 0 shares of restricted stock granted. These restricted stock grants had a weighted average fair value (per share) at date of grant of $21.82. At September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, there were 92,720 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 September 30, 2014 and changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is as follows:



	Restricted Stock		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at December 31, 2013	—		$	—
Granted	138,420		21.82
Vested	(45,700	)	21.38
Forfeited/cancelled	—		—
Unvested restricted stock at September 30, 2014	92,720		$	22.04

As of September 30, 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 3.0 years.

Income Taxes (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Notes)	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company incurred an income tax benefit of $7.4 million and $0, respectively. In October 2014, the Company entered into an exclusive worldwide license agreement with Genentech, Inc., a member of the Roche Group, or Genentech, for the development and commercialization of NLG919, the Company's IDO (indoleamine 2.3 dioxygenase) pathway inhibitor and a research collaboration for the discovery of next generation IDO and TDO (tryptophan-2.3 dioxygenase) pathway inhibitors, or the Genentech Agreement. The Company's estimated effective annual tax rate at September 30, 2014 has changed from zero due to the projected impact of the Genentech Agreement. Income tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, differs from the amount that would be expected after applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate primarily due to the Company's anticipation of entering into the Genentech Agreement and other permanent differences. Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 differs from the amount that would be expected after applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate primarily due to the changes in the valuation allowance for deferred taxes. The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was $26.1 million and $25.2 million, respectively. The net change in the total valuation allowance for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was an increase of $900,000 and $5.7 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 September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, due to the uncertainty of future recoverability. Based on analysis from inception through December 31, 2013, 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, 2013 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 its 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 the Company's ownership since December 31, 2013 have occurred. Any such change could result in significant limitations on some or all of the Company's 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 the Company will have little or no control, including purchases and sales of the Company's equity by its 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 its 5% stockholders.

Net Loss per Common Share (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 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 September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Historical net loss per share
Numerator
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	(5,598		)	(8,123		)	(23,997		)	(23,134		)
Denominator
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted)	27,914,782			25,702,043			27,800,246			25,067,772
Basic and diluted net loss per share	$	(0.20	)	$	(0.32	)	$	(0.86	)	$	(0.92	)

As of September 30, 2014 and 2013 respectively, 4.9 million and 4.5 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)	9 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Notes)	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure	Commitments and Contingencies In June 2014, the Company entered into a Development and Manufacturing Terms and Conditions and a Development and Process Transfer Program Leading to Commercial Manufacturing for algenpantucel-L HyperAcute Pancreas with WuXi AppTec, Inc., or WuXi, or collectively, the WuXi Agreement. The WuXi Agreement is intended to establish a source of supply for algenpantucel-L for commercial sale, if and when that drug is approved by the FDA. Under the WuXi Agreement, the Company granted WuXi a non-exclusive right to use certain starting materials and the Company's confidential information to develop manufacturing processes and to manufacture cell material to be formulated into algenpantucel-L. WuXi will adapt facilities and equipment for production, generate batch records and other documents, perform studies and test manufacturing runs and conduct process validation and characterization. In August 2014, the Company signed a letter agreement with the United States Defense Threat Reduction Agency, or DTRA, under which the Company will conduct studies with the goal of bringing an Ebola vaccine product candidate licensed from the Public Health Agency of Canada closer to human clinical trials. The agreement provided funding of $1.0 million with additional funding subject to final negotiation and will fund Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling preclinical toxicology studies and includes the manufacture of clinical materials. In September 2014, the agreement was modified to increase the amount of funding available prior to final agreement by an additional $1.9 million, bringing the total pre-contract funding to $2.9 million. Under the agreement, the Company may bill DTRA for 85% of the costs it incurs, and once the final contract is signed, the Company may bill DTRA for the remaining 15% of the costs. The Company has committed resources in excess of $8.4 million to further these studies. In October 2014, the Company entered into the Genentech Agreement, which provides for the development of NLG919, the Company's IDO pathway inhibitor. The parties also entered into a research collaboration for the discovery of next generation IDO/TDO compounds. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company will receive an upfront non-refundable payment of $150.0 million. The Company will be eligible to receive in excess of $1 billion in milestone payments based on achievement of certain predetermined milestones as well as escalating royalties on potential commercial sales of multiple products by Genentech.

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 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
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for the Company on January 1, 2017. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting. In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-10, Development Stage Entities (Topic 915): Elimination of Certain Financial Reporting Requirements. The ASU eliminates the distinction of a development stage entity and certain related disclosure requirements, including the elimination of inception-to-date information on the statements of operations, cash flows and stockholders' equity. The amendments in the ASU will be effective prospectively for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those annual periods, however early adoption is permitted. The Company early adopted this standard effective June 30, 2014. Adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

Common Stock Equity Incentive Plan (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

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

Stock Option Activity

The following table summarizes the stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 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	628,805		23.26
Options exercised	(291,517	)	5.45
Options forfeited	(27,545	)	16.21
Options expired	—		—
Outstanding at end of period	4,796,307		$	8.14	6.3
Options exercisable at end of period	3,601,927		$	5.31	5.5

Assumptions Used in Black-Scholes Pricing Model for New Grants



Risk-free interest rate		1.86%-2.24%
Expected dividend yield		—%
Expected volatility		57.4%-63.5%
Expected term (in years)		6.0-7.0
Weighted average grant-date fair value per share		$13.67

Restricted Stock Activity

A summary of the Company’s unvested restricted stock at September 30, 2014 and changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is as follows:



	Restricted Stock		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at December 31, 2013	—		$	—
Granted	138,420		21.82
Vested	(45,700	)	21.38
Forfeited/cancelled	—		—
Unvested restricted stock at September 30, 2014	92,720		$	22.04

Net Loss per Common Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 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 September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Historical net loss per share
Numerator
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	(5,598		)	(8,123		)	(23,997		)	(23,134		)
Denominator
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted)	27,914,782			25,702,043			27,800,246			25,067,772
Basic and diluted net loss per share	$	(0.20	)	$	(0.32	)	$	(0.86	)	$	(0.92	)

Description of Business (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 05, 2013	Feb. 04, 2013	Nov. 16, 2011
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (5,598)	$ (8,123)	$ (23,997)	$ (23,134)
Financings
Financing received					$ 67,200	$ 1,300
Initial Public Offering
Financings
FInancing proceeds									$ 37,600
Follow-on Offering
Financings
FInancing proceeds							$ 60,000	$ 49,000
Financing price per share								$ 11.40
Financing shares								4,600,000
ATM Offering
Financings
FInancing proceeds	$ 45,000		$ 45,000
Financing shares	1,833,838		1,833,838

Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Reported Value Measurement
Financial Instruments, Financial Liabilities, Balance Sheet Groupings
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 1.2	$ 1.2

(Details) - Amount - City of Ames Forgivable Loan 2010	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)
Debt Instrument
Outstanding Balance	$ 397,000
Original Available Balance	$ 400,000
Interest rate in default	6.50%
Jobs by March 10, 2015	150
Lease square feet	20,000
Repayment per job	$ 3,100

Common Stock Equity Incentive Plan (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Common Stock Equity Incentive Plan (Details)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2013 $ / shares shares
Common Stock Equity Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Expense \| $	$ 3,300,000	$ 1,100,000	$ 6,900,000	$ 3,100,000
Income Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense \| $	782,000	$ 0	$ 1,600,000	$ 0
Additional Share-Based Compensation \| $	1,700,000
Stock Option Activity
Exercises			(337,217)
Stock Option
Common Stock Equity Incentive Plan
Total Compensation Cost Related to Non-vested Option Awards \| $	$ 11,400,000		$ 11,400,000
Weighted Average Vesting Period for Non-vested Option Awards, In Years			2.8
Intrinsic Value of Options Exercised \| $			$ 7,300,000
Fair Value of Awards Vested \| $			$ 6,500,000
Assumptions Used in Black Scholes Pricing Model for New Grants
Weighted average grant-date fair value per share \| $ / shares			$ 13.67
Stock Option Activity
Outstanding at beginning of period			4,486,564
Outstanding at beginning of period, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares			$ 5.89
Grants			628,805
Grants, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares			$ 23.26
Exercises			(291,517)
Exercises, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares			$ 5.45
Forfeitures			(27,545)
Forfeitures, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares			$ 16.21
Expirations			0
Expirations, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares			$ 0.00
Outstanding at end of period	4,796,307		4,796,307		4,486,564
Outstanding at end of period, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 8.14		$ 8.14		$ 5.89
Outstanding at end of period, weighted average remaining contractual term, in years	6.3		6.3
Exercisable	3,601,927		3,601,927
Exercisable, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 5.31		$ 5.31
Exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual term, in years	5.5		5.5
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			3.0
Assumptions Used in Black Scholes Pricing Model for New Grants
Weighted average grant-date fair value per share \| $ / shares			$ 21.82
Stock Option Activity
Outstanding at beginning of period			0
Outstanding at beginning of period, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares			$ 0
Grants			138,420	0
Grants, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares			$ 21.82
Vested			(45,700)
Vested, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares			$ 21.38
Forfeitures			0
Forfeitures, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares			$ 0
Outstanding at end of period	92,720		92,720		0
Outstanding at end of period, weighted average exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 22.04		$ 22.04		$ 0
Minimum \| Stock Option
Assumptions Used in Black Scholes Pricing Model for New Grants
Risk Free Interest Rate			1.86%
Dividend Rate			0.00%
Volatility Rate			57.40%
Expected Term (in years)			6.0
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			63.50%
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	1,056,883		1,056,883
Increase in Number of Shares Authorized			1,066,340		838,375
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	283,998		283,998
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	207,327		207,327
Increase in Number of Shares Authorized			161,905

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax benefit	$ 7,413,000	$ 0	$ 7,413,000	$ 0
Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance	$ (26,100,000)		(26,100,000)		$ (25,200,000)
Change in Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance			$ 900,000	$ 5,700,000

Net Loss per Common Share (Net Loss Per Share Computation) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$ (5,598)	$ (8,123)	$ (23,997)	$ (23,134)
Weighted-average number of common share outstanding, basic and diluted	27,914,782	25,702,043	27,800,246	25,067,772
Basic and diluted net loss per share	$ (0.20)	$ (0.32)	$ (0.86)	$ (0.92)

Net Loss per Common Share (Antidilutive Securities) (Details) - shares shares in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share
Potentially dilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted net loss per share	4.9	4.5

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Letter Contract Amount	$ 1.0
Letter Contract Amount Increase	1.9
Letter Contract Amount Revised	$ 2.9
DTRA Initial Billing Percentage	85.00%
DTRA Remaining Billing Percentage	15.00%
Letter Contract and Other Commitments	$ 8.4
Genentech Upfront Payment	150.0
Genentech Potential Milestones	$ 1,000.0