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Document And Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
Document And Entity Information - shares	Jun. 30, 2016	Jul. 29, 2016
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	HERON THERAPEUTICS, INC. /DE/
Entity Central Index Key	0000818033
Trading Symbol	hrtx
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		39,050,628
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) - USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 61,943,000	$ 75,180,000
Short-term investments	12,700,000	55,986,000
Inventory	3,312,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,175,000	3,585,000
Total current assets	81,130,000	134,751,000
Property and equipment, net	4,471,000	3,049,000
Other assets	130,000	45,000
Total assets	85,731,000	137,845,000
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	8,661,000	3,300,000
Accrued clinical liabilities	9,485,000	5,231,000
Accrued payroll and employee liabilities	4,674,000	4,828,000
Other accrued liabilities	2,512,000	4,154,000
Convertible notes payable to related parties, net of discount	2,558,000	2,222,000
Total current liabilities	27,890,000	19,735,000
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	390,000	361,000
Additional paid-in capital	546,951,000	530,617,000
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,000)	(40,000)
Accumulated deficit	(489,499,000)	(412,828,000)
Total stockholders’ equity	57,841,000	118,110,000
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 85,731,000	$ 137,845,000

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Operating expenses:
Research and development	$ 27,286	$ 16,175	$ 43,378	$ 30,679
General and administrative	4,774	4,082	10,141	7,669
Sales and marketing	11,006	2,757	22,859	5,026
Total operating expenses	43,066	23,014	76,378	43,374
Loss from operations	(43,066)	(23,014)	(76,378)	(43,374)
Interest expense, net	(160)	(93)	(293)	(303)
Net loss	(43,226)	(23,107)	(76,671)	(43,677)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gains (losses) on short-term investments	(2)		39
Comprehensive loss	$ (43,228)	$ (23,107)	$ (76,632)	$ (43,677)
Basic and diluted net loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (1.17)	$ (0.74)	$ (2.09)	$ (1.45)
Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share (in shares)	37,048	31,035	36,639	30,218

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Operating activities:
Net loss	$ (76,671,000)	$ (43,677,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used for operating activities:
Stock-based compensation expense	11,186,000	5,691,000
Depreciation and amortization	489,000	323,000
Amortization of Debt Discount (Premium)	336,000	305,000
Amortization of premium on short-term investments	196,000
Gain on disposal of property and equipment		(118,000)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Inventory	(3,312,000)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	325,000	(838,000)
Accounts payable	5,361,000	438,000
Accrued clinical liabilities	4,254,000	2,531,000
Accrued payroll and employee-related liabilities	(154,000)	(447,000)
Other accrued liabilities	(1,471,000)	304,000
Net cash used for operating activities	(59,461,000)	(35,488,000)
Investing activities:
Maturities of short-term investments	43,129,000
Purchases of property and equipment	(1,911,000)	(531,000)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		241,000
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	41,218,000	(290,000)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from purchases under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan	251,000	118,000
Proceeds from stock option exercises	4,755,000	6,306,000
Net proceeds from sale of common stock		128,205,000
Net cash provided by financing activities	5,006,000	134,629,000
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(13,237,000)	98,851,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	75,180,000	72,675,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 61,943,000	$ 171,526,000

Note 3 - Accounting Policies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

3. Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Heron Therapeutics, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Heron Therapeutics, B.V., which was organized in the Netherlands in March 2015. Heron Therapeutics, B.V. has no operations and no material assets or liabilities and there have been no significant transactions related to Heron Therapeutics, B.V. since its inception.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and disclosures made in the accompanying notes to the financial statements. Our critical accounting policies that involve significant judgment and estimates include accrued clinical liabilities, income taxes, stock-based compensation and pre-launch inventories. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the 2015 financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2016 presentation.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments with original maturities from purchase date of three months or less.

Short-term investments consist of securities with maturities from purchase date of greater than three months. We have classified our short-term investments as available-for-sale securities in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Available-for-sale securities are stated at fair market value, with unrealized gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income (loss) and realized gains and losses included in interest income. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific-identification method. Interest and dividends on securities classified as available-for-sale are included in interest income.

Our bank accounts have been placed under a control agreement in accordance with our Senior Secured Convertible Notes (“Convertible Notes”).

Pre-Launch Inventories

e capitalize certain inventory costs prior to regulatory approval and product launch based on management’s judgment of probable future commercial use and net realizable value of the inventory. We capitalize pre-launch quantities into inventories when we believe it is probable that: (i) a future economic benefit will be derived from the commercialization of the product; (ii) the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) will approve the marketing of the product; and (iii) our process for manufacturing the product is within the specifications that we believe will be approved by the FDA for such product. In evaluating whether it is probable that we will derive future economic benefits from our pre-launch inventories and whether the pre-launch inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, we consider, among other things, the remaining shelf life of that inventory, the current and expected market conditions, the amount of inventory on hand, and the substance of communications with the FDA during the regulatory approval process. The manufacture of pre-launch inventories involves the risk that the FDA may not approve such product(s) for marketing on a timely basis or at all, and that each approval may require additional or different testing and/or specifications than what was performed in the manufacture of such pre-launch inventory. If any of these risks were to materialize with respect to a given product or if the launch of such product is significantly postponed, we may have to write-off the pre-launch inventories, which could be material.

During the first half of 2016, we capitalized approximately $3,312,000 of pre-launch inventory costs associated with SUSTOL.

Earnings per Share

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

Because we have incurred a net loss for all periods presented in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, outstanding stock options, warrants and common stock underlying Convertible Notes are not included in the computation of net loss per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive.

The following table includes the number of outstanding stock options, warrants and shares of common stock underlying Convertible Notes not included in the computation as of the dates shown below (in thousands):

	As of June 30,
	2016		2015

Stock options outstanding		8,747		6,985
Warrants outstanding		600		3,649
Common stock underlying convertible notes outstanding		7,301		6,879

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources.

Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are included in other comprehensive loss and represent the difference between our net loss and comprehensive loss for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2016. Our comprehensive loss for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 was comprised solely of our net loss, and there were no changes in equity from non-owner sources.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-09,

Comp

ensation – Stock Compensation:

Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting

(“ASU 2016-09”). ASU 2016-09 addresses several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including: (a) income tax consequences; (b) classification of awards as either equity or liabilities; and (c) classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We plan to adopt the provisions of ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-09 to have a material impact on our results of operations or financial condition.

In February 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02,

Leases

(“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to record on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. In addition, ASU 2016-02 requires both lessees and lessors to disclose certain key information about lease transactions. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We plan to adopt the provisions of ASU 2016-02 in the first quarter of 2019. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-02 to have a material impact on our results of operations or financial condition.

In July 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11,

Inventory (Topic 330)

(“ASU 2015-11”). ASU 2015-11 requires entities to measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predicable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. Subsequent measurements are unchanged for inventory measured using LIFO or the retail inventory method. ASU 2015-11 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. We plan to adopt the provisions of ASU 2015-11 in 2017. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2015-11 to have a material impact on our results of operations or financial condition.

Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]

4. Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value, is as follows:

●

Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

●

Level 2 — Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

●

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.

We measure the following financial assets at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair values of these financial assets at June 30, 2016 were as follows (in thousands):

			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
			Quoted Prices in		Significant
			Active Markets		Other		Significant
	Balance at		for Identical		Observable		Unobservable
	June 30 ,		Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	2016		(Level 1)*		(Level 2)*		(Level 3)
Money market funds	$	55,330	$	55,330	$	—	$	—
United States corporate debt securities		4,904		—		4,904		—
United States commercial paper		7,796		—		7,796		—
Total	$	68,030	$	55,330	$	12,700	$	—

*There were no significant transfers between level 1 and level 2 investments during the six months ended June 30, 2016.

As of June 30, 2016, short-term investments consisted of approximately $12,700,000 of available-for-sale securities with contractual maturities of one year or less. As of June 30, 2015, we did not hold any investment securities, and our cash equivalents consisted solely of money market funds.

A company may elect to use fair value to measure accounts and loans receivable, available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities, equity method investments, accounts payable, guarantees and issued debt. Other eligible items include firm commitments for financial instruments that otherwise would not be recognized at inception and non-cash warranty obligations where a warrantor is permitted to pay a third party to provide the warranty goods or services. If the use of fair value is elected, any upfront costs and fees related to the item such as debt issuance costs must be recognized in earnings and cannot be deferred. The fair value election is irrevocable and generally made on an instrument-by-instrument basis, even if a company has similar instruments that it elects not to measure based on fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on existing items for which fair value has been elected are reported as a cumulative adjustment to beginning retained earnings and any changes in fair value are recognized in earnings. We have elected to not apply the fair value option to our financial assets and liabilities.

We consider the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, pre-launch inventory, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable and accrued liabilities to be representative of their respective fair values because of the short-term nature of those instruments.

Unrealized gains and losses associated with our investments, if any, are reported in stockholders’ equity. For the three months ended June 30, 2016, we recorded approximately $2,000 in net unrealized losses associated with our short-term investments. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, we recorded approximately $39,000 in net unrealized gains associated with our short-term investments. There were no unrealized gains or losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015.

Realized gains and losses associated with our investments, if any, are reported in the statement of comprehensive loss. There were no realized gains or losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

Note 5 - Convertible Notes to Related Parties	6 Months Ended
Note 5 - Convertible Notes to Related Parties	Jun. 30, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	5. Convertible Notes to Related Parties In April 2011, we entered into a securities purchase agreement for a private placement of up to $4.5 million in Convertible Notes with certain investors, including Tang Capital Partners, LP (“TCP”). TCP is controlled by Tang Capital Management, LLC (“TCM”). The manager of TCM is Kevin C. Tang, who served as a director at the time and currently serves as the Chairman of our Board of Directors. The terms of the Convertible Notes were determined by our independent directors to be no less favorable than terms that would be obtained in an arm’s length financing transaction. We received a total of $4.3 million, net of issuance costs, from the issuance of these Convertible Notes. The Convertible Notes are secured by substantially all of our assets, including placing our bank and investment accounts under a control agreement. The Convertible Notes bear interest at 6% per annum, payable quarterly in cash or in additional principal amount of Convertible Notes, at the election of the purchasers. The Convertible Notes mature on May 2, 2021; however, the holders of the Convertible Notes may require prepayment of the Convertible Notes at any time, at each holder’s option. The Convertible Notes are convertible into shares of our common stock at a rate of 1,250 shares for every $1,000 of outstanding principal due under the Convertible Notes. There is no right to convert the Convertible Notes to the extent that, after giving effect to such conversion, the holder would beneficially own in excess of 9.99% of our outstanding common stock. Each holder of the Convertible Notes can increase or decrease this beneficial ownership conversion limit by written notice to us, which will not be effective until 61 days after delivery of the notice. As of June 30, 2016, we were in compliance with all covenants under the Convertible Notes. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under the Convertible Notes, the holders of the Convertible Notes have the right to require us to redeem all or a portion of their Convertible Notes. In 2011, we filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to register for resale 3.5 million shares underlying the Convertible Notes. The registration statement was declared effective on July 29, 2011. The Convertible Note holders have agreed to waive their right to require us to maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement and to register the additional shares underlying the Convertible Notes until they provide notice otherwise. The Convertible Notes contain an embedded conversion feature that was in-the-money on the issuance dates. Based on an effective fixed conversion rate of 1,250 shares for every $1,000 of principal and accrued interest due under the Convertible Notes, the total conversion benefit at issuance exceeded the loan proceeds. Therefore, a debt discount was recorded in an amount equal to the face value of the Convertible Notes on the issuance dates and we began amortizing the resultant debt discount over the respective 10-year term of the Convertible Notes. During the six months ended June 30, 2016, accrued interest of approximately $171,000 was paid-in-kind and rolled into the Convertible Note principal balance, which resulted in an additional debt discount of approximately $171,000. For the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, interest expense relating to the stated rate was approximately $88,000 and $83,000, respectively, and interest expense relating to the amortization of the debt discount was approximately $170,000 and $154,000, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, interest expense relating to the stated rate was approximately $174,000 and $164,000, respectively, and interest expense relating to the amortization of the debt discount was approximately $336,000 and $305,000, respectively. As of June 30, 2016, the carrying value of the Convertible Notes was approximately $2,558,000, which is comprised of the $5,840,000 principal amount of the Convertible Notes outstanding, less debt discount of $3,282,000. If the $5,840,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes is converted, we would issue approximately 7,301,000 shares of our common stock.

Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

6. Stockholders’ Equity

2015 Common Stock Offering

In June 2015, we sold approximately 5,520,000 shares of our common stock at a public offering price of approximately $24.75 per share. We received total net proceeds of approximately $128,199,000 (net of approximately $8,421,000 in issuance costs) from the sale of the common stock.

Private Placement

Warrants

In June 2011, we sold shares of common stock and warrants to purchase common stock in a private placement. A total of 4,000,000 warrants to purchase common stock at an exercise price of $3.60 per share were issued as part of this private placement.

During the six months ended June 30, 2016, warrant holders exercised 2,965,477 warrants under the cashless exercise provision in each such holder’s warrant, which resulted in the net issuance of 2,395,700 shares of common stock and no net cash proceeds to us. During the six months ended June 30, 2015, warrant holders exercised 260,480 warrants under the cashless exercise provision in each such holder’s warrant, which resulted in the net issuance of 209,607 shares of common stock and no net cash proceeds to us. As of June 30, 2016, all warrants from the June 2011 Private Placement have been exercised.

Stock Option

Activity

The following table summarizes the stock option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2016:

						Weighted-
						Average
				Weighted-		Remaining
				Average		Contractual
	Shares			Exercise		Term
	(in thousands)			Price		(Years)
Balance at January 1, 2016		8,435		$	13.64		7.94
Granted		1,080		$	20.76
Exercised		(531	)	$	8.96
Expired and forfeited		(237	)	$	24.81
Balance at June 30, 2016		8,747		$	14.50		7.91

For the six months ended June 30, 2016, 530,840 shares of common stock were issued pursuant to the exercise of stock options, resulting in proceeds to us of approximately $4,755,000. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, 713,381 shares of common stock were issued pursuant to the exercise of stock options, resulting in proceeds to us of approximately $6,306,000.

Stock-Based Compensation

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense related to stock-based payment awards granted pursuant to all of our equity compensation arrangements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended June 30 ,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015

Research and development	$	2,329	$	919	$	4,402	$	1,725
General and administrative		1,798		1,470		3,465		2,472
Sales and marketing		1,704		752		3,319		1,494
Stock-based compensation expense included in operating expenses	$	5,831	$	3,141	$	11,186	$	5,691

Impact on basic and diluted net loss per share	$	0.16	$	0.10	$	0.31	$	0.19

As of June 30, 2016, there was approximately $65,205,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested, stock-based payment awards granted under all of our equity compensation plans and all non-plan option grants. Total unrecognized compensation cost will be adjusted for future changes in estimated forfeitures. We expect to recognize this compensation cost over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years.

We estimated the fair value of each option grant on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

	June 30,
	20 16			20 15
Risk-free interest rate		1.5	%		1.7	%
Dividend yield		0.0	%		0.0	%
Volatility		90.6	%		91.0	%
Expected life (years)		6			6

We estimate the fair value of each purchase right granted under our 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan at the beginning of each new offering period using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:

	June 30,
	20 16			20 15
Risk-free interest rate		0.4	%		0.1	%
Dividend yield		0.0	%		0.0	%
Volatility		85.1	%		59.1	%
Expected life (months)		6			6

- 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.

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-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Preferred Stock
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6521494

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644

Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21564-112644

+ Details

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Heron Therapeutics, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Heron Therapeutics B.V., which was organized in the Netherlands in March 2015. Heron Therapeutics B.V. has no operations and no material assets or liabilities and there have been no significant transactions related to Heron Therapeutics B.V. since its inception.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the 2015 financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2016 presentation.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-Term Investments [Policy Text Block]

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments with original maturities from purchase date of three months or less.

Our bank accounts have been placed under a control agreement in accordance with our Senior Secured Convertible Notes (“Convertible Notes”).

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Pre-Launch Inventories

During the first half of 2016, we capitalized approximately $3,312,000 of pre-launch inventory costs associated with SUSTOL.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Earnings per Share

	As of June 30,
	2016		2015

Stock options outstanding		8,747		6,985
Warrants outstanding		600		3,649
Common stock underlying convertible notes outstanding		7,301		6,879

Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources.

Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are included in other comprehensive loss and represent the difference between our net loss and comprehensive loss for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2016. Our comprehensive loss for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 was comprised solely of our net loss and there were no changes in equity from non-owner sources.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-09

Comp

ensation – Stock Compensation:

Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting

In February 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02,

Leases

In July 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11,

Inventory (Topic 330)

Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2016

Notes Tables

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]

						Weighted-
						Average
				Weighted-		Remaining
				Average		Contractual
	Shares			Exercise		Term
	(in thousands)			Price		(Years)
Balance at January 1, 2016		8,435		$	13.64		7.94
Granted		1,080		$	20.76
Exercised		(531	)	$	8.96
Expired and forfeited		(237	)	$	24.81
Balance at June 30, 2016		8,747		$	14.50		7.91

Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block]

	Three Months Ended June 30 ,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015

Research and development	$	2,329	$	919	$	4,402	$	1,725
General and administrative		1,798		1,470		3,465		2,472
Sales and marketing		1,704		752		3,319		1,494
Stock-based compensation expense included in operating expenses	$	5,831	$	3,141	$	11,186	$	5,691

Impact on basic and diluted net loss per share	$	0.16	$	0.10	$	0.31	$	0.19

Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]

	June 30,
	20 16			20 15
Risk-free interest rate		1.5	%		1.7	%
Dividend yield		0.0	%		0.0	%
Volatility		90.6	%		91.0	%
Expected life (years)		6			6

Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]

	June 30,
	20 16			20 15
Risk-free interest rate		0.4	%		0.1	%
Dividend yield		0.0	%		0.0	%
Volatility		85.1	%		59.1	%
Expected life (months)		6			6

Note 1 - Business (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Aug. 02, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Term Loan [Member] \| Tang Capital [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Debt Agreement, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 100,000,000
Term Loan [Member] \| Tang Capital [Member]
Debt Agreement, Pro Forma Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments		$ 124,600,000
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments		74,643,000
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)		$ (489,499,000)	$ (412,828,000)

- 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

Note 5 - Convertible Notes to Related Parties (Details Textual)		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2011 shares	Apr. 30, 2011 USD ($) shares	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Convertible Debt Securities [Member] \| Common Stock [Member]
Debt Instrument Conversion Ratio Shares \| shares		1,250
Convertible Debt Securities [Member] \| In Case of Debt Conversion [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			$ 5,840,000		$ 5,840,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Number of Equity Instruments					7,301,000
Convertible Debt Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		6.00%
Debt Instrument Conversion Ratio Multiple of Principal		$ 1,000
Beneficial Ownership after Conversion		9.99%
Notice Period Associated with Beneficial Ownership Percentage Limitation Convertible Notes		61 days
Paid-in-Kind Interest					$ 171,000
Debt Instrument, Increase (Decrease), Other, Net					171,000
Convertible Notes Payable, Related Parties, Current			2,558,000		2,558,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			5,840,000		5,840,000
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount			3,282,000		3,282,000
Convertible Debt Issuable in Connection with Private Placement		$ 4,500,000
Proceeds from Convertible Debt		$ 4,300,000
Common Shares Registered for Resale in Connection with Convertible Notes \| shares	3,500,000
Interest Expense, Debt, Excluding Amortization			88,000	$ 83,000	174,000	$ 164,000
Amortization of Debt Discount (Premium)			170,000	$ 154,000	336,000	$ 305,000
Convertible Notes Payable, Related Parties, Current			$ 2,558,000		$ 2,558,000		$ 2,222,000

Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity (Details Textual) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2011
Common Stock [Member] \| Private Placement 2011 [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		2,395,700	209,607
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Exercised		2,965,477	260,480
Proceeds from Warrant Exercises		$ 0	$ 0
Common Stock [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	5,520,000
Sale of Stock, Price Per Share	$ 24.75		$ 24.75
Proceeds from Issuance or Sale of Equity	$ 128,199,000
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs	$ 8,421,000
Private Placement 2011 [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights				4,000,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights				$ 3.60
Proceeds from Issuance or Sale of Equity			$ 128,205,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Net		530,840	713,381
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised		$ 4,755,000	$ 6,306,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized		$ 65,205,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition		2 years 73 days

Note 6 - Option Summary (Details) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Number of shares outstanding (in shares)	8,435
Number of shares outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 13.64
Number of shares outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual term	7 years 332 days	7 years 343 days
Number of shares granted (in shares)	1,080
Number of shares granted, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 20.76
Number of shares exercised (in shares)	(531)
Number of shares exercised, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 8.96
Number of Shares expired and forfeited (in shares)	(237)
Number of Shares expired and forfeited, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 24.81
Number of shares outstanding (in shares)	8,747	8,435
Number of shares outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 14.50	$ 13.64

Note 8 - Subsequent Events (Details Textual) - Subsequent Event [Member] - Term Loan [Member] - Tang Capital [Member] - USD ($)	Aug. 05, 2016	Aug. 02, 2016
Debt Agreement, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		$ 100,000,000
Debt Instrument, Term		2 years
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		8.00%
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	$ 50,000,000
Debt Instrument, Fee Amount	$ 0
Debt Instrument, Number of Warrants	0
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt, Subject to Achievement of Corporate Milestone		$ 50,000,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Beneficial Conversion Feature	$ 0

Note 1 - Business	6 Months Ended
Note 1 - Business	Jun. 30, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Business Description and Basis of Presentation [Text Block]	1. Business Overview Heron Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on improving the lives of patients by developing best-in-class medicines that address major unmet medical needs. We are developing novel, patient-focused solutions that apply our innovative science and technologies to already-approved pharmacological agents. We are developing three pharmaceutical products for patients suffering from cancer or pain. SUSTOL® (granisetron) Injection, extended release (“SUSTOL”) is being developed for the prevention of both acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (“CINV ”). HTX-019, an intravenous formulation of the neurokinin-1 (“NK1”) receptor antagonist aprepitant, is being developed for the prevention of CINV as an adjunct to other antiemetic agents. HTX-011, a long-acting formulation of the local anesthetic bupivacaine in a fixed-dose combination with the anti-inflammatory meloxicam, is being developed for the prevention of post-operative pain. Liquidity As of June 30, 2016, we had approximately $74,643,000 in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, or $124.6 million in pro-forma cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments adjusting for the first close of our loan agreement announced on August 2, 2016 for up to $100 million. We have incurred significant operating losses and negative cash flows from operations; our accumulated deficit is $489,499,000.

Note 2 - Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
Note 2 - Basis of Presentation	Jun. 30, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Basis of Accounting [Text Block]	2 . B asis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for other quarters or the year ending December 31, 2016. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 has been derived from the audited financial statements as of that date, but does not include all of the information and disclosures required by GAAP. For more complete financial information, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 19, 2016 .

Note 7 - Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
Note 7 - Income Taxes	Jun. 30, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	7. Income Taxes Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for temporary differences between financial statements and income tax carrying values using tax rates in effect for the years such differences are expected to reverse. Due to uncertainties surrounding our ability to generate future taxable income and consequently realize such deferred income tax assets, a full valuation allowance has been established. We continue to maintain a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets as of June 30, 2016. The impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. There have been no material changes in our unrecognized tax benefits since December 31, 2015, and, as such, the disclosures included in our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 continue to be relevant for the six-month period ended June 30, 2016.

Note 8 - Subsequent Events	6 Months Ended
Note 8 - Subsequent Events	Jun. 30, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	8. Subsequent Events On August 2, 2016, we entered into an agreement with Tang Capital Partners, LP (“TCP”) whereby TCP will lend us up to $100 million. The loan has a two-year term and bears interest of 8% per annum. The first close of $50 million occurred on August 5, 2016. The second close of an additional $50 million is subject to the achievement of a corporate milestone. There are no fees, no warrants and no equity conversion feature associated with this transaction. The loan is secured by a second-priority lien on substantially all of our assets. TCP is controlled by Tang Capital Management, LLC (“TCM”). The manager of TCM is Kevin C. Tang, who serves as the Chairman of our Board of Directors. The terms of the loan were determined by our independent directors to be no less favorable than terms that would be obtained in an arm’s length financing transaction.

Note 6 - Option Valuation Assumptions (Details) - Employee Stock Option [Member]	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Risk-free interest rate	1.50%	1.70%
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%
Volatility	90.60%	91.00%
Expected life (years)	6 years	6 years

Note 3 - Equity Excluded From Calculation of Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Shares excluded (in shares)	8,747	6,985
Warrant [Member]
Shares excluded (in shares)	600	3,649
Convertible Debt Securities [Member]
Shares excluded (in shares)	7,301	6,879