Description of Business	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Description of Business	Note 1. Description of Business Novus Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering or acquiring, and then developing, therapeutic medicines selectively targeting critical pathways associated with the underlying molecular pathogenesis for patients with severe inflammation and autoimmune diseases. We believe that this approach has the potential to allow us to: develop more precise therapies with a resulting potential for both increased efficacy and safety; identify patients and indications more likely to respond to our treatment approaches; and pursue multiple indications for product candidates. Unless otherwise indicated, references to the terms “Novus,” “our,” “us,” “we”, or the “Company” refer to Novus Therapeutics, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis. On September 14, 2020, the Company acquired Anelixis Therapeutics, Inc. (“Anelixis”), a privately held clinical stage biotechnology company developing a next generation anti-CD40L antibody as a potential treatment for organ and cellular transplantation, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases (see Note 8). Following the acquisition of Anelixis, the Company has continued to maintain its corporate headquarters in Southern California and has research and development facilities in the Boston, Massachusetts area.

The entire disclosure for the business description and basis of presentation concepts. Business description describes the nature and type of organization including but not limited to organizational structure as may be applicable to holding companies, parent and subsidiary relationships, business divisions, business units, business segments, affiliates and information about significant ownership of the reporting entity. Basis of presentation describes the underlying basis used to prepare the financial statements (for example, US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Other Comprehensive Basis of Accounting, IFRS).

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