<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <Version>2.3.0.15</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ReportType />
  <ContextCount>156</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>183</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>20</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>3</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/DocumentDocumentandEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>103 - Statement - BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfFinancialPositionClassified</Role>
      <ShortName>BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>104 - Statement - BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfFinancialPositionClassifiedParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>105 - Statement - STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfIncomeAlternative</Role>
      <ShortName>STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>106 - Statement - STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfShareholdersEquityAndOtherComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>107 - Statement - STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfShareholdersEquityAndOtherComprehensiveIncomeParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>108 - Statement - STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfCashFlowsIndirect</Role>
      <ShortName>STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>109 - Disclosure - NATURE OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsOrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsDisclosureAndSignificantAccountingPoliciesTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>NATURE OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>110 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsSignificantAccountingPoliciesTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>111 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUES OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsFairValueDisclosuresTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUES OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>112 - Disclosure - ACQUISITION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsMergersAcquisitionsAndDispositionsDisclosuresTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>ACQUISITION</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>113 - Disclosure - FIXED ASSETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsPropertyPlantAndEquipmentDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>FIXED ASSETS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>114 - Disclosure - LICENSE AGREEMENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsCollaborativeAndLicenseArrangementDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>LICENSE AGREEMENTS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>115 - Disclosure - CONVERTIBLE DEBT</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsConvertibleDebtDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>CONVERTIBLE DEBT</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>116 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM NOTES PAYABLE</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDebtDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>LONG-TERM NOTES PAYABLE</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>117 - Disclosure - LINE OF CREDIT</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsLineOfCreditFacilitiesTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>LINE OF CREDIT</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>118 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsStockholdersEquityNoteDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>119 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfCompensationRelatedCostsShareBasedPaymentsTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>120 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsIncomeTaxDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>121 - Disclosure - NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsEarningsPerShareTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>122 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsCommitmentsDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>123 - Disclosure - LITIGATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsLegalMattersAndContingenciesTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>LITIGATION</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>124 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLAN</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsCompensationAndEmployeeBenefitPlansTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLAN</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>125 - Disclosure - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsRelatedPartyTransactionsDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>126 - Disclosure - (UNAUDITED) SUPPLEMENTAL PRO FORMA INFORMATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsSupplementalFinancialInformationDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>(UNAUDITED) SUPPLEMENTAL PRO FORMA INFORMATION</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>127 - Disclosure - PROPOSED REVERSE STOCK SPLIT</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsReverseStockSplitTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>PROPOSED REVERSE STOCK SPLIT</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>128 - Disclosure - COLLABORATION AGREEMENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsCollaborativeArrangementDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>COLLABORATION AGREEMENTS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>129 - Disclosure - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelos.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsSubsequentEventsTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>SUBSEQUENT EVENTS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_StockholdersEquity had a mix of decimals attribute values: 8 1 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_StockholdersEquity had a mix of decimals attribute values: 8 1 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_StockholdersEquity had a mix of decimals attribute values: 8 1 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueConversionOfConvertibleSecurities had a mix of decimals attribute values: 6 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 103 - Statement - BALANCE SHEETS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Sep. 30, 2010'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2008'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2007'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2006'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2005'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2004'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2003'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2002'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Mar. 31, 2010
Pre Acquisition'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2008
Pre Acquisition'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 104 - Statement - BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 105 - Statement - STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2008'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2007'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2006'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2005'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2004'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2003'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 107 - Statement - STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 108 - Statement - STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>nvlt-20110930.xml</File>
    <File>nvlt-20110930.xsd</File>
    <File>nvlt-20110930_cal.xml</File>
    <File>nvlt-20110930_def.xml</File>
    <File>nvlt-20110930_lab.xml</File>
    <File>nvlt-20110930_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
